On Onigashima, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

After returning from Oden's residence, Kaido sat alone atop the mountain peak.

Beside him were countless empty sake barrels.

Tap, tap, tap—

Crisp footsteps approached.

King, dressed in full armor, came to stand next to Kaido, gazing at the rising sun.

The drunken Kaido suddenly spoke:

"King!"

King turned his head and looked over.

"Kaido-sama."

Kaido muttered in a drunken haze:

"I'm going to create a world of freedom..."

A firm smile appeared beneath King's mask as he softly said:

"You will definitely succeed."

...

North Blue, Germa Kingdom.

At the center of a massive fleet, a giant ship bearing a castle resounded with a tremendous crash.

Boom—

The top of the castle was smashed open by a dark figure, followed immediately by a bolt of blue lightning striking within.

The people inside the royal palace had no time to react. They stared blankly at the tall figure that landed on the floor, shaking the entire castle upon impact.

Vinsmoke Judge froze for a moment, then reacted:

"Wha..."

He had just opened his mouth to shout when his pupils shrank suddenly.

The towering figure before him appeared as if by teleportation, instantly arriving right in front of him. A large hand clamped down directly on his face.

Judge's head was slammed violently into the ground.

Crack—

The golden helmet covering the upper half of his face shattered, and his mind reeled.

He was then hoisted up by the head, and searing pain radiated through his limbs.

Crack! x4

His joints were instantly dislocated. Then came several crisp snaps as the metal gear he wore was smashed apart.

Bullet looked at the now helpless Judge and casually flung him to the ground.

He took out the wanted poster Enel had prepared and said to the bloodied Judge:

"Former member and one of the leaders of the illegal research organization 'MADS.'"

"Vinsmoke Judge, your time is up."

"I'm now officially arresting you on behalf of the Navy."

Judge's face twisted in rage and fear:

"Cough, cough..."

"Damn it, that was all in the past!"

"Who sent you people?!"

"I'm the king of a World Government member nation!"

"You have no right to arrest me!"

Tap tap tap...

At that moment, footsteps outside the hall grew dense. A few seconds later—

Countless expressionless clone soldiers flooded into the throne room, surrounding them.

Enel glanced at the nearly identical soldiers, his eyes flashing with a trace of awe.

"This technology is pretty refined."

"Impressive."

Judge, slumped on the ground, heard Enel's words and felt a chill run down his spine. Damn it... Could the government be eyeing his technology? He frantically searched for a solution.

But Bullet spoke coldly:

"We're here on direct orders from the Navy Headquarters, from Admiral Sakazuki."

"If you've got a problem, feel free to file a complaint with Headquarters."

"You have the right to remain silent."

Judge's expression remained stoic, but inside he was fuming. Complaint to Headquarters? That'd be a death sentence! ***

He took a deep breath and endured the pain:

"I want to speak with your Admiral."

"There's no way he doesn't know the government already pardoned that crime. Besides, I'm a king of a member nation!"

"The Admirals have no authority to arrest me!"

Bullet sneered:

"Did you not hear me clearly? You can remain silent now."

Boom—

He kicked Judge straight across the room, smashing him into a massive painting depicting Judge defeating the Four Nations.

"Cough, cough... Damn it! Kill them all!"

Judge's furious voice came from within the wall. Two modified soldiers rushed in and helped him out.

After reattaching his joints, Judge quickly pulled out a Den Den Mushi.

In the center of the throne room, wave after wave of cloned modified soldiers surged forward.

Bullet's figure was quickly engulfed.

Enel frowned slightly but remained motionless. The soldiers' weapons simply passed through his body.

Realizing their attacks were ineffective, the soldiers immediately switched into combat mode and loaded bullets infused with Seastone.

BOOM—!

At that moment, a deep blue surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Bullet.

Everyone in the Germa Kingdom seemed to glimpse a demon cloaked in dark blue, its mouth twisted in a hideous grin, its crimson eyes glaring down on them.

Layer upon layer of Conqueror's Haki crashed down upon the people of Germa.

Even the emotionless clone soldiers instinctively felt fear. Under Bullet's oppressive will, they collapsed one after another.

...

In the Germa royal harem.

Sanji, who was just about to climb a tree to feed a little bird, suddenly fainted.

By the window, Sora's gentle face watched Sanji fall. Before she could react, she too saw the vision of a blue demon.

Is that... an Asura...

And then she lost consciousness.

The entire kingdom fell unconscious — except for Judge.

Just as he was about to dial on the Den Den Mushi he'd pulled out, his body froze, and the snail fell from his hand.

Damn it... damn it... MOVE!!!

But his instincts betrayed him — the emotion of fear had overtaken his brain.

He couldn't make a single move.

Tap tap tap tap...

Bullet walked forward with a cruel grin, bent down, and picked up the Den Den Mushi from in front of Judge.

CRACK!

It was crushed into pieces.

The broken parts, mixed with flesh and blood, dropped from his fingers.

"There's no one left."

"Hand over the technology, and we'll call it even."

Though Judge was cold and ruthless, when it came to the future of his family, he still held out without speaking.

This was the key to whether the Vinsmoke family, once rulers of the North Blue, could rise again. He couldn't...

Bullet sneered:

"Staying silent? Good."

He tossed Judge to the floor, pulled out his own Den Den Mushi, and a few seconds later—

Sakazuki's voice came through:

"What is it, Bullet?"

Bullet squatted down, grinning at the trembling Judge:

"This guy won't hand it over."

"Shall I finish him off?"

Sakazuki replied flatly:

"Kill him. Take whatever's useful."

"Have Enel bury them with Thunderstorm."

"No one will know anyway."

"Let the Vinsmoke family that once ruled the North Blue vanish for good."

Bullet grinned again:

"Understood."

His hand slowly reached for Judge's throat.

Judge, lying paralyzed on the ground, had his mental defenses utterly shattered by Sakazuki's words.

Damn it... How many times have they done this? So damn practiced...

I haven't yet restored the Vinsmoke family's glory! That's right! I can't die yet!!!

"I'll give it! I'll give it!!!"

...

North Blue, on the island where the fleet was being resupplied — commercial district.

Sakazuki ended the Den Den Mushi call, tucked it into his coat, and glanced at the little girl beside him, who seemed frozen in shock. He smiled faintly and continued walking forward.

As if he hadn't noticed the girl's abnormal reaction, nor the sweat-soaked back of her shirt...

Who knows how much time passed...

The little girl, frozen in place, jumped as someone tapped her on the shoulder.

She turned around and finally relaxed, gasping for breath, still rattled.

Lorka furrowed his brow and steadied the nearly collapsing Robin:

"What's wrong, Robin?"

Robin shook her head:

"N-nothing..."

---

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