Chapter 302: Germa Kingdom: The Threatened Vinsmoke Family

Reiju was probably the only somewhat kind-hearted individual left in the Germa Kingdom.

Of course, Sanji, who had been cast out, didn't count.

But what did her kindness matter, really?

As far as Takumi was concerned, his treatment of others was never based on their positions or their moral standing—so long as no one messed with him, they could do whatever they liked.

"Was it you who defeated the four Vinsmoke siblings?" Takumi casually asked Enel as they walked towards the rooms Judge had arranged for them.

"Of course, it was me!" Enel said, quite matter-of-factly. "Those four idiots practically threw themselves at me, looking for a beating. Can't blame me for that."

"Not blaming you," Takumi replied, adding, "You did well."

"Huh?" Enel looked surprised. "What's going on here? Something's off. Why are you suddenly praising me out of nowhere?"

Takumi gave him an exasperated look and said no more, stepping into the room Judge had arranged for him.

Enel paused at the door, scratching his head in confusion.

Meanwhile, Kaku, led by Judge's subordinates, arrived at the largest tech lab on the main battleship. There, he began discussing the ship modification plan with the lab's head.

After Judge had his wounds simply bandaged by a doctor, he took out a Den Den Mushi and prepared to contact the Navy. Thinking better of it, he handed the Den Den Mushi to one of his subordinates, instructing them to hide in a dark storage room onboard and make the call.

However, just as the subordinate dialed the number, a flash of lightning burst through the hallway.

With a deafening crash, the door to the storage room shattered under a bolt of Enel's lightning.

The man inside, holding the Den Den Mushi, was scared out of his wits.

Enel stood in the doorway, a menacing smile on his face, and looked down at the trembling man. "Didn't I say an hour ago that no calls were allowed? Do you know what happens to those who defy a god?"

"I-I didn't make any calls!" The man hastily hid the Den Den Mushi behind his back.

Enel didn't care. He released another bolt of lightning, frying the man along with the Den Den Mushi.

"Pathetic," Enel muttered, yawning as he turned and walked away. There was still plenty of time, and he figured he might as well stroll around a bit.

Not long after Enel left, Judge appeared at the end of the hallway, his expression grim.

"Is that guy's Observation Haki really that strong? No, that can't be—it must have been something else!" Judge refused to believe it and hurried back to his room.

He retrieved another Den Den Mushi that could contact other battleships. But the moment he dialed, his door was blown apart by Enel's lightning, just like the one in the storage room.

"Another one not following orders, huh?" Enel sneered as he stepped inside. "Looks like there are quite a few people itching for death today."

Seeing Enel's palm covered in crackling electricity, Judge panicked. Without a second thought, he crushed the Den Den Mushi in his hand. "Calm down! I'm the king of the Germa Kingdom. If you kill me, your ship modification plan will be ruined!"

Hearing this, the lightning in Enel's hand gradually subsided. "Are you trying to threaten me?"

"I'm not threatening you," Judge replied bitterly. "I hold the lives of my entire research team in my hands. If I die, they die too. Think about it yourself. I've seen what you're capable of—I promise that no one will leave or try to make a call until you all leave. If it happens again, I'll take care of it myself!"

"Hmph!" Enel snorted. "You really think I'd trust you?"

Judge gave a bitter smile. "I have no way out now. Lying to you gains me nothing. You defeated my four children, the strongest fighters in Germa Kingdom. We are at your mercy. What else is there to worry about? As long as we're under your surveillance, we can't make any waves."

"Heh, at least you know your place," Enel smirked. "Alright, I'll give you one chance. But if you try anything again, I'll drag you before my captain and have him personally execute you. Let me tell you, don't be fooled by his laid-back appearance—when my captain gets serious, he'll make you regret being born."

A bead of cold sweat rolled down Judge's forehead, and he nodded repeatedly. "Okay, okay, I understand. I promise, no more tricks..."

"That's more like it," Enel said, sneering as he turned to leave. He paused at the doorway, glanced back, and added, "Remember this—all of you in the Germa Kingdom: for the next month, this god will be watching you all, every single moment. Anyone who steps off the battleship, or touches a Den Den Mushi, will meet their end by my hand."

"Alright, I'll order everyone to stay onboard and keep away from the Den Den Mushis..."

"Hmph, and get me some apples! Have them delivered to my room."

With that, Enel swaggered away.

After he left, Judge let out a deep sigh. Though he was frustrated, he tried to comfort himself. "Just one more month, and it'll be over..."

In the following days, the Germa Kingdom's battleships remained anchored in the same sea region without moving.

Even when requests came in from other kingdoms, offering high prices for their services in attacking rival nations, Judge refused them all.

Finally, the day came when the Vinsmoke siblings awoke.

"Damn it! That guy's power is too..."

"Yonji!" Judge immediately interrupted Yonji before he could finish his curse.

"Father, it's just that we underestimated them. If we get another chance, I swear..."

"Swear what?" Judge cut him off again, his tone harsh. "You lost, and that's that. No excuses."

"Father," Ichiji spoke up, his expression grave. "Something seems off about you. What happened?"

Judge gritted his teeth and sighed. "Takumi and his crew are still here on the main battleship. They'll be staying for another twenty-seven days. During this time, every single one of us is under surveillance. Our fates are in their hands."

"We're being watched?" Niji clenched his fists, his face expressionless. "So, we just let them do whatever they want on our ship?"

Judge nodded, then shook his head. "These are desperate times—we have no other choice. Listen to me, all of you: until Takumi and his crew leave, you are forbidden from engaging with them. The Germa Kingdom must not fall!"

Due to their lineage factor modifications, the siblings were incapable of disobeying Judge's orders.

Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji replied in unison, "Understood."

Reiju remained silent, nodding her head. 

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