Boom… Crack!
Boom!
Rumbles echoed from various parts of Germa Kingdom's mobile sea fortresses.
One huge landmass after another was connected by complex machinery, forming expansive "territories" and "cities."
The "terrifying nation" that the people of the North Blue refused to recall was reappearing on this sea.
And this nation's sole purpose for its long-awaited reappearance was to intimidate the Four Seas Alliance!
…
Inside Germa Kingdom's palace.
On the throne.
The King of Germa Kingdom, Commander of Germa 66, and the head of the Vinsmoke family – Vinsmoke Judge – sat regally on his throne.
He was a tall, sturdy man with a stern expression.
He wore a metal helmet, had long golden-yellow hair, and sported jet-black whiskers that slanted upwards to a point.
He was clad in a light gray combat suit, crafted with the Vinsmoke family's top scientific technology, complete with white gloves, a golden belt bearing the "66" emblem, and a pair of black combat boots.
On the weapon rack beside Vinsmoke Judge, a massive heavy gun was propped up.
This was his favorite weapon.
"Hmph…"
Judge let out a light breath, his face grim.
He asked the guard standing nearby:
"Does Reiju still like to visit the place where we keep that failure?"
The guard saluted and nodded, "Yes, Master."
"Hmph…"
Judge sighed again, clearly in a foul mood. "Keep an eye on them. If that failure wasn't my son, I would have discarded him long ago!"
…
The "failure" Judge spoke of was none other than the future "Black Leg" Sanji!
To achieve his ambition of restoring the glory of the Germa Empire, Judge had even forced his wife to undergo surgery and modify their own children, creating several powerful cyborg children with abilities far beyond normal humans.
Judge's wife, Vinsmoke Sora, was extremely dissatisfied with her husband's madness. To oppose him, she even took medicine herself in an attempt to prevent Judge's surgery.
In the end, only one child "avoided" becoming a cyborg and retained human emotions.
That child was Sanji.
However, precisely because of this, Sanji's combat prowess during his childhood was far weaker than that of his brothers and sisters, and his personality was quite gentle.
Judge was quite displeased with Sanji's weakness. This dissatisfaction eventually erupted, and after a severe beating, Sanji was thrown into the dungeon.
If I recall correctly.
It seems that recently, Sanji's sister, Reiju, dissatisfied with the brutal treatment of Sanji by their father and brothers, took the opportunity to help Sanji escape.
This allowed Sanji to gain a chance to work as a cook on a ship, later meet "Red Foot" Zeff, and eventually become a member of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Of course, that's a story for another time.
Time returns to the present.
Sanji is still locked in the dungeon, and Reiju visits him occasionally.
Such childish behavior from the children naturally did not escape the watchful eyes of Germa 66. Judge was aware of Reiju's actions but didn't intervene since it seemed insignificant.
After all, it wouldn't cause any major trouble!
Moreover, there were more critical matters awaiting Judge's attention now…
The Four Seas Alliance!
This organization, which had been active in the Grand Line, had suddenly extended its reach to the North Blue!
Unforgivable!
Judge's mouth twitched, his dissatisfaction reaching its peak.
He had spent so much effort to establish Germa Kingdom in the North Blue, and now the Four Seas Alliance had suddenly appeared to compete with him for territory in the North Blue?
How could the World Government allow such a thing to happen? What were they doing!
…
When it came to covering up events, the World Government was indeed professional.
The Crystal Demon virus incident was well-covered by the World Government, so it was only natural that Germa 66's intelligence network couldn't uncover the truth.
Judge was unaware of the transaction between the Four Seas Alliance and the World Government, so he couldn't understand why the World Government would allow an organization from the Grand Line to extend its influence to the four seas.
But he was truly unhappy.
Since he was unhappy, it had to be resolved.
Judge's target naturally fell upon the Four Seas Alliance's base in the North Blue – the Aden Kingdom.
…
"Hmm, I heard that many 'monsters' have appeared in the Aden Kingdom recently?"
Judge was reviewing the intelligence before him, which included some information about the "Discarded."
"Physical abilities on par with Fish-Men, defenses comparable to steel shields, single-combat capabilities no less than Marine soldiers…"
These "exaggerated" pieces of information caught Judge's eye, causing his brow to furrow deeply.
"Discarded… what exactly are they?"
He had been established in the North Blue for many years, yet he had never heard of a race like this living in the North Blue.
"Is it the influence of Devil Fruit abilities? Or an undiscovered lost race? Or perhaps cyborgs?"
Honestly speaking, as a commander, Judge's deductive abilities were indeed strong.
In a sense, the "Discarded" could indeed be considered a type of "cyborg" – although they were "modified" by force.
"If the opportunity arises, I'll capture one for research."
Judge pondered this.
At the same time, a guard approached to report.
"Master, people from the Four Seas Alliance have arrived!"
"They've arrived?"
Judge was somewhat surprised by the speed of the Four Seas Alliance's actions.
After thinking it over, he surmised they were likely the people permanently stationed in the Aden Kingdom by the Four Seas Alliance.
Judge inquired, "Are there hundreds? Or thousands? Is there anyone I need to pay special attention to?"
"No."
The guard shook his head and emphasized, "There's only one person!"
"One person?!"
Judge's eyes widened immediately, and he began to speculate:
"Is it that Ryan Rowan? Or Crocodile? Or that newly appointed Shichibukai?"
The newly appointed Shichibukai referred to Hocka, nicknamed "The Wanderer."
But the guard's answer was beyond Judge's expectation.
"No, none of them…"
The guard replied, "We don't have any information on that person at all. He seems to be… just an ordinary person from the Four Seas Alliance?"
Even the guard himself didn't quite believe this assessment.
…
Meanwhile, that small boat had already landed at Germa Kingdom's port.
"Hoo!"
The man carefully reread the opening section of the script in his hand, then let out a long sigh.
He closed the notebook, put it inside his clothing, and patted it with his hand, as if bracing himself and gathering his courage.
The moment he stepped onto Germa Kingdom's "territory."
Swish!
Several sharp blades were held at his neck.
Several cloned dead soldiers surrounded the man.
The man's expression remained unchanged as he continued to walk forward, step by step.
"Hmm…"
The man mused to himself.
What should he do next?
---
You can read 50+ more chapter on patreon com/JYouyi