The Vinsmoke Family indeed had a glorious past.
The World Economic Journal once published a popular illustrated story, 'Warrior of the Sea: Sky'.
The main antagonist, the Evil Army, in that story was Germa 66.
The prototype of the story was precisely the experience of Judge's ancestor back then.
Everyone took their seats, and the formal negotiations began.
"We have two demands," Kane said directly, holding up two fingers.
"First," he swept his gaze over Judge, "custom-make Raid Suits for the main cadres of the Beasts Pirates."
Don't look at the recent battle where Ichiji and the others performed poorly; without their Raid Suits, they would have been even more pathetic.
It could be said that the Raid Suits greatly raised their lower limit.
Gaining Kane's approval made Judge quite proud.
Although the earlier battle, where he was utterly defenseless, made him lose faith, he quickly realized that his failure was due to encountering an unmatchable monster, not because his technology itself was flawed.
This was like asking someone who had just learned that one plus one equals two to prove why one plus one equals two.
The Vinsmoke Family's formidable reputation in the Four Blues was the best proof of this.
However, mass-producing Raid Suits?
Judge looked troubled: "It's not that I'm stingy; it's truly due to limitations in key materials. Producing Raid Suits requires a precious memory alloy, and I don't have much in stock. Moreover, the Raid Suits aren't even the complete version; I still need to improve them, which will consume materials for experimentation."
He paused, afraid of displeasing Kane, and carefully added: "However, I can still manage to squeeze out the materials for the Raid Suits of those present."
"I understand, then let's make four sets first."
Kane nodded understandingly, "I will find a way to solve the special metal problem. By then, perhaps the defensive power of the Raid Suits can be elevated to another level."
"That would be excellent."
Judge forced a surprised expression onto his face, but inwardly he was unconvinced.
In his opinion, Kane and the others weren't scientists; they probably didn't even know how to smelt metal, so what solution could they possibly have?
"I know you have a deep understanding of Lineage Factors, and your children are the best example."
Kane continued: "So, the second demand."
"I need you to research artificial Devil Fruits."
"Artificial Devil Fruits?"
Judge frowned: "I know you might have learned from Queen that Vegapunk once researched this project, but he made no progress."
The implication was that if even Vegapunk couldn't handle the project, then don't make it difficult for him.
Although saying it would boost others' morale and deflate his own, compared to his life, a mere loss of face was nothing.
Rashly agreeing and then failing to deliver would incur the wrath of the Beasts, which was no laughing matter.
"No, he succeeded. With the help of the World Government, he successfully replicated the Azure Dragon Berry."
Kane's words were astonishing.
"Hiyori, please."
Kozuki Hiyori understood, and to Judge's astonishment, her body rapidly transformed. In an instant, a pink dragon-human appeared.
Hiss—
Judge gasped.
Did that Vegapunk guy really manage to do such a thing?
After a long silence, Judge spoke with difficulty: "I can try. But my previous research has always been based on modifying the human body with Lineage Factors. For artificial Devil Fruits, I need to start from scratch, and the progress might be unimaginably slow."
"No matter, because our goal is not to replicate Logia, Paramecia, or even Mythical Zoan or Ancient Zoan."
Kane said indifferently: "What we need are just ordinary Zoan types, even if they have flaws, it doesn't matter."
The Beasts Pirates only needed basic combat power.
In the future, they could even mass-produce cloned soldiers and feed them Devil Fruits.
By then, the basic combat power of the Beasts Pirates would be unparalleled in the sea, leaving even the World Government far behind.
Could the Marine even give ordinary Marines Devil Fruits?
"If it's just ordinary Zoan types... no problem."
Judge twirled his upturned mustache, his pride as a top scientist resurfacing.
Kane had lowered the difficulty so much for him; if he still refused, how could he live up to the title of MADS Research Institute's second scientist?
"Very good, rest assured, the Beasts will not let your efforts be in vain."
Kane nodded in satisfaction: "Besides ample research funds, we will also help you achieve your dream."
"Dream?" Judge's breathing instantly became heavy.
"Yes, you want to unify North Blue, don't you?" Kane transformed into a master of painting a picture, his tone full of temptation: "As long as you fulfill the Beasts' demands, we can help you."
"Really?"
Judge's heart pounded. He had never felt the glory of his ancestors so close.
"Heh~"
Kane leaned back lazily in his chair, his tone understated, yet filled with absolute confidence: "A goal like unifying North Blue is actually not difficult; even now, I can help you achieve it."
Although North Blue was stronger than the weakest sea—East Blue—it was only marginally so.
The highest bounties were only two or three hundred million Berries at most.
With Kane's current strength, subjugating the countries of North Blue and making them recognize the Germa Kingdom's status would be as easy as taking candy from a baby.
But the biggest obstacle to unifying North Blue had never been those countries.
It was…
"The Marine, and even the World Government."
Kane stared at Judge's eager eyes, "Don't forget how your ancestor failed."
Kane's words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly dousing the fire that had just ignited in Judge's heart.
That's right, there were still them.
How could Judge, who could recite his ancestor's deeds by heart, not know how the Germa Kingdom, which had successfully unified North Blue, was overthrown?
Just as the illustrated story said, it was the Marine, leading the kingdom's armies, that annihilated the Germa Kingdom.
"The World Government will never allow any other force to exclusively occupy a vast sea area."
Kane hit the nail on the head: "Unification can and only be done by the World Government; any other country with this idea will only invite their devastating strike."
He spread his hands, helpless: "Unfortunately, the current Beasts Pirates do not yet possess the strength to fully contend with the World Government."
Judge felt as if his spine had been removed, slumping into his chair, his voice dry and despairing: "So, my dream will never be realized?"
"Of course not."
Kane snapped his fingers, his tone as light as if he were knocking over a block tower: "Since the World Government is blocking our path, why don't we just overthrow them?"
"By then, the entire world."
His finger slowly traced across the tabletop, as if dividing a giant pie: "Wouldn't it be ours to divide?"
Overthrow the World Government?
Violet and Kozuki Hiyori, who had been feeling somewhat sleepy, suddenly looked up, their beautiful eyes filled with shock.
Is this your ambition, Kane?
"That... that kind of thing..."
Judge's voice trembled. Reason told him "impossible," but the desire to restore his ancestors' glory overwhelmed his fear, and even the threat of death.
He stared intently at Kane, a nearly insane flame burning in his eyes: "Can it really be done?"