The news that the Hell Pirates had captured Niji and Yonji spread through carefully controlled channels rather than public broadcasts.
The information reached the Germa Kingdom through special intelligence networks, though a small number of individuals throughout the North Blue had learned of the incident. Given the deterrent power wielded by both the Hell Pirates and the Germa Kingdom, the region's two undisputed giants, no one dared make such sensitive information public for fear of brutal retaliation.
Oboro had instructed Dom to warn information dealers throughout their network to maintain absolute silence regarding the capture. The precaution served multiple purposes: preserving Vinsmoke Judge's dignity would facilitate smoother business negotiations, while preventing the Marine and World Government from learning details that could compromise their strategic objectives.
With the analytical minds possessed by certain government officials, understanding the transaction's content would make Oboro's ultimate intentions painfully obvious. Moreover, the Vinsmoke Family maintained communication channels with the World Government that could prove problematic if word spread prematurely.
Within days, the Hell Pirates wandering the open sea were "accurately" located by Germa Kingdom forces. The real players Oboro had been waiting for had finally arrived.
Currently, the Hell Pirates operated with three vessels: their flagship accompanied by two smaller pirate ships recently purchased for this specific encounter. However, the fleet carried only Oboro and the two captured Vinsmoke sons, every other crew member had been deliberately dismissed before this confrontation.
Oboro understood perfectly that initial contact with Germa would likely require a demonstration of strength before earning the right to negotiate. He harbored no illusions about the Germa Kingdom's overwhelming combat capabilities. In the current North Blue, no force could confront them directly, including the Hell Pirates.
Additional personnel would only create unnecessary casualties while becoming tactical burdens.
To these established powers, the Hell Pirates remained a "new force" requiring proof of their legitimacy through strength.
Moreover, "imprisoning" Niji and Yonji represented a provocative act that Judge might interpret as deliberate insult. The Germa commander might not be capable of calm communication when he first appeared.
Therefore, Oboro had prepared accordingly.
Everything would begin with force, using fists to open the situation before words could establish terms.
This confrontation promised to be more challenging than his battle with Doflamingo.
"Hahahaha... Here they come!"
Yonji studied the sea in all directions and laughed with genuine excitement.
Giant snails carrying land battleships began converging from every direction, surrounding the Hell Pirates' three vessels like predators encircling prey. These massive creatures represented some of the most distinctive "living warships" on the seas, technological marvels that showcased the Germa Kingdom's scientific supremacy. The giant snails served as the foundation for Germa's mobile territory, their shells supporting entire cities that could be assembled or disassembled according to strategic needs.
The creatures possessed amphibious capabilities, equally comfortable sailing through ocean depths or climbing across terrestrial landscapes. Their shells supported not just military installations, but complete infrastructure: buildings, roads, recreational facilities, and transportation networks.
Oboro noted the numerous large "cat cars" moving between structures, another example of Germa's distinctive engineering philosophy that blended biological enhancement with mechanical innovation.
"Interesting... You don't run away."
Niji stared at Oboro's back as he stood at the bow, his voice carrying cold calculation.
The Germa Kingdom's approach hadn't been sudden or surprising. From their first appearance on the horizon to their current encirclement, sufficient time had elapsed for any rational opponent to attempt escape. Oboro could have reacted by fleeing the area, yet he had chosen to remain stationary as if deliberately seeking confrontation.
The Hell Pirates' captain had dismissed his crew in advance and waited alone aboard his vessel, apparently inviting capture by Judge's overwhelming forces.
Was this surrender? The evidence suggested otherwise.
"It's really... spectacular."
Oboro released an appreciative sigh as he surveyed the magnificent display of coordinated power surrounding him.
The Vinsmoke Family's maritime dominance became immediately apparent through this demonstration. Dense formations of warships sailed in perfect synchronization, their movements controlled with machine-like precision that tolerated no margin for error. Each vessel maintained its designated position within larger tactical formations while responding to subtle command signals with supernatural efficiency.
Such organizational capability allowed the Germa Kingdom to transform their territory into whatever configuration circumstances demanded. The total land area created by assembling their warships rivaled super-large island nations throughout the North Blue.
Within minutes, Oboro found his position surrounded by a continuous ring of artificial land that left him occupying a "lake-sized" area of open water at the center of Judge's domain.
His enhanced vision identified three figures standing prominently on the lead battleship directly ahead.
Vinsmoke Judge commanded the formation's center, the supreme commander of Germa 66 whose reputation had been forged through the systematic "killing of four North Blue kingdoms." His imposing frame bore a metallic helmet and distinctive yellow cape, while the ornate spear in his grasp radiated the authority of someone accustomed to absolute obedience.
Judge's burning ambition remained unchanged since his youth: restore the Vinsmoke Family to dominance over the entire North Blue region.
Germa had briefly ruled these waters during their ancestors' time, though political alliances among rival royal families had ultimately shattered their hegemony. Since that historical defeat, no subsequent generation had managed to reclaim their lost glory. Judge's future cooperation with Charlotte Linlin was designed to exact revenge against those same royal bloodlines while ensuring Germa's influence spread throughout every corner of their ancestral domain.
Flanking the supreme commander stood his eldest daughter Reiju and eldest son Iji, their enhanced genetics and technological augmentations making them living weapons of devastating capability.
Beyond the leadership group, every visible warship displayed ranks of black-uniformed soldiers standing in perfect formation, an army ready to execute whatever orders their commanders might issue.
"Hello, commander of the Germa Kingdom... I am the captain of the Hell Pirates. It's a pleasure... to finally meet you."
Oboro addressed Judge across the intervening water, his voice carrying clearly despite the distance. His tone remained conversational despite the obvious tension, though every muscle in his body remained prepared for immediate combat.
Even if Judge launched an attack within the next second, Oboro would consider such aggression perfectly normal given the circumstances.
The Germa commander possessed legitimate reasons for anger and violence.
"Where are they?"
Judge's cold inquiry cut through the salt air like a blade.
"Hmm?"
Oboro noted the "abnormal" restraint in Judge's attitude, he had expected immediate hostility rather than measured dialogue.
Without additional explanation, Niji and Yonji, still controlled by concentrated atmospheric pressure, floated out from behind him and crossed the open water, delivered directly to their father's warship with ceremonial precision.
"I initiated contact this time to discuss potential cooperation, not to start a war," Oboro explained with diplomatic clarity. "Therefore, your two sons remain completely unharmed."
As he spoke, the invisible restraints surrounding both Vinsmoke brothers dissolved instantly, returning their freedom of movement without ceremony or negotiation.
Witnessing Oboro release his captives so readily, such a demonstration of good faith despite his overwhelming tactical disadvantage, Judge's attitude softened marginally. While his bearing remained imperious, his tone carried less overt hostility.
"Want to discuss business? If you possess the courage... follow me!"
Judge's yellow cape fluttered dramatically as he turned and strode away, his four children falling into formation behind him with military precision.
"I didn't even need to fight..."
Oboro muttered with secret surprise at this unexpected development.
Judge's invitation carried implications that would terrify most pirates throughout the North Blue. Following the Germa commander into his mobile fortress was equivalent to entering a dragon's den voluntarily. Even well-known and powerful figures from across the seas would face certain death if Judge decided to eliminate them, the endless waves of enhanced soldiers could overwhelm any individual through sheer numerical superiority.
Such circumstances typically guaranteed a narrow escape at best.
Reiju, her medium-length pink hair catching the afternoon light, glanced back toward the man standing on the distant pirate ship. Her expression displayed a mixture of analytical assessment and playful amusement, her beautiful features enhanced by the kind of confident sensuality that marked dangerous women throughout the maritime world.
My father has extended his invitation... Does this pirate dare accept it?
The thought had barely formed in her mind when the figure in her field of vision simply vanished.
In the next instant, he materialized beside her without warning or visible mechanism, walking casually behind the Vinsmoke Family members as if he had always been part of their group.
Reiju's purple pupils contracted with shock despite her enhanced reflexes and combat conditioning. The supernatural speed display exceeded her expectations, though she quickly restored her composure with practiced ease.
Studying the nearby stranger with renewed interest, she allowed herself a genuine smile.
Judge and Iji also registered Oboro's impossible velocity, casting analytical glances in his direction while maintaining their purposeful stride toward the castle.
The group proceeded in tense silence, their footsteps echoing across the interconnected platforms as snail battleships aligned themselves to create a continuous pathway leading to Judge's fortress.
"Hello, Miss Reiju."
Oboro suddenly extended his hand toward the pink-haired woman with casual friendliness.
"Hello, pirate."
Reiju showed no surprise that this stranger knew her name, such intelligence gathering was routine among serious maritime powers. Noting his gesture of peaceful introduction, she responded with graceful courtesy rather than suspicion.
She extended her own hand without hostility.
The two shook hands with formal politeness, though both remained acutely aware of the deadly capabilities that their opponent's pleasant demeanor concealed. This exchange marked the beginning of negotiations that would reshape the North Blue's balance of power, assuming all parties survived the coming discussions.