Vinsmoke Judge's heart was like dead ash.
These vicious criminals kept saying things like, "Our boss values your abilities," but who ties up someone they value and drags them back?
The so-called valuing of his abilities was probably just talk; he might very well end up toiling in a smelting factory, making weapons for Kaido.
Most likely, his limbs would be bound by chains, and a collar would be around his neck.
Thinking of the bleak future, Judge recalled when he, Queen, Caesar, and others escaped from the Peace Research Institute, hijacking a Marine warship.
During a fierce chase, the warship was hit and exploded, and the group fell into the ocean.
When he woke up again, Judge found himself on an island. Before he could rest for long, he discovered Marines landing, so Judge had no choice but to flee.
Then he ran into the brat, Bullet.
"Perhaps being captured by the Marine would be better than being caught by the Beasts Pirates..."
"Those two bastards, Queen and Caesar, must have escaped, right? Damn it, why me of all people?!"
Judge was on the verge of tears, remembering his failure to restore the Germa Kingdom to its former glory, and sadness welled up inside him.
"You're being too dramatic, aren't you?"
Wald looked at the bound Judge, who was gritting his teeth one moment and looking misty-eyed the next, as if he were insane. Wald couldn't help but complain.
These scientists were all so sentimental.
"Boss Wald, there's a Marine warship!"
Sebastian shouted.
Nachen and Gairam jumped down from the second-floor railing of the battleship, looking eager: "Should we sink them?"
"Of course, but let's make it quick!"
Wald sneered, then leaped up and landed beside the cannon turret built on the second-floor roof. He looked at the large-caliber cannon and then at the three ordinary cannonballs in a basket nearby.
His eyes flickered, then he picked up an ordinary cannonball, about twenty centimeters in diameter. He grabbed one, and with a hum, he wrapped Armament Haki around it: "Kaido said that as long as Haki is wrapped around a weapon, its power will increase."
Wald took a step back with his right foot, holding the cannonball with one hand, his eyes suddenly sharp. He threw it with force: "50x Burst Fireball!!"
Over the past three years, he had practiced throwing techniques on Winter Island, capable of making a thrown object reach the speed of a cannonball instantly, with a throwing distance of about four kilometers!
And now, with the cannonball hardened by Haki, and its size and speed multiplied by 50, the thrown cannonball rapidly enlarged, stirring up a gale, and hurtled towards the warship several nautical miles away!
The instantaneous speed broke through several times the sound barrier. Wherever it passed, the sea surface churned with waves, and even the bow of the hundred-meter-long black battleship plunged several meters into the sea!
Striking Mach rings appeared behind the cannonball!
Boom!!!
The giant cannonball solidly hit the over hundred-meter-long warship. The flames from the violent explosion instantly engulfed the hull, sending up hundreds of meters of spray!
"So strong!!"
Judge gasped, his pupils dilating.
Is taking out a warship that casual?
As expected of a pirate with a bounty of five hundred million Berries.
Wald jumped down, landing on the deck, stirring up a little dust.
He looked at Judge with an arrogant expression, enjoying the other party's shocked and deflated face.
Just then, Wald's Transponder Snail suddenly began to make a puru-puru sound in his pocket.
He took it out, looked at it, and pressed to answer.
"You did a really good job, Wald..."
A smug and sinister voice came from the Transponder Snail.
Wald didn't recognize who it was, but the bound Judge's eyes widened at that moment.
There was no mistake; that sinister and cunning voice definitely belonged to that bastard, Queen.
"Hey, who are you, kid?!" Wald's expression turned unfriendly.
Queen's tone was incredibly conceited: "Me? I am the second best scientist in the world from the Peace Research Institute, Queen! Take me to see Kaido. I will contribute the power you desire!!"
Another man's voice came from the other end of the Transponder Snail: "Hey, Queen, I'm clearly the second best scientist in the world, and also, do we really have to join Kaido? I heard that devil likes to eat people?!"
"No, I am the second best scientist in the world! Vinsmoke Judge!"
Judge, whose self-esteem couldn't take a hit, subconsciously blurted out to claim the title of the world's second best scientist.
Wald glanced at Judge, full of confusion. Wasn't the world's second best scientist already on the ship?
So, he said disdainfully into the Transponder Snail: "We already have the second best scientist in the world!"
Queen's tone became a bit anxious: "What's going on, Judge? You bastard, you found the Beasts Pirates before us. You're really not being fair."
Judge was baffled. Am I not being fair? I was forced into this!
Ah, no, wait?!
Judge suddenly showed an evil smile.
How can good brothers eat alone?
Queen, Caesar, if you're good brothers, then come to the Beasts Pirates together... Judge said with fervent eyes: "Hey, Wald, they are all my former colleagues. Their scientific technology is only second to mine. Invite them over, and let's all create glory for the Beasts Pirates together!"
Sebastian couldn't help but comment: "What this guy says is quite inspiring."
Wald looked at Judge seriously, thinking that he must have misjudged him earlier. He didn't expect him to approve of the Beasts Pirates so quickly.
Wald nodded: "Alright."
Judge breathed a sigh of relief, then was ecstatic. He was now all about smooth transitioning, adopting the mindset of 'if I'm not doing well, my brothers shouldn't either,' trying to trick as many as possible.
Twenty minutes later, Wald saw Queen and Caesar on a damaged Marine warship.
Queen happily ran towards Wald and the others, jumping onto the black battleship.
Just as he was about to greet Wald, his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of Judge, who was tied up and winking at him.
Queen's smile froze.
He subconsciously retracted his leg.
"What's wrong... Que... Hmm?!"
Caesar's expression wasn't as well-controlled as Queen's. He widened his eyes in fright and shrieked in panic: "Ju-Judge, why did they tie you up?!"
Judge shrugged: "This is probably the Beasts Pirates'… corporate culture?"
Caesar looked in shock at the hundreds of pirates surrounding them. At this moment, Wald was looking at him meaningfully.
Caesar's scalp tingled with fear. He took two steps back and forced a smile: "Heh heh heh... Let's agree beforehand, can you please not hit my face?"
Wald chuckled, then waved his hand: "Men, tie them all up for me!!"
Wald was a little pleased, thinking that he had managed to capture all the main scientists, except for Vegapunk, on this trip.
Kaido would definitely be very happy, Wald thought to himself.