To be honest, Robin didn't have much of a grasp on these matters.
She only knew that all of this involved some very prominent figures of the New World.
From Violet's description alone, she could tell that even Doflamingo held a weaker position when facing Kaidou.
"Doflamingo only seized Dressrosa not long ago. Even if he's in contact with Kaidou, their relationship can't be that deep yet."
Don naturally understood what Robin was worried about.
Doflamingo had indeed formed a cooperative deal with Kaidou, one that would eventually involve the trade of artificial Zoan Devil Fruits.
But for now, judging by the timeline, it was still far too early for that trade to be in full swing.
Most of Kaidou's time was still spent in Wano.
Over the past year, Don had rarely seen Kaidou's name appear in the papers.
Charlotte Linlin and Whitebeard, on the other hand, were far more active.
One was building her "Whole Cake Kingdom," while the other roamed freely across the New World.
"But we still need to have countermeasures. Or… Captain, are you confident you can stand against one of the Emperors of the Sea? If that's the case, then there's no need to worry."
Robin thought for a moment and reminded him cautiously.
"Not yet. Dressrosa itself lies in the New World—that's the second half of the Grand Line. For now, let's finish what's right in front of us."
Don glanced at Robin. "Plot the course."
"Understood."
Robin didn't press the matter further.
Though Don was young, she could tell that everything he chose to do was carefully thought through.
Perhaps this, too, was already part of his greater plan.
With Don's power driving the ship, it sped furiously across the sea.
Following Robin's routes, one weapons factory after another was razed by Don's sword.
Some were hidden on deserted islands; others were tucked away on inhabited ones.
The commotion was far too great to go unnoticed for long.
On the deck of the largest ship within a fleet of snail-shaped battleships
"Impossible!"
Smack!
A hand slammed against the table with force.
Vinsmoke Judge, ruler of the Germa Kingdom and commander of Germa 66—known across the seas as the "Garuda"—glared at the World Government official seated across from him, eyes burning with fury.
Not far away, a tall figure in a yellow pinstriped suit didn't even lift an eyelid, as if the shouting around him had nothing to do with him.
Naturally, this man was Admiral Kizaru, sent to oversee these talks.
He hadn't spoken a word throughout the quarrel.
For him, this assignment was practically leisure. At least for now, life was pleasantly unhurried.
The other two parties, however, were having a far rougher time.
"With your intelligence, you should understand this—we will never allow you to keep expanding your military power unchecked!"
The senior World Government official leading the negotiations wore a grim expression.
Judge's face darkened at those words. He cast a glance toward Kizaru.
But the admiral still hadn't so much as raised his eyelids.
Judge turned back.
"My army can only ever be commanded by me. The World Government should abandon the idea of taking control. This is not a negotiation—it's coercion.
I can refuse your invitation outright. I can refuse to make Germa a World Government affiliate nation."
"You bastard, do you even realize what you're doing?!"
The official slammed both palms onto the table, seething with rage as his glare met Judge's.
"If you want to use me, then show some sincerity."
Judge knew exactly what situation he was in.
Germa was weak compared to the World Government—there was no denying that.
But if they wanted to exploit him to suppress those rebellious kingdoms, then they couldn't expect him to simply hand over everything for free.
"Don't forget your past."
Seeing Judge's iron stance, the official sneered a warning.
Of course, he was referring to Judge's youth—when he, Vegapunk, Caesar Clown, and Queen had formed an illegal research team.
Back then, their research into the Lineage Factor was discovered by the Government. Vegapunk and Caesar were captured and absorbed into its service.
Judge and Queen had each escaped.
Queen had fled to the New World. Judge had returned to the North Blue.
There, in order to rebuild Germa, he had used his knowledge and Lineage Factor technology to create a cloned army.
The Government hadn't cared much at first. After all, they already had Vegapunk—the strongest card in the deck.
Why would they need Judge, a mere side piece?
But Judge had made Germa rise again in the North Blue, forcing the World Government to notice him once more.
"Today's meeting is over. Tomorrow, I expect you not to bring this up again. Otherwise, there's no need for further negotiation."
Judge let out a cold snort, rose, and strode away.
A girl in a butterfly-like battle suit followed behind him.
"This bastard. Looks like he won't yield."
If they could seize control of Germa's clone army, it would be a massive accomplishment when they returned.
But Judge wouldn't budge an inch.
"I suggest you hurry it up."
Kizaru finally spoke.
All eyes turned toward him, only to see him reclining lazily in his seat, lips pursed in his usual nonchalant way.
"Admiral Kizaru, your task is to ensure these negotiations succeed. If they fail, you will need to take action to enforce compliance."
"Oh? Was that supposed to be a warning to me?"
Kizaru pursed his lips again, the eyes behind his sunglasses narrowing at the official.
"Of course not. This is simply the World Government's directive."
The official wasn't stupid; he wouldn't dare be overly forceful toward an admiral.
Kizaru nodded.
Naturally, his words had only been for show.
If he could laze around, that was always better than being sent out on missions.
Besides, wiping out Germa's "Evil Army" singlehandedly would be no small task even for him.
Better to avoid action, if possible.
"Also, Admiral Kizaru!"
Just as Kizaru was about to rise, the official who had spoken earlier stepped up with a folder in hand.
"There's intel—someone has been causing chaos throughout the North Blue, destroying more than a dozen islands in succession."
He placed the file on the table beside Kizaru.
"This is the kind of thing you should handle yourselves."
Kizaru gave it a cursory glance, then stood, sauntering away in his usual languid gait.
The official's expression soured at that response.
As a government agent, he had dealings with the North Blue's underworld—interests, investments, exchanges.
And this time, someone had paid him to make this problem disappear.
But Kizaru wasn't taking the bait.
Elsewhere
Judge's face was stormy.
"It seems these talks will never succeed."
Back at his quarters, he muttered in a low voice.
"Father, if negotiations fail, we may end up in direct conflict with the World Government."
Behind him, Reiju spoke softly.
"They want to seize control of the clone army. That is impossible."
Judge's eyes turned toward her.
"What about that man? Have you found out who he is? What grudge does he bear against Doflamingo?"
END OF CHAPTER
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