"Creating losses yourself and then submitting false reports to reduce the amount of tribute...
Do they think Orin doesn't care about management, so they're trying to exploit a loophole?"
"Fuhahahahaha... He's the richest man in the world, after all. Maybe they thought such a small matter wouldn't be noticed?"
This wasn't even an isolated case. Many places were doing the same thing.
For example, staging a fake robbery—sending out a gang of 'bandits' to steal goods and financial records. This would reduce their reported annual profits, and thus, the amount they had to pay.
It had to be said, if Orin the slack-off really were in charge, or if his subordinates didn't take things seriously, then as long as the major dues were paid, they might indeed overlook the finer details.
Unfortunately for them—
In this gamble between profit and survival, these guys bet wrong.
Whether it was Donquixote Doflamingo, who controlled resource flows and acted as a broker, or the news delivery seagulls with eyes across the world—this ploy to fool the heavens was ultimately exposed.
...
North Blue.
On the back of a giant snail, countless identical soldiers stood solemnly guarding the central castle.
Inside a room at the top floor, a tall man with a helmet and flowing golden hair sat on the throne with a stern expression, staring at the Den Den Mushi in front of him.
"You didn't leave any survivors, right?"
He furrowed his brow tightly, worry clearly on his face as his sharp gaze bore into the face on the other end of the line.
He was starting to regret it.
Just for the sake of funds, he had secretly dispatched troops to cooperate with underground dealers in raiding merchant ships.
Although pillaging was the very foundation of Germa 66's survival, and that great figure who shook the seas roamed the Grand Line all year round—unlikely to notice such minor losses here in the North—
Still, thinking back on it... it all felt a little too risky.
"Relax, Your Majesty Judge of Germa. Apart from the trusted men, all involved personnel have been dealt with. No one will ever know. Just enjoy the profits."
Hearing that, Judge nodded, then hung up the call.
Because of their heavy investment in scientific research and warfare, Germa was often short on funds. This side hustle had brought in a decent sum.
Besides...
He slowly stood and walked to the window, looking down at the perfectly uniform, fearlessly obedient synthetic soldiers. Germa's proud technology, and his monstrous children who had been born with bodies of steel...
Even against beings like the Yonko—those sea emperors—if you just threw enough weapons and lives at them, eventually they'd run out of stamina and be buried.
So thought the young and battle-inexperienced Judge at the time.
Of course, for every bold risk-taker, there's always someone sitting on the fence.
"Beru beru beru beru..."
The Den Den Mushi on his desk rang again. Judge picked it up.
Kacha.
Seeing who it was, Judge frowned slightly. It was an old acquaintance of his—a merchant he had known for a long time.
This man had helped Germa sell weapons to various countries, inciting wars. He was a textbook villain from the underworld.
"Why are you calling all of a sudden, Nicholas?"
"Judge, I've got a bad feeling about this..."
Nicholas furrowed his brows. He'd attended the Dark World Summit and understood just how weighty the title 'Black Emperor' really was.
Blinded by profit at the time, every day since then he'd been anxious about the consequences.
If they were found out... someone that terrifying would definitely kill him.
"This isn't like you—hesitating and worrying now?"
"You already made your choice. Just clean up thoroughly. Regret won't help. Besides... This is the North Blue! Germa is the strongest force here!!!"
Judge's boldness was clear. He was obviously ready to confront anything head-on.
The power of science wasn't necessarily inferior to the so-called "Haki" of the New World's monsters!!!
"You've never been to the meeting, so you can't possibly imagine how terrifying the king of the underworld really is." He remembered that bodyguard with a 500 million Belly bounty—completely crushed under the weight of the Black Emperor's presence. It made his own heart tremble just thinking about it.
"Forget it this time. I'll pay the owed tribute out of pocket and watch how things unfold."
If Orin really didn't care about these little tricks, then he could always try again later. Let someone else take the fall first.
After all, without your life, money's meaningless.
As someone who had spent his life dancing on battlefields, his one survival tactic had always been: play it safe.
"You're earning more and more, but getting more and more timid, Nicholas."
"A mere pirate..."
Judge looked down on such cowardice, thinking the man had no ambition or courage. Profit was something you fought for!
"Fuhahahahaha... Bold words, King Judge."
With a chilling laugh and a teasing tone, Judge's expression instantly changed. He raised a hand, summoning an electrified spear into his grasp and stared outside with burning eyes.
That familiar figure—
Short blond hair. Pink feathered cloak. A wicked, cocky smile.
It was the infamous North Blue pirate: Heavenly Yaksha, Donquixote Doflamingo.
"Hey!!! Pirate!!!"
Judge didn't understand—how had he broken through all the layers of security and reached the top of the royal palace?
"Who is it, Judge!!!"
Nicholas was panicking now, voice trembling with fear.
"What perfect timing. Isn't this Nicholas-san—the very man who was attacked not long ago?"
Doflamingo smirked wickedly. Of course he recognized this face—within the North Blue, he was familiar with everyone of significance.
"Don't be nervous. I'm just the vanguard. Orin-sama will be here shortly."
Doflamingo squatted by the window, twirling his finger. With the movement of a thin thread, he manipulated several guards outside who had heard the noise and were about to barge in.
"Nani!!!???"
Hearing the one name he didn't want to hear, the Den Den Mushi's eyeballs almost popped out of its shell. Snot and tears gushed forth as all light faded from its eyes.
It was over. Completely over...
"A mere pirate dares to trespass into the territory of the Germa Kingdom!!!"
Judge's eyes burned with fury as an explosive burst of energy shot from beneath his feet. The spear in his hand crackled with intense electricity—
Using the tremendous force, he charged at Doflamingo!
"Still want to fight?"
Doflamingo laughed even harder, effortlessly leaping aside to dodge the deadly strike. Standing atop skybound threads tied to clouds, he floated in midair.
"Fuhahahahaha... I admire your guts, King Judge. If you manage to survive this, then based on your courage alone, I'll make sure we do more business together in the future."
"Of course... That is, if you survive."