Chapter 206: Mountains as Prison, The Zodiac 'Toratora'!
Germa 66.
This name held immense influence worldwide.
The reason stemmed from a comic strip once published by the World Economic News Paper—titled 'Sora, Warrior of the Sea'.
The so-called Germa 66 was the evil organization in this story, obsessively admired by many fans around the world.
But only true villains of this world and criminals of the Underworld knew.
Germa 66 wasn't just a legend in stories, but a real organization.
Its alias was 'Warmonger', an 'Evil Army' dominating the Underworld with martial force and transcendent technology.
And the source of this organization was a World Government allied nation, also one of the most special countries in the world—'Germa Kingdom'.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
On the sea, the sound of waves colliding with hulls roared.
Dozens of huge ships sailed on the sea.
Strangely, the hulls below the decks weren't real hulls, but huge, obviously modified snails.
No sails on deck, only magnificent castles.
Surrounding the castles were looming technological devices.
Weapon turrets extended from under tiles; tiny flying recon devices flew over all ships.
Expressionless soldiers wearing white combat uniforms and helmets patrolled continuously.
Patrolling soldiers moved uniformly, actions like one person.
And facts were so—they were all clones.
Yes, this was the Germa Kingdom.
Although a World Government allied nation in North Blue.
Germa Kingdom itself was a 'Maritime Kingdom' composed of dozens of huge modified ships.
It had no fixed territory, roaming the entire world, even conquering the Calm Belt.
It had no true citizens; besides the royal family, most people were clone soldiers.
When needed, they would disconnect ships, transforming into several fleets.
It was said any fleet of the Germa Kingdom could easily annihilate a country.
After that, ships would reconnect, gathering as a kingdom.
So to be precise—Germa Kingdom was a 'War Fortress' built with technology and martial force.
And now, in the central castle of the Germa Kingdom.
BOOM!
On the huge high-tech training ground inside the castle, clone soldiers jumped down from the dome above.
Zzt!
Some held laser weapons, attacking three figures below remotely.
Others held swords flashing with electricity or fire, slashing in close combat.
From ordinary people's perspective, every soldier here was undoubtedly a 'Strong Person'—skilled combat techniques, unique physiques after genetic matching, combined with technological weapons, a single squad could probably annihilate an ordinary army.
But now...
They were just training 'Consumables', being slaughtered one-sidedly.
Yonji with green hedgehog hair and green combat uniform punched, smashing over ten soldiers along with armor into meat paste.
Niji with blue parted hair and blue combat uniform flashed with electricity, leaving only beheaded clone soldiers where he passed.
Ichiji with red pompadour and red combat uniform spewed flames, burning surrounding clones to ashes instantly.
They conducted slaughter horrifying to ordinary people sharply and efficiently.
But weirdly.
Whether slaughtered clones or the slaughtering Vinsmoke brothers, expressions were only cold indifference.
On the observation deck above the training ground, a tall man with long blonde hair wearing a metal helmet stood with a short, ugly, wrinkled old hag.
Germa Kingdom King, Vinsmoke Family Head—Vinsmoke Judge.
Former Rocks Pirates member, mother of Edward Weevil—Buckingham Stussy.
They were clearly admiring the training below.
"No matter how many times I watch, truly amazing masterpieces... combining lineage factor research and genetic modification perfectly, Judge, they are simply perfect war weapons."
Buckingham Stussy said now.
"Of course."
Judge crossed his arms, saying coldly, "They are the foundation of Germa's hegemony."
"Hohoho~ You are really the same as before, only thinking about your glory."
Buckingham laughed.
"But only someone like you can achieve such a great cause—making Germa Kingdom join the World Government, completing the 'Slaying of Four North Blue Kings', I was stunned seeing the news back then."
Her words carried obvious flattery.
Hearing this, Judge raised his head proudly. "That's just the first step to conquering North Blue—I just told those old guys 'Germa' has revived!"
Although knowing Buckingham flattered intentionally, he clearly enjoyed it.
Because what she said was Judge's only pursuit in life.
Correct.
Germa Kingdom was an ancient country itself.
Three hundred years ago, it was the real 'Hegemon of North Blue', ruling the entire North Blue with force for 66 days, then defeated by the allied North Blue nations, losing all territory.
Since then, Germa Kingdom and its royal Vinsmoke family wandered continuously, seeking opportunity for restoration.
As the most outstanding descendant of Vinsmoke, Judge completed restoration—using the army built with his technology, he amassed massive wealth, reached cooperation with the World Government, allowing Germa to become an allied nation as a 'Landless Nation'.
He even killed four kings of North Blue non-allied nations who participated in opposing Germa in the past, known as the 'Slaying of Four Kings' event.
But he was still unsatisfied.
His goal was for Germa to reconquer North Blue, regaining past glory.
For this...
"Everything can be sacrificed."
Looking at his sons below, his words held no emotion.
Whether modifying children into war weapons or cooperating with the World Government to wage war everywhere... he wouldn't hesitate at all.
So...
"Buckingham, same for you."
His gaze swept over Buckingham. "You promised me a 'Warlord' as a bargaining chip for Germa to influence the world, but failed."
"My patience is limited."
As his words fell, Buckingham's expression stiffened.
"Hey hey, Judge... I told you before, Weevil's matter can't be blamed on me."
She grinned, wrinkles stacking, eyes under sunglasses unreadable.
"The plan was perfect—that old thing Zephyr chasing me and Weevil, I used Weevil as bait to show his power, and borrow World Government's hand to eliminate Zephyr..."
Her words undoubtedly confirmed Roy's previous guess.
Yes—the battle on Mont Blanc Island recently originated from Buckingham's conspiracy.
As mentioned before.
After establishing the Pirate Guerilla, Zephyr chased her and Weevil constantly.
Regarding this former Marine Admiral's power and persistence, Buckingham, a former Rocks Pirates member, knew well.
She knew Zephyr would discover she was the culprit of that recruit training ship attack sooner or later and trouble her.
So she found old friend Judge, cooperating to eliminate troublesome Zephyr.
In fact, her plan almost succeeded.
But...
"Zephyr's disciple, 'Kuroyagi's' arrival wasn't in my plan—he stopped the World Government envoy, preventing arrival at Mont Blanc Island, how could I know such a thing!?"
Buckingham said dissatisfiedly.
In her view, Judge should bear the main responsibility for the recent plan failure.
"Weevil was a good boy, although just ignorant consciousness born after 'Stitching' those corpses, I had feelings for him..."
While she spoke, she saw Judge's cold gaze.
"Spare me words neither of us believe, Buckingham."
"I only look at results."
Judge said calmly. "My recommendation of Weevil as a Warlord isn't a secret—Zephyr and Kuroyagi might target me for this. If your next bargaining chip doesn't satisfy me, I will hand you to them."
Clearly.
As the dominant party in this transaction, he didn't care if Buckingham made sense.
That was the rule Germa followed—force and power were reason!
"..."
Buckingham's expression stiffened visibly.
"Hohoho... truly a cold man."
Moments later, she laughed again.
Then...
"You don't need to warn me constantly, Judge."
She lowered her voice, no more flattery. "Our 'New Work' will be completed soon, you saw it, right?"
"I used my lifelong research 'Life Stitching' technology, materials stored in my hand, even paid a precious Devil Fruit—though not Mythical Zoan, you know it's rare."
"I also let you genetically modify 'It' to obey only Vinsmoke family orders, this is my 'Sincerity'!"
Speaking here, she seemed sincere. "I truly want to cooperate with you, Judge—your genetic modification technology and my Life Stitching technology, united, the world is ours!"
She raised her cane. "Then you be King, I just ask to be your Queen... how about it?"
Judge: "..."
He knew Buckingham spoke the truth.
That was why he let her stay in Germa Kingdom after Weevil was killed instead of handing her to Zephyr and 'Kuroyagi'.
Buckingham Stussy—this woman's 'Life Stitching' technology researched via lineage factors was incredible even to Judge.
Although different directions, her research on lineage factors and life genes indeed benefited him greatly.
And she cooperated well in experiments; the thing they jointly created, though unfinished as she said, was terrifyingly strong.
But making her Queen?
Looking at short, ugly Buckingham with wrinkles thick enough to crush iron, Judge couldn't speak for a long time.
He didn't understand—back then everyone was MADS comrades, he Judge still in prime, wise and mighty.
Buckingham, the peerless beauty back then, also a famous doctor skilled in health preservation, how did she become this ghostly appearance?
"Buckingham, how long for the 'New Work' to complete the final stitching step?"
Finally, Judge didn't reply directly, asking instead.
"Soon, soon."
Buckingham smiled now. "Just these few days, should be done... speaking of which, Reiju hasn't returned? Her war mission in Volcano Kingdom ended three days ago, right?"
"As her future mother, can't do without seeing daughter—heard she's a bit different from her siblings?"
"..."
Hearing his daughter's name, Judge frowned slightly. "Yeah—she's 'Experiment 0', not perfect, retained some 'Defects'."
He said deeply. "However, she counts as a qualified work... should return to Germa today."
He still didn't admit any 'Mother' 'Daughter' talk.
"Hohoho, then I must put on makeup properly!"
Buckingham said, turning to leave the observation deck.
"..."
Watching Buckingham leave, Judge frowned.
"Mobilize latest surveillance equipment, let 'Surveillance Squad' watch her—without my order, don't let her leave sight for a second."
"Once she acts strangely, arrest immediately."
He ordered clone soldiers and maids beside him softly.
Clearly.
Although nominally cooperating and past so-called 'Partner'.
Judge wouldn't trust Buckingham Stussy.
After all, this guy's nickname before was 'Scientific Robber'.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty." (xN)
Soldiers and maids bowed.
Judge nodded.
But just then...
RUMBLE!
The ground began to shake violently.
Judge felt his body tilt forward abruptly; strong inertia almost made him lose balance.
Thud!
Next moment, a spear appeared in his hand, stabbing the ground to stabilize himself.
"Ship stopped?"
Years of life on the sea made Judge realize the source instantly.
"Open the Dome!"
He shouted immediately.
Click!
Next moment, the entire castle dome opened abruptly.
Whether Judge or Vinsmoke brothers in the training ground.
Now clearly saw the scene outside the dome.
Germa Kingdom indeed stopped.
Because on the sea ahead—a behemoth existed on the sea.
It was an...
"Island?"
Looking at the high mountain floating on the sea somehow, Judge widened his eyes incredulously.
But...
"How is this possible?"
Germa's navigation route was calculated autonomously by technology, charts were latest versions from World Government, not to mention they sailed this sea area more than once.
No matter what, there shouldn't be an island here!
But moments later...
Judge knew he was wrong.
Because next moment, he saw from the clouds above... another huge shadow falling down.
Wrapped in scorching flames, falling while spreading massive dust and smoke, almost filling the entire Germa Kingdom territory.
Next moment, it crashed into the sea.
BOOM!
Huge waves struck instantly, tilting the entire Germa Kingdom in the sea—obviously the cause of the vibration just now.
Judge saw with horror, a new 'Island' appeared at the rear right of the kingdom.
"Impossible..."
Finally realizing the fact, Judge pressed his eye lightly.
Click.
On the helmet, eyepiece dropped, allowing his vision to cross clouds and see above.
Then he saw—majestic mountains falling from the sky.
Yes.
No island, nor was it an island.
Falling from the sky now were mountains.
Falling into the sea with mud and soil, but somehow not sinking.
Forming island-like structures.
Or rather, that wasn't an island actually...
RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
Countless huge waves surged, rolling Germa roughly.
So, moments later...
"Kingdom is..."
Judge discovered with horror, the entire Germa Kingdom was besieged by mountains in the center of the sea.
Those massive mountain bodies stuck Germa Kingdom firmly.
Countless dust blown by sea wind fell onto the kingdom deck.
Even the 'Giant Snail Battleships' modified by Judge, theoretically capable of crossing the Red Line, couldn't move now.
Yes—those countless mountains falling from the sky formed... a 'Prison' ensuring prey wouldn't escape.
"Ability user? This level of ability? Who is it!?"
Judge gritted his teeth, fists clenched.
He understood clearly—whoever the opponent, this level of ability meant a top powerhouse of the sea.
And coming with ill intent!
"Father." (x3)
But now, he heard his three sons.
Then, Judge saw—Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji looking up at the sky.
As true 'Lineage Factor' modified humans, they were clearly calmer, sharper, sensing... Danger better.
Judge looked up again.
Then he saw—at the source of countless falling mountains, in the distant clouds.
A figure sat cross-legged in the void, floating down slowly.
"That..."
Judge's expression froze.
Not because he knew the opponent—on the contrary, he never saw the opponent.
But, seeing or not didn't matter.
Because he clearly saw the Sea Beast Mask on the opponent's face.
It was a Tiger Mask.
"Let me introduce myself, I am The Zodiac 'Toratora' (Tiger)."
The opponent sat cross-legged in the air, speaking lazily.
"I am ordered to... Destroy this Country."
☆☆☆
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