Investigation, and Judge

Roa was sparring with Dylan.

While he could constantly grow stronger using only black energy, that only improved his base stats. To learn how to fight, he still needed to learn through actual practice.

So, Roa, who was usually idle most of the time, dedicated ample time each day to hone his skills and Haki.

"Clang, clang, clang!"

The sword sheath, wrapped in Haki, repeatedly clashed with Dylan's jet-black palm blade, producing sounds like metal hitting metal.

As for why he used the sheath instead of drawing his sword, it was because Tiger Soul, after evolving to its peak, was far too sharp. Even Dylan's Armament Haki couldn't withstand its edge.

He would be drained dry.

"This is enough for a warm-up, Dylan. Give me your all," Roa said casually, effortlessly parrying Dylan's attacks.

His strength far surpassed Dylan's, and Dylan's advantage in Haki couldn't bridge the gap.

"Yes, Lord Roa!"

Dylan raised his right hand.

An invisible fluctuation suddenly appeared on his jet-black right hand.

This was a technique that gathered the flow of Haki from all other parts of the body and concentrated it for an attack. Compared to simple hardening, this technique possessed far greater explosive power and the ability to project Haki outwards to form shockwaves.

Roa didn't understand this type of Haki very well. He had merely reiterated the theory that the old leopard in the original work taught Luffy to Dylan, but he had successfully helped Dylan grasp the technique.

However, Dylan was still far from the higher realm of internal destruction.

The power of flowing Armament Haki was quite astonishing. When Dylan attacked again, Roa had to get serious.

While Roa and Dylan were engaged in their lively clashing, Doflamingo observed from the shadows on the side of the deck.

This guy named Roa was only four years older than him, yet he was a monster beyond his imagination!

And there were over a hundred of those so-called puppets that had left him completely defenseless on the ship!

How strong was this power? Doflamingo's scalp tingled just thinking about it.

As for Roa himself, he didn't even dare to think about it. Doflamingo could never forget the momentary fear from before. That sense of despair and terror, like a tsunami, was still deeply etched in the deepest part of his body, making him tremble every time he recalled it.

He couldn't resist him.

Having regained his Celestial Dragon arrogance after obtaining power, Doflamingo dejectedly admitted this fact. Just the thought of resisting Roa made him break out in a cold sweat.

In front of that monster, he was too insignificant.

"What are you spacing out for?"

An unceremonious fist flew towards him, sending Doflamingo crashing heavily against the ship's cabin.

"Ugh!"

His body ached intensely, but Doflamingo only dared to let out a muffled groan. He immediately got up, wordlessly picked up the dumbbell from the floor, and began to train in silence.

"Remember this!" Bullet snorted. "Since Lord Roa allowed you to join, you absolutely cannot shame him! Even if you train yourself to death, you must become a strong person! If you can't do it, I'll personally strangle you!"

This guy was too weak! Although he was a Devil Fruit user and had awakened Conqueror's Haki, his physical fitness was inferior to that of the young soldiers in the Land of Endless War of the same age! Without the support of physical stamina, his abilities and Haki were nothing more than castles in the air. The only thing this guy needed to do now was train! Train with the determination to push himself to the brink of death if he wouldn't die!

Doflamingo remained silent in the face of Bullet's bullying. This guy was also a powerhouse he couldn't possibly resist!

Just you wait! I'll become strong enough! You all just wait for me! Roa... Bullet! Just you wait! Doflamingo vowed inwardly.

The ship was bustling with activity today.

A few days later, in the North Blue, the Kingdom of Samir, the royal capital, the war had entered its climax.

Boom, boom, boom!

Artillery roared, and the earth trembled. The sturdy city walls became precarious under the continuous bombardment. However, before the walls could collapse, with a deafening roar, the city gates were blown sky-high.

The soldiers, like a tide, finally stormed into the city.

Instantly, gunshots erupted, and the city's defenders retreated step by step.

With the city gates lost, the entire city descended into utter chaos.

Some citizens hid in their homes, their families huddled together, silently praying to the gods.

Others desperately fled with their families, only to discover with despair that the roads were completely blocked by people with the same goal.

"The feeling of coming home!"

Roa stood atop a building outside the royal palace in the city center, breathing in the air with intoxication. "As expected, it has to be war!"

"..."

Doflamingo remained silent.

A madman!

He already knew that human suffering was Roa's food.

For this very reason, he had even specially raised a group of pirates at the bottom of the ship's hold as provisions during their voyages.

When he learned of this, Doflamingo couldn't help but feel his scalp tingle once again because of Roa.

Is he really human?

He must be some kind of monster wearing human skin, right?

"However, Lord Roa, we really came to the right place."

Dylan carefully observed the two sides fiercely engaging in combat on the plaza below, using the high walls of the royal palace as a boundary.

"The Germa Kingdom is far more powerful than ordinary nations on the seas, both in terms of weaponry and troop quality!"

Especially the equipment.

While this country's royal army was still using flintlocks, the invading Germa Kingdom's troops were already equipped with rifles, coupled with howitzers, rocket launchers, and heavy machine guns.

The firepower of the two sides was simply not on the same level.

"Right?"

Roa smiled and said, "The Vinsmokes can be the cornerstone of the company. However, soldiers and weapons aren't the main point—"

Roa lowered his head. "Oh! The main point has arrived!"

A tall man with wild golden hair, similar to the Golden Lion's, strode forward under the escort of a group of soldiers.

He wore a peculiar combat suit and wielded a long spear that crackled with electricity.

"I'll be the one to cut off the king's head and announce Germa's revival!"

The man raised the spear in his hand and then hurled it with all his might at the royal palace gates.

Chii!

The Lightning Spear pierced the sky like a meteor, and amidst the dancing sparks of electricity, it directly penetrated the heavy royal palace gates.

The defenders' resistance completely collapsed, and the Germa Kingdom's soldiers surged into the royal palace.

"Those who don't want to die, lay down your weapons!"

The man, the current king of the Germa Kingdom, Vinsmoke Judge, roared.

The soldiers guarding the palace finally fell into complete despair, their weapons clattering to the ground.

"Still too slow."

Judge was very dissatisfied.

Such a weak nation had actually taken him almost a month!

It wasn't enough.

Germa's strength was still far from enough!

With such power, how could they talk about recreating the glory of their ancestors and making the North Blue their inner sea?

The combat suits needed further iteration, and the plan for Lineage Factor-modified humans also needed to be moved up the schedule!

As he thought this, his vision suddenly blurred.

"I've heard so much about you, Mr. Judge!"

A young man suddenly appeared before him, grabbing his hand and shaking it enthusiastically. "I warmly welcome you to my team! From today onwards, you will be the head of the company's research and development department!"

Judge was bewildered.

Who is this?