The Gale was sailing smoothly. After leaving Minion Island, the falling snowflakes finally stilled. Once they rose into the sky, Leno and the others had quickly scouted the whole island; they didn't linger and set off again.
"Look, everyone! What's that island like—it's shaped like a bird!"
Not long into the voyage, an island adjacent to Minion Island came into view. Chopper gaped at its silhouette—seen from afar the whole island sat on the sea like a resting shearwater.
"Hey, Chopper, don't make such a fuss~"
"That's Swallow Island—we talked about it before, didn't we?"
Nami sighed at Chopper's cluelessness. Before leaving Minion Island she had explained the three nearby isles to the crew, but it seemed none of them had been paying attention. Seeing Carmen and Yamato looking just as distracted as Chopper, Nami shot them both a sharp glare. Clearly they hadn't taken her words seriously at all.
As the ship neared Swallow Island, everyone noticed the tall cliffs surrounding it; getting ashore would be a hassle. There was no choice but to lift the ship into the air and fly toward the island.
What Leno and the others didn't know was that as they approached Swallow Island, far out at sea a Den Den Mushi-marked ship with a black "66" on its main sail watched them quietly.
"Just as the rumors said—he has the Float-Float Fruit's power!" someone murmured.
"And that luxurious warship… he really is a mysterious man~"
On the deck, Reiju lowered her spyglass and licked her red lips, eyes glittering with interest. She'd been collecting intel about Leno recently. From the early "Golden Lion incident" to the exposure during the "Summit War," Leno's actions had repeatedly outdone her expectations. How many secrets did this man still hide? She was curious—almost irresistibly so—and wanted to get closer.
Thinking of the mission and the blond figure on the throne, Reiju's expression darkened and her lips curled in contempt. That man had gone mad over his "Empire Dream"; to strengthen his kingdom he had ruthlessly turned his own children into monsters. Recalling that man's face before she left, Reiju's ridicule only deepened.
"'The Thunder God' coming to the North Blue—this is fate. He's the best candidate Heaven has sent to help Germa rebuild the Empire," Judge declared, pacing before the throne with a fanatical glint in his eyes. "That man possesses strength rivaling the Emperors. If he joins Germa, and through the bloodline factors of his three Devil Fruit abilities, Germa's cloned soldiers will make a qualitative leap!"
"Reiju, the moment Germa needs you has come~"
"I've investigated him. 'The Thunder God' is notoriously lecherous—his ship is full of beauties! With your looks, he won't be able to resist." Judge's voice dripped with expectation.
"Really? Then I'll just capture this so-called 'Thunder God' myself and take all his beauties!" Green-haired Yonji burst out when he heard the ship was crewed with beauties. He was eager to seize Leno outright—no seduction needed.
"Who knows if that 'Thunder God' is really that powerful!" another scoffed. "Probably just exaggerated rumors. He might not even handle one of my blows."
Iji and Niji joined the mockery, certain that with their monstrous bodies and Germa battle suits they feared nothing. Reiju listened to their boasting in silence, disdain flashing across her face. What narrow minds—this "Thunder God" was not some small-time thug they could compare to. He was a man who stood at the very peak of the sea.
"Enough—shut up." Judge's tone cut through the taunts. He felt a headache seeing his three big sons so dismissive. He had merely wiped their emotions before—apparently he had also wiped their brains.
"Listen," he continued, voice grave, "though Germa has mighty legions and advanced tech to dominate the North Blue, all that is useless against that man." He had not forgotten how their clone army had evaporated like paper before Kizaru; he remembered the humiliation. This Leno was a fighter familiar with bloodline factors—he had single-handedly suppressed all three admirals during the Summit War. Judge knew Leno's terror well; that was why he'd forced his daughter into this role. If Reiju bore his child, and the bloodline factor could be obtained, Germa's future would be secured. He could not fail.
"The plan remains: Reiju will represent Germa and secure a marriage alliance with the 'Thunder God.' This is Germa's hope for ascendancy."
"Understood, Father!" Reiju answered, though she burned with hatred for this loathsome family and longed for its downfall. Still, she could not disobey a direct order.
"Miss Reiju? Miss Reiju…?"
"Hm? What is it?"
A soldier stepped forward, interrupting her thoughts. "Should we wait here or sail to their current island?"
"Judging from their route, Rubeck Island will be their next stop. We'll wait t:here and intercept them..." Reiju spread the chart and pointed to the three neighboring islands; she decided to get ahead of Leno and his crew.
"Once we land, report back—I'll handle it myself."
"But—Miss, that's the commander's order—"
"This is also the commander's order. If I go, your mission is complete." Her voice brooked no argument; she reminded them she was the key to the mission and the rest were expendable.
Soon after, Reiju stood at the shore watching the Den Den Mushi ship slip away, lips moving in a soft, cold murmur.
"Seduction? Heh…" she said under her breath. "Your schemes are loud, but fine. When that man arrives at Germa, your 'Empire Dream' of uniting the North Blue will be crushed into dust…"
She laughed then—a low, chilling cascade of sound.