North Blue, in the waters near the entrance to the Grand Line.
A bubble suddenly rose from the sea.
Before long, there was a second one.
Then a large number of bubbles began rising across the surrounding surface.
Splash, splash.
Giant snails emerged from the sea one after another.
Slowly, more and more of these giant snails gathered together and began joining side by side.
As time passed, a landmass made of snails appeared on the sea.
At the center stood a castle. A flag hung above it.
The emblem was a skull. The skull's left eye was shaped like a "6," while its right eye was an inverted "6." A yellow lightning-bolt pattern pierced through the skull.
If the people of the North Blue saw this, they would be shocked.
Because this was a story ordinary people of the North Blue knew extremely well.
Sora, Warrior of the Sea.
It told the story of the hero Sora, who could walk across the sea, leading a transforming robot and seagulls against the evil army known as Germa 66.
Through Germa 66's repeated defeats, the story shaped the image of the Marines as powerful and just. It also became excellent brainwashing material for children.
The story had fans all over the world.
But people usually believed Germa 66 was only a fictional evil army. They did not know it truly existed.
Inside the castle, the current king of the Germa Kingdom, Vinsmoke Judge, sat on the throne and looked down at his children below.
After leaving MADS and returning to the Germa Kingdom, Vinsmoke Judge used scientific technology to rebuild Germa 66. His goal was to dominate the North Blue once again.
Years ago, Judge had led Germa 66 and caused the major incident known as the "Slaughter of the Four Nations of the North Blue." He had beheaded the rulers of four North Blue kingdoms and even had the event painted into a massive mural to commemorate it.
Later, Kizaru had taught him how to behave in a single move.
In the end, Judge came up with another method.
He used lineage factor modification technology to grant his children bodies far beyond ordinary humans.
At that time, the brothers were still in their mother's womb, but he had not hesitated in the slightest.
He would turn them into Germa 66's top fighting force.
However, his third son, Sanji, had never awakened any ability, and so Judge had always despised him.
Vinsmoke Reiju.
Princess of the Germa Kingdom, eldest daughter of the Vinsmoke family, Germa 66's "Poison Pink."
Through Judge's lineage factor modification, she gained a superhuman body. Although she retained her emotions, she could not disobey her father's orders.
Vinsmoke Ichiji.
Prince of the Germa Kingdom, eldest son of the Vinsmoke family, Germa 66's "Sparking Red."
Through Judge's lineage factor modification, he gained a superhuman body and possessed the power of "sparks." He had no emotions.
Vinsmoke Niji.
Prince of the Germa Kingdom, second son of the Vinsmoke family, Germa 66's "Dengeki Blue."
Through Judge's lineage factor modification, he gained a superhuman body and possessed the power of electricity. He had no emotions.
Vinsmoke Yonji.
Prince of the Germa Kingdom, fourth son of the Vinsmoke family, Germa 66's "Winch Green."
Through Judge's lineage factor modification, he gained a superhuman body. His physical ability was mechanization, allowing him to alter the shape of his limbs and wield tremendous strength. He had no emotions.
As for the youngest, Sanji, he was a person with emotions. His body also failed to awaken for a long time, which made him the child Judge despised most.
Twelve-year-old Vinsmoke Ichiji saw his father staring at them in silence for a long time, clearly thinking about something. Unable to hold back, he asked,
"Father, why do we need to hide? He's only a criminal with a four-billion bounty. Is Germa 66 supposed to fear someone like him?"
Behind him, Niji and Yonji nodded in agreement.
"He's just a wanted man. We are the strongest warriors of Germa 66. Are we really unable to take him down?"
Seventeen-year-old Reiju looked at her three younger brothers speaking so arrogantly and said nothing.
Aside from Sanji, she was the only one among them who still had emotions. But one command had been implanted in her.
She must absolutely obey her father's orders.
Vinsmoke Judge sighed.
When he modified those three, he had stripped away fear and other emotions.
Back then, he had thought it was a good thing. Now the side effects were showing. Each of them acted as if the heavens and earth were theirs alone, looking down on everyone.
What did they mean, "only a wanted man"?
That man could wipe them all out with a casual slap, did they know that?
Judge had a headache now.
Not knowing fear was a good thing, but this had gone too far. One by one, they were shouting about capturing that man for the bounty.
If Judge could take him down, would he have hidden in the first place?
Back when he tried to rule the North Blue, Kizaru had defeated him in one move. He could not even withstand someone like that.
And that man had fought three Marines of that same level alone.
His judgment at the time had absolutely been correct.
That group had been asking around the North Blue for Germa 66's whereabouts. They were probably after his technology.
If he had not had the foresight to hide early, that man would definitely have come for him.
After so much time, that guy had probably left the North Blue and entered the Grand Line by now.
Judge waved a hand, stopping the brothers' complaints.
"Go rest. You'll have your chance next time."
"Yes."
The three brothers nodded.
There was one order in their minds.
Obey their father's commands.
No matter what happened, they had to obey.
"Reiju, what is it?"
Judge looked at his eldest daughter, who still had not left.
Reiju frowned, her beautiful face solemn.
"Father, I think that group may not have left yet.
"After they disappeared that day, they never showed themselves again. I think they may be hiding, waiting for us to appear."
Judge frowned.
He had considered this possibility too.
Just as he was about to speak, the alarm suddenly rang.
"What happened?"
Judge shot up from his seat.
Reiju's heart jumped. The uneasy feeling inside her grew stronger. She hurried outside to check the situation.
Judge had no time to think further and quickly followed her out.
The moment father and daughter reached the entrance, their eyes widened.
Because the person they least wanted to see had appeared on this land.
Outside, the clone soldiers lay on the ground one after another, motionless.
Reiju looked at her three younger brothers struggling desperately on the ground, then looked at the blind man beside that man.
"Gravity-Gravity Fruit user, wandering swordsman Issho."
"It seems this one has become famous as well."
Issho's cane sword rested against the ground. The three brothers were crushed so hard they could not move.
"How? How is this possible?
"Didn't you leave the North Blue? How can you still be here?"
White Ghost looked at Judge with a smile.
"You really know how to hide. I've been searching the North Blue for you for a year.
"I was already preparing to give up. Who would've thought you'd suddenly appear right in front of me?
"Looks like this is heaven's will."
Boom.
As soon as White Ghost finished speaking, under Issho's ability, the Dragon Emperor steadily descended from the sky and landed on the ground.
Seeing this, Judge's heart turned completely cold.
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