Ultimately, Luo Ning decided to meet Judge and his entourage, driven primarily by curiosity about their visit's purpose. He opted against using his mind-reading ability, preferring to maintain an air of intrigue.
Judge entered the hall with his three sons and daughter to meet Luo Ning. Luo Ning saw no need for elaborate entertainment, considering his current status mirrored that of the World Government's Im. While he didn't expect everyone to kneel before him, elaborate meals for these visitors were also unnecessary.
"Such a high throne! A man who lacks respect!"
Judge's sons displayed their characteristic lack of affection, fear, or family bonds. While devoid of these positive emotions, arrogance and lust persisted, qualities not even Judge could eradicate. It seemed these traits ran deep in the family. Reiju, alone, appeared normal.
Reiju possessed emotions and understood the value of time. However, her body modifications hindered her from reaching her full potential. Compared to her brothers, Reiju was arguably the most well-adjusted. To spare others' feelings, Luo Ning believed this was paramount. Reiju's emotional capacity made her, alongside Sanji, the only one concerned about their mother's well-being.
It's worth noting that Sanji's mother possessed remarkable foresight. Recognizing the detrimental effects of genetic modification, she abstained from the treatment during Sanji's birth, preserving his capacity for emotions.
"Silence!" Judge shouted at his sons, his face contorted in anger. He was well aware of their arrogance. However, despite his prior warnings, their unruly behavior persisted.
"Isn't he just the highest authority in Impel Down? What's the big deal?" one of the sons sneered, devoid of fear. While they adhered to some of Judge's commands, their emotional state lacked any genuine fear.
This starkly contrasted Judge's emotional state. Reiju, standing beside him, remained silent. She was accustomed to such outbursts, which Judge had previously dismissed as advantageous—a lack of fear. Now, however, it filled him with dread. After all, they weren't facing petty kings or other minor forces, but Luo Ning, the undisputed strongest power on the seas.
"The rumors of your Vinsmoke family's genetic modifications eliminating fear and other emotions are true, as I've long suspected," Luo Ning stated, his voice sending shivers down Judge's spine. "However, the consequences are severe, Judge. Consider yourself fortunate to be facing me today. Otherwise, you might not be leaving here alive."
Judge broke into a cold sweat at Luo Ning's words. A sliver of gratitude emerged within him. Since Luo Ning acknowledged this, perhaps his sons wouldn't be punished.
"My apologies, Master Luo Ning," Judge stammered, bowing deeply. "They truly lack fear and often utter disrespectful words. Please forgive them!"
Relief washed over Judge. In his own position, faced with such blatant disrespect, he likely would have executed the offender. Luo Ning's magnanimity wasn't lost on him.
"Enough with the pointless chatter," Luo Ning interrupted. "Tell me why you're here."
While Luo Ning wasn't interested in further reprimanding the Vinsmoke family, he did intend to learn their purpose.
"Our purpose for this visit is to become one of Impel Down's affiliated nations,"
Judge stated with sincerity. The current standing of Impel Down, with established affiliated nations like Dressrosa, Fish-Man Island, Wano Country, and previously, Whole Cake Island, was a major motivator for their request.
Judge had observed the benefits bestowed upon these allied countries. Pirates and other hostile forces wouldn't dare act within their borders. Even if pirates appeared, they would know their place and avoid causing trouble. Those who dared to make a move were swiftly dealt with.
As Judge well knew, both Whitebeard's territory and Whole Cake Island, former New World affiliated nations of Impel Down, benefited from having Luo Ning on their side. Troublemakers quickly vanished under their combined might.
These previously weak countries now enjoyed a significant economic boom. Merchants were eager to conduct business in these regions, leading to a surge in trade and economic prosperity.
This undeniable success fueled Judge's envy. While his Germa Kingdom possessed a formidable military, they remained a nomadic nation. Bluntly put, they lacked a permanent territory of their own.
Judge and his people were once overlords, but misfortune struck, forcing them out of their land. Their constant warring caused widespread panic among their citizens, ultimately contributing to their expulsion. In the original story, Judge sought Big Mom's assistance to reclaim his lost kingdom.
But Big Mom wasn't a fool. So why did Judge seek an alliance with the Charlotte family?
In Big Mom's eyes, Judge's only valuable bargaining chip was his cloning technology. However, even through marriage, Judge wouldn't relinquish such technology. Thus, Big Mom planned to capture Judge and his people. Linlin could then manipulate their memories using Pudding's power to steal the cloning tech, allowing Big Mom to clone Giants. You see, due to a childhood incident, Big Mom was obsessed with Giants.
Now that Big Mom has long been defeated by Luo Ning, the Charlotte family no longer possesses such a strong deterrent.
The strongest deterrent now is Impel Down.
This is why Judge set his sights on Impel Down. As long as he secures Impel Down's backing, reclaiming his lost territory and even expanding his power potentially to world domination wouldn't be an issue. That's his little scheme.
"Become a member country of Impel Down? Do you even understand why those countries became members?"
Luo Ning found Judge's ambition slightly amusing. He saw right through Judge's desire to wage war under the banner of Impel Down. This was precisely what Luo Ning disliked the most, the very last thing he wanted. Why didn't he simply absorb the Revolutionary Army? Because he disdains such a move. He has no interest in vying for hegemony. Not everyone desires to be a world ruler.