Miss. Bakkin didn't care much for the murderous intent permeating Judge's family. She chuckled sinisterly.
"Taro is no pushover. With his vengeful personality, once he learns you've come into conflict with Zephyr, what do you think the outcome will be?"
Judge's eyes shifted slightly upon hearing this. After his gaze flickered a few times, he sat back down and gave a contemptuous smile.
"What would happen? He is a Marine Staff Officer, and Germa is also a member nation of the World Government!"
"Between us and Zephyr, it's just some misunderstanding that can be cleared up. I don't believe that someone qualified to be a Marine Staff Officer would be a fool!"
After the initial shock, Judge quickly regained his composure. He had almost been played by this old hag again.
Zephyr's target was clearly Miss. Bakkin.
If it really came down to it, he could just capture her and hand her over to Taro to clear up the misunderstanding!
Given the status of both parties, Taro wouldn't necessarily make a mountain out of a molehill!
Thinking of this, Judge's gaze toward Bakkin turned gloomy.
Miss. Bakkin clearly saw what Judge was thinking. Instead of retreating, she stepped forward a few paces.
"Judge, I know exactly what you're thinking!"
Saying this, she gave a couple of devious laughs.
"In today's battle, I've already seen the soldiers of the Germa army. You're using that technology, aren't you?"
She completely ignored Judge's increasingly cold gaze and continued to herself.
"Back then, you, I, and that kid Caesar were all in that Genius scientist's team..."
Hearing Bakkin suddenly bring up the past, Judge's brow furrowed tightly.
"Old hag, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"Hehehehe..."
Miss. Bakkin's laughter was chilling.
"'Genetic Blueprints', 'Devil Fruit Ability Modification', and 'Human Giantification'—the three of us were each responsible for one technology. Now that Caesar's whereabouts are unknown, we'll leave him aside for now."
"Relying solely on the 'Lineage Factor' theory, you rebuilt the Germa Kingdom. I also relied on 'Devil Fruit Ability Modification' to create the artificial human who could sever Zephyr's arm!"
"If the two of us can unite, wouldn't restoring Germa's former glory be as easy as turning over a hand?"
After hearing Bakkin finish, Judge seemed moved and began to think with a furrowed brow.
Among the four young people, the only woman's eyes shifted. She instinctively felt the old hag was being vague and that something was very wrong.
She wanted to speak up and warn him, but after hesitating, she remained silent.
She knew the old hag's words had struck Judge's sore spot.
In Judge's heart, nothing was more important than Germa dominating the North Blue once again!
Sure enough, after a moment of contemplation, Judge asked.
"The technology you possess, can it give my soldiers Devil Fruit abilities?"
"Of course!" Bakkin responded confidently. "Edward Weevil is the proof!"
After further thought, Judge said in a heavy voice.
"Bakkin, the technology you possess is indeed what I need. I can agree to cooperate with you, but as for that pirate named Blackbeard, forget it!"
Bakkin leaned her cane on the ground, gave a sneer, and shook her head.
"Judge, this cooperation must include Blackbeard!"
"You need my technology, and I can give it to you! But what I want, you cannot give me!"
Judge's face was grim. "What exactly do you want? And why do you think that pirate can give it to you?"
"I want to take back Whitebeard's legacy!"
Miss. Bakkin's wrinkled face twisted into a hideous expression—it was unclear if it was a smile or madness—but her voice was a roar.
"And I want Taro dead!"
Bakkin's neurotic reaction made the Vinsmoke family members all frown.
Judge thought for a long time, tilting his head.
"Your technology is indeed what I need. However, Taro is the Navy Grand Staff Officer. I'm not so insane that I would become an enemy of the World Government for your technology!"
"Hehahaha!"
Miss. Bakkin laughed frantically, laughing until tears came out.
"Judge, you've probably stayed in the North Blue for too long, to the point where your understanding of Taro is limited to the newspapers!"
"Do you really think the Sicily Island incident was as simple as the newspapers said? The World Government would only clap and cheer for Taro's death!"
Bakkin's words made Judge and the others curious.
However, Judge was the ruler of a nation after all, and he still had some political sensitivity.
He thought about it and still felt the risk was too great.
"Even if what you say is true, I won't agree!"
"Taro's identity as the Navy Grand Staff Officer cannot be faked. Once he dies, even if the World Government is happy, they will still need a scapegoat. Germa Kingdom will not be that scapegoat!"
Miss. Bakkin seemed to have anticipated Judge's attitude. She shook her head.
"Therefore, you don't need to kill Taro. Blackbeard and Taro are mortal enemies. Killing Taro is the agreement between Blackbeard and me!"
Judge tapped his palm on the armrest of his chair and pondered for a while.
"Why did that pirate seek me out? And what can he give me?"
Miss. Bakkin had been standing for a long time and looked a bit tired. She leaned on her cane with both hands.
"Blackbeard needs Whitebeard's territory, and I need Whitebeard's legacy. This is the basis of my cooperation with him!"
"He and his subordinates will deal with those Whitebeard Pirates Remnants. Your army only needs to go to the New World waters and help him control those islands."
"In exchange, after he gains a foothold in the New World, he will help you dominate the North Blue! Your target waters are different, so there's no conflict of interest!"
"Of course, there is one most important point: he has a method to precisely seize Devil Fruit abilities. This is also a key part of our technological cooperation. He will provide you with enough ability users!"
Bakkin laid out their three-way cooperation plan and added one last bewitching sentence.
"Just think about it, Judge. How powerful will your mass-produced loyal army become once they possess Devil Fruit abilities!"
Judge's pupils suddenly constricted, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.
Below the steps, the woman standing to the side frowned, thinking to herself that things were going poorly.
Her father was clearly being persuaded!
This old hag had her father's weakness firmly in her grasp!
The woman knew very well that this seemingly win-win-win cooperation plan was too risky for the Germa Kingdom.
Germa would need to be the first to intervene in the conflict between Blackbeard and the Whitebeard Pirates Remnants, yet they would be the last party to receive the cooperation rewards.
If any step went wrong or any party backed out, Germa would lose everything!
As the Fleet Admiral who had led a mercenary army for many years, Judge had naturally thought of these risks as well.
However, the dream of restoring the former glory of the Germa Kingdom was above all else!
For decades, there hadn't been a single glimmer of hope for this dream, which made Judge very urgent.
He was already old; how could he wait another few decades?
Even without Bakkin or Blackbeard, he was planning to choose a suitable cooperation partner from among the remaining Three Emperors.
Since Blackbeard wanted to plot for Whitebeard's 'Four Emperors' status, then cooperating with him wasn't out of the question.
If Blackbeard succeeded, it would be equivalent to cooperating with one of the Four Emperors.
If Blackbeard turned out to be useless, at worst, they could treat it as having gone to the New World for a round of plundering; it wouldn't be a loss!
Thinking of this, Judge nodded and said in a heavy voice.
"Miss. Bakkin, the three-way cooperation—I agree!"
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