"The illness isn't actually complicated, but it will require long-term treatment. Ms. Sora's body has suffered severe damage, likely due to some kind of drug. Do you have any idea what it might be?"
Jake continued to heal Sora while turning his head to glance at Vinsmoke Judge, his expression revealing a hint of deeper meaning.
"A drug called 'Lestes' can forcibly disrupt the effects of genetic modification, but it causes severe harm to the one who ingests it. Prolonged use drastically shortens one's lifespan. Sora, the drug you took must have been this one, right?"
Upon hearing Judge's words, Sora didn't respond.
She merely kept her head lowered, maintaining her silence.
"The drug you took was highly effective—it turned Sanji into a normal human. He didn't lack human emotions, but neither did he gain superhuman abilities. Although Jake here claims to have detected traces of genetic modification still lingering in Sanji's body, as of now, Sanji hasn't displayed anything beyond ordinary human capabilities.
Through that drug, you turned Sanji into an ordinary person, making him despised by everyone in the Germa Kingdom, hated by his brothers, and loathed by his own father. Most—if not all—of the misfortune in his life stems from you, Sora."
Even as Judge spoke these words, Sora still refused to answer.
She remained silent, her head bowed.
Jake, meanwhile, stared at Judge with utter disbelief.
To Jake, it seemed Judge genuinely believed all of this was Sora's fault—that her failure as a mother had condemned Sanji to such a miserable childhood.
Seeing that Sora remained silent, Judge took it as agreement and continued.
"If you hadn't selfishly taken those drugs back then, Sanji would have grown up just like his brothers—an outstanding soldier of the Germa Empire, basking in the glory and bright future he deserved. Instead, he's become the worthless trash everyone despises."
At this, Sora finally snapped.
Coughing twice, she looked at Judge with weary yet unwavering resolve.
"Judge, even now, I don't regret taking those drugs. Children come into this world because of us, but they are never meant to live for us. You have no right to choose their paths for them, much less strip them of their emotions or rob them of their humanity!
Everything you've done has been for yourself! From start to finish, you've been nothing but a selfish tyrant. You're neither a good husband nor a father!"
Judge was stunned by Sora's uncharacteristic defiance.
He knew his wife's temperament better than anyone—she was, without a doubt, the gentlest soul he had ever encountered in his life.
But now, the words she spoke left him unable to believe his own ears.
His lips trembled as he struggled to form a rebuttal, but all that met him was Sora's near-hysterical sobs.
"Sanji and Reiju still retain the most basic human emotions, but what about the rest of our children? They can barely experience love, happiness, or any of the normal things a person should have. This is all your fault, Judge!"
In response to Sora's tearful accusation, Judge lowered his head and replied in a slightly trembling voice.
"I only did it for the revival of the Germa Empire!"
"That was always your dream, not the children's, wasn't it?!"
Sora's words left Judge completely silent.
At this moment, Jake spoke up softly:
"Judge, I know this is your family matter, and it might seem presumptuous of me to interfere, but I still want to say this - the idea of defeating the monsters of the New World through genetic modification of lineage factors is nearly impossible to achieve."
"The potential for developing Lineage Factor still has much room, and I'm currently researching specialized combat suits. If all this succeeds, then I..."
Looking at the somewhat obsessive Judge before him, Jake spoke calmly.
"Combat suits can be penetrated by advanced Armament Haki, allowing direct strikes to internal organs. The development of Lineage Factor ultimately can't match the awakening of Zoan-type Devil Fruit users. All these things can only serve as supplementary aids at best."
"If you truly wish to revive the Germa Empire, then I must tell you—you won't live to see that day. And after your death, your modified children won't even qualify as ants before true powerhouses."
"Often, choices matter more than effort. Your path has been wrong from the very beginning."
"Rather than pursuing those so-called goals, I'd prefer you focus on the future, dedicate yourself to the present, and cherish time with your family."
"If you still desire to revitalize your family, I warmly welcome you to join us. Truth be told, we currently lack sufficient technical personnel."
Jake's words plunged Judge into silence.
He glanced at Sora, who was still shedding tears, then used Observation Haki to sense Sanji and Reiju not far away.
Finally, Judge felt an oppressive weight in his chest.
Everything he'd stubbornly clung to now seemed like a laughable fantasy.
Judge struggled to accept this reality, but reality rarely cares whether one accepts it or not.
...
Early next morning, Judge boarded Jake's Maxim airship along with his giant snail warships.
When Judge saw the miraculously crafted interior structures, he became completely immersed, forgetting all previous matters.
To be honest, this reaction was typical of Judge's personality.
He was a born scientist.
His previous revival dreams might have just been shadows forcibly cast upon him by his father—much like how Judge had imposed his will on his own children.
However, Judge didn't intend to completely abandon his dream of reviving the Germa Empire.
He simply decided to bear this responsibility alone from now on.
As for his family members, he would let them pursue their own paths.
Shaking his head, Judge continued examining the various designs inside the ark.
Meanwhile, Jake contemplated their next destination while assessing potential risks.
Windmill Village.
Red-Haired Shanks.