On the surface of the sea, Vinsmoke Judge watched the cataclysmic battle atop the Red Line, his expression shifting between disbelief and dread.
It was terrifying. The sheer scale of the conflict was far beyond anything he had anticipated, and even now, a lingering coldness gripped his heart. He had originally led the Germa 66 army to support the World Government because they had promised him a heavy price: the World Government's backing to help the Vinsmoke family reclaim their former glory as the undisputed rulers of the North Blue.
But who could have predicted this? The scope of this war was monstrous. Two Emperors of the Sea had joined the fray, the Revolutionary Army had made its move, and even the ghost of the former Pirate King had manifested.
Most crucially, the strength of the Ninja Guild members was nightmarish. Even the Five Elders—the highest authorities in the world—had suffered casualties. When the progenitor of the Celestial Dragons appeared, Judge realized this was no longer a war Germa 66 had any business being in.
Fortunately, the New Era Alliance focused their primary fury on the World Government, leaving Germa 66 to play the role of insignificant bystanders. When his three sons and daughter had attempted to intervene, they were swiftly crushed by the Ninja Guild. Niji had even been severely wounded by a "bomb-obsessed freak."
As the World Government forces began their retreat, Judge didn't hesitate to abandon the fight. He was thoroughly shaken. Men as powerful as Whitebeard weren't even the strongest players on this stage; the strength of Chairman Lin and that white-haired woman was simply incomprehensible.
He used to read the newspapers with a grain of salt, but seeing it in person taught him the true meaning of power. If they continued to fight, the entire Germa 66 army would likely be wiped off the map.
Once Whitebeard's commanders stormed the Red Line, no one bothered with the Germa fleet anymore. Even Marco the Phoenix, after defeating Admiral Aokiji, flew toward the summit to assist the main force. Seizing the opening, Judge decisively ordered his men to flee.
He had made up his mind: they were going back to the North Blue, as far away from this madness as possible. As for the future, he would cross that bridge when he got to it—whoever emerged victorious was the side he'd eventually have to appease.
While Judge was consumed by fear, Ichiji spoke up with a casual smirk. "Father, I think I saw Sanji earlier. He's still over there fighting. Aren't we going to take that failure back with us?"
"Ah, that piece of trash," Niji added with a mocking laugh. "I didn't expect to run into him here. Maybe we should drag him back."
"Hahaha! Just thinking about that guy makes me laugh," Yonji joined in, roaring with amusement. "He's such a pathetic disappointment. Why don't I go grab him right now?"
Reiju's expression flickered at their words, and she quickly glanced at her father. Unlike her brothers, who were stripped of their emotions and knew no fear, she could see the reality of their situation.
Judge's face contorted. His sons were modified humans who didn't understand the concept of terror—did they actually think they could just stroll back into that meat grinder to catch Sanji?
"Forget that failure," Judge snapped coldly. "We are leaving. Now!"
Is Father... afraid? Reiju wondered. She had never seen that look in his eyes before—a look of sheer, unadulterated panic. It was a far cry from the "mighty king" she had grown up with.
However, she didn't dwell on it. She was simply relieved that her father had no intention of going after Sanji. Thinking of her brother, a small smile touched her lips. She had spotted him earlier, and for a brief moment, their eyes had met across the distance. He wasn't alone anymore; he had found a crew of true companions.
Suddenly, Yonji's voice cut through her thoughts. "Wait... what is that?"
Reiju snapped back to attention and looked ahead. A colossal silhouette was emerging on the horizon, rising from the sea like a moving mountain. A low, rhythmic thunder vibrated through the air.
Ichiji narrowed his eyes, studying the shape. "It looks like... a battleship."
"What?" Judge's face went pale. How could a ship that size even exist?
"Father, what should we do?" Reiju asked.
Judge snapped out of his daze, his voice urgent and frantic. "What do you think? Veer off! Change course immediately! Don't let them spot us! We don't know who or what is arriving now!"
The Germa 66 fleet scrambled to move out of the way, huddling toward the periphery.
A moment later, a warship the size of an island loomed into view. Its hull was encased in massive layers of steel, looking less like a vessel and more like a mechanical leviathan. It bore the marks of age—patches of rust and weathered metal—but its sheer presence was enough to make the heart stop.
The gargantuan ship was steaming directly toward the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
"Father, what is that thing? It looks incredibly powerful," Niji asked, his curiosity piqued.
Judge took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly. "A ship of this scale is unheard of in modern history. If I had to guess... there is only one possibility. The legendary Ancient Weapon: Pluton!"
His expression grew even more grim. The Ancient Weapon Uranus had already appeared on the side of the World Government, and now Pluton had arrived. Would Poseidon be next?
What kind of war was this? Why were all these world-ending legends appearing one after another?
This realization cemented his desire to leave. If they stayed any longer, they wouldn't just be defeated—they would be erased.
"Go! Move faster!" Judge barked the command. "We're returning to the North Blue! No—just get us as far away from this place as possible!"
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T/N:
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