Hearing Ortoren bring up the real business, Judge instinctively straightened his posture and nodded seriously.
"Yes. I've thought it through."
Before Ortoren could speak, Judge continued at once,
"From now on, Germa will open up all of our scientific research成果 to you."
That was right. The most basic condition Ortoren had set for Judge was the full sharing of Germa's technology.
Germa's technology did have real substance.
While much of it overlapped with Punk Hazard—things like cloning, which the Marine Science Corps there already possessed—Ortoren had no authority to touch military technology on that side.
Because of that, even Germa's overlapping technologies still held value for him.
As for the parts that didn't overlap, such as techniques related to granting superhuman abilities through genetic modification, Ortoren was at least somewhat interested.
All things considered, though, this demand was less about the technology itself and more about forcing Judge to demonstrate his sincerity.
Ortoren might not care deeply about those technologies, but Germa certainly did. They were the very foundation of their power.
By making such a harsh demand, Ortoren ensured that Judge's lifeline would be firmly in his hands from that point onward.
After all, Ortoren had never worked with Judge before. There was no trust to speak of.
When someone suddenly came forward seeking to rely on him, Ortoren naturally had to seize their weak point first. Without that, how could there be trust?
And without trust, how could he possibly treat Judge as one of his own?
Listening to Judge's answer, Ortoren nodded with clear satisfaction.
"Very good. This way, both sides can put their minds at ease."
After a brief pause, Ortoren continued,
"And what about the second condition I mentioned?"
Judge smiled helplessly.
"I've already agreed to the first one. There's no reason to refuse the second. Since the Admiral has use for me, I'm naturally willing to serve you."
"Hahaha, then here's to a pleasant cooperation," Ortoren laughed.
Ortoren's second request was for Judge to remain in the New World as his scientific advisor and take charge of building a dedicated research department for the New World Navy.
Simply put, Ortoren planned to split part of the work currently under Tesoro's logistics department and hand it over to Judge, someone far more specialized.
This included weapons production that was currently being carried out in cooperation with the Big Mom Pirates.
It also included the development of new warship technologies, as well as several unused technologies Ortoren had previously acquired from the Science Corps.
He intended to build an entire department around Judge, one specifically tasked with solving the New World Navy's scientific and technological challenges.
"Bringing you to Golden City this time was also because I need your help," Ortoren said earnestly as he looked at Judge. "I obtained some of Dr. Vegapunk's new technologies from the Science Corps, including things like climate control and holographic projection. I have the technical data, but I need a researcher with sufficient skill to turn those ideas into reality and apply them to Golden City's construction. You'll be responsible for that."
"Do this well. Show everyone what you're capable of. Only when you've earned their respect will you truly be considered one of our own."
Judge listened carefully and immediately nodded.
"Yes. I'll complete the tasks you've assigned as quickly as possible."
"Good. Tesoro and the others will be staying in Golden City for quite a while, so you can take this opportunity to get familiar with them," Ortoren said, then added, "Once you've finished all of this, whatever it is you want from me, I'll give it to you."
Judge wasn't doing charity work.
He was willingly handing over his life's foundation to Ortoren, and of course, he had his own demands.
Fortunately for him, those demands were extremely simple matters for Ortoren.
Judge hoped to restore Germa into a normal country.
A so-called normal country meant having fixed territory, no longer drifting everywhere as it did now, relying on mobile war houses to form its so-called "homeland."
In terms of sheer strength, Judge was perfectly capable of seizing territory for himself.
The reason Germa had ended up in this state was simple: the World Government did not allow them to possess land. Under such restrictions, Judge didn't dare make any under-the-table moves. His only hope was that Ortoren could resolve the issue in a lawful and legitimate way, in other words, persuade the World Government to stop targeting Germa.
In the original course of events, Judge had struggled within the World Government's system for many years, only to end up with nothing to show for it.
Disappointed and utterly disillusioned, he eventually gave up on the World Government altogether. But doing so would inevitably put him at odds with it. To survive that pressure, he needed a powerful backer, someone strong enough to shield him and pull him along.
That was why he chose to marry into the Big Mom Pirates.
Unfortunately, Charlotte Linlin was no soft-hearted figure. She never intended to treat Judge as an equal. The so-called marriage alliance was nothing more than a way to legitimately swallow up Germa's assets.
Add to that the Straw Hat Pirates' unexpected interference, and Judge ended up suffering far more losses than gains. He offended the World Government, was stripped of his status as a member nation, and gained nothing meaningful from the Big Mom Pirates. Cast into the depths of the underworld, he was left with virtually no chance of turning things around.
Now, having obtained Ortoren's promise, Judge was clearly overjoyed.
He understood very well that what seemed like an insurmountable challenge to him might be something Ortoren could accomplish with ease.
The difference in their positions, power, and importance to the World Government was simply too great.
For example, Judge could never hope to come into contact with the Five Elders, but Ortoren could speak to them directly at any time. Many problems that seemed impossibly difficult to Judge could likely be resolved with nothing more than a single Den Den Mushi call.
"Thank you, Admiral! Thank you so much, Admiral!" Judge said excitedly.
"There's no need to be that excited," Ortoren replied with a meaningful smile. "Before long, you might find that these things don't seem all that important anymore..."
Small-minded and short-sighted. That was Ortoren's assessment of Judge.
After all that pleading, all he wanted was Germa back. To be honest, among Ortoren's direct subordinates, no one had lower aspirations than him.
They both came from the North Blue. Just look at Doflamingo now. Look how far he's gone.
He was practically one step away from acknowledging the Fleet Admiral as his godfather.
And then there was Judge. What a letdown.
That said, Doflamingo had fallen from the Holy Land itself. Someone who had once stood among the clouds naturally had broader vision and greater ambition than Judge. That was understandable.
Vision and ambition could be cultivated. Ortoren believed that after being immersed in their circle for long enough, Judge might eventually break free from this narrow perspective.
Why cling to Germa at all?
Wouldn't it be better to board this ship of his and rise together as the world's new ruling class?
After sending Judge off, Ortoren stretched lazily and yawned.
"Hina, do I have any urgent plans or schedules that need to be handled next?"
Hina immediately took out Ortoren's itinerary and checked it carefully.
"According to the original plan, your next stop was supposed to be Whole Cake Island in Totto Land, to visit the Big Mom Pirates regarding Golden City and some follow-up matters..."
Before she could finish, Ortoren waved his hand.
"No need. That old woman is stubborn to the bone. There's no point talking to her. I'll go pay my respects another time when the opportunity is right."
Hina didn't argue. She crossed the item off the schedule at once.
"Then there are no other arrangements."
"Good. In that case, notify Isshō. Have him come with me to Skypiea," Ortoren said with a nod.
First, settle matters in the Golden City of Shandora in the sky.
Then head to Fish-Man Island and meet King Neptune.
Once all that was done, Ortoren's responsibilities as the Navy's newly appointed Admiral, along with his early plans for the New World, would be largely wrapped up.
After that, it would just be routine affairs. Nothing too taxing anymore.