"Boss!"
"Captain!"
The crowd greeted Caesar with reverence and awe.
Caesar waved his hand dismissively. "Judge, Queen, Indigo, has the final batch of Evolution Potion been produced?"
"It's completed! A total of 20,000 bottles, capable of enhancing the physiques of 20,000 people. If we halve the dosage, we can strengthen even more individuals."
After not seeing him for a few days, Indigo's appearance had grown even more haggard.
Yet, his eyes burned with greater intensity.
To maintain his vigor, Indigo had also consumed the Evolution Potion.
He had taken the refined version, which wouldn't cause drastic bodily mutations but would only boost his stamina and vitality.
"Excellent! From here on, your work is done. Stay here and focus on your research in peace."
Caesar nodded with a smile.
Suddenly, Judge gritted his teeth and stepped forward. "Lord Caesar, my combat prowess is not weak either. I can join this war! I also have several outstanding children! After consuming the Evolution Potion, their strength has reached the level of the Three Sweet Commanders. They will surely be of help!"
Queen, unusually bold for once, puffed out his large belly and exclaimed, "That's right, Boss! I want to fight too! This is the grandest war in history—just thinking about it gets me excited!"
Caesar Clown's eyes darted around nervously, unsure whether to step forward or retreat.
"I understand your intentions."
Caesar chuckled. "However, your research is equally important. Don't worry, with the Marines' meager combat power, they're nothing to us! Judge, after this war concludes, I will send people with you to the North Blue to help you achieve your dream of becoming the King of the North Blue!"
Judge's mouth fell open, and a flicker of excitement crossed his face.
Indeed, all along, Judge had been striving so hard to restore the glory of Germa's 66-day reign over the North Blue.
But after reuniting with former colleagues like Indigo and immersing himself once more in scientific research, Judge had gradually rediscovered his own happiness.
The future of the Germa Kingdom would be left to Niji, Reiju, and the others!
With this thought, Judge shouted loudly toward the back, "Niji! Reiju! Yonji! Ichiji! The four of you, come here!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Four figures landed like blurs of afterimages—Judge's four dashing children.
Now, having consumed the enhanced Evolution Potion crafted by their father, their physiques had undergone a qualitative leap.
It could be said that their current physical prowess was nearly on par with Sanji, who had awakened the Demon God genes.
Of course, their overall strength might still fall short of Sanji's.
With his awakened Demon God genes, Sanji's physique alone now rivaled that of an ordinary awakened Zoan user.
Moreover, his mastery of Armament Haki had reached an exceptionally high level.
Back in Wano Country, he had already been able to easily defeat Queen. His current combat power was likely not much weaker than Akin's.
In the distance, by the door of a small wooden cabin, Sanji and Pudding sat nestled together, quietly observing the scene.
This time, he had no intention of joining the war.
He would stay on this sky island with Pudding, living a peaceful life detached from worldly conflicts.
If possible, Sanji even wished to remain here forever.
Since Pudding was pregnant, he was about to become a father.
Sanji was afraid, afraid to meet Luffy again.
He didn't know how to face his former crewmates.
In a way, his current situation felt like a betrayal of his comrades, didn't it?
Sanji let out a long sigh, as if trying to release all the suffocating pressure in his chest.
"Sanji..."
A pair of small hands gently grasped Sanji's, and Pudding rested her head on his shoulder.
Sanji raised his arm and embraced this rather petite girl.
She was his wife.
"No matter what happens, I will protect my wife and child with my life."
Judge looked at his four children, then subtly glanced toward the somewhat lonely Sanji in the distance.
"Sir, please take these four to the battlefield!" Judge made up his mind and declared solemnly.
"They can stay." Caesar glanced at the four individuals standing tall and proud like warriors.
"I'm old. Being able to devote my remaining life to the scientific research I love is my greatest dream! They're different—they were born as warriors and are the future rulers of the Germa Kingdom. The future of Germa must be forged by their own hands!"
Seeing the determination in Judge's eyes, Caesar finally nodded in agreement.
He glanced at Queen standing before him.
This damn fatty had transformed himself to look like Caesar last time and had been thoroughly beaten up by Caesar for it.
Now, he had transformed himself back.
Dressed in blue and white clothes with a white pocket on his belly, he was as round as a ball, looking utterly ridiculous.
"Queen, you do have talent. Help me develop some useful things. If someone like you were to die in battle, I'd be quite troubled."
Caesar chuckled and patted Queen on the shoulder.
Queen immediately grew excited, his plump face breaking into a joyful grin.
"Hehehe, it's nothing special. Ah, Judge and his lot are still no match. Without me, Lord Queen, their research progress would drop by at least half!"
"Work hard! Also, this Sky Island isn't necessarily completely safe. If anything unexpected happens, you researchers must be prepared to fight as well."
"Sir! Don't worry! We will definitely protect this place!"
Judge and Indigo replied with utmost seriousness.
Caesar nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave.
"Husband!"
"Lord Husband!"
Several slightly trembling voices called out. Caesar turned to see Linlin, Hiyori, Shirahoshi, Hancock, Ulti, and Black Maria all gazing at him.
He sighed inwardly but wore a smile as he walked over.
He hugged and kissed each of his wives in turn.
Shirahoshi, the oversized loli, began to pout and sob again.
Caesar smiled, wiped away her tears, and gently pinched her soft cheek.
"Such a crybaby, Shirahoshi. You're about to become a mother soon—you mustn't let sadness affect the baby's development!"
Caesar's words startled Shirahoshi, and she quickly stopped crying, forcing a smile onto her lips.
Caesar reached out and patted her head.
"Linlin, take good care of them. I leave this place to you!"Caesar gave Linlin one last smile, then turned and called out to Shiki. Without looking back, the two leaped directly from the ten-thousand-meter-high sky island!
Whoosh!
Caesar transformed into a golden-winged roc, carrying Shiki, Reiju, and others on his back, flying straight toward Whole Cake Island!
As he flew, Caesar suddenly sensed something amiss. His massive bird head twisted around, and he cried out in shock.
"Linlin?"
There, on his back, Linlin was holding a small purple umbrella, smiling brightly at him.
Caesar's rapidly flying body came to an abrupt halt as he roared angrily, "Linlin! Didn't I tell you to stay on the sky island? You..."
"Caesar, I don't want to be separated from you again. Last time we parted, it took thirty-eight years for us to reunite. This time, I'm afraid it might be even longer. I'm old now, and not pregnant, hehe. Katakuri and the others don't need me to worry about them. Let me fight alongside you this time! After all, I am... Charlotte Linlin!"
Linlin giggled, but the domineering aura radiating from her was impossible to conceal.
Caesar fell silent.
After a long pause, he sighed. "I really can't do anything about you, can I? Fine, we're an old married couple now. Let's... overturn this world together!"