"Hurry! Search every sector thoroughly!"
Vinsmoke Judge stood atop the cat car, shouting orders in all directions at the surrounding clones.
The most cost-effective solution, without a doubt, was to find that missing Marine as soon as possible.
"Why is Father so agitated? So what if a Marine went missing on Germa 66's territory? Just take out the one who came looking and be done with it."
Niji leaned lazily against the side of the cat car, idly twirling a strand of his blue hair as he watched the busy clone soldiers.
"Niji, shut your mouth if you don't understand anything." Ichiji sat upright, his posture proper. Though devoid of emotion, his thoughts were far more meticulous. "Given Germa 66's current state, we might dominate the North Blue, but when it comes to the Marines from headquarters, it's best we lie low for now."
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Ichiji," Yonji, with his green hair, stood up. "But I'll just listen to you anyway."
"Speaking of which, where's Sanji?"
"Oh, that weakling? Who cares about him. He's probably off with that equally weak mother of his."
Vinsmoke Judge listened to his three sons' chatter and felt an inexplicable wave of irritation wash over him.
They were supposed to be his most perfect creations. So why… why were they like this?
Especially whenever Sanji or Sora was mentioned...
"You three, stop gossiping behind my back! Take your squads and search elsewhere! Bring that Marine back, and make sure he's intact!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."
Absolute obedience—but without emotions, they couldn't grasp the urgency that gripped his heart.
He shook his head, pushing the thought away.
Of course he was right!
Emotions were nothing but a burden—shackles that held the strong back.
...
"Having emotions isn't a bad thing," Michael said, holding up a finger as he addressed Reiju and Sanji. "Only with emotions can one truly be called 'human.' Otherwise... you're just a more powerful tool. You'll never become a true strong one."
Sanji nodded vaguely, seeming to grasp it only halfway, but the older Reiju looked even more confused.
"Why...? During training, I could barely match my younger brothers who were two years below me," Reiju said with a furrowed brow. "Father told me that's the downside of having emotions—that I can't unleash my full strength."
"Little Reiju, do you think your father is strong?"
"Strong... I guess?"
Reiju gave her answer, but she was clearly uncertain.
After all, apart from her father and those clone soldiers, she had never seen any other 'strong' people.
"But in my eyes, your father is more like this," Michael raised his hand, making a gesture between thumb and forefinger that absolutely wouldn't be aired on national TV, "only slightly bigger than a bug."
"W-What?"
"That's right. On this vast sea, your father can't be considered strong at all. Even in his so-called area of expertise, there's someone named Vegapunk who utterly outshines him." Michael shrugged. "So when someone who's not even a real strong one tells you what it takes to become strong—don't you think that's laughable?"
Seeing Reiju's shocked expression, Michael took a satisfied sip of the coffee Époni had brought over.
"This coffee's got a rich aroma... hand-ground?"
"Nope. Instant."
Cough cough!
"The mighty Vinsmoke family drinks instant coffee?"
"Nobody else here drinks coffee. That instant stuff is from my own stash."
Michael glanced at the expressionless, plump maid Époni, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
The worst thing about showing off... is getting called out on the spot!
He downed the rest of the coffee in two big gulps. Meanwhile, Reiju hesitantly asked, "...I still don't get it."
"Not understanding only means you're not strong yet." Michael gave his familiar, gentle smile. "A broken body won't stop you from growing stronger. But a broken heart—that's the real disability."
With that, he stopped looking at Reiju and walked over to Sora's bedside.
It had already been half an hour. It should be about time.
Even Rouge, who was once on the verge of death from physical collapse, had recovered in about this much time under the care of Holy Light.
And the Holy Healing used on Sora... the effects had been boosted manyfold.
"Vinsmoke Sora, it's time to wake up."
As soon as he spoke, as if his words had divine power, Sora's eyes twitched, then slowly opened...
And suddenly, she shot upright.
The motion was so swift, it was completely out of character for the frail queen she had been just moments ago.
She clenched her fists in disbelief, feeling a health she hadn't known in years.
"You... you really cured me?"
"The fact that you're even asking that tells me you didn't believe I could in the first place." Michael gave her a teasing look. "Do you believe me now?"
Sora blinked, then slowly nodded. The next instant, two little figures—one in pink, the other in yellow—threw themselves into her arms.
"Uwahh! Mother! You're really all better!?"
"Wow! Mom, your sickness is gone!? Did my cooking actually work!?"
Reiju and Sanji buried themselves in Sora's embrace, tears pouring out like a burst dam.
Michael could never quite understand moments like this.
"Er, am I being too cold-hearted?" he muttered to Époni. "This is supposed to be a happy occasion... why all the crying?"
"You're asking why children cry?" Époni sighed. "Then you might as well ask why the Grand Line has such bizarre weather patterns. That's the simpler question of the two."
Michael nodded.
So what Époni really meant was...
Don't bother reasoning with kids and their tear ducts.
"Uh, I think the three of them are gonna keep crying and hugging for a while... got any more instant coffee?"
"...Do you have to drink instant coffee?"
"At my age, isn't it a bit childish to be asking for fruit juice?"
After Époni brought over a second cup—this time kiwi juice—Michael sat sipping quietly as the two kids' sobs finally began to die down.
And Sora stepped down from the large bed.
Michael's eyes narrowed slightly.
From the first moment he saw her, he had sensed something familiar about this queen of the Germa Kingdom.
He hadn't paid it much mind at the time, thinking it was just an illusion.
But ever since she recovered from her illness under the Holy Healing, as that weakness and shadow faded, the feeling had only grown stronger.
"What is it, Michael-san? Do I look strange to you?"
"Not at all." Michael shook his head, instantly shifting gears and smiling. "Now then, I believe it's time we had a proper conversation about the Kingdom of Germa, Queen Sora."
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