Germa Kingdom's port.
Vinsmoke Judge stood alone at the front of the pier, with two orderly rows of powerful Clone soldiers standing behind him.
"Louis..."
Judge muttered under his breath, brows tightly furrowed as he pondered why this newly risen king of the Underworld wanted to meet him.
"Could it be that he wants to recruit Germa?"
Thinking of the other party's policy elsewhere—that there was no third option besides annexation or destruction—Judge suddenly considered this possibility.
The thought made his expression turn even uglier.
Just as he was wondering whether to call out more Clone soldiers as a precaution, the ship carrying Dawn and the others finally appeared in his field of vision.
"I'd like to see what this fellow is really up to."
Speculation was still only speculation. Judge put on a formulaic smile and headed toward where the ship was docking. At the same time, to prevent the worst-case scenario, he immediately donned his combat suit and armed himself to the teeth.
Dawn, who had just set foot on Germa's territory, sized up Judge as he approached.
Judge was wearing a golden helmet and a black cloak. The number 66 was emblazoned on his belt and in front of both knees, and an orange cape hung from his back.
He had clearly prepared for battle.
"Not a complete fool. He at least has the most basic caution."
Dawn silently assessed him.
Lafitte stepped forward and elegantly removed his top hat in greeting.
"Hehehe, Lord Judge, I'll get straight to the point. Would you be interested in leading Germa to join us? Once we defeat the major figures of the dark world in the New World, handing the entire North Blue over to Germa wouldn't be impossible."
He said it lightly, but Judge's expression grew increasingly grim.
Hand