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Jin could tell she had stopped because they were close to Germa 66's territory—close enough for reinforcements, but still within a safe enough buffer that she wouldn't lead danger directly to her family's doorstep.
She was probing him.
"Germa 66 was founded over three hundred years ago—" Jin began, his tone almost academic. "—They are an infamous family of assassins in the underworld, and long ago, they ruled the North Blue through sheer force of arms, dominating the sea with their powerful scientific combat units."
"To the world, they are known as the 'Army of Evil,' antagonists in a serialized picture book."
"The World Economic Journal once published a comic strip based on the real-life exploits of Marine heroes. It was called Sora, Warrior of the Sea."
"It told the story of the hero 'Sora,' who could walk on water, as he led his fantastic transforming robot and flock of seagulls against the evil army of Germa 66. Through Germa's constant defeats, the comic built up the image of the Marines as a powerful and just force. It also served as excellent propaganda for the children of the world, and the story has countless fans—"
"—But most people believe Germa 66 is a work of fiction. They have no idea they actually exist."
"Germa 66 was suppressed for a time, fell into decline, until Vinsmoke Judge appeared. He used science and technology to restore the kingdom to its former glory. Years ago, he took the heads of the rulers of four North Blue nations, an incident that became known as the 'Conquest of the Four Nations'."
Reiju was inwardly stunned. He knew everything. This only confirmed that his intentions were anything but friendly.
She had already called for backup.
The armies of Germa 66 were on their way.
Her job now was to stall for time.
"So," she asked, "what is it you really want?"
Jin smiled. "I was chasing you because I like you. For now, let's go with that..."
"..."
Reiju smiled back. "May I at least know your name?"
"First name is 'My'—and my surname is—'Lord'." Jin said, a perfectly straight face.
Reiju was speechless.
Even Robin couldn't help but roll her eyes.
He was spouting such nonsense with absolute seriousness.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw tiny pinpricks of light on the distant sea.
No—they were appearing from all directions.
Flickering.
Drawing closer.
It was too dark to see clearly, but Robin's experience told her exactly what it was. A massive fleet was encircling them.
Reiju, who had been cringing so hard she wanted to peel the deck plating off the ship, let out a long sigh of relief, her own smile growing wider.
She didn't know who this man was, but here, in the North Blue—their backyard—Germa 66 had no enemies.
Here, they were invincible.
But what Reiju didn't know... was that the enemy had come from far away.
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Germa 66's base of operations was the Germa Kingdom—a nation unique in all the world, for it had no land.
It was a fleet of hundreds of massive snail ships, which normally operated independently.
When they merged, they became a kingdom.
And ruling over that kingdom was the Vinsmoke family. Its citizens were all clones, created from lineage factor technology. Almost all of them were male, and all of them were soldiers.
"If you know of Germa 66," Reiju said, a hint of kindness in her voice, "then you should know what happens to those who cross us. I suggest you run."
It was she, the one who had retained her emotions despite the genetic modifications, who had helped Sanji escape. But Judge had also encoded an unbreakable directive into their DNA: feel no fear of death, and never betray.
She could not defy her father's orders.
"Miss Reiju," Jin said, "you have just earned your family a sliver of a chance at survival."
Reiju froze.
The man's entire demeanor had changed. It was cold, and a powerful aura—an oppressive presence—radiated from him. It was a complete transformation.
In that instant, he seemed untouchable, a being that could only be looked up to.
'What's happening?' Her heart began to pound. A terrible thought surfaced in her mind.
Was he doing this on purpose? Was he waiting for Germa 66 to arrive?
The realization hit her like a physical blow. She wanted to shout a warning, but it was too late. The snail ships were closing in, their massive forms converging on them.
To the east, the central castle of the kingdom, a fusion of a hundred snail ships, appeared, the flag of Germa 66 flying from its highest tower.
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Outside the castle, the Vinsmoke family stood, flanked by their soldiers.
Front and center was the patriarch, Judge, tall and imposing in his metal helmet, his long, golden hair flowing behind him.
To his left was the eldest son, Ichiji, his fiery red hair covering his right eye, his red uniform like a flame.
To his right was the second son, Niji, with wavy blue hair and metal gauntlets, his blue uniform crackling like lightning.
And behind him, the fourth son, Yonji, with a green, pointed hairstyle, his face strikingly similar to Sanji's, his frame large and powerful.
The castle moved forward, and the snail ships in its path merged with it, forming a solid "landmass."
Squadrons of soldiers moved into formation, the soldiers standing at attention like statues—the disciplined and fearsome Army of Evil.
The snail ships opened fire, bombarding the demonic carrier.
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Jin glanced at the approaching fleet, then clapped his hands.
"Time to go to work!" he called out, summoning Maya, his thirty soldiers, and Law and his crew. "Group up! Let's get this done."
Law's face was a thundercloud. "Oi! King or whatever you are! I only agreed to treat the patient! No one said anything about fighting your battles!"
During the journey from the Polar Tang—which had been swallowed by the demonic carrier—to the southern port, Jin and Law had engaged in a "cordial, in-depth, and friendly" discussion, which had ultimately produced "constructive results."
Jin hadn't killed Law to take the Op-Op Fruit. He knew that a Devil Fruit's true potential, its "Awakening," could only be unlocked by the right person.
If he killed Law, who would he give the fruit to?
While developing the Munch-Munch Fruit's abilities, Jin had realized that his own energy was limited. He couldn't personally develop every fruit the carrier swallowed. That was why he had created the officer positions. Once granted one of the ship's abilities, it would be their job to develop it.
And any ability a crew member developed, Jin could also use.
In other words, the right crew members could increase both his and the carrier's combat power.
Furthermore, he had run an experiment with Kuma.
He had discovered that a crew member who had already eaten a Devil Fruit could still be granted one of the carrier's swallowed fruit abilities.
They could become a dual-fruit user.
Because the power was granted by the carrier, not by eating a second fruit, there was no conflict.
Faced with Law's protest, Jin simply said, "Just stay alive."
"Oi! That's Germa 66!" Shachi shouted, recognizing the flag.
Law was stunned. The Vinsmoke family? He looked out at the sea. They were completely surrounded.
A cannonball arced through the night sky, its trajectory elegant and precise, aimed directly at Law and his crew.
"Dammit..." Law cursed. He'd been shanghaied.
"ROOM!" he yelled. "Shambles!"
He had no choice but to use his ability, slicing the cannonball into a dozen pieces.
A snail ship closed in, and a squad of identical clone soldiers leaped onto the deck.
Jin didn't use the Munch-Munch Fruit's ability. He left the grunts to Law, Robin, Maya, and his own crew.
Cannon fodder was perfect for training.
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