Conqueror's Haki [Proficient]: You wield Conqueror's Haki freely, walking the path of a king. Your name resounds throughout the underworld of the North Blue.
Combat [Intermediate]: After enduring grueling self-destructive training, every punch is a matter of life and death. Do you even know what defense is?
Rokushiki [Intermediate]: Thanks to your inhuman physique, you've quickly grasped superhuman martial techniques. However, true mastery still lies ahead.
String-String Fruit [Mastered]: Your stamina is truly something else—you could spend an entire day playing with thread and needles. But honestly, your ideas are downright bizarre. Just promise me… don't use this power for anything weird.
Navigation [Proficient]: You can predict weather changes within a ten-mile radius and handle 80% of maritime conditions with ease. You may now soar freely—but beware of cloudless skies.
Armament Haki [Proficient]: Under Lao G's guidance, you've mastered the basics of Armament Hardening, allowing you to coat your body and weapons with steel-like toughness. Even Logia users will have no choice but to bow before you—at least temporarily.
Observation Haki [Proficient]: Your naturally powerful mind allows you to sense the positions and numbers of objects beyond your line of sight—range: 1 km.
[Forced Emotional Resonance]: Perceive another's thoughts and emotions, transmit your own will to others, influence their minds, and create deep emotional bonds. You can even alter their values and beliefs.
After reviewing the panel summarizing his four years of effort, Doflamingo couldn't help but nod in satisfaction, even if some of the descriptions seemed exaggerated.
Skipping past the lighthouse, his gaze fell upon the three stone markers behind it—one gray, one red, and one blue.
The gray stone marker was new. Doflamingo examined the inscriptions carved upon it:
[Pinnacle of the New World]: Roger, Shiki the Golden Lion, Whitebeard Newgate, "The Red"… Legendary pirates locked in a battle for supremacy. As a Celestial Dragon, why waste your time ruling the underworld of the North Blue? Aim higher—fight, challenge, and march toward the world's summit!
Reward: Dependent on the outcome of your challenge.
Doflamingo's expression darkened.
'Damn it. If I try challenging those monsters now, I'll get myself killed. Sure, my Devil Fruit mastery has given me confidence, but I'm not that arrogant.'
Dismissing the absurd gray marker, he shifted his attention to the other two.
[Dressrosa]: Eight hundred years ago, this land belonged to your family. Under your ancestors' rule, it flourished. Restore its lost glory and lead its impoverished citizens back into prosperity.
Reward: Physique Enhancement *1
'Now this is more like it. With another round of physical enhancement, I might not even need rest anymore. A full 24-hour training regimen—I'll outwork those lazy pirates.'
Dressrosa had a legitimate royal lineage, a prime location for artificial Devil Fruit cultivation, and high-quality labor in the form of the Tontatta. Strategically positioned in the New World, it lay within reach of both the World Government and the future Yonko territories, making it a vital hub for the arms trade.
'But I still haven't set foot in the New World. I'll have to plan carefully.'
[King of the Sky Islands]: Mary Geoise is not high enough. A true king belongs 10,000 meters above sea level. Conquer the Sky Islands and reign over the wicked denizens of the White Sea as their god.
Reward: Bone Reinforcement *1
'Now this is valuable. With this, my enhanced muscles will be even more explosive. A second round of physique enhancement plus reinforced bones… Facing Garp in a fistfight might not be a pipe dream after all.'
'For now, the Sky Islands must be my focus. Shiki remained airborne for over a decade without being detected—proof of the strategic value of aerial dominance. If I could control Weatheria, it would be even better. That island represents the pinnacle of navigational science. If I could freely manufacture floating islands… That would mean absolute air supremacy.'
'And Weatheria's technology can alter weather patterns. That's something I need.'
'But why hasn't Machvise delivered intel on the "Western Peak" yet?'
...
The Next Day – Viarat Capital
Once a prosperous city, it now lay engulfed in the flames of war, thick with smoke and strewn with corpses.
In the heart of the ruined capital, the last remnants of resistance made a futile stand against the towering siege beasts of the Vinsmoke family. Giant amphibious snails, each bearing the insignia of Germa 66, loomed over the shattered palace.
Atop the largest snail stood a burly young man with an iconic Super Saiyan 3-style hairstyle and a thick mustache. He wore an orange cape draped over his back, a green-and-yellow battle suit, white gloves, and a golden belt engraved with the emblem of Germa's legacy—the number "66."
His black combat boots, equipped with jet propulsion, hovered slightly above the ground. In his hand, he wielded a technologically enhanced spear crackling with electric energy.
Clutching a fallen crown in one hand and gripping his spear in the other, he prepared to deliver judgment.
"Vinsmoke Judge! Please, spare me! I beg you—this country, no, all four kingdoms… the rebel army… everything is yours! Just let me live!"
King Viarat V, once a proud and ambitious ruler seeking to unify the four nations, now knelt on the scorched earth. His golden hair was singed, his jewel-encrusted coat stained with dried blood. His limbs trembled uncontrollably as he stared in terror at the approaching spear of lightning.
Judge's expression burned with fervor. The legend of Germa 66 was about to be rewritten. He, Vinsmoke Judge, would be the new ruler of the North Blue.
With a triumphant grin, he declared, "There's no need for mercy. These lands are already mine. Your lives, however, shall serve as a reminder to the North Blue of Germa's might. Electromagnetic Thrust!"
His spear surged with high-voltage electricity. Under the blinding light, it became an instrument of divine judgment.
The electrified spear plunged into Viarat V's defenseless body. It sliced through flesh as easily as a hot knife through butter.
Zzzzzzt!
"AAAAAGH!" The king's final scream was cut short as his severed head hit the ground.
Judge laughed heartily, wiping the blood from his face. "This is the proclamation of Germa 66's return to dominance!"
A bright flash interrupted his triumph.
Click!
"Who's there?!"
Judge squinted at the sudden camera flash, only to spot a tall figure perched ten meters above him. The man wore a pink feathered coat, a black suit, and red sunglasses. Every inch of him exuded arrogance and menace.
"Fufufufu… Quite the spectacle," the man chuckled. "Relax, Judge. I'm just here to celebrate your grand return. Look—I even took a photo to commemorate the moment. A scene this glorious deserves to be remembered."
Doflamingo twirled the camera in his hand.
Judge tensed. His instincts screamed danger. He had no illusions—this infamous arms dealer hadn't come here just to play photographer.
Activating his spear's maximum voltage, he locked eyes with Doflamingo.
"What do you want, Doflamingo?!"
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg