The Fourth Key to Maintaining Dimensional Balance

After docking, they quickly sensed the unusual atmosphere in the Germa Kingdom. The port inspections were stricter than expected; every entrant had to undergo multiple identity verifications and biometric scans. More unsettling still, the inspectors were not ordinary soldiers, but the world-famous Germa modified soldiers—their gazes mechanical and cold, their movements precise beyond anything human.

"I noticed something," a particularly observant Revolutionary Army member whispered to Kuma after they passed inspection. "Those modified soldiers have new markings on their arms. They look like some kind of energy circuits. Our previous intelligence never mentioned them."

Kuma gave an almost imperceptible nod and continued onward. As they ventured deeper into the kingdom, more anomalies emerged: an unusually large number of modified soldiers patrolled the streets; ordinary residents were restricted to designated areas; and civilians were entirely forbidden from entering the kingdom's core district, where the Vinsmoke Family's main research facilities were located.

More troublingly, Kuma keenly noticed faint purple halos flickering in some residents' eyes, symptoms strikingly similar to those Aisha had described among the inhabitants of the island contaminated by the Void.

"It seems the Void's influence has already begun spreading here," Kuma said at the team's secret meeting point—a secluded inn room. "But strangely, the contamination appears to be contained within a certain range and has not continued to spread."

"That matches our contact's account," the intelligence officer replied. "He mentioned that the Vinsmoke Family was conducting some kind of 'energy control' experiment. However, he doesn't know the specifics. He is only responsible for collecting data."

"When can he meet us?" Kuma asked.

"Midnight tonight, in the laboratory district on the kingdom's western side. He is an assistant there and can help us get inside."

As night fell, the streets of the Germa Kingdom became even quieter. Even the modified