Urdaha raised his iron fist, clenching it tight with a smirk. "So, you want me to witness the prowess of the Germa combat squads? Is that it?"
At their captain's words, the crew members of the Iron Arm Pirates behind him grew restless, looking eager for a fight.
Yonji gritted his teeth. There were precious few powers in this world who dared to act so arrogantly in front of Germa, but the Yonko were certainly among them.
"Urdaha," Dr. Vegapunk spoke up. "Judge is an old friend of mine. Watch your tongue."
Urdaha glanced sideways, signaling his subordinates to stand down for the moment. Nominally, Dr. Vegapunk was the head of this specific mission.
"Judge, I'm sure you've heard the purpose of my visit from our intermediary, Doflamingo," Dr. Vegapunk said, steering the conversation back on track.
"Cultivation chambers and nutrient solution, correct? And you want the extra-large models at that. You're certainly opening your mouth wide for this one, Vegapunk." Judge spoke with visible physical pain at the thought of the cost; it was clear how difficult those machines were to develop.
"If it were simple, why would I come to you?" Dr. Vegapunk countered. "Sell them to me."
"Sell?" Judge's face soured. "Do you think those things can be acquired with mere berry? You of all people, Vegapunk, should know their true value."
"Ugh, what a pain in the ass."
A sudden complaint drew everyone's attention. They turned to see Fallon, captain of the Black Thorn Pirates.
He looked utterly impatient. "Buy them? My foot. This is a pirate mission, let's just take them by force."
As he spoke, he activated his Zoan-type Hedgehog Fruit ability, his hair transforming into sharp spikes. The Black Thorn Pirates and the Iron Arm Pirates followed suit, entering combat stances.
"I've had enough of these bastards too!"
The eldest son, Ichiji, whipped his cape aside, revealing a right arm modified with numerous advanced weapons. He hissed, "No one has ever dared to speak to Germa like that!"
"Ha! Perfect!" Fallon laughed wildly. "I've never paid for a thing in my life. Isn't it easier just to pillage it?"
"I like this ship. Might as well just take the whole thing while we're at it," Urdaha added, his face flushed with excitement.
Aranea took a cup of milk tea from a trembling maid. Sipping from the straw, she thought to herself, Men who only know how to shout and kill... how disgusting.
"All of you, shut up!"
Judge's roar was loud enough to make his three enraged sons stop in surprise. He turned to Dr. Vegapunk. "Fine. I'll give you the equipment. And I don't want your money."
"Then what do you want?" Dr. Vegapunk asked.
"I demand a guarantee that the Immortal Pirates will not take action against Germa 66. It's that simple."
In this deal, Judge wasn't looking for money; he was looking for a promise. He had countless ways to earn money, but a promise from a Yonko-level power was a different matter entirely.
But I don't think that man is the type to keep his word, Dr. Vegapunk thought privately. However, he didn't say it aloud. Needing the cultivation machinery, he replied, "Fine. I will report this to the top."
Vegapunk was playing a bit of a word game with Judge. He said he would "report" it, but he never said Alucard would "agree."
Several hours later.
Watching the silhouettes of the Immortal Pirates' ships sailing away, Niji's rage had nowhere to go. He punched the surface of the ocean, triggering a massive geyser of water. "I have never been so looked down upon! Damn those Immortal Pirates!"
"Father, I can't stomach this insult," Ichiji said, looking at Judge.
Judge's face was as cold as frost. "You'll stomach it because you have to. Until you gain greater power, you must swallow your pride!"
On the other side, Dr. Indigo and the other researchers were staring at the cultivation machinery obtained from Germa like lechers staring at a beauty. To these scientists, this was a dream treasure.
In his private quarters, Dr. Vegapunk held a Den Den Mushi receiver, reporting the situation to Alucard.
"What a shame. I guess we won't be playing cat and mouse after all." The Den Den Mushi, wearing Alucard's signature round sunglasses, mimicked Alucard's regretful tone.
"Do you really want me to betray you that badly?"
Dr. Vegapunk rolled his eyes and returned to his serious tone. "In any case, the Human Weapon project can proceed. The original plan was to call them 'Pacifistas.' Should we change the name?"
"It's just a name. Is there any need to change it?" Alucard asked back.
Dr. Vegapunk replied flatly, "Don't you think it's a bit strange for a pirate group's weapons to be called 'Pacifistas'?"
"That makes it even more interesting," Alucard said, then hung up.
"Willful."
Vegapunk stared at the sleeping Den Den Mushi for a long time before uttering that single word.
…
The first half of the Grand Line, Alabasta.
After an uncountable number of battles, Crocodile had grown tired of the brat who challenged him day in and day out. Because of Alucard, he didn't dare kill Law, but his pride wouldn't allow him to lose on purpose either.
"Desert Spada!"
Crocodile's arm transformed into four razor-sharp blades, slicing through the ground and sweeping toward Law with no room for escape.
Law was covered in wounds, his face smeared with blood and grime. The blade of Kikoku blocked Crocodile's strike as Law leaped into the air. In his left palm, a swirling vortex of air formed.
"ROOM!!"
Vroom!
A massive, translucent light-blue dome enveloped them both. In Crocodile's eyes, Law suddenly vanished. Crocodile slammed a palm into the ground, causing the entire area to collapse into a shifting sand dune.
"Desert Girasole!"
"You rely too much on your Sand-Sand Fruit abilities, Crocodile!"
Law's voice rang in Crocodile's ear.
Suddenly, the blade of Kikoku was thrust into the ground right in front of Crocodile. In less than two seconds, Law was standing on the hilt with his left foot and the spine of the blade with his right. Moving a step faster than Crocodile, he thrust his right hand out like a tiger's claw, aiming directly for Crocodile's heart.
"Mes!!"