Deal Reached

Besides the soldiers, Oboro also saw some scientific researchers wearing white coats in the Germa Kingdom.

Science is a force that cannot be ignored in the world of One Piece.

A moment later, the group entered the castle. After wandering around for a while, Vinsmoke Judge pushed open a large door and led Oboro into the palace hall.

"Quite narcissistic."

Upon entering the room, Oboro saw many self-portraits of Vinsmoke Judge hanging on the walls, all depicting a stern and authoritative face... and there were quite a few of them.

He had barely stepped into the hall when Yonji slammed the door shut behind him. With a bang, as if it were some kind of signal, the four Vinsmoke Family children attacked him simultaneously, their actions and intentions clearly aimed at capturing Oboro.

However, as the four approached from different directions, they were bound by the stagnant airflow in the space and unable to move.

"A test?"

Oboro raised the corners of his mouth and looked at Vinsmoke Judge, who had his back to him.

Vinsmoke Judge slowly ascended the red carpet steps to his throne.

He didn't make a move... he just glanced at the scene of Vinsmoke Reiju and the others failing to succeed.

"I told you...this guy's abilities are extraordinary!" The familiar feeling of being 'controlled' returned, Yonji grinned.

Judging from the energy emanating from their combat suits, it seems their 'output' wasn't at its maximum.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be possible for Oboro to say it was a test...

After saying this, he withdrew the technique and freed Vinsmoke Reiju and the other three.

"This is the first time I've met someone like you in the North Blue..." Vinsmoke Reiju's fighting aura subsided, and she returned to normal, walking with Niji and the other two to their respective seats in the hall.

She turned back to Long with a smile, her words carrying a hidden meaning.

As soon as the voice fell, Long waved his hand, and a ball of purple venom was flung to the ground, corroding the stone bricks and emitting wisps of foul gas.

"The toxins have no effect on me."

Long smiled at her.

That's right, Oboro noticed Vinsmoke Reiju's 'little action' when they shook hands.

However, with his Qi cultivation method, he can sense any foreign object entering his body and expel it accordingly.

Long could even encapsulate toxins with his breath and temporarily store them in the blood vessels.

Seeing Vinsmoke Reiju was still smiling, but her eyes were clearly filled with vigilance and coldness.

"Not just anyone can do business with Germa, especially... a lowly One Piece like you." The arrogant Vinsmoke Judge gave his 'explanation,' which was indeed a test. If Oboro was captured... and didn't even have this much strength, there was no need to discuss anything further.

"Although we have Doflamingo of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, acting as your intermediary, whether or not we cooperate... still depends on us."

It was him!

Long looked suddenly enlightened.

No wonder Vinsmoke Judge treated me differently; it was Doflamingo who was playing his 'role'.

Is Joker trying to express his opinion in this way?

She was getting a little impatient... wanting to gain 'new power' from herself. Oboro originally thought that Doflamingo would hold back for a while longer.

Hehe...

As for Vinsmoke Judge's arrogant words and actions, Oboro didn't take them to heart at all. That's just how the old man is... arrogant to the point of conceit. If it weren't for Germa's value to his plans... even if he faced an encirclement and slaughter by the entire evil army, the old bastard in front of him might not have survived.

Thinking of this, Long still smiled. "Of course, since it's a collaboration... we both have reasons to refuse."

The main hall was decorated quite luxuriously, even more spacious than many royal palaces that Oboro had seen... However, the style of the tables and chairs still highlighted the atmosphere within Germa. Vinsmoke Judge Vinsmoke Judge alone, high above on the platform, with four large chairs facing each other below, where Vinsmoke Reiju, Vinsmoke Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji sat.

Hmm... there wasn't a fifth one.

Sanji has long been 'erased' by this family.

It is clear that in the Germa Kingdom, Vinsmoke Judge's will is the sole ruler.

"Speak, what do you want to talk about?"

Vinsmoke Judge rested his chin on one hand, tilted his head, and said indifferently.

They didn't even offer to get a chair for Oboro... that's very impolite.

"I would like to purchase 500 genetically modified soldiers from you."

"Oboro said directly."

Germa's clone soldiers are fearless and possess physical abilities far superior to ordinary humans. More importantly, these soldiers serve as excellent carriers for system ability cards, charging into battle even against giants like Marine Admirals or the Yonko. Simply put, what Oboro values is that these soldiers are unaffected by their minds or emotions, making them the best puppets and cannon fodder. It's not that these soldiers can replace One Piece and become part of the Hell Pirates.

"Our Hell Pirates have only been established for a short time. Although we have recently recruited some members, we are still short of manpower. Finding a group of subordinates with excellent overall qualities is not easy and will take a lot of time. So, after thinking about it, I can only use some 'little tricks' to contact you."

Long continued calmly.

Five hundred clone soldiers are nothing to Germa.

However, Germa's soldiers have never 'leaved out'; the Vinsmoke Family has absolute 'control'... Even when they participate in some wars, they are led and commanded by members of the Vinsmoke Family, not sold to some other forces.

They can only be considered temporary "foreign aid".

But Oboro's meaning was clear: once these five hundred soldiers boarded the ship, they would be members of the Hell Pirates and would no longer have any connection with Germa.

"Before any soldier is born, a death order is 'implanted' into their genes... that is, absolute obedience and loyalty to the kingdom. This is the mark of Germa." Vinsmoke Judge sneered, and Niji and Yonji also sneered.

"So... it's impossible for you to make my soldiers submit to you... you're One Piece."

"It is important to emphasize this," Vinsmoke Judge.

It's as if being One Piece is some kind of lowly status.

"I see."

As Vinsmoke Judge said, it was exactly what Oboro had expected.

He nodded slightly. "You can think of it as temporarily handing over command of these five hundred people to me... I'll borrow them for a year, and if they're still alive when the time is up, I'll send them back completely untouched. Of course, the price I'm offering... will be based on the 'purchase' value, so you definitely won't lose out. As for genetic modification technology... you should know that our Hell Pirates don't have that capability. Furthermore, if Germa's core technology could be so easily cracked and stolen, the Vinsmoke Family wouldn't have the power they have today... Therefore, you don't need to worry about that."

"Just as I said, the Hell Pirates were short of men, and your soldiers were excellent enough... so, this deal came about."

"Oh."

Vinsmoke Judge was quite satisfied with Oboro's attitude... However, looking across the entire ocean, the only people who truly understood 'Lineage Factor' technology were a few members of the original team, and they were all working on different things. Therefore, Vinsmoke Judge wasn't worried about Oboro's suggestion to steal technology by studying Germa.

Because he was extremely confident in his abilities and the scientific field he was dedicated to researching.

If anyone could do that, the Germa War House wouldn't be the 'only' one anymore.

Among his many identities, the title of scientist cannot be ignored.

"Price."

Vinsmoke Judge uttered two words.

Long slowly opened his mouth and uttered a string of numbers.

Vinsmoke Reiju was slightly surprised upon hearing this, because the figure Oboro had given exceeded her expectations and was an amount her father absolutely could not refuse. The Hell Pirates had been frantically amassing wealth since their rise to fame, so Vinsmoke Reiju wasn't surprised they had the resources... What surprised her was that Oboro's offer, in a sense, far exceeded the market price, essentially a "loss-making scheme," as if he were deliberately offering a discount to the Vinsmoke Family in an attempt to establish a "friendly" relationship with them.

"However... I have one condition."

Suddenly, Oboro extended a finger.

"Given that your side is still a member state of the World Government and is among the 'privileged,' our cooperation must be kept secret and absolutely cannot be known to the Navy or the government... You yourself said that I am One Piece. I am their enemy."

"Of course, this matter will be exposed sooner or later. Germa's soldiers have appeared on the One Piece ship and are even hostile to the Navy. I'm sure the World Government will contact you once they find out... You should be prepared for this."

He smiled.

He's One Piece. If the soldiers sold him out, they're bound to fight the Navy. That's a no-brainer.

Why does the Germa Kingdom have a voice within the World Government, even surpassing some other member states? The reason is simple: aside from core technologies, many of Germa's technological achievements should be shared with the World Government.

Because of its 'value', it has a relatively high status.

In addition, the team formed by Vinsmoke Judge, Vegapunk, and others had already established relations with the World Government.

Given the unique nature of the North Blue, the World Government also needs a powerful "connected entity" besides the Navy to establish itself there.

At least it can maintain a certain 'balance' in North Blue, preventing things from turning upside down.

Being held accountable by the World Government, other forces probably wouldn't have agreed even if Oboro offered an exorbitant price... But Germa is a bit special. Vinsmoke Judge also has the attributes of a 'businessman,' and there's also his arrogant personality... At the same time, Doflamingo did play a significant role.

"We Germa have always had dealings with the outside world... They are well aware of this... We are only responsible for collecting the money; what the deal entails is not our concern." Sure enough, Oboro's reminder did not sway the arrogant Vinsmoke Judge in the slightest. After saying this, the old man held up two fingers, "Twice!"

The major World Government couldn't make a big deal out of Germa because of this trivial matter.

They're all people who live at sea... this kind of thing is perfectly normal.

"You just offered twice the price... If you agree, then it's a deal."

"No problem."

Upon hearing this, Long didn't hesitate for even a second before replying.

"See a visitor out."

With the deal settled, Vinsmoke Judge rose from his throne, flicked his cloak once more, and left directly along a side path inside the palace.

Vinsmoke Ichiji and the other two also got up one after another, and without looking at Oboro again, they walked away.

Are One Piece all this rich these days?

"What nonsense are you talking about... Right now, among all the One Piece active in the entire North Blue, he's probably the only one who can pull this off. But to be fair, the speed at which this guy rose to power is truly astonishing..."

"Such a large sum of money to buy five hundred soldiers? Those things can be made in as many as you want. Let alone five hundred, even five thousand would be child's play... I thought it was some big deal!"

However, the three people's undisguised conversation echoed throughout the hall.

"Don't worry about it, that's just how they are."

At this moment, Vinsmoke Reiju, the only one who hadn't left yet, slowly stood up and smiled at Oboro, "Let me see you off."

"Thanks."

Long nodded.

Then, the two returned the way they came.

"Aside from that Shichibukai, you're the first One Piece my father has ever met in person... I mean, to discuss business," Vinsmoke Reiju said softly on the way.

She had already removed her combat suit, revealing the civilian clothes underneath.

"My pleasure."

Long appeared to be very polite.

He glanced at the 'combat equipment' that was stored away like 'bottles'.

"Before I met you, I thought you would be similar to the other One Piece I had in mind." Vinsmoke Reiju picked up a cigarette and lit it.

I took a small sip.

"Don't I look like One Piece?"

He smiled and asked a question in return.

Looking at Vinsmoke Reiju smoking in front of her, Oboro had never seen Sanji in person before... but vaguely, she seemed to have already imagined what Sanji looked like.

"It doesn't look like it."

Vinsmoke Reiju shook her head.

"Then I'll take it as a compliment."

Long Ledao.

After a short while, Vinsmoke Reiju stood outside the castle, looked at the Hell Pirates' ships in the distance, and smiled, "I think... you should be able to go back by yourself."

Before parting, Oboro suddenly asked, "Vinsmoke Family just a few people like you? Are there no other offspring?"

"..."

"No."

After a brief silence, Vinsmoke Reiju's smile remained unchanged.

"You are different from the other three. You possess more 'human emotions'... I think you might be an 'exception.' I didn't originally intend to ask... but meeting you has changed my perception of the Vinsmoke Family. I know someone who looks very much like you, especially your eyebrows... Originally, I didn't intend to connect the two of you, but because of your emotional side, I feel... perhaps not all Vinsmoke Family members are like this... for example..."

Before Oboro could finish speaking, Vinsmoke Reiju's smile remained unchanged, but it was clearly becoming somewhat stiff.

Long could smell the tension on her.

"You can go now."

Vinsmoke Reiju's voice turned slightly cold as she interrupted, "We will contact you later regarding the modified soldiers and place them at the designated location... You can receive them."

"Good."

Oboro answered.

Immediately afterwards, he was about to leap into the air.

"Wait a moment."

Vinsmoke Reiju suddenly spoke up.

Long turned his head away.

"You didn't mention what you just said to Niji or Yonji, did you?"

"No... Didn't I already say that it was after seeing you that I remembered that person?"

Oboro handed her a Den Den Mushi, saying, "I'll keep it a secret, don't worry."

Vinsmoke Reiju hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took it.

"Goodbye."