Judge stared at Ian, his mind completely blank.
Of course, he read the newspapers too.
In fact, since World Economic News had been serializing a comic that cast Germa as the villains, Judge paid even closer attention to the paper than most.
So, naturally, he was well aware of the recent great war that broke out in the New World.
Ian the Skyfire!
The young monster who had made a stunning impression in both the Hive Island Battle and the Whitebeard Pirates' war against the Beasts Pirates!
A true monster, with an initial bounty reaching a staggering 800 million Berries.
Even Marco called him unbeatable, and Diamond Jozu was burned to ashes by him.
He was one of the powerful figures of the New World, a top officer of the Beasts Pirates!
What was this guy doing here?!
Judge couldn't understand.
Why would a high-ranking mber of the Beasts Pirates co all the way to this remote corner of the North Blue?
Wait a minute!
Queen!
Could it be that Queen sent him here to find him?
Was the grudge really that deep?
Seeing Judge's terrified expression, Doflamingo couldn't help but laugh. "Ian, you've completely scared him."
"Seems like having a big na has its drawbacks."
Ian shrugged.
But—
It was still pretty satisfying.
That look of pure terror every ti soone laid eyes on him—it really wasn't bad at all.
The old, pot-bellied king beside them was even more frightened. He had collapsed onto his servant's back, trembling so badly that he could barely move.
Ian even suspected he might have wet himself.
This was what true intimidation looked like.
"Don't get cocky, you brat!!" Judge suddenly roared.
Don't think I'll just surrender without a fight!
Huh?
Ian blinked, montarily confused.
"Hey, buddy, what makes you think I'm cocky?" Ian asked, a hint of amusent in his tone. "I haven't even said anything yet, have I?"
"Let show you the true power of Vinsmoke technology!" Judge announced, pulling out a canister.
"Looks like he's not interested in chatting with you after all," Doflamingo chuckled, his smile widening.
"So, he's planning to communicate in a different way," Ian replied casually. There's a saying, isn't there? Real n communicate with their fists.
It seed Judge had that philosophy in mind. The guy was surprisingly full of fighting spirit.
"This is a technology that Queen could never develop in his entire life!" Judge declared, pressing the canister to his waist.
In an instant, the canister began to glow.
Oh, man! This would be the perfect ti to shout, "Henshin!" What guy wouldn't want to transform?
I want one of those!
Monts later, as the light faded, Judge stood there in a sleek, gray battle suit, holding a spear crackling with electricity.
"Vinsmoke Judge, also known as the monstrous bird Garuda," Doflamingo said, taking a few steps back with a grin. "I can't wait to see what kind of power he has."
"Prepare to be disappointed," Ian remarked coolly.
Unlike Uncle Queen, Judge leaned more toward being a researcher. It's not that he had no combat skills—just… not much.
"Blast Kick!"
With a burst of blue flas from the jets on his heels, Judge's speed skyrocketed, and in a flash, he closed the distance, aiming a powerful kick at Ian.
Way too slow.
Ian casually shifted his body just enough to dodge Judge's attack, sidestepping perfectly out of harm's way.
The strike missed, and Judge was sowhat frustrated. He pointed his spear at Ian.
"Electrify!"
Brilliant blue electric sparks spread like a spiderweb, rapidly advancing toward Ian.
With both fire and lightning in play, just how cheap are these two elents in this world?
However, when it cos to lightning, dodging it with movent alone isn't an option.
Ian swiftly swung his long right leg, shattering the dazzling lightning into pieces with a single kick.
No wonder they call this the "Haki version."
"Electromagnetic Crush!"
With flas shooting from his heels, Judge launched himself at Ian, using his electrified right leg to deliver a powerful flying knee strike with powerful force.
"Paper Arts!"
Ian's body twisted like a piece of paper, casually folding to the right, effortlessly dodging Judge's attack.
In the end, Sanji's strength wasn't just because of his modifications—Haki and training were also crucial.
No matter how strong Judge's battle techniques were, what did it matter if he didn't have the right skill to use them effectively?
Ian was even able to casually think about other things while fighting.
"Electromagnetic Thrust!"
The spear wrapped in electricity surged forward, aid at piercing Ian.
But—
"I think it's ti to wrap this up."
Ian's gaze sharpened.
Buzz!!
Black lightning surged from his body.
Even Doflamingo's expression suddenly changed.
This level of Conqueror's Haki!!
The forceful attack from Judge hit a wall, and suddenly, his powerful thrust turned limp. His entire body staggered and collapsed to the ground.
Doflamingo looked at Ian with astonishnt in his eyes.
As is well known, Conqueror's Haki cannot be strengthened through training; it is a direct reflection of one's willpower and strength. It only grows stronger as the person themselves grows more powerful.
Looking at it from another angle, the strength of the Conqueror's Haki can also reflect the power of its wielder.
And Doflamingo had to admit that, although he too possessed Conqueror's Haki, his own Haki seed utterly insignificant compared to Ian's. The gap in strength was huge.
A monster.
This guy... he's a true monster! It wasn't the first ti Doflamingo felt this kind of awe.
Doflamingo couldn't help but feel defeated.
Judge trembled as he slowly lifted his head, gazing up at Ian in disbelief.
The young man's back was frad by the bright, shining moon.
Under the moonlight, the boy's slender and fragile figure appeared even more frail.
Yet, despite being such a delicate boy, with just a single glance, he had him on the ground.
How could he be this strong?
With his skillful techniques, what use do they have now?
The Vinsmoke family—could it ever be revived?
No, forget about reviving the family—at this rate, I'm going to die here today!
"WAAAAH!"
Thinking of this, Judge couldn't hold it in any longer. He broke down, crying loudly. "No! You can't kill !"
If I die here, the Vinsmoke family's century-old dream will be completely shattered!
"Ah?"
Doflamingo was stunned.
What? He's crying?
The infamous Vinsmoke Judge... is crying?
This was a scene he had never witnessed before.
After a brief mont of stunned silence...
"Heh Heh Hehhe!"
Doflamingo burst into laughter.
His words faltered, unsure of what to say.
Then he laughed.
When words failed him, laughter was his response.
"No, don't hurt Father!"
At that mont, a small figure staggered in front of Ian, spreading its thin arms to protect its father.
Ian looked down at the child before him.
Blond hair, the signature curly eyebrows of the Vinsmoke family, a timid expression, and clothes stained with dirt.
"Vinsmoke... Sanji—"
Judge, tearful, was left frozen in shock.
Sanji!?
This failure.
This cowardly son who hasn't shown any trace of his genetically modified bloodline, now he dares to protect himself in front of Ian?
Ian's lips curled into a smirk.
Vinsmoke Sanji.
The true masterpiece of Judge Vinsmoke.
He possesses the terrifying physical potential of the modified bloodline and yet retains the emotions of a normal human being.
It is emotions that truly drive human progress.
Jealousy, greed, love, care, responsibility—whether positive or negative, emotions always propel people forward.
"You can, but…" Ian said with a smile, "What will you offer in exchange?"
"…"
Sanji froze for a mont, then instinctively began searching his body. But he found nothing. After a brief pause, he gathered his courage. "I... I can cook. I can make food for you."
"Sanji!"
Judge Vinsmoke shouted in response, his tone hard to read.
This man was undoubtedly scum. He had no hesitation in modifying even his own children, and he didn't consider Sanji—who hadn't shown any sign of genetic enhancent—his son at all.
On top of that, he was vain, cruel, arrogant, cold, hypocritical, selfish, power-hungry, and egotistical. He embodied every negative characteristic of a typical villain in a story.
However, there were two things this man did possess.
Gratitude and a promise kept.
In the original story, after being saved by Sanji, Judge was willing to lead his family to provide support for the Straw Hat Pirates, even fighting against the Charlotte family, and he gave Sanji his stealth black Raid Suit.
So, at this mont, when faced with his son's protection—sothing he typically disregarded—Judge found himself deeply moved.
But, more than that, Judge had one thing he was truly looking forward to:
He lifted his gaze toward Ian.
Would this man agree to Sanji's request?
He was eager to find out.
But deep down, he knew it was nothing but wishful thinking.
Cooking, of all things—
"Deal."
Ian said this, and Sanji heard him.
"Huh?"
Even Doflamingo was montarily stunned.
Deal? It's really settled?
"Just so happens my ship is missing a cook," Ian said. "From now on, you'll be my cook."
Sanji froze for a mont before happily nodding, "Mm!"
He had always been a gentle person.
Although he didn't know what would happen next, being able to save his father was enough.
Even if his father had always treated him badly.
"Sanji!"
Judge imdiately broke into tears again.
Could it be… was it this kid who saved him?
"By the way,"
Ian looked down at Judge, who was on the ground crying, "Judge, maybe you misunderstood sothing from the start."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
Judge froze.
What did he an by that?
"I an, would you like to talk about a partnership?" Ian continued. "A collaboration between the Beast Pirates and the Vinsmoke family."
Judge's eyes imdiately widened.
Huh?
A collaboration between the Beast Pirates and the Vinsmoke family?
A massive surprise exploded in his mind like a nuclear bomb.
It knocked Judge dizzy.
Doesn't this an they could restore the glory of their ancestors?
From despair to the hope that had just appeared.
Judge didn't even know what to think anymore.
Now, could he open the champagne?
**********
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