Dust swirled in the air. Cold steel danced wildly.
Vinsmoke Judge stared at what was now mostly the ruins of the Germa Kingdom, his bloodshot eyes trembling with rage.
"Damn it!! I'm the man who will lead Germa to dominate the North Blue!!"
Darren narrowed his eyes and smiled. "The Marines are the true rulers of these seas... and the title 'King of the North Blue'? I won't let you have it."
With a wave of his hand, dozens of twisted steel bars surged, whistling through the air under magnetic force, shooting straight toward Vinsmoke Judge.
With a hiss of propulsion, jets of white steam erupted from the heels of Judge's combat boots. His figure soared upward like a monstrous bird.
"Then I'll show you the true power of Germa 66, brat!!"
Wielding his metal spear, he knocked aside the incoming steel bars as he dove down at high speed, golden hair flowing behind him.
Crackling blue lightning surged along the spear.
"Electromagnetic Lance!!"
In the blink of an eye, Judge closed in, gripping the electric spear and striking down toward Darren.
The sheer heat and piercing force split the air apart.
"So this is the power of science, huh?"
Facing a weapon capable of piercing steel and fortress walls, Darren simply smiled.
The rushing wind stirred his black hair, the tip of the spear inches from his brow—he could even feel the searing heat—yet he kept smiling.
A wave of magnetic force rippled silently from his body.
In the next moment, the spear's speed slowed drastically, as though it had plunged into invisible molasses, eventually freezing in place.
Judge's pupils contracted.
No matter how he pushed, his high-tech spear wouldn't budge—like it had been clamped by an invisible vice.
"Trying to beat me with tech? That's your biggest mistake."
Darren's voice was calm.
"Damn you!! I refuse to accept this!!"
Judge roared, releasing the spear, spinning midair. His boots flashed with energy as he kicked sideways toward Darren's head.
"Electromagnetic Crush!"
But once again, the same scene played out.
The battle boots, roaring with propulsion, froze in the air, bound by that same invisible force.
Judge's expression twisted in horror.
His cutting-edge tech—was completely suppressed by this man's Devil Fruit!?
Before he could react, Darren vanished from sight.
Wind exploded beside him. Judge clenched his teeth, cold sweat on his back.
Behind him, his sentient battle cloak wrapped around him like a shield.
A devastating kick slammed into his abdomen. Judge flew like a cannonball, smashing through a distant fortress.
The entire structure collapsed. Cracks webbed through its walls before everything crumbled.
Stone rained down. The ground groaned.
Darren landed gently.
"Damn it!! This can't be happening! My technology is supposed to be invincible!!"
Watching Judge stagger from the wreckage, Darren smirked in satisfaction.
He'd been testing the battle suit's capabilities.
Unlike his modified children, Judge's body was not enhanced—no monstrous toughness.
His strength came entirely from his tech—the battle suit.
Without it, he wouldn't be stronger than a Marine Lieutenant Commander.
Though this was only the first generation suit—far weaker than what appeared in the Whole Cake Island arc—it was still impressive.
From the attacks and defenses so far... Darren was pleased.
In fact, with this tech, any well-trained Marine wearing such a suit could probably fight on par with a Rear Admiral.
"Hahahaha!! Let me help, Darren!! The genius of Marine HQ—Tokikake—is here to defeat the evil army's commander and save the Yadis Kingdom! I'll be a Marine hero!!"
A boisterous voice rang out.
Darren blinked, turning back.
At some point, their warship had landed. Gion and Momonga were leading Marines against the remnants of the clone army.
Meanwhile, Tokikake was charging ahead like a whirlwind, dust billowing behind him as he rushed toward Judge.
Several black lines popped up on Darren's forehead.
This guy... trying to steal the spotlight again?
He opened his mouth to speak, but Tokikake shouted triumphantly:
"Darren, don't interfere!!"
Darren thought for a moment... then stopped.
Tokikake beamed with joy.
Looking at the winded Judge, his lips curled in smug delight.
From earlier exchanges, he could tell—this guy wasn't that strong.
If he could beat him here, Gion would definitely notice him.
Even if not, he'd become the hero who saved Adis. Countless noble ladies would flock to him!
With that thought, Tokikake charged even faster.
"Vinsmoke Judge, Supreme Commander of the Evil Army! I, Tokikake, Lieutenant Commander of Marine Headquarters, in the name of justice—"
A boot crackling with blue lightning slammed into his face.
He was launched back twice as fast as he'd come, crashing into a fortress.
Momonga facepalmed in agony.
Judge wasn't weak—Darren was just too strong.
Gion sighed, shaking her head.
Having punted the fool away, Judge turned back to Darren with bloodshot eyes.
"Damn you... one after another... You Marines are all such eyesores!!"
Steam burst from his boots again, sending him soaring toward Darren.
He would not accept that the technology he'd developed with Vegapunk's help had lost so badly.
But before he could strike—
Darren raised his hand.
An invisible magnetic force spread.
Agonizing pain erupted in his limbs.
The spear in his hand...
The boots on his feet...
Metal parts twisted like living snakes, piercing his arms and legs. Blood sprayed.
His scream was cut short as steel rods burst from the ground, coiling around him like serpents, binding him midair.
A metal plate slammed over his mouth, silencing him completely.
His wide eyes were filled with veins and blood.
The Marine Captain stepped before him, raised a finger to his lips, and smiled politely.
"I'm sorry... but your plan to conquer the North Blue—ends here."