Yara's face was still pale. His eyes flickered, and after gritting his teeth, he pulled a Den Den Mushi from his pocket and made a call.
'Brrr... Brrr... Brrr...'
The Den Den Mushi rang several times before it was answered.
Yara picked up the receiver and said directly, "This is P-5 Branch Base. I am Lieutenant Colonel Yara, commander of P-5 Base."
The Den Den Mushi changed slightly, and then a voice came through. "This is Navy Headquarters. Lieutenant Colonel Yara, please state your issue."
"It's like this..."
Yara recounted everything that had happened on the island in full detail. Finally, he said solemnly, "I, Lieutenant Colonel Yara, commander of the North Blue P-5 Branch Base, request support from Headquarters. Donzuke Island may be facing a major crisis!"
As soon as Yara finished explaining, a voice immediately came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi. "We understand the situation. I will report it to the higher-ups. Lieutenant Colonel Yara, please remain calm. Headquarters will notify the branch bases near Donzuke Island to provide reinforcements as soon as possible!"
Yara hung up the Den Den Mushi, his face still somewhat pale. His own speculation had frightened him.
Although there were parts of his guess that were wrong—wildly wrong, even—
Somehow, the final outcome was almost exactly the same as what he had imagined...
For example, the Vinsmoke Family fleet was indeed heading toward Donzuke Island at this very moment!!
In the blink of an eye, the night passed.
Out at sea.
One ship after another sailed against the wind across the sea, advancing toward Donzuke Island.
These ships were extremely unusual. Beneath them were enormous snails, carrying platform-like structures on their backs. Above those stood huge black masts and sails, though the sails were currently furled.
Mechanical gear structures on both sides could assemble the other snail ships together, forming a mobile city upon the sea!
This was the present-day Germa 66, the nation known as the "Army of Evil"!
On the leading ship, a tall man stood at the highest point. He wore a metal helmet, had long golden hair, and an orange cape draped over his back. His solemn gaze was fixed ahead.
Behind him, four still-young children stood in a line, each with a different expression on their faces.
Excitement, curiosity, ferocity, indifference!
These four were the four children of the Vinsmoke Family!
Reiju, Ichiji, Niji, Yonji!
Though they were still young, the aura they gave off was impossible to ignore!
All four had been enhanced through Bloodline Factor modifications. Their physical abilities surpassed those of ordinary people, and despite their young age, they already possessed considerable strength!
Vinsmoke Judge stared ahead with cold, gloomy eyes. Thinking of the news sent by the "Quickhand" Pirate Crew earlier, he finally let out a cold snort. "Hmph, are they still wary of us? Those fools from the World Government... Now that they have Vegapunk, are they still coveting the research abilities of the other members? Damn them!"
Vinsmoke Judge had once been a member of MADS, a civilian research team. Alongside Vegapunk, Queen, Caesar, and the others, he had devoted himself to developing all kinds of advanced weapons!
In the end, under the leadership of the genius Vegapunk, they developed the theory of the "Bloodline Factor"!
Later, due to the World Government's intervention, that mad team completely disbanded.
Those who were captured were captured, those who fled fled, and those who became pirates became pirates.
The original members had gone their separate ways, though they continued their own research in secret!
Relying on the research results from MADS, Vinsmoke Judge used Bloodline Factor theory to create a clone army, becoming a renowned mercenary force among the underworld powers!
Later, he even used the Bloodline Factor to modify several of his own children, granting them physiques beyond those of ordinary humans!
Though they were only teenagers, they already possessed strength that ordinary people could scarcely hope to attain!
Even the Navy and the World Government did not dare provoke them lightly!
That was because his clone army was an absolute weapon of war!
However, just yesterday, one of the Pirate Crews under his command had sent word that someone had set their sights on their research results and had already made a move!
This enraged Judge. Someone actually dared to attack their Germa 66 now?
The first thing that came to mind was the World Government. Only the World Government would be interested in his research results.
"Father, where are we going now?"
Among the four, Reiju was already a lovely little girl with pink hair. She asked Judge cautiously, her eyes carefully studying her father.
Ever since my younger brother Sanji ran away from home, Father's temper has only gotten worse.
Or perhaps it was because that previous war had failed to bring in enough profit?
Whatever the reason, I have to be careful even when speaking to Father now...
Reiju thought to herself.
Judge glanced sideways at Reiju and snorted. "You do not need to concern yourselves with that. You only need to carry out your orders!"
"Yes!"
Seeing their father lose his temper, even Yonji, the most restless of the four, along with the others, did not dare provoke him and could only acknowledge the order.
Having been indoctrinated from birth to obey commands, none of them even dared entertain the thought of resisting their father!
At the bow, Judge's gaze was grave as he seemed to be contemplating something.
In another stretch of sea.
At P-3 Navy Branch Base and P-4 Navy Branch Base, Navy fleets departed from their ports at the same time, heading for Donzuke Island!
They had received orders from Navy Headquarters to reinforce Donzuke Island!
At the same time.
On a Navy ship that had come from the Grand Line to the North Blue on a mission.
A man answered a Den Den Mushi and asked in an indifferent tone, "Hello, this is Rear Admiral Bastille from Headquarters."
A voice came from the Den Den Mushi. "Greetings, Rear Admiral Bastille. This is the intelligence division of Navy Headquarters. Are you still carrying out a mission in the North Blue?"
He was a burly man wearing a horned mask, with long red hair. Beside him rested a massive cleaver as tall as a man!
This man was Rear Admiral Bastille of Navy Headquarters!
Bastille replied, "The mission has been completed. We are currently on our way back to the Grand Line."
"In that case, Rear Admiral Bastille, regarding Donzuke Island..."
The voice on the Den Den Mushi explained everything that had happened on Donzuke Island.
"Oh? Germa 66? I happen to be not far from those waters. I can go take a look."
A strange gleam flashed through Bastille's eyes as he spoke with interest.
As a Rear Admiral from Headquarters, he had naturally heard of the North Blue force known as Germa 66.
He was also very interested in this force known as the "Army of Evil"!
"Then we'll leave it to you, Rear Admiral Bastille!"
After saying that, the voice hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Bastille abruptly rose to his feet and shouted to his subordinates, "Turn to port! Set course for Donzuke Island!"
At that moment, Donzuke Island lay beneath dark clouds. Wind and waves battered the shore, and the air carried the feeling of an approaching storm!
Before you continue