North Blue, waters near an isolated island.
The sky was clear, the sea a deep blue. White seagulls soared freely across the cloudless sky, gliding toward the distant horizon. A warship cruised slowly along the surface, leaving a long white trail in its wake.
"How much longer until we arrive?"
Rogers Daren stood at the bow, arms crossed and a lit cigar between his teeth. His spotless white cape fluttered behind him in the breeze.
"Just a few more minutes until we reach the rendezvous point," Momonga replied, standing beside him and checking their course with a Eternal Pose compass.
"Germa 66 has always been elusive. As a mobile war nation, the so-called 'Army of Evil' doesn't have fixed territory."
Daren nodded, then glanced toward the far end of the deck. A smile tugged at his lips as he spotted two young figures drenched in sweat, tirelessly training.
Catching his gaze, Momonga gave a helpless smile.
"Lieutenant Commanders Gion and Tokikake seem to have taken the recent events hard. They've been training nonstop, like madmen." Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novel(ꜰ)ire.net
"At least it's been quieter," Daren said flatly.
The Celestial Dragon incident had clearly shaken these two "chosen ones" from Marine Headquarters. The Marines' helplessness, the despair in the face of overwhelming power, the guilt of standing on the wrong side—it was enough to break a Marine's resolve.
Kuzan's arc during the Ohara incident came to mind. From "Burning Justice" to "Lazy Justice," he too had faced the crushing weight of the Navy's so-called "justice."
"Maybe... you should talk to them?" Momonga said hesitantly, clearly struggling with the suggestion before finally voicing it.
He'd witnessed firsthand Daren's uncanny ability to manipulate and persuade. With his insight into human nature, Daren could always pierce straight through to the heart of a matter.
"Leave the lectures to the old man Sengoku. I'm not interested in babysitting."
Daren looked away from Gion and Tokikake, his tone calm.
"If they can't get past this, maybe they're not cut out to be Marines."
Momonga fell silent for a moment, then let out a weary sigh.
This guy saw through people too well.
And perhaps because of that, he often came off as cold and detached.
Daren's deep, steady voice snapped Momonga out of his thoughts.
He looked up and saw massive shadows beginning to emerge through the sea fog in the distance.
A fleet of warships, each towed by enormous snails, carved long white streaks through the ocean. Their presence was imposing and overwhelming. The flag of Germa 66 flew at the top of each ship. At the head of the fleet, the main battleship flew the crossed eagle crest of the Vinsmoke family, proudly displayed at its highest point.
The tightly-packed fleet quickly converged under the lead ship's command. Gears and metal tracks locked together with heavy clunks and roars. In under three minutes, dozens of warships had transformed into a single, mobile nation.
"No wonder they're called the war nation that makes the world tremble," Momonga said in awe, his eyes shining.
Daren nodded in agreement.
Germa 66 had been no match for him—but only because his Devil Fruit powers directly countered their tech. That didn't mean they were weak.
In truth, Germa 66's military capabilities were among the best in the world: advanced weapons, Raid Suits, fearless clones, modular territory that could assemble and disassemble at will... and the power to conduct operations across the Red Line.
If he could acquire that technology and integrate it into his North Blue Fleet, he'd have a force capable of crossing the Red Line, breaking into the Grand Line from the North Blue, and even reaching the New World with ease.
And what he wanted from Vinsmoke Judge went far beyond just that.
With a quiet command and a sharp glint in his eyes, Daren issued the order.
Momonga raised his hand in a precise military signal, and the Marines aboard the warship swiftly moved into position.
The helm turned. The warship smoothly entered Germa's mobile "port."
Gion and Tokikake paused their training, straightened their uniforms, and stepped to the front of the formation. Their eyes were filled with complicated emotions as they looked at Daren's tall, broad back.
Ever since Admiral Sengoku had left Batia Island, they hadn't known what to feel. The guilt had weighed so heavily on them, they couldn't even face Daren—barely daring to speak to him, avoiding him at every turn.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of low cannon blasts rang out, snapping Gion and Tokikake from their thoughts.
Tokikake stepped forward with a guarded expression, taking a defensive stance as he shielded Gion behind him.
"Gion, don't worry, I'll protect you!"
He declared with righteous flair, and just as he was about to dramatically toss his hair back, he noticed the other Marines staring at him like he was an idiot.
Tokikake froze for a moment.
A cascade of dazzling fireworks burst into the sky, scattering countless brilliant flashes like silver blossoms in the clear blue expanse. The colorful light danced across his face, making him look completely ridiculous—like a clown.
Tokikake stood dumbfounded, staring at the sparkling spectacle above. His lips parted, but he couldn't utter a word.
"Don't be nervous, Lieutenant Commander Tokikake."
Daren chuckled, patting him on the shoulder before leading the way down from the warship.
On the soil of the Germa Kingdom, rows of ceremonial salutes launched into the sky, filling the air with the vibrance of celebration and peace.
"Hahahahaha... Welcome, Captain Daren, to the Germa Kingdom. It's truly an honor for Germa 66."
From within a grand and solemn military formation, Vinsmoke Judge stepped out in his ornate robe, long blond hair flowing as he approached with a wide smile, extending his hand toward the Marine Captain.
"It's I who am intruding. The grandeur of Germa 66 never fails to stir my heart, no matter how many times I see it."
Daren returned the smile as he stepped forward.
Their hands met and clasped firmly in midair.
Gion and Tokikake watched the scene, their expressions twitching. As they looked at the overly warm smiles on Daren and Vinsmoke Judge's faces, they couldn't help but mutter in their hearts—
"Two cunning bastards!"
Had they not experienced firsthand the war that nearly annihilated Germa, they would've thought these two were long-lost brothers.
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