Chapter 310: Did You Get My Permission?
The Germa family was a powerful force comparable to the Donquixote Family, and at its peak, it had dominated the entire North Blue.
As one of the former royal families, the Vinsmoke family's ambition and remaining immense power far surpassed that of ordinary organizations.
Judging from the fact that Judge had even modified his own children to the point of stripping away their emotions, the leader of Germa, Vinsmoke Judge, was clearly a ruthless and cunning tyrant—not easy to deal with.
"Wait... I want Germa 66's advanced technology. What does that have to do with the Vinsmoke family?"
Rhodes blinked, a thought forming.
The most valuable asset of Germa 66 was its systematic scientific research team and their technology, not Vinsmoke Judge and his bloodline.
Thinking along these lines, Rhodes glanced discreetly at the respectful Reiju beside him.
He remembered that Germa 66 didn't have a fixed territory but moved around using giant snails as their mobile fortress. Outsiders couldn't pinpoint its exact location—similar to how the Mink Tribe lived on the ancient elephant Zunesha's back, constantly wandering.
To acquire this research force, the first step would be pinpointing Germa 66's location, and for that, he'd need a guide.
However, Germa 66 had always been extremely cautious. The personnel they sent abroad were typically emotionless, fearless clones—expendable soldiers with no knowledge of the kingdom's true location.
Therefore, although many coveted Germa's technology, none had been able to infiltrate their operations, let alone steal their secrets.
But Rhodes knew that Reiju was one of Germa 66's few weaknesses.
She was the eldest daughter of the Vinsmoke family, a high-ranking member with full access, and unlike her brothers, she possessed human emotions—capable of changing her loyalties for certain individuals, such as her long-lost brother Sanji.
Sensing Rhodes's meaningful gaze, Reiju felt a chill run down her spine. She bit her lip gently, a mixture of nervousness and apprehension flooding through her.
"What does that look mean? What is he planning?"
Though she admired Rhodes's youth and formidable strength, she wasn't naive about the realities of power.
Given Rhodes's status as one of the Five Great Powers, if he truly wanted something from her or her family, she probably wouldn't be able to refuse.
Thinking this, she couldn't help but glance at Yonji beside her, hoping his presence might—
But in that instant, a faint ripple seemed to pass through the air, and Yonji, who had been observing the auction hall below, suddenly convulsed and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"What?!"
Reiju gasped in shock, her eyes snapping to Rhodes, only to find his eyes flashing with a brilliant silver light, radiating an unapproachable aura of absolute authority.
Conqueror's Haki!
Reiju's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively lowered her head, her mind racing with possibilities and fears. She glanced around the luxurious private room—exquisitely decorated with a one-way view of the auction hall below. Though she knew outside gazes couldn't penetrate the special glass, she still felt exposed.
She quietly clenched her fist, about to speak, when a sudden commotion erupted in the hall below.
A figure dressed in black appeared in the center of the auction stage—a man around fifty years old, approximately three meters tall, incredibly burly, exuding an oppressive aura. The air around him seemed to carry an inexplicable heat, raising the temperature of the entire hall.
"Kurman Luke!"
His appearance instantly silenced the previously noisy gathering.
Everyone fell quiet, looking at the middle-aged man on stage with awe and trepidation.
Strength represents status in the pirate world.
Peak-level strength represents supreme status.
No matter where one goes, such power commands the utmost respect. Even the World Government takes such figures seriously—just as Reiju had immediately shown Rhodes the utmost respect upon recognizing him.
"So this is Luke?"
Rhodes's attention shifted to the stage, momentarily distracted from his contemplation of the Germa situation.
Luke, perhaps intending to intimidate the entire audience, made no attempt to conceal his aura. In Rhodes's Observation Haki, the black-clad figure on stage resembled a dark sun, radiating powerful, suffocating life energy.
Luke was a veteran from before the Great Pirate Era began. Now in his fifties, he was at the absolute peak of his strength and ambition.
"Looks like he intends to establish dominance immediately."
Rhodes's expression grew more interested as he observed four figures emerge from the shadows behind Luke—each with distinct presences: one cold and calculating, one wild and aggressive, one arrogant and defiant, one calm and composed. They stood behind Luke like the wings of a demon king.
Rhodes recognized them as Luke's four most trusted commanders.
While none could match someone like Doflamingo, they were only slightly weaker—each comparable to pirates with bounties in the five to six hundred million berry range.
The atmosphere in the hall grew even more oppressive, utterly silent.
Everyone's eyes reflected their understanding of Luke's intention: to establish his rule through overwhelming force.
Some looked unwilling, but intimidated by the combined power of Luke and his commanders, no one dared speak up.
"Interesting," Rhodes murmured with a slight smile. If this continued without opposition, Luke might actually succeed in his takeover.
"I imagine the planted supporters will start speaking up soon."
As Rhodes predicted, almost immediately, someone stood up and declared loudly, "Lord Luke is one of the few top-tier powerhouses in the underworld! Since he's willing to lead us, we will naturally follow!"
These words caused ripples of reaction throughout the room.
"That's Thunderbird Tru!"
"A pirate with a bounty of 580 million berries, commanding thousands of men and controlling vast underworld operations..."
"I didn't expect even he would acknowledge Luke's leadership..."
People murmured in surprise and uncertainty. Some, not daring to oppose the momentum, began declaring their support as well.
Most of those present represented small to medium-sized factions—none reaching the level of Stussy, the Queen of the Pleasure District, or the major underworld emperors.
Perhaps if they all united, they could contend with Luke's power, but individually, no one dared to challenge him.
Luke on the stage glanced approvingly at Tru, took a deep breath, and surveyed the hall, a sense of triumph rising within him.
These people, though individually weak, united under his leadership would undoubtedly unleash power that would shock the world!
Perhaps... even the vacant Emperor position left by Whitebeard's death wasn't beyond reach!
But just as Luke was lost in his ambitious thoughts, a cold voice suddenly echoed through the hall:
"Want to rule the Dark World? Did you get my permission?"
The voice was truly frigid.
Everyone could actually feel the temperature plummeting, a supernatural chill descending from above and spreading in all directions. The previously heated atmosphere in the hall instantly froze, as if they'd been transported to an arctic wasteland.
Everyone suppressed their shivers and looked up, only to see a familiar, tall figure standing in mid-air, hands casually in his pockets, looking somewhat lazy, as if he hadn't fully woken up yet.
Former Marine Admiral—Aokiji!
(End of Chapter)
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