From the sheer, horrifying fact that Vinsmoke Judge was willing to perform radical, emotion-stripping genetic modifications on his own unborn children, it was glaringly obvious exactly what kind of man he was: a cold, utterly ruthless megalomaniac.
To restore the Germa Empire to its former glory, Judge was willing to sacrifice absolutely everything, including his own humanity and familial love.
However, despite his usual extreme arrogance, Judge was also a man of science. When faced with an absolutely overwhelming, mathematically impossible disadvantage, he was incredibly quick to submit.
Currently, the situation was catastrophic. Judge still possessed several emergency countermeasures and could instantly summon tens of thousands of armed Clone Soldiers into the room. What kind of brilliant scientist didn't have backup plans, after all?
Yet, Judge didn't dare make a single reckless move. He had already recognized the crackling blue energy surrounding Enel. It was the legendary Rumble-Rumble Fruit (Goro Goro no Mi). Facing a top-tier Logia user, sending in waves of Clone Soldiers was literally just throwing human bodies into a meat grinder. It was completely pointless.
Swallowing his massive pride and actively yielding was objectively the most optimal choice for his survival.
"Please. Do not harm them any further," Judge said, forcing his voice to remain steady. "We can talk civilly."
He didn't say this out of fatherly love. These modified children were his ultimate military trump cards; he absolutely could not afford to lose even a single one of them here.
"Mr. Judge, since you're cooperating, why don't you explain exactly what is going on with this kid's body?" Enel asked. As he spoke, he casually drove another jolt of electricity into Niji's back.
Niji violently convulsed on the floor, gritting his teeth, but the lightning didn't seem to cause any severe, permanent tissue damage.
"It is the result of Lineage Factor modification," Judge answered obediently, staring at the floor. "I personally altered the genetic structures of all my children. Niji's specific modifications granted his body the biological capability to generate and discharge high-voltage electricity."
"Lineage Factor?" Enel tilted his head.
Obviously, this highly advanced scientific terminology completely bypassed the Skypiean's realm of knowledge.
"The Lineage Factor is also known as the 'Blueprint of Life'," Judge elaborated, a faint trace of scientific pride bleeding into his tone. "It exists within the DNA of all living organisms. By mapping and manipulating the Lineage Factor, we can not only mass-produce perfect clone soldiers, but also radically enhance the human body. Of course, these modifications have the highest success rate when applied directly during the embryonic stage."
Judge paused for a moment before continuing. "These children of mine... they are the absolute pinnacle of my life's work. They are my masterpieces, crafted perfectly through Lineage Factor technology."
Enel completely ignored the word "masterpiece," rolling his eyes at the King's ego. Bardock, however, silently nodded in mild approval. Compared to Caesar Clown's highly unstable, toxic, and defective artificial SMILE fruits, Judge's genetic engineering was undeniably a massive, stable success.
"Mr. Judge, do you know why we specifically sought you out?" Bardock asked, stepping forward.
Judge shook his head. He was genuinely baffled as to why this monstrous crew had specifically targeted him.
"It's precisely because of that Lineage Factor technology," Bardock stated bluntly. "My ship's doctor is currently conducting a highly complex line of research involving Devil Fruit wavelengths, and he needs a complete grasp of Lineage Factor mechanics to proceed. I know that years ago, you were part of the illegal scientific research team MADS alongside Dr. Vegapunk. Since Vegapunk is heavily guarded by the World Government and completely inaccessible to me right now, you were the next best option."
"YOU BASTARD!" Judge's face flushed bright red, his scientific ego violently triggered. "Are you implying that I am merely a secondary backup?! That I am inferior to Vegapunk?!"
"Your bruised ego is completely irrelevant right now," Bardock waved his hand dismissively, cutting off the King's tantrum. "The technology. Are you going to hand over your research data or not?"
"Absolutely not!" Judge gritted his teeth, his tone resolute. "The Lineage Factor is the absolute foundation of the entire Germa Empire! It is our greatest military secret. I will never simply hand it over to you!"
Bardock sighed. He raised his hand and pointed a finger directly at the three beaten, paralyzed brothers on the floor. "Are their lives enough to buy it?"
"No!" Judge spat.
Bardock's finger slowly shifted, pointing directly at Reiju, and then finally resting on Judge himself. "Alright. What if I add your daughter's life, and your own?"
Judge flinched, a bead of cold sweat rolling down his forehead. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to maintain eye contact. "Still... not enough."
Whether he was bluffing or genuinely valued his scientific monopoly over his own life, he was stubbornly holding his ground.
"Hmm..." Bardock lowered his hand, a highly amused smirk playing on his lips. "Very well. How about a trade, then? What if I exchange one of Vegapunk's greatest secrets for your research?"
"What kind of secret?" Judge asked, his eyes instantly narrowing with intense curiosity. Anything involving his former colleague and greatest rival immediately commanded his full attention.
"The secret of exactly why Vegapunk is so incomprehensibly brilliant," Bardock said smoothly. "The secret of why his scientific achievements eclipse you, Caesar Clown, and Queen combined."
Hearing this, Judge immediately bristled with anger, but he quickly forced himself to calm down, his analytical mind taking over. He sneered. "Don't insult my intelligence. Are you simply going to tell me it's because he ate the Paramecia-type Brain-Brain Fruit (Nomi Nomi no Mi)?"
"Of course not," Bardock chuckled, shaking his head. "While the Brain-Brain Fruit certainly grants him infinite storage capacity and aids his memory, it is absolutely not the deciding factor behind his miraculous technological leaps. It's something else entirely. So? Do we have a deal?"
Judge stared at Bardock for a long, tense moment, desperately weighing his options. Finally, his scientific obsession won out.
"Fine," Judge agreed, his voice tight. "If the answer you provide genuinely satisfies me... I will give you the complete data on the Lineage Factor."