Meanwhile.
The Vinsmoke family, heading in a particular direction, also noticed the Gran Tesoro ahead on their route. This luxurious entertainment ship had been famous on the seas since its inception.
In the main ship's European-style castle.
Vinsmoke family head Judge sat on his throne, expressionless, after hearing the synthetic soldier's report.
"It seems they don't plan on clearing the way. How typical of someone who's grown arrogant from a bit of success..."
Judge's tone carried an air of superiority. In his eyes, Tesoro was just a lucky guy. Compared to the heritage of his family, who once ruled the North Blue, Tesoro's status was insignificant.
Gild Tesoro's name was renowned on the seas: a great pirate, the Golden Emperor, a Warlord of the Sea, incredibly powerful... But Judge wasn't afraid. However, a confrontation with Tesoro would undoubtedly cause significant losses for the Vinsmokes. Considering Tesoro's complex connections, Judge was troubled.
"Father, are we going to fight again?"
In the palace, a man in red attire with a cruel smile looked at Judge on the throne. This was Vinsmoke Ichiji, the eldest son known as "Sparking Red," who possessed fire abilities and immunity to flames.
Ichiji didn't seem to notice the gloom on Judge's face. He showed no fear at the prospect of fighting the infamous Golden Emperor Gild Tesoro. His reaction was expected; he was a super soldier, genetically modified by Judge.
Born with superhuman traits, Ichiji lacked emotions like fear and sympathy, which Judge considered flaws. As a result, he was fearless and eager for war.
"Yes, it's been a while since I last stretched my muscles. My joints are getting rusty," said the man next to Ichiji, dressed in blue. This was Vinsmoke Niji, the second son known as "Electric Blue," who fought using electricity.
Next to him was the fourth son, Vinsmoke Yonji, known as "Winch Green," who also seemed eager for battle.
Meanwhile, the eldest daughter "Poison Pink" Reiju and the third son Sanji, who had also undergone genetic modification, stood quietly. Unlike their brothers, Reiju and Sanji seemed indifferent to their antics.
Judge's mood, already foul, worsened upon seeing his sons' behavior. He once believed his genetically modified children would become mighty warriors. But over time, he realized they might be strong soldiers but would never reach the pinnacle of the seas. Even their abilities surpassing his own was uncertain.
He also understood why Nicholas once said Sanji might be the perfect creation of Germa. As Sanji aged, his latent genetic modifications began to manifest, and his strength grew explosively. Two years ago, he could barely fend off Yonji. Last year, it took all three brothers to fight him evenly. Now, even Judge was unsure of Sanji's full strength, despite Sanji spending much of his time cooking.
Thanks to Sora's intervention, Judge could only design Sanji's training plan and couldn't interfere in his daily life.
"Forget it, there's no need to clash with them now."
For Judge, his main priority was reaching the designated location.
"Change course to the left, avoid the ship ahead, and then regroup the fleet as quickly as possible."
He ordered the waiting synthetic soldiers. While he chose to avoid confrontation, if the Gran Tesoro initiated a provocation, he wouldn't hesitate to show them why Germa was called the War Kingdom.
"Yes, sir!"
The synthetic soldiers immediately relayed the command. Judge's order was to avoid the Gran Tesoro while regrouping their scattered ships back into the main warship.
For Germa 66's war castle, spreading out made them a powerful fleet on the sea. Combining them made them a mobile war nation.
Normally, if Judge encountered the Gran Tesoro, he wouldn't mind taking advantage of the conflict to clash with the Golden Emperor. Tesoro's wealth was known worldwide, and if he could seize some, Germa 66's strength would undoubtedly expand further.
Germa, as a war kingdom without fixed territory, thrived by constantly expanding its power through battles. However, Tesoro didn't change course due to his confidence in his own strength and the complexity of maneuvering the Gran Tesoro.
The Gran Tesoro was a ten-kilometer-long ship, with its control centers located in the rear half. Changing its course was incredibly difficult.
Soon, Tesoro and his officers arrived at the ship's bow. They couldn't see Germa's war fleet anymore but noticed a massive war fortress on the sea to the right front of the Gran Tesoro.
The war fortress was enormous but still dwarfed by the Gran Tesoro. However, the firepower of Germa's fortress, if fully unleashed, could spell disaster for the Gran Tesoro.
"Ha, no wonder Germa's ancestors only ruled the North Blue for 66 days. If this kind of fleet could rule the North Blue, how pathetic must the nations there be?"
Seeing Germa's fleet avoiding them, Tesoro even looked down on their ancestors, who once ruled the North Blue for 66 days. Despite Germa's formidable combat strength and global reputation, Tesoro's own name was just as fearsome. His connections were deep, spanning the World Government, Navy, underworld, and major pirates—he had a foot in both the legal and illegal worlds.
Germa's avoidance was understandable to Tesoro, but—
"I've come this far, and I'm in a bad mood!"
Tesoro glanced towards a specific part of his castle on the Gran Tesoro, then looked back. Baccarat, Tanaka, and Dice, all close to Tesoro, understood without speaking. The world believed Tesoro's greatest treasure was his wealth, but his closest officers knew his most valued treasure was a person hidden in his grand castle, unknown to the world.
Tesoro turned his gaze to Germa's war fortress, constructed from hundreds of snail warships bristling with turrets, and a cruel smile spread across his face.
"Showing defiance in front of me is an offense."
He pronounced Germa's crime lightly, like a Celestial Dragon passing judgment.
Then, standing at the bow, Tesoro raised his right hand and snapped his fingers. Instantly, countless golden spears materialized in the air behind him, their sharp tips aimed at Germa's war fortress.
"Face your punishment!"
With a cold glare, Tesoro unleashed a barrage of golden spears, which shot through the air towards Germa's war fortress like a storm.