Reiju, Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji were the most important assets Judge had been raising since childhood, tools for his grand ambition to dominate the North Blue. They were the strongest combat forces under his command.
No matter how much they were currently outmatched, as long as the Germa Kingdom still stood and his children survived, everything could be rebuilt.
That was the conclusion Judge had reached over the past few days.
Of course, what Judge thought did not matter one bit to Takumi and his crew.
Kaku spent all his time in Germa's research laboratory, supervising the ship's upgrade progress while also learning about some of the technologies that piqued his interest.
Enel, on the other hand, spent his days wandering around aimlessly. Whenever he was displeased with someone, he'd beat them up. In just a few days, the people of Germa were terrified of seeing him.
As for Takumi, he took it easy no matter where he was, as if he were retired. Even though he did nothing, under Judge's orders, all Germa soldiers avoided him at all costs.
They had been on Germa Kingdom's battleship for almost twenty days. The ship's modifications were progressing smoothly. Judge and his children behaved obediently, going out of their way to avoid contact with Takumi and his crew.
Judge had thought they might just get through the rest of this month without incident, but on the afternoon of the twenty-first day, the situation that made him despair finally happened.
A Marine warship broke through the Calm Belt, clearly aiming for the area where Germa Kingdom's fleet was anchored.
On the deck of the warship stood Kizaru, dressed in his Marine uniform. He scratched his head, staring at the group of Germa warships in the distance. Though he did not see Takumi's ship, he had already sensed Takumi and his crew's presence with his Observation Haki. "Oh my, so they really did come to the North Blue."
"Admiral Kizaru, Takumi and his crew came to Germa Kingdom and did not notify Marine Headquarters," said a young Marine nervously. "Admiral, do you think Germa Kingdom has allied with Takumi's group? If they have, and if Germa assists them in fighting us, it could be very troublesome."
Kizaru glanced lazily at the young Marine beside him. After a moment's silence, he said with a troubled expression, "Hmm... dealing with just Takumi and his crew would be a hassle, and adding Germa into the mix would be even worse. Tell you what, why don't you go over to Germa's ship and ask if they've formed an alliance?"
"Eh?" The young Marine froze, not quite sure if he heard correctly. "Admiral Kizaru, are you telling me to go ask?"
Kizaru smiled, "Who else, if not you?"
The young Marine started sweating profusely. He looked like he was on the verge of tears. "Admiral, I'm afraid I won't be coming back if I go over there."
"Oh, you'll be fine." Kizaru smiled again. "Trust me."
The young Marine swallowed nervously, his scalp tingling as he asked one more time, "Admiral, do you mean I should go alone?"
"Hmm, yes, going alone would show more sincerity."
Knowing there was no escape, the young Marine gritted his teeth, reluctantly set sail in a small boat, and nervously headed towards Germa Kingdom's flagship.
"Hmm? Marines?" Enel was the first to notice the approaching warship, especially the young Marine who dared to sail over alone. He was about to blast the Marine with a lightning bolt when Judge and his three sons happened to walk past.
Seeing the Marine warship in the distance, Judge had no idea why the Marines were there, but he knew that if Enel attacked, it would spell trouble for Germa Kingdom.
"You can't kill them, or the Marines will attack us," Judge quickly said, stopping Enel.
Enel glared at him in annoyance. "Are you trying to tell a god what to do?"
"No..." Judge said, desperation clear in his voice. "I don't know why the Marines are here, and their purpose may not necessarily be to find you. But if you kill them, the Marines will know you're here with us. Remember, you didn't let us contact anyone precisely because you didn't want your location revealed. Do you really want to expose yourself now?"
Judge's words made Enel hesitate.
He was right—if he exposed their location, Takumi would surely give him a good beating.
But Kizaru was on that warship...
"A Marine Admiral is here, and you think they haven't discovered us?" Enel asked mockingly.
Judge stiffened, his expression darkening. "A Marine Admiral is on that warship? Are you sure?"
Enel frowned. "What, are you doubting a god's word?"
"No, no," Judge quickly waved his hands. "If they really knew you were here, the Admiral would've come over already, right? Why send a low-ranking Marine first? Believe me, they probably haven't discovered you yet..."
Even Judge felt guilty saying that.
Germa Kingdom's technology might be advanced, but none of them knew Haki, so they couldn't detect who was on that warship.
Enel snorted. "They better not know, or I'll consider it proof that you've been betraying us. Anyone who betrays us will die!"
Judge was sweating bullets. He felt there was no way to reason with Enel.
He feared Takumi and his crew's strength, but if there really was a Marine Admiral on the warship, maybe—just maybe—that Admiral could free them from the fear of being controlled by Takumi and his crew.
As the young Marine sailed his small boat towards the Germa flagship, Enel made sure to avoid being seen but kept his Mantra (Observation Haki) active, monitoring Judge and his people closely.
"Are you His Majesty Judge, King of Germa Kingdom?" the young Marine called out loudly from his small boat, looking up at Judge, who stood at the guardrail on deck.
Judge looked at him darkly. "I am. What are you doing here?"
The young Marine, trying to steady his nerves, said, "Marine Headquarters received information that Takumi and his crew came to the North Blue. Admiral Kizaru sent me to ask if Germa Kingdom has allied with Takumi and his crew."
Judge feigned shock, pretending not to know. "What? Takumi and his crew are in the North Blue? Are you sure about this information?"
The young Marine hesitated, wiping his sweat. "Your Majesty Judge, stop playing dumb. Admiral Kizaru has already sensed Takumi and his crew on your ships. Just answer me—have you allied with them or not?"
"Heh." Enel's cold laughter echoed from the back of the deck. "Impressive. You managed to inform the Marines even under my watch."
"No, no, we really didn't notify them," Judge tried to explain.
Electricity crackled over Enel's body, and seeing that Enel was getting angry, Judge quickly shouted, "Ichiji, Niji, Yonji!"
Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji immediately used their transformation canisters to don their battle suits and protect Judge.
Judge anxiously called out to the Marine, "We haven't allied with Takumi and his crew! Hurry and get Admiral Kizaru to help us!"
He had thought his three sons could at least buy him some time.
But as soon as he finished speaking, a scream rang out, leaving Judge stunned.
He turned to see Niji lying on the ground, his body charred black.
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