Vinsmoke Judge Is Forced Into Submission

"Oh? So you haven't researched the Lineage Factor after all. Looks like I mistook you for someone else. Jihahahaha!"

Golden Lion laughed, and Judge joined in with a forced chuckle beside him. After a moment of laughter, Golden Lion's face stiffened.

"In that case, you're useless to me. All of you, go die!"

"Wave Slash!" A golden Sword Qi dozens of meters wide swept across. Judge never expected Golden Lion to flip his mood so abruptly, leaving him utterly defenseless along with his four children. They were directly struck by the Wave Slash, crashing with a boom into the giant snail behind them.

Strange screams and pale blue blood burst forth as Judge and the others were instantly drenched in blood. When he struggled to his feet, he saw that the snail ship behind him had been cleaved in two by a single slash, its upper and lower halves separated, writhing in agony.

"Huh!? You managed to survive my Wave Slash. Looks like you and your kids have pretty tough bodies. Jihahahaha!"

Golden Lion grinned, lifting his leg again. "So, can you block this next one?"

Clutching his bleeding chest, Judge looked at his severely wounded, struggling children and knelt without hesitation.

"Forgive me, Captain Golden Lion. I lied to you just now. Don't kill me—I do know the Lineage Factor technology. I'm still very useful!"

"Jihahahaha! Why didn't you say so sooner?" Golden Lion laughed heartily, lowering his ready attack.

The moment he struck, he had already noticed. Judge and his children's defenses were completely off—clearly possessing what could be called exoskeletal armor.

Golden Lion was generally tolerant of capable people, which was why he hadn't simply slaughtered Judge and the others outright.

Judge forced a smile on his face, but inside he was full of helplessness. As a member nation allied with the World Government, Germa 66 didn't fear the Marines—after all, the Marines had to follow rules. But facing a Great Pirate like Golden Lion, his allied status meant nothing.

If Golden Lion said he'd cut him down, then unless he fled to Marineford or Mary Geoise, he was as good as dead.

"From now on, you Germa 66 are my underlings." Golden Lion blew a smoke ring, a satisfied look on his face.

At first, he hadn't held high hopes for Germa 66's technology. But now, seeing these modified children—though their talent couldn't match monsters like Kaido or Charlotte Linlin—they far exceeded normal human limits.

If he could have more combatants modified like this, ruling the world might become much easier.

Minos walked over slowly, eyeing the members of Germa 66. His gaze lingered briefly on Reiju, now fourteen years old.

Judge and his three sons were basically beyond saving. His three sons appeared normal, but their emotions had been largely stripped away, making them incapable of defying Judge's orders.

As for Judge himself, he was an ambitious man. Though he knelt so easily before Golden Lion now, winning his loyalty? How could that be possible?

Fighting was one thing, but personal matters like research—hiding something wasn't exactly easy, but it wasn't too hard either. After all, Golden Lion only had Dr. Indigo who knew a bit, and his level was far below Judge's.

Seeing Minos approach, Judge looked at him too. Golden Lion laughed and said, "This is our ship's navigator. You can call him Minos."

"Uh..." Judge blinked. "Minos, I remember he was... a member of the Charlotte Pirates, wasn't he?"

Oh? Minos was slightly startled. Was he already famous now?

Seeing Minos's puzzled expression, Judge pulled out a thick stack of wanted posters, found Minos's, and handed it to him.

Minos glanced at it—it was his bounty, and not a low one either. It had already reached 50 Million Berries.

Though Minos's strength was worth far more than 50 Million Berries, he had only been to sea once. His greatest feat was supposedly taking Dr. Vegapunk "hostage," which was likely why he got such a high bounty.

After all, when Empress Boa Hancock first set sail, her bounty was only 80 Million Berries, and she became a Shichibukai right after. So in reality, the Marines already regarded him quite seriously.

Golden Lion clicked his tongue. "What future is there following that madwoman Charlotte Linlin? Minos is now a member of my Golden Lion Pirates."

Golden Lion could say that, but Minos just smiled and didn't respond. Judge didn't dare say anything either—he couldn't afford to provoke Golden Lion, let alone Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors.

Soon enough, Golden Lion remembered why he had called these people over. He summoned Dr. Indigo and had him begin research with Judge. The goal was the IQ Plant, and most importantly, to attempt human application.

This wasn't actually difficult. It was like a drug that had succeeded in animal trials and was now moving to human trials. Though the IQ Plant was toxic to humans, in the Pirate World where Black Technology ran rampant, this was just a minor issue.

In the days that followed, after discovering the IQ Plant's effects, Judge was ecstatic—though he showed nothing on the surface. Instead, he came up with a slew of excuses, claiming that turning the plant into something usable for humans was far too difficult.

He could fool Golden Lion with that talk, but not Minos. Minos grinned and said a few words to Golden Lion, who promptly set a three-month deadline.

Succeed, and you're a member of my Flying Pirates. Fail? Then go die! I don't need useless men under me.

At those words, Judge's face went pale. Golden Lion's temper was far more direct than the World Government's, and with Minos, who understood these tricks well, keeping an eye out, Judge's hopes of muddying the waters or even using this to his advantage were slim.

Even three months might not be enough for Judge. He would have to work with all his might to truly turn the IQ Plant into a usable drug for humans.

He wanted to argue further, but seeing the unyielding expression on Golden Lion's face, Judge's excuses turned into a plea:

"Then... Captain Shiki, please bring up our other ships too. A lot of experimental materials and equipment are on those vessels."

"Very well, I'll go fetch those ships. You'd better work hard, jihahahaha."

"Of course... of course," Judge said reluctantly.