“Kizaru?!”
Judge’s pupils contracted, and his previously casual expression disappeared.
If a Marine Admiral was involved, then the situation changed completely.
The Vinsmoke family might wield enormous influence throughout the North Blue, enough that even the Marines often treated them cautiously.
But provoking an Admiral was another matter.
Even a force as powerful as Germa would have to remain constantly on guard after making an enemy of someone at that level.
Unless absolutely necessary, Judge had no desire to antagonize a Marine Admiral.
He knew exactly what kind of monsters held that rank.
“What’s wrong?”
Doflamingo’s amused voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
“Don’t tell me you’re frightened.”
“Are you claiming you aren’t wary of an Admiral?”
Judge made no attempt to deny it.
He gave a cold snort.
“The person responsible should be the one to pay.”
Doflamingo continued.
Kizaru’s nephew attacked our people first.
We can use that as justification for retaliating against him.”
“Even if we killed him, Kizaru would find it harder to condemn us publicly.
“If you’re afraid, you can withdraw.”
“Don’t waste your time trying to provoke me.”
Judge’s face remained expressionless.
“Tell me your plan.”
“This is the North Blue.
Even an Admiral does not frighten me here.”
“Besides…”
“We’re only dealing with his nephew, not his son.”
After a moment of thought, Judge added:
“If our cooperation goes well, the Vinsmoke family can offer the Donquixote Family priority access to the next generation of weapons we develop.”
Doflamingo laughed.
“Then we have an agreement.”
“If the Marines destroy one of our transactions and we simply remain silent, no one in the underworld will respect us again.”
“Eventually, no one would be willing to do business with us.”
“So neither of us has any real choice.”
“We must retaliate.”
“At the same time, we should avoid provoking the Marines beyond necessity.”
“Our response needs to demonstrate our authority to the underworld without turning this into an all-out war.”
“I’ll send Diamante to the North Blue to negotiate on behalf of the Donquixote Family.”
“I expect the Vinsmokes to send someone with equal decision-making power.”
Diamante was one of the Donquixote Family’s top officers.
He was a notorious New World pirate with a bounty exceeding one hundred million Berries.
Even in the New World, his name carried some weight.
“Set a date,” Judge said.
“Diamante should arrive in the North Blue within two days.”
“Have someone ready to receive him.”
“Once he arrives, I intend to cooperate with your family and attack the Mushroom Town Marine Branch.”
Doflamingo stated his plan directly.
Judge burst into laughter.
“That is exactly what I had in mind.”
“It seems neither of us is willing to accept a loss.”
“Good.”
“If we act together, the Marines will think carefully before retaliating against both families at once.”
“After all…”
“They won’t risk offending a Warlord of the Sea and one of the North Blue’s greatest military powers over a minor branch.”
“Wouldn’t you agree?”
Doflamingo sounded completely confident.
“Then I’ll await his arrival.”
Judge replied.
“Make sure your representative reaches the North Blue quickly.”
“Otherwise, I may decide to attack the Mushroom Town branch without you.”
“Don’t blame me if Germa claims all the credit.”
Judge had agreed to cooperate largely because of the Donquixote Family’s reputation.
If both organizations participated, the Marines would be far less likely to launch a major response against either one.
At most, Marine Headquarters would condemn the attack and express its anger.
Eventually, the matter would be buried.
After ending the call, Judge smiled in satisfaction.
Beside him, Reiju spoke cautiously.
“Are you certain Doflamingo won’t betray us?”
“He is calculating and difficult to predict.”
“If we aren’t careful, he might sacrifice Germa to improve his own position with the Marines.”
“He has no real principles.”
“We shouldn’t trust him too much.”
“Don’t worry.”
Judge remained confident.
“For now, our interests are aligned.”
“He gains nothing by betraying me merely to earn the Marines’ approval.”
“The damage to their businesses would be enormous.”
“Doflamingo is not stupid enough to make such a foolish decision.”
Judge then turned toward his youngest son.
“Yonji, begin preparing.”
“In two days, you will receive the representative sent by the Donquixote Family.”
“Once you meet him, lead eight hundred fully armed clone soldiers to Mushroom Town.”
“The objective remains unchanged.”
“Destroy the Mushroom Town Marine Branch.”
That same day, news of the failed arms deal began spreading throughout the underworld.
Countless organizations waited to see how the Vinsmoke and Donquixote families would respond to the Marine interference.
The Vinsmokes were one of the most feared powers in the North Blue.
The Donquixote Family had been built by Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Neither organization was known for quietly accepting humiliation.
The entire underworld began anticipating their response.
How would the two families punish the Marines and restore their reputations?
It did not take long for an answer to emerge.
A declaration jointly issued by the Vinsmoke family and the Donquixote Family spread throughout the underworld.
“In two days, the Marines will pay dearly for what they have done.”
The declaration immediately caused an uproar.
Countless people began speculating about the retaliation that was coming.
“One side is one of the North Blue’s greatest powers.
The other is led by a current Warlord of the Sea.”
“If those two join forces against the Marines, this won’t be a minor incident.”
“This should be entertaining.”
“The Marines are about to clash with both Germa and the Donquixote Family.”
“The Marines may dominate the Grand Line, but the North Blue is where Germa’s influence is strongest.”
“Add the Donquixote Family, and the combined force becomes enormous.”
“Together, they may possess enough power to seriously challenge the Marines.”
Excited discussion swept through the underworld.
Two days soon passed.
That day, Diamante arrived in the North Blue after traveling all the way from the New World.
As one of the Donquixote Family’s top officers and a pirate with a bounty exceeding one hundred million Berries, his arrival carried considerable weight.
Because the preparations had been rushed, he came alone without any accompanying Donquixote personnel.
He traveled light and moved quickly.
Before long, Yonji appeared to receive him.
As Germa’s representative for the retaliation operation, Yonji commanded eight hundred clone soldiers equipped with modern weapons and full combat gear.
When the two men met, they exchanged a cordial handshake.
The Donquixote Family and the Vinsmoke family had officially joined forces.