The alliance between the two was completed.
Judge immediately started asking excitedly about the specific details of Golden Lion's research.
Merlin described it briefly to him.
Judge's eyes instantly lit up, wishing he could kill Golden Lion immediately and snatch all his research results.
He also eagerly asked Merlin when they would go trouble Golden Lion.
Merlin only said to wait.
Judge was extremely depressed about this.
Before long, seeing Monet and the others arriving and securing the ship at the dock here, they came ashore one after another. At this time, Merlin began to introduce them to each other.
Soon, everyone got to know each other.
Fulvio and the others looked at Merlin in shock. He had resolved the most famous Evil Army Kingdom in the North Blue so quickly.
At this time, Judge looked at his eldest daughter, Vinsmoke Reiju. "Reiju, take your Uncle Merlin and the others to the West Castle where the royal family lives to settle down.
"I'll tell the servants to prepare a luncheon."
Merlin looked at Judge with a subtle gaze. Judge noticed and asked blankly, "What's wrong? Is there a problem with my words?"
At this time, Monet beside them covered her mouth and snickered, saying directly, "Merlin is not even seventeen yet."
Judge raised an eyebrow lightly. Only now did he size up Merlin seriously. Looking closely, he confirmed the immaturity still present on Merlin's face.
Instantly, he realized that this man who ravaged their entire country by himself was actually so young.
His heart jumped, and he quickly became excited. Young is good; being young means he has more and greater room for growth in the future.
"Then... take your Big Brother Merlin?"
Saying this, he looked at Merlin. He really didn't mean to take advantage of Merlin. Merlin's mouth twitched. "It's just a title. Not important."
Saying this, Merlin looked at Judge. "By the way, where are you going now? If you don't have a fixed direction, go to Swallow Island. I have family there; I'm going to pick them up."
Hearing this, Judge nodded. "Okay, then we go to Swallow Island. For this period, we don't have a fixed destination."
Saying this, he looked at Merlin. "Then let Reiju take you to rest first.
"I'll arrange the trip to Swallow Island right away!
"By the way, Merlin, can I call you Merlin?"
"Sure." Merlin nodded. Judge breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled. "Since we share technology, after they rest, Reiju will bring you to the laboratory later. I'll wait for you there?"
"Good!"
Soon, watching Merlin and his group heading towards the main royal castle led by Reiju, a trace of blankness flashed in Judge's eyes. "This crisis of near extinction ended just as simply as this?"
Until now, he still couldn't quite believe it. The drastic ups and downs today had impacted his mind too greatly.
At this time, his three sons and Sanji from not far away walked over. The red-haired eldest son, Ichiji, spoke at this moment: "Father, do we really have to ally with that guy?"
Looking at his eldest son, whose eyes were obviously unconvinced, a subtle look flashed in Judge's eyes. "Can you beat him then?"
Ichiji paused. "He's double my age. When I reach his age, I'll definitely be stronger than him."
Then, the green-haired fourth son Yonji and second son Niji also said dissatisfiedly, "Big brother is right."
Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers.
Not knowing what fear is.
This phrase suddenly popped into his mind. For some reason, he felt a bit afraid of their current "heartlessness."
Then he looked at the blond third son Sanji, who clearly had a blank face and fear in his eyes. This was the emotion a normal person should have.
And thinking of his eldest daughter Reiju, who also had blank fear deep in her eyes just now. At this moment, Judge took a deep breath. "Shut up! Laplace Merlin is already a staunch ally of our Vinsmoke Clan. He is a strong man of my generation.
"Show some respect in the future.
"Otherwise, if you get taught a lesson, I won't speak up for you."
Saying this, he no longer looked at the three sons who knew no fear, but looked at the usually cowardly useless Sanji beside them. His expression softened, wearing a smile. "Sanji, from now on, interact more with your Uncle Merlin—no, Mister Merlin. It will do you no harm."
Sanji's eyes widened, looking at Judge in disbelief. This father who detested him actually smiled at him.
Sanji instantly became excited, straightening his back and responding loudly, "Yes, Father."
He had always longed for his father's recognition, and now with that man's arrival...
He seemed to be noticed by his father again. No longer transparent.
Then in the future, he must build a good relationship with that Uncle Merlin.
Right, wonder if he likes gourmet food? I can cook for him.
Watching Sanji's happy look, a complex emotion flashed in Judge's eyes. He actually hated this son who looked most like him.
Because this low-energy child failed to awaken the Lineage Factor super-power modification.
Because every time he saw him, he would remember his wife resisting him because of their modification, taking large amounts of potent drugs interfering with Lineage Factors during pregnancy, thereby destroying her body. Now her health was deteriorating daily, and she didn't have long to live.
He loved his wife very much, so unknowingly he transferred all his anger onto this third son.
Judge pinched the center of his brow, waving his hand somewhat irritably. "You are dismissed!"
However, at this time, he didn't notice the unhappy and vicious looks in the eyes of his remaining three sons as they looked at Sanji, who was receiving attention.
Sanji ran happily towards Reiju's direction. Judge also walked away.
But at this time, he suddenly thought of Merlin's magical ability that seemed capable of healing, and an idea suddenly formed in his mind.
Walking alongside to lead the way, Reiju looked at Merlin and the others somewhat timidly and curiously. But at this time, she heard Merlin's words.
"Pink, regarding the current situation here, I don't want you to speak of it."
Pink raised an eyebrow slightly, then nodded with a smile. "Okay!"
Pink was shocked that Merlin obtained the alliance of Germa so easily. He couldn't help but think of some future action policies in the family.
For example, seizing a kingdom called Dressrosa in the New World one day in the future.
And at this moment, Merlin obtained the allegiance of the Germa Kingdom without bloodshed. This speed, this efficiency...
Made him ashamed.
But at this time, thinking of what Merlin said before, Pink's heart moved. He looked at Merlin somewhat guiltily. "By the way, if we go to Swallow Island later, do we have to pass through Razi Town?"
"You want to go find that woman named Lucian? You fancied her."
Pink's face twitched, involuntarily looking at Monet and the other two beside him. Monet instantly covered her mouth and snickered. "Hehe! Don't blame me. Who told you to chat with her so engrossed on the street yourself?"
Pink sighed helplessly. At this time, Merlin's eyes flashed, and he chuckled. "Like her? Want to marry her?"
Merlin asked with a smile. Pink's eye corner twitched. After a few seconds, he nodded, looking at Merlin with melancholy eyes. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"
Merlin shook his head. "I don't know; I can't imagine such a situation."
Hearing this, helplessness flashed in Monet's eyes. At this time, Pink poured out his bitterness. "Lucian also has a good impression of me, but she hates pirates, and I am the pirate she hates the most. I don't know how to get along with her."
Merlin glanced at him. He was powerless in this kind of matter. After all, Pink wasn't him; only he could overcome this hurdle.
However.
"Best to tell the truth. Love built on lies might end in tragedy eventually.
"If she cares about you, maybe she will also accept your past."
Senor looked at Merlin with wide eyes. "Really?"
"Don't know. You decide this yourself. After all, I don't know her well."
Pink's eye corner jumped. He sighed helplessly. "I know, I'll consider it carefully."
"Um..."
At this time, Reiju, who had been leading the way quietly, gritted her teeth and suddenly said to Merlin, "Actually, Mr. Pink's matter is easy to solve. Our Germa 66 is a World Government member nation after all.
"Uncle, you can ask Father to arrange a Guard Captain identity for Mr. Pink.
"And with our Germa Kingdom's endorsement, wouldn't he have a different identity this way?"
As soon as she spoke, she shut her mouth. Merlin raised an eyebrow slightly, stopping to glance at this little girl who was the same age as Baby 5 and pink-haired like Perona.
A smile rose on his lips as he looked at Pink, who had interest in his eyes now. "Listen! Isn't your problem solved? This girl is smart. So, all problems in this world aren't problems; the difference is only whether the person involved has enough ability."
Pink's eyes were excited. Looking at Merlin gratefully, he said, "Then if I have a child in the future, Merlin, you be his godfather!"
Merlin's eye corner jumped. "Wait until you have one! Maybe Lucian is just playing with you!"
Pink's mouth twitched violently. "Impossible! We fell in love at first sight and love each other sincerely."
Merlin couldn't help rolling his eyes. "You guy really deserve a beating."
Pink grinned. "Then it's settled, godfather of my future child."
Merlin laughed. At this time, seeing that Merlin didn't seem as cruel as seen before, Reiju suddenly thought of Merlin's healing ability just now. Her heart moved, climbing up the pole. "Uncle, can your ability heal injuries? What about long-term accumulated damage to the body?"
Looking at the uneasiness in this girl's eyes, Merlin's gaze moved. "What? Someone in your family has an incurable disease? Even your Vinsmoke medical team can't cure it?
"Also, don't call me Uncle; sounds awkward."
At this time, Baby 5 looked speechless. "You call Big Brother Merlin Uncle, then shouldn't you call me Auntie too?"
Reiju ignored this peer who was shamelessly taking advantage of her at this moment. Instead, she looked at Merlin eagerly. "My mother ate too many potent drugs interfering with Lineage Factors during pregnancy, damaging her body's foundation too severely.
"Our family's medical team can't cure it.
"Please try, okay? I heard Devil Fruit abilities are very magical and can achieve various miracles that ordinary humans cannot."
Merlin glanced at her and nodded. "After settling them down, I'll go see your mother with you."
Excitement flashed in Reiju's eyes, and she nodded heavily. "Thank you so much."
At this time, a little guy ran over panting. Reiju asked puzzledly, "Sanji, why did you come over?"
Sanji saw Reiju and shrank his neck somewhat timidly. "Father asked me to get along well with Uncle Merlin."
Surprise flashed in Merlin's eyes. Looking at this somewhat cowering little guy: "Sanji, right?"
Sanji hurriedly raised his head, chest out, arms tight against his trouser legs, standing in a straight military posture, responding loudly, "Yes, Uncle. I am Sanji."
Helplessness appeared in Merlin's eyes. Looking at Reiju, he asked, "Has Judge always managed you with militarization?"
Helplessness flashed in Reiju's eyes. She nodded and said, "Militarized during training, not daily. But Sanji is a bit different."
Merlin smiled, looking at Sanji. "Okay. When we train in the future, you can join in."
A happy smile appeared on Sanji's face instantly. But at this time, Reiju's eyes flashed. Looking at Sanji, she said, "Go to Mom and tell her a distinguished guest will come to treat her body later, so Mom can be prepared."
Sanji's eyes widened, stunned in place. Reiju frowned. "Go quickly."
Sanji reacted, nodding hurriedly and running towards a building area on one side.
Reiju apologized to Merlin at this time, "Sorry, my brother is a bit stupid. Please don't take it to heart."
Merlin smiled and shook his head. "It's fine. Among your family I've seen so far, the only ones who can be called normal people are you two siblings. I like dealing with normal people."
Reiju couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief.
Soon, under her lead, Merlin and the group arrived at a luxurious building on the west side of the royal castle.
Entering the spacious hall, Reiju said, "This villa is where you will stay. The second and third floors are all rooms.
"The master bedroom is on the third floor. I'll take you there first."
Before long, going up the spiral staircase on the right side of the hall, in a luxurious bedroom on the third floor, Merlin looked around...
Indeed luxurious.
Afterward, under Reiju's lead, Monet and the others each chose a room in the side wing on the third floor.
Pink chose one on the second floor.
Soon, several maids came to tidy up the residence for Merlin's group.
Leaving the castle with Reiju.
Walking on the wide bluestone pavement.
Merlin glanced at the restrained girl beside him and asked, "Tell me about you five siblings!"
Hearing this, Reiju blinked but didn't think it was improper, so she explained in detail.
Merlin acted as a listener, listening to her recount the daily life of the five siblings, and the past of Judge and their mother.
As she spoke, Reiju's mood dropped.
"I feel out of place with the three of them. Father also prefers Ichiji and the other two, children without most emotions, like clone soldiers.
"I have to disguise myself too. Sanji without awakening is too pitiful, bullied by them. I'm afraid if I'm out of place, I'll be bullied by them too, so I can only try hard to blend in. All I can do is secretly treat Sanji after he gets hurt."
Reiju felt in her heart that Merlin's arrival might not be a bad thing. Previously, no one here could resist Judge, but the current Merlin possessed absolute power.
It could be said she wanted to find a backer for herself. Merlin saw her little thought but didn't mind.
Because this was just a little girl lacking security, like Perona.
Before long, they arrived in front of a building gate. Located at the rear of the Vinsmoke estate, it was very quiet, a place specially for Reiju's mother to recuperate.
Taking a deep breath, Reiju looked up at Merlin hopefully. "Can you cure my mom?"
Merlin's gaze was calm. "I don't know. I have to see to know."
Reiju's eyes dimmed. "Mmh, no matter the result, thank you for coming to see my mom."
Walking through the gate and crossing a wide corridor, Merlin arrived outside a room.
At this time, he could see a beautiful blonde woman in a hospital gown. Reiju's appearance was seventy percent similar to hers.
However, her complexion was very poor, pale without luster. At this time, Reiju knocked on the door to attract the attention of the person inside, then shouted softly with a bright smile on her face, "Mom, I brought Mr. Merlin to see you!"
Judge's wife.
Vinsmoke Sora.
Also the prototype of the female warrior representing justice in the comic strip Sora, Warrior of the Sea.
Sora, sitting up at the head of the bed, looked at Merlin curiously.
She didn't expect the visitor to be so young. At this time, Sora bowed slightly to Merlin, her gentle and soft voice coming over: "Hello, Mr. Merlin. I am Sora. Reiju and the others' mom."