Oboro manipulated the concentrated airflow to tear through the earth with surgical precision.
Niji was driven directly into the abyss like a rift valley, his enhanced form disappearing into the depths with a thunderous crash that echoed across the devastated battlefield.
Meanwhile, powerful winds whipped across the terrain as Yonji prepared to launch a desperate counterattack against this mysterious opponent who had just casually eliminated his brother.
But the gentleman in the elegant black suit didn't even spare him a glance, simply raising his arm and pointing one finger in the green-haired Vinsmoke's direction with casual indifference.
Instantly, Yonji found himself trapped in mid-air by invisible forces that defied comprehension.
His technological headphones and protective sunglasses exploded under the tremendous pressure, their advanced materials proving useless against this supernatural assault. Even with his genetically enhanced exoskeleton and the protection of his combat suit, defenses that should have rendered him virtually invulnerable, his limbs began deforming with the distinctive "metallic texture" sound of metal being gradually compressed beyond its structural limits.
Various parts of his enhanced body became concave as the invisible pressure intensified, reshaping his supposedly perfect form like clay in the hands of a cosmic sculptor.
"Tch! You're pretty strong... bastard!"
"A Devil Fruit user?" Yonji snarled, his genetically modified psychology preventing him from experiencing the terror that would have paralyzed ordinary opponents.
He glared at Oboro with unchanged viciousness, his artificial emotional responses treating this impossible situation as merely another tactical challenge to be analyzed and overcome.
Despite his predicament, Yonji attempted to struggle against the constraining forces. But the greater the amplitude and strength of his movements, the more devastating the counterattack against his enhanced physiology became. The invisible pressure intensified in direct proportion to his resistance until his body was completely immobilized by the concentrated airflow, and the thrust energy that normally sprayed from his rocket boots was utterly extinguished.
"No," Oboro replied with an amused smile, lowering his arm with the casual confidence of someone who had just demonstrated an elementary technique.
With a single thought, he reached into the deep crack that had swallowed Niji and summoned the fallen Vinsmoke brother back to the surface. A shadow emerged from the fissure, carried by controlled airflow that sent it flying violently upward, smashing through multiple layers of displaced soil during its ascent.
Niji materialized, covered in dust and debris but still functionally intact despite his brutal treatment.
Like his younger brother, the blue-haired Vinsmoke found himself enveloped by invisible atmospheric pressure that completely negated his ability to move or resist.
Oboro hadn't held back during this demonstration. The intensity of his atmospheric manipulation approached the levels he'd deployed against Doflamingo, controlling two members of the Vinsmoke family simultaneously required genuine effort rather than casual application of power. If the suppression of the concentrated airflow had been even slightly weaker, both enhanced warriors could have escaped his grasp instantly.
His enhanced perception detected the approaching thunder of military equipment as the Germa army rushed toward their position from the distant battlefield. These clone soldiers, witnessing the capture of Niji and Yonji, had immediately abandoned their systematic cleanup operations to converge on the Hell Pirates with overwhelming force.
However, Oboro simply waved his hand with theatrical casualness.
Several points of condensed light materialized in front of him, atmospheric masses compressed to their absolute limits, resembling the projectiles he'd previously fired from his fingertips but magnified in both scale and destructive potential.
Immediately, these floating orbs launched themselves like streaks of laser light, blasting into the area where the Germa soldiers were advancing in formation.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The exploding airflow instantly tore through the earth, stirring up razor-sharp wind curtains that transformed the densely packed military formation into chaos. The disciplined clone soldiers seemed like countless black dots caught in a supernatural storm, their enhanced bodies reduced to bloody fragments that painted the sky in crimson mist.
Within moments, an entire battalion of Germa's finest troops had been obliterated through simple gesture and will.
"Let's go," Oboro announced, turning to lead Dom and his other subordinates back toward their vessel.
Against the backdrop of absolute devastation, the retreating Hell Pirates created a rather surreal landscape painting.
Below them walked the small group led by Oboro, moving away from the scene of carnage with unhurried confidence. Vinsmoke Niji and Yonji remained suspended in the air two meters above the ground, one on each side of their captor, their atmospheric restraints holding them like invisible chains. Despite their predicament, both brothers maintained expressions that ranged from furious defiance to predatory amusement.
Dom carried two unconscious forms, the surviving candidates from their failed assessment who had somehow impressed their captain despite the overwhelming defeat.
To Oboro's right, Dolan walked with a malicious smile playing across his features, occasionally turning his head to watch the Germa soldiers being casually annihilated by supernatural forces that operated beyond conventional understanding.
Yurivich brought up the rear of their procession, his towering form casting long shadows across the blood-soaked terrain. His enhanced vision passed over the heads of his companions to study the distant army that had been swept away like toys in a hurricane. The dust and debris kicked up by the atmospheric assault created a dark, turbulent skyline behind them that resembled the aftermath of some biblical catastrophe.
"Bastards! I didn't expect a mere pirate to possess such strength!"
"You're more capable than I initially assessed!"
During their journey back to the Hell Pirates' flagship, Niji and Yonji maintained a constant stream of commentary, their voices carrying easily despite their restraints.
Both brothers stared at Oboro with expressions that mixed fury and grudging respect, their genetic programming preventing them from acknowledging their current status as helpless prisoners.
"Shut up! If you keep running your mouths, I'll kill you both!" Dom snapped, glaring at the two figures being dragged through the air with obvious irritation.
Their constant chatter was beginning to grate on his enhanced nerves.
"This guy is strong, not you... Why are you acting so arrogant? I could kill scum like you in a single encounter," Yonji replied with characteristic disdain, then glanced toward his captured brother with perverse amusement. "Hey, Niji, are you planning to get yourself killed? Hahahaha!"
The youngest Vinsmoke seemed genuinely entertained by their predicament rather than concerned about potential consequences.
Dom frowned, studying the brothers' unchanged emotional responses with growing unease. Even when facing the immediate threat of death, their artificial personalities remained exactly the same as before, as if external circumstances couldn't affect their predetermined psychological parameters at all.
"Threatening and intimidation are useless against them," Oboro explained without looking back. "Even if you actually killed them, they wouldn't care. The genetic programming that created them eliminated emotions they considered 'weaknesses' from their psychological architecture. To put it simply, they lack the fundamental 'warmth' that defines natural life."
His analytical tone carried the detached interest of someone explaining a fascinating scientific phenomenon rather than describing the tragic results of genetic manipulation.
Hearing this assessment, Dom cast another glance at the suspended Vinsmoke brothers, noting how their enhanced genetics had transformed them into something that resembled humans without possessing truly human nature.
"Hahahaha! Well informed, suit bastard!" Yonji laughed with obvious appreciation for Oboro's accurate analysis.
"The Vinsmoke family possesses a history spanning nearly three centuries," Oboro continued conversationally. "Beyond participating in conventional warfare, you've also conducted extensive assassination work throughout the North Blue's political landscape. Your organization once used military force to briefly rule the entire region, sixty-six days, if I remember correctly. That's how the designation 'Germa 66' originated."
His voice carried the easy confidence of someone reciting well-researched facts rather than making casual observations.
"Even though that dominance proved temporary, no one had ever achieved such comprehensive regional control before that moment. Until today, your family continues exerting influence over marine operations and political decisions. You can participate in the World Conference without controlling any permanent territory, and even the World Government must accommodate your interests under certain circumstances."
Oboro paused in his historical recitation, allowing the implications to settle before delivering his conclusion.
"Your power remains formidable and your reputation commands respect throughout these waters. As a pirate operating in the North Blue, I naturally need to understand the forces that shape this region's political reality."
His tone carried no flattery or deference, merely the practical acknowledgment of one professional appraising another.
"Hahahaha!"
Oboro's matter-of-fact delivery of the Vinsmoke family's accomplishments, delivered without any attempt at manipulation or false praise, clearly pleased Yonji immensely.
Throughout their journey, the green-haired brother proved to be remarkably talkative for someone in such circumstances. In comparison, Niji occasionally interjected with angry comments, but remained largely silent, his fury obvious yet constrained by their hopeless tactical situation.
After returning to their flagship, Oboro instructed Dom to contact the outside world through their Den Den Mushi communication system and spread word throughout appropriate channels.
The message was simple and direct: key members of the Vinsmoke family were now in Hell Pirates custody.
The negotiations could begin whenever Judge felt ready to discuss terms.
Meanwhile, aboard the Hell Pirates' flagship, the aftermath of their Germa encounter had created new dynamics among the crew that reflected the organization's complex internal hierarchy.
The technology of bloodline factors wasn't a secret to the maritime world's major powers, many organizations "drooled" over the possibilities such scientific advancement represented.
The artificial Devil Fruits that Doflamingo and Kaido had cooperated to develop were also based on bloodline factor research conducted by Caesar Clown, who had once worked alongside Judge and Vegapunk before their team dissolved into competing factions.
Oboro had deliberately arranged for Yingge and the other candidates to fight Niji and Yonji as a way of observing the practical applications of bloodline factor theory, technology acclaimed as belonging to "God's Domain" by those who understood its implications. After all, he was about to negotiate serious business with the Vinsmoke family, and as a potential customer, he possessed every right to examine the quality of their "samples" firsthand.
The performance displayed by Niji and Yonji had indeed been reassuring, confirming that Germa's reputation for scientific excellence wasn't merely propaganda.
However, what troubled Dolan considerably was Oboro's announcement that both Yingge and the yellow-haired candidate had passed their first assessment despite the devastating defeat they'd suffered.
This outcome differed dramatically from what he'd hoped would happen.
The yellow-haired man's name was Kaka, a peculiar pronunciation that sounded like a single syllable rather than a proper name. He had once captained a small pirate crew during their early days in the North Blue, though no one had expected him to qualify for recruitment aboard the Hell Pirates, much less survive long enough to reach candidacy for official membership.
Most importantly, the ten individuals who had received opportunities to compete for permanent crew positions, including both survivors, didn't display the "submissive" attitude toward Dolan that characterized other recent recruits. They didn't behave like newcomers desperate to please established authority figures, instead treating him as just another crew member rather than someone whose seniority demanded special respect.
Among them, Yingge's disrespect was the most obvious and grating.
Therefore, Dolan had privately hoped that all these candidates would "fail" their assessments, eliminating potential rivals for influence while reinforcing his position as the primary intermediary between the original crew and newer additions.
However, not only had two candidates survived their encounter with the Vinsmoke brothers, but they'd actually passed what amounted to a preliminary qualification round.
"Hey! Senior!"
A greeting echoed from the deck above, drawing Dolan from his brooding thoughts.
Looking up, he saw the yellow-haired Kaka descending the stairs from the second floor, his movement still showing the effects of his recent injuries. Despite his obvious pain, the young pirate managed a warm smile that seemed genuine rather than calculated.
"Congratulations," Dolan replied with forced pleasantness. "It seems we'll be genuine partners in the near future."
Kaka appeared younger than twenty, though his exact age remained unclear due to the extensive metallic modifications that decorated his features. Numerous nose rings pierced his nostrils, multiple lip studs adorned his mouth, and various metal objects hung from his eyelids in patterns that suggested either personal aesthetic choice or cultural tradition from his homeland.
On the surface, Kaka projected warmth, energy, and polite deference to established hierarchy. But anyone who spent more than a few days around him would recognize these traits as carefully maintained facades rather than expressions of his genuine personality.
"It was incredibly close... I almost died," Kaka replied, his tone carrying the right mixture of gratitude and humility. "Thanks to Lord Dom's intervention, I heard he managed to save both of us. How amazing that he could extract us safely from right under those monsters' noses..."
His praise for Dom's spatial manipulation abilities seemed genuine enough, though subtle undertones suggested he understood the political complexities of their rescue.
"The Vinsmoke family really is terrifying!" Kaka continued, his voice dropping to convey appropriate awe. "Their reputation throughout the North Blue definitely isn't exaggerated."
After stretching his injured legs experimentally, testing the extent of his remaining mobility, Kaka suddenly turned toward Dom with an expression of remembered appreciation.
"Ah! By the way, senior Dolan was also present during the operation..." he added with apparent afterthought, scratching the back of his head while delivering what should have been acknowledgment of Dolan' contribution to their survival. "I was just babbling without thinking... Hahahaha..."
The casual dismissal, delivered with perfectly innocent laughter, struck like a carefully aimed insult disguised as social awkwardness.
Then Kaka bowed with exaggerated formality. "Well then... I'll return to my quarters and rest. Thank you for your concern, senior."
Dolan' face stiffened as he forced his smile to remain in place. "Of course. Rest well."
He watched Kaka limp away toward his assigned cabin, noting how the younger pirate's apparent respect had been undermined by subtle implications that reduced Dolan' presence to irrelevance.
The message was unmistakable: What does it mean to suggest I have no meaningful presence during important operations?
As Kaka disappeared below deck, Dolan' expression darkened with the kind of resentment that festered in those who found their authority questioned by supposed subordinates.
The Hell Pirates' internal dynamics were shifting, and his position within that hierarchy felt increasingly precarious with each passing day.