I, The Celestial Dragon, Rule The Heavens Through The Double Gate

With a roar, he flew toward a warship, determined to make all the creatures aboard pay with their lives for his sons' deaths.

He may not have had any feelings for his sons, but they were the result of his painstaking research, the bloodline that strengthened the foundation of the Germa Kingdom. Yet, now, they had all perished. How could he not be enraged? How could he not hate?

"Die for me!!"

Judge roared, and as he neared the warship, he unleashed a punch, triggering a massive explosion.

But in the next moment...

Clang.

A Vice Admiral, biting down on a cigar, easily blocked the blow with his sword. He smirked and said, "I've often heard people say that among Devil Fruits, the mythical Zoans are especially powerful. Even if an ordinary person eats one, they can instantly gain a strong physique and extraordinary abilities. For the strong, these fruits make them even stronger.

"But now, it seems like that's an exaggeration. Or perhaps... you're just too weak?"

"You want to die," Judge growled.

The insult drove the already furious Judge to attack again, roaring as he punched.

But in the next moment, another Vice Admiral appeared, using Moonwalk to move swiftly through the air. With a whip-like kick, the Vice Admiral sent Judge flying, blood spurting from his mouth.

The Vice Admiral laughed mockingly. "I expected a tough opponent, but it turns out you're just trash. Only someone as idiotic as you would pull a stunt like this."

As high-ranking officers, the Vice Admirals performing the Buster Call naturally knew the reason behind it and found it utterly ridiculous.

Vice Admirals, being privy to sensitive matters, were well aware of the untouchable aspects of the world. The Celestial Dragons could take anything they wanted, and if it were a common Devil Fruit, it might have been overlooked. But a powerful and rare Devil Fruit? Anyone with a brain would realize such a fruit isn't to be trifled with.

If the emperors of the New World had taken it, that would have been one thing—they had the strength to defend their actions. But Germa? A North Blue power? They were courting death.

The taunts stoked Judge's fury further. "Good... very good," he muttered, his eyes sweeping over the Marine forces before glancing back at the devastation in his kingdom. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he spoke coldly, "Just wait. I'll be back soon. When that time comes, I'll deal with you one by one."

"The Germa Kingdom will not fall in vain. You will all pay with your lives!"

He knew he was powerless to change his fate now. The strength gap was insurmountable. Rage boiled within him, but after being kicked away, he regained clarity.

If he stayed, death was the only certainty.

But he could fly. That was his advantage.

In the vast sea, it would be nearly impossible for these Marines to capture him. If he escaped, he vowed to settle this score someday.

As this thought crossed his mind, Judge turned to flee without hesitation.

But as he turned...

A figure appeared behind him, seemingly out of nowhere.

"You want to run?" Akainu said coldly. "Do you think that's possible?"

Although Akainu couldn't fly, as a Marine Admiral, he had mastered the Six Powers. Using Moonwalk, he was more than capable of engaging in a short aerial battle.

Seeing Akainu suddenly behind him, Judge's face turned pale. Without hesitation, he struck with all his might. But Akainu effortlessly blocked the attack with one hand, and with his other hand, delivered a devastating punch.

Although Akainu refrained from using his Magma-Magma Fruit, the sheer force of his punch made Judge spit out blood. His vision blurred, and he lost consciousness.

With a snort, Akainu grabbed Judge by the neck and remarked, "You should feel lucky His Highness wants you alive. That's the only reason you're still breathing."

Finished speaking, Akainu turned and headed toward the cruise ship where Kaos was.

After a short while, Akainu brought Judge onto the cruise ship's deck. The bombardment on Germa continued unabated.

Taking the seastone handcuffs from a soldier, Akainu secured Judge's hands and led him to Kaos. Bowing respectfully, Akainu said, "Your Highness, this man has been subdued."

Kaos, seated comfortably on a sofa, nodded slightly. He studied Judge's defeated form with interest. This was Sanji's father, the man who cast away his son in the original story.

Through his Observation Haki, Kaos had scanned the Germa Kingdom earlier and noticed Sanji was not present, indicating the boy had already been exiled. Not that it mattered to him.

Following Kaos's sizing up.

Judge resisted the powerlessness caused by the seastone handcuffs, and gritted his teeth. "Who are you?"

"Me?" Kaos smiled. "Your Devil Fruit was something I sought. What do you think?"

Judge's expression shifted in shock. He could now sense Kaos's noble aura and realized his opponent's extraordinary identity.

"That fruit has already been eaten," Judge said desperately. "Let me go. I'll work for you. The Germa Kingdom's technology is invaluable to the World Government, isn't it?"

"You do have value," Kaos admitted with a smile, only for his expression to grow cold. "But if I let you live, wouldn't that show others they can take what's mine?"

With that, Kaos waved dismissively. "Take him away. Extract the fruit."

The World Government had its ways of forcing Devil Fruits to regenerate. 

Though the success rate wasn't 100%.

But it is enough.

Stussy immediately stepped forward, her eyes cold. Judge's protests and struggles were in vain as she dragged him away.

At this moment.

In the sky.

A figure came straight toward Judge at a terrifying speed.

The sudden figure was hardly noticeable at all.

Fortunately, there was a figure faster than it!

It was Zero.

After the Speed Fruit exploded with power, Zero appeared in front of the figure in an instant and punched out.

A powerful force erupted.

The figure was forcibly blown away and suspended mid-air.

Taking a closer look...

Long golden hair flowed like a lion's majestic mane.

It was... Golden Lion!

"Jie ha ha ha ha, is it the Speed Fruit? That's truly terrifying speed."

Golden Lion grinned loudly. After his sneak attack failed, he showed neither shame nor any intent to leave. Instead, he stared at Kaos and pointed at Judge.

"Boy. I need this guy Judge very much. How about handing him over to me?"

He didn't know who Kaos was.

But it was clear to him that Kaos was the leader here.

From his noble demeanor, Golden Lion could also guess that Kaos came from Mariejois.

But these details were unimportant to him.

He wasn't interested in Kaos's identity.

He just wanted to take Judge away.

In fact, he had been watching from behind the clouds for a long time, waiting for the right moment to act.

But he hadn't expected there would be someone with the ability of the Speed Fruit on this cruise ship.

Hearing these words, Kaos was silent for a moment.

The corners of his mouth then rose, forming a sneer.

"If you want him, do you think I'll just give him to you?"

"Who do you think you are?"

Hearing this, Golden Lion's expression darkened immediately.

"Boy, do you want to die?"

The words had barely fallen when—

Swish.

With terrifying speed, Zero suddenly appeared behind Golden Lion, punching with killing intent.

Golden Lion sensed the attack.

But perhaps due to the rudder lodged in his head affecting his nerves, he couldn't react in time.

He was hit squarely by the punch and sent flying into the air.

At the same time, Stussy seized the opportunity and unleashed a Tempest Kick no less powerful than a slash from a great swordsman.

Golden Lion, having stabilized himself, gritted his teeth and retaliated with a slashing blow of his own, neutralizing the attack in an instant.

This time, the expression on his face grew far more serious.

Two strong people.

Plus Akainu.

That made three!

What a terrifying lineup!

Hovering high in the sky using his Fruit abilitie, Golden Lion maintained an absolutely safe distance. He looked down at Kaos and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you?"

Hearing the question, Kaos didn't respond immediately. Instead, he crossed his legs and looked at the older man calmly.

"An old relic from the previous era like you, when you've stepped off the stage, it's best to stay off it."

"Otherwise, leaving later won't be so easy."

"Just because you have Fuwa Fuwa no Mi Fruit doesn't mean you can act recklessly in front of me!!"

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