In business, the most important thing is to understand supply and demand.
Only by figuring out the customer's needs can you truly establish a long-term business relationship.
So, for Germa, for Vinsmoke Judge, what kind of product did he want from Shin?
It was simple.
All he wanted was Dainsleif.
Without the mushroom that exploded Moria being exposed, the most lethal weapon displayed by Poltorto was the single-use Demolition Sword.
Its unparalleled lethality, which nearly killed a Yonko, was the best product showcase.
Even as a scientist, Judge still couldn't escape the war concept of 'targeting strong individuals.'
However, this wasn't necessarily right or wrong.
Whatever the case, Shin couldn't fulfill this 'order.'
He simply did not have the knowledge to manufacture Dainsleif.
Barbatos was a machine provided as part of the evaluation task and was not part of the purchase sequence, so it did not come with detailed knowledge of the relevant technology.
Moreover, even if it were replicated, given the low level of industrial manufacturing in the Pirate King world, unless Vegapunk intervened, it would be impossible to artificially replicate Dainsleif.
Exchanging it using virtual evaluation points was even more of an unfavorable deal.
The weapon itself was extremely overpriced.
Even a replicated Gundam Nail cost 50,000 virtual evaluation points, and the price of the genuine article doubled.
For the same price, wouldn't a larger mushroom be a better option?
"Your Majesty Judge, I know what kind of product you want to acquire from our Anaheim Company, but I regret to inform you that the manufacturing of Dainsleif is extremely difficult, and we currently have no stock. The Five Elders have explicitly prohibited us from leaking any research data or related product projects."
Facing the already impatient Judge, No. 6 still stated the truth directly.
Not to mention whether we have it in our hands, even if we did and sold it to you, both of us would be in trouble!
"We can cooperate and secretly manufacture your... Dainsleif. When the time is right..."
"Your Majesty Judge, that is impossible." No. 6 directly interrupted Judge's unrealistic fantasy, saying lightly, "The manufacturing environment for Dainsleif is very demanding. The industrial equipment and instruments required are so costly that even our company headquarters would struggle to afford a second one. Moreover, if the factory were moved above ground, I guarantee that no less than five CP agents would infiltrate it the very next day."
"I know you dream of restoring the former glory of the Germa Empire, but this matter... cannot be achieved overnight."
He paused, showing a playful smile.
"You need a... chance."
Judge narrowed his eyes and clapped his hands.
The guards immediately sealed off the entire banquet hall.
White anti-eavesdropping den den mushi were set up in every corner of the room.
"Your Majesty Judge, I believe you should know about Marshall D. Teach, the new Warlord who replaced Crocodile, in addition to Lord Poltorto."
"I heard he captured the Whitebeard Pirates' second division commander," Judge said lightly.
"Yes, and that's where it gets interesting," No. 6 smiled with pleasure.
"Portgas D. Ace, Whitebeard's adopted son, the grandson of Marine Hero Garp, but his real name is Gol D. Ace-the Pirate King's only bloodline!"
A look of astonishment appeared on Judge's face.
Even if he wasn't interested in the Pirate King's Great Treasure, he greatly admired a figure like Roger.
Wait, Roger's son, the Pirate King's only bloodline, had fallen into the hands of the Five Elders...
Judge only thought for a few seconds before immediately understanding the key points!
"The World Government will definitely publicly execute Roger's son!" Judge clenched his fists, excited.
"If it were other members of the Whitebeard Pirates, they might be imprisoned in Impel Down because they fear Whitebeard. But Roger's son has extraordinary significance. A public execution will effectively curb the rampant trend of the Great Pirate Era!"
And given Whitebeard's character, if his son was publicly executed, he would definitely lead his forces to rescue him.
A Yonko who shook the world would lead his followers to an all-out war against the Marine!
But Judge quickly calmed down.
He shook his head, his expression solemn.
"One Whitebeard is not enough to severely damage the Marine. Even with our Germa added, it's far from enough."
"What if I have the confidence to pull Big Mom and Kaido into the battle as well?" No. 6 smiled lightly.
"What if I have the confidence to bring Doflamingo, Gild Tesoro, and the Revolutionary Army into this war too!"
"What if I can drag out those old guys forgotten by history and time?"
The original Marineford War was indeed very passionate, but honestly, the two sides of the war were very disproportionate to the name.
The gap in strength between the Marine and the Pirates was too large.
So much so that this so-called Marineford War was more of a unilateral siege by the Marine.
Since it's called the Marineford War, both the Marine and the Pirates should display all their strength!
And only when the vast majority of the Marine and the World Government's attention are focused on the Marineford War can Shin do what he wants to do...
Judge remained silent for a long time, then slowly nodded.
This was destined not to be an alliance written on paper or even spoken verbally.
In fact, Judge would only truly participate the moment he saw the opportunity.
He was hooked.
Shin smiled with satisfaction.
As expected, Judge had an obsession with the revival of the Germa Empire that was akin to a curse.
This obsession was so deep that two years later, he would not hesitate to abandon his important position in the World Government and ally with Big Mom, just to forcefully establish the Germa Empire.
"Okay, it seems we have reached a consensus-if that's the case, let's continue discussing the next collaboration."
No. 6 crossed his hands and said softly, "Your Majesty Judge, our boss, Mr. Poltorto, had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Vegapunk a few days ago. The doctor said that when it comes to researching life design blueprints, the most formidable expert in the world is none other than Your Majesty Judge."
"Hmph! He would say that?" Judge folded his arms and snorted.
"Vegapunk probably said, 'Besides me, the only person who has made a slight achievement in this field is that idiot Judge, who is obsessed with power.' "
When Judge said this, his eyes held deep jealousy that he couldn't hide.
From a scientist's perspective, he admired but also envied Vegapunk's talent, which seemed cursed by knowledge.
Unlike Caesar, that megalomaniac, Judge acknowledged the huge difference between himself and Vegapunk.
His current research on lineage factors was a continuation of Vegapunk's research on life design blueprints.
It could be said that he stood on the shoulders of a giant, establishing the current Germa 66 based on Vegapunk's talent.
"Lord Poltorto believes that Your Majesty Judge is an exceptionally intelligent researcher. As someone who has also done some research in this field, he thinks perhaps he can discuss, exchange, and cooperate with you on related subjects."
"He understands lineage factors too?" Judge's expression showed disbelief.
"No... Lord Poltorto doesn't research lineage factors? He researches-"
"The human genome."
No. 6 fiddled with his fingers and said lightly, "However, much of this knowledge is in an undeciphered state. I can, however, directly decipher the necessary and more practical parts. Your Majesty Judge, I am showing the utmost sincerity regarding this matter."
"You?" Judge narrowed his eyes, his gaze becoming sharp.
No. 6-no, Shin-just smiled slightly, placed his palm over his face, and instantly, the Poltorto's black mask covered his head.
"I am Poltorto," he said elegantly in a transformed voice.
"If necessary, No. 5 at the Sabaody Archipelago will also be Poltorto. If necessary, there will be many Poltorto in this world."
"I see..." Judge stroked his mustache and laughed loudly.
"The Warlord Poltorto is not one person, but a mask? Hahahaha, interesting, very interesting!"
People knew that Dawn Master Poltorto was a Warlord, but in reality, the true Warlord was not the person under the mask, but the mask itself.
Poltorto was not a person, but a collective, a group of mad scientists, a group of powerful weapons experts!
With this understanding, Judge felt everything made sense.
Poltorto's rise was by no means a coincidence; he must have had the support of a powerful force behind him!
"Let's talk about how to cooperate," Judge spread his hands, smiling happily.
Since the person in front of him was in charge, many collaborations could be negotiated.
Judge was never someone who hoarded his possessions.
As long as the price was right and the profit was sufficient, he didn't mind sharing his technology for development.
More than a scientist, Judge was a king, a wild man who wanted to restore the majesty of his empire.
Poltorto's ambitions were not small.
Such a group of capable and technologically powerful individuals, and a hidden force, sought only one thing: supreme power.
For every ambitious person in this sea, the biggest obstacle preventing them from achieving this supreme path was the city on the clouds, located at the pinnacle of the Red Line.
Judge would welcome anyone who could help them pull that city down from the clouds and help Germa rebuild its empire.
"We will get along very well." Shin smiled and raised his glass.
The war between Germa 66 and the Antonhal Kingdom ultimately ended with a result where no one won.
Germa 66 withdrew its troops from all over Antonhal.
Rabbit III continued to rule Antonhal, but at the cost of half the country's territory becoming a concession for Germa, and all the country's mineral supply rights and labor trade had to be supplied to Germa first.
In this war, Germa lost face and many people but gained a colony that supplied minerals.
Antonhal survived with difficulty, but at the painful cost of becoming a semi-colonial country.
So, no one won this war.
If one had to say who won, it was probably the Anaheim Company, established by the new Warlord, Poltorto.
The Anaheim Company effectively showcased their new weapons during the war between the two countries.
After receiving a large number of orders from various powerful forces in the sea, they began establishing many factories in Antonhal, a country rich in minerals.
Through strategic cooperation with Germa and assistance from their labor and technology, one weapons factory after another rose in the Antonhal concession.
The Anaheim Company's powerful assembly line industrial capabilities were fully revealed through the operation of these factories, and the large quantities of new, quality, and low-cost weapons flowed throughout the sea through various channels.
The strength of this new Warlord was expanding at a visible rate.
In contrast, Marshall D. Teach, who became a Warlord almost at the same time as him, was exceptionally low-key, and hardly anyone mentioned this new Warlord.
However, Blackbeard's situation was 'normal.' After all, except for Empress Hancock, who 'came in with capital,' which Warlord didn't spend decades managing their forces after being elected?
It could only be said that Poltorto's rise was too fast and too abnormal.
Rapid rise also brought many hidden dangers.
Throughout the sea, many people were eyeing the rising Anaheim Company with predatory gazes.
"The weapons delivered to you were hijacked?"
No. 5 frowned, looking at the face of the government official, Spandam, projected by the Den Den Mushi.
He lightly tapped the table and said flatly, "That's your issue. The moment the weapons left the factory and were handed over to you, they had nothing to do with our company."
Although the Anaheim Company expanded rapidly by relying on assembly line operations and technology, it still couldn't handle everything else.
For example, the most critical issue was maritime transport.
In this sea, a force that hadn't been immersed in it for decades wouldn't dare claim they could establish a secure transportation route.
The Great Pirate Era started by Roger before his death had filled this sea with scoundrels who plundered merchant ships.
These stupid and extremely uneducated pirates rarely recognized the flag of Anaheim, this newly emerging force.
There were many who coveted their weapons.
Robbery wasn't just inevitable; it was guaranteed to happen.
Therefore, the Anaheim Company never intended to get involved in maritime operations from the start.
Either you come to pick up the weapons, or you hire a related shipping company to pick up the weapons from us.
Once the goods are out, they will not be refunded, and the World Government is no exception.
No. 5 looked out the window.
The GP02 flying across the sky was heading to teach a lesson to a group of pirates who wanted to rob the factory at Sabaody Archipelago.
It was said that this group of idiots had some connection with the Happo Marine of the Flower Country.
He didn't care. If a bastard targeted his business, he should just be blown up.
It didn't matter if the Happo Marine was involved.
Killing a few more damned pirates would reduce a lot of trouble.
"Yes, I know that once the weapons are sold, it's our responsibility," Spandam said with a forced smile.
Since his embarrassing failure at Enies Lobby, he had been assigned to deal directly with No. 5 regarding the Anaheim Company.
However, this guy also had connections.
His father, Spandine, was a high-ranking official in the World Government.
He knew that Poltorto had an extraordinary relationship with the Five Elders, so he didn't act as arrogant as those government officials who had their eyes on their foreheads.
"But the ones who hijacked the weapons ship were not ordinary people, but-the Revolutionary Army?"
"The Revolutionary Army?" No. 5 showed a look of interest.
In recent times, he had seen many 'plot' characters: pirates who came looking for death, famous Marine personnel, and he had even dealt with the forces of the Four Emperors.
Of course, not Kaido or Big Mom's people, and certainly not Shanks.
The ones who contacted him wanting to buy weapons were members of the Whitebeard Pirates.
He had met all sorts of people, but he had never seen the Revolutionary Army.
It made sense.
If the Revolutionary Army were that easy to find, the World Government would have exterminated them eight hundred years ago.
And although he knew the Revolutionary Army's bases were on Poltorto, the White Soil Island, and Kamabakka Kingdom, those two ghost places were basically impossible to find on a map.
Although he was very interested in these 'idealists' of the Pirate King world, No. 5 still showed a lack of interest.
"That's also your problem. Whether the ship was hijacked by the Revolutionary Army or pirates has nothing to do with our company."
With that, No. 5 hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Spandam, on the other end, looked at the closed Den Den Mushi, paused, and then respectfully said to the CP0 agent in a white suit next to him, "Sir, I have discussed it as you instructed."
"It seems he has no connection with the Revolutionary Army."
The CP0 agent looked down and said to his companion beside him, completely ignoring the fawning Spandam.
"The ship disappeared near the Sabaody Archipelago. The closest place with a lurking person is near the proxy merchant 'No. 5.'"
"Then mobilize them to act," the CP0 agent said lightly.
"Anaheim cannot and will not do business with the Revolutionary Army openly. Since that proxy merchant is also unrelated to the Revolutionary Army, temporarily withdraw the personnel."
"Capturing those rats in the gutter is the top priority!"
Within a few breaths, the two CP0 agents disappeared in front of Spandam, leaving only a face-full of flattery and Spandam maintaining that shameful posture.
No. 5 played with the crystal chess piece, looking at the chessboard, his mind calculating the situation Spandam had just reported.
The Revolutionary Army attacked his merchant ship... Why would they do that?
If it was simply for weapons, that was understandable.
Revolution wasn't a dinner party; without guns and ammunition, having just spirit was meaningless.
But even if they attacked a ship carrying weapons, these revolutionaries shouldn't be so reckless as to attack a World Government ship.
The people who purchased weapons from Anaheim at the same time were endless, ranging from people in the underworld to pirates and the World Government.
Dozens of merchant ships passed through the Sabaody Archipelago and Antonhal every day.
Among the ships that purchased weapons, the World Government's ships were the most recognizable, and those equipped with seastone were obviously the most difficult to provoke.
Not to mention, this was near the Sabaody Archipelago, right next to the Celestial Dragons' backyard.
Doing something here didn't look like a smart choice.
After thinking for a long time, No. 5 put down the crystal chess piece, opened the window, and looked at the wisps of black smoke rising from the gray factories in this bustling city.
Countless wage slaves worked for him, exchanging their superhuman strength for meager wages-at least, they seemed meager to Shin.
But compared to the standard of the Sabaody Archipelago, it was a genuinely good job.
In just a few months, he had taken root in this world and built his own brilliant enterprise.
The weapons he sold flowed all over the world.
These weapons changed the world constantly, bringing Shin a continuous harvest of virtual evaluation points.
However, the opening of the final act would still have to wait until the Marineford War a year later.
Thinking of this, No. 5 poured himself a glass of red wine.
As he swirled it to aerate, a blond young man wearing a black top hat and suit, holding an iron cane, silently landed on the roof behind him.
He lightly coughed.
No. 5 turned around and looked at the blond young man in front of him, startled.
"Please don't panic, I'm not a bad person..." The young man said in a gentle voice.
Before he could finish, No. 5 smiled and nodded.
"The Revolutionary Army? Don't worry, I will be very cooperative."
With that, he directly punched himself in the forehead, knocking himself unconscious.
The blond young man looked stunned at the unconscious No. 5.
Only after he fell to the ground with a thud did he react.
"What's going on..."
⚔️ Level Up This Fanfic! ⚔️
Every 500 Power Stones = 2 BONUS CHAPTERS! 🚀
Want faster releases? Show your support—drop those Power Stones, leave a review, and light up the comments! Your engagement keeps this story going strong!
Let's make this novel unstoppable—Power Stones, comments, and reviews are the ultimate power-up! 💥