North Blue.
The sun hung high in the sky, its scorching rays reflecting off the sea in golden ripples.
On the coastline, Germa 66's clone army stood in formation.
All 30,000 soldiers were armed with advanced rifles, and one in ten carried a rocket launcher.
The rifles gleamed black, and the thick muzzles of the launchers gave off an ominous air.
Clad in neatly pressed uniforms, each soldier was as brawny as Schwarzenegger, as if cast from the same mold.
If these men were placed in the Marines, they would easily qualify as elite corporals and sergeants.
Despite the blazing sun, they stood solemnly, awaiting the arrival of the Neo Navy.
Even though they knew the force approaching was the most terrifying power on the seas today, they felt no fear.
Because they were artificial humans, emotions like fear and panic had been removed through Vinsmoke Judge's technology.
They were born to kill. They were Judge's proudest creations.
The large flag bearing the number 66 fluttered in the sea breeze, a symbol of Germa's former glory, when they once ruled all of North Blue for 66 days through military might.
"Fear no death. Obey absolutely." Judge looked down at the orderly, ruthless army and couldn't hide his pride. "This is my clone army. Is there any army in the world more perfect than this?"
He had created such powerful elite soldiers in just thirty days, and at the age of only twenty.
As long as resources were abundant, these soldiers could be produced endlessly.
If Caelan had not appeared, he would have confidently swept through North Blue with these clones and even aimed for global domination.
"Father, they're coming!"
Blue-haired Niji pointed toward the distant sea.
Over thirty warships broke the horizon, surging toward the coastline of the Mok Kingdom.
"Thirty warships? They sure think highly of us." Judge chuckled. "If I can fend off these people, even Caelan will acknowledge my worth."
"Fire at will!"
The clone soldiers carrying rocket launchers advanced in formation toward the shore.
Over three thousand shells were launched in dense succession. The weapons improved by Judge were more advanced than standard Marine artillery.
A storm of bullets covered the warships, each rocket trailing an orange-red flare, powerful enough to level a mountain.
"Let's see how powerful the legendary Neo Navy really is." Judge stared intently in the direction of the thirty warships.
He believed that while the three thousand shells wouldn't cause serious damage, they wouldn't interfere with his plan to recruit the Neo Navy either.
After all, thirty warships surely meant an admiral was on board.
On the Neo Navy's flagship.
Borsalino looked at Caelan, whose expression was calm, and took the first step forward.
"Light Sword."
A golden laser beam shot from his palm, instantly stretching into a lightsaber over a kilometer long.
With a simple sweep, the barrage of incoming shells exploded in mid-air, creating a massive fireworks display.
Judge watched the laser cut through the rockets and nodded slightly. "Admiral Borsalino. So, he's the one commanding this time."
"This guy is always so laid-back. Looks like we can finally put on a real show."
As expected, one admiral had come. Judge continued watching the sea, already thinking of how best to showcase his abilities while fighting Borsalino.
The warships grew closer and eventually stopped about 300 meters from shore.
Judge thought to himself, The Neo Navy isn't docking. They must want to negotiate.
But then.
A wide path of ice extended from one of the ships, freezing over thirty warships and the surrounding sea, creating a solid road straight to the coast.
"Admiral Kuzan? Two admirals?"
Judge's expression changed, his confidence shaken.
Then a bolt of bluish-purple lightning shot from a ship, thunder rolling across the sky as it blasted into the Germa formation.
In an instant, thousands of Germa soldiers collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth from electrocution.
"A Logia-type, Rumble-Rumble Fruit? Another admiral?"
Judge was stunned. His head buzzed as he watched Gion releasing electricity wildly.
He recognized her—Gion, the female admiral who acted on behalf of Caelan in the Neo Navy and had been noted in many factions' intelligence.
But according to reports, Gion had only become an admiral candidate thanks to her looks.
Yet now, having acquired a Logia-type Devil Fruit, she was undeniably a true admiral.
Judge muttered, "Three admirals. You think that highly of me?"
"This old man's coming through!"
Garp laughed as he ran across the ice, leading a squad of Marines into the fray like a human cannonball.
His iron fists, covered in Armament Haki, tore through the Germa soldiers like a rampaging beast.
"Iron Fist Garp? A fourth admiral?"
Judge's legs weakened. He had to lean on Yonji for support.
How shameless. Four admirals against a small-time warlord of the North Blue.
The clone army he had been so proud of was being torn apart by the four admirals as if walking through an empty field.
The generals following them advanced across the ice, each trying to showcase their strength.
They all knew Caelan was watching from the warship behind and were giving it their all. This battle wasn't just about Devil Fruits, but also about gaining Caelan's recognition.
In just a few minutes, the 30,000 elite clone soldiers on the coast were crushed by the four admirals and dozens of vice admirals.
"Four admirals and that many vice admirals, just to mess with me? Was that necessary?"
Judge looked at his defeated army and took a deep breath.
He had originally thought only one admiral would come, so he could still maneuver tactfully and demonstrate his worth.
But with four of them here, he didn't even have a chance to make contact.
"Father, let's go out there and kill them!"
Niji, Yonji, and Ichiji all said in unison.
They felt no fear. All they saw was Germa's army being overwhelmed and wanted to turn the tide.
"Idiots. Who do you think you're going to kill?" Judge smacked each of them and quickly stopped their reckless charge.
Even though he had modified their bloodline factors, their ranks were barely equivalent to vice admirals.
Charging into four admirals wasn't bravery, it was suicide.
This was the first time he realized that lacking emotions might not be such a good thing. Fear is truly the most important of all human emotions.
In just over ten minutes, Germa's proud army of clone elites had been completely crushed by the combined forces of Gion and the other three admirals.
Inside the Germa command tent, Judge raised the white flag alongside his sons and daughter.
The lion-maned Judge, once so proud, now looked as tame as a housecat.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)