Chapter 163: 163: Germa Kingdom
Divine Ability?
According to Eastern mythology, Houttuynia is an extremely powerful divine ability. A powerful Golden Immortal using houttuynia can reach a size of over ten thousand meters, and the very best among them can even attain the terrifying height of ten thousand zhang.
Just like the Journey to the West stories from his previous life, there were not many characters in the entire mythos capable of using Houttuynia. Only Erlang and the Monkey King Sun Wukong had demonstrated it. It was clear that Houttuynia was highly dependent on talent.
Using this divine ability allowed the caster to transform into heaven and earth, emulating the scale of the world itself. It mimicked the sky and the land, enabling one to become as tall as the heavens and as vast as the earth. It was a technique capable of standing equal to heaven and earth, belonging to the category of great divine abilities.
Aether was already imagining himself using Houttuynia to destroy Mary Geoise. With Houttuynia, many of his current concerns could simply be ignored.
While Aether was lost in thought, the manual had already transformed into energy and flooded into his soul. He now understood everything about Houttuynia as if he had practiced it for countless years. However, it was precisely because he understood it so thoroughly that his expression became unpleasant.
Although Houttuynia was incredibly powerful, it was highly incompatible with someone whose strengths lay in physique and Haki.
The energy required to activate the Houttuynia divine ability was something akin to Immortal Qi or Spiritual Power. While Aether possessed Haki, its nature was fundamentally different. Haki was closer to Blood Qi or a martial artist's internal power.
Of course, Aether was not incapable of using Houttuynia. He could convert Haki and physical stamina into the required energy through a conversion method included within the manual. The problem was that the conversion rate was so abysmal that Aether almost wanted to curse.
Before he could remain frustrated for long, Hancock walked over and said,
"Darling, the target you were looking for has appeared."
Reminded by her words, Aether looked toward the horizon.
Many enormous snails had suddenly appeared in the distance. Each one was at least a hundred meters in size, carrying massive structures on their backs while freely traversing the sea.
Most astonishing of all, hundreds of snails at the rear were connected together, forming an entire city. The extraordinary sight was truly breathtaking.
The appearance of the target caused Aether to temporarily set aside his dissatisfaction.
The city ahead was the Germa Kingdom, the destination of this trip and the homeland of Sanji.
The Germa Kingdom was a unique maritime nation with no fixed territory. Most of the time, the hundreds of snails operated separately, but when assembled together, they formed the kingdom itself.
Each snail was equipped with formidable firepower, effectively making every one of them a powerful warship.
The soldiers of the Germa Kingdom were all clones. Their absolute loyalty formed the feared army known throughout the world as Germa 66. At the pinnacle of both the kingdom and the military stood the Vinsmoke Family.
For generations, the Germa Kingdom had been known as a kingdom of science. Its advanced technology formed the foundation of its power.
The current king, Vinsmoke Judge, had once been an outstanding scientist himself. In his younger days, he belonged to the same illegal overseas research organization as Dr. Vegapunk, the world's greatest scientist, who now worked for the Marines' scientific division.
After the research organization was dismantled by the Marines, the six leading scientists each went their separate ways.
Vegapunk was taken by the World Government.
Queen, fearing the World Government, joined Kaido.
Miss Bakkin fled with her masterpiece to avoid pursuit.
As for Judge, he returned to the North Blue and used the lineage factor to create clone soldiers and Raid Suits with special abilities, hoping to restore the glory of the Vinsmoke Family.
The Vinsmoke ancestors had once been remarkably powerful.
The Germa Kingdom had previously unified the North Blue. Although they were eventually defeated by the World Government after only sixty-six days, they had still managed to conquer an entire sea.
Because of that event, the nations of the North Blue collectively chose to ostracize the Germa Kingdom.
As the small boat approached, it was suddenly met with artillery fire from a snail warship.
Hundreds of cannons unleashed a fierce bombardment.
Aether had no choice but to intervene.
There was no need to trouble Hancock with something so minor, but he found it rather amusing that the other side had chosen to attack an innocent passerby without hesitation.
One shell after another exploded in midair.
After dozens of seconds, the bombardment finally ceased.
When they realized the target could not be sunk, a snail warship moved closer instead.
A man wearing a red Raid Suit flew out from one of the snails. His appearance was particularly eye-catching.
He wore sunglasses and a red combat bodysuit, along with a white cape bearing the number "1."
If Aether's guess was correct, this man was Vinsmoke Ichiji, Judge's eldest son.
The sight of the Raid Suit caused Aether's eyes to brighten. It was one of the reasons he had come here.
However, before Aether could speak, Ichiji coldly questioned him first.
"Who are you to dare intrude into the territory of the Germa Kingdom? Given your actions, it wouldn't be excessive for me to kill you."
"..."
Aether rubbed his chin.
Was he really that difficult to recognize?
Judging from Ichiji's reaction, the man clearly had no idea who he was.
Looking down at himself, Aether quickly understood the reason.
At the moment, he was only wearing a pair of swim trunks and lacked his iconic mustache. Under those circumstances, it was indeed difficult for others to identify him.
Thinking about the Fake Straw Hat Pirates that would appear at the Sabaody Archipelago a year and a half later, it suddenly seemed far less surprising.
Aether looked at Ichiji with an odd expression.
Originally, he had only come here to do business.
Now, however, things were becoming much more interesting.
Pretending to be serious, Aether asked,
"If I remember correctly, the Germa Kingdom is a wandering nation without any permanent territory. So where exactly does this so-called territory come from?"
Although it was the truth, Ichiji immediately exploded after having his sore spot exposed.
"What nonsense are you spouting, bastard? The entire North Blue will belong to the Vinsmoke Family sooner or later!"
Aether showed no intention of indulging him.
With a mocking smile, he replied,
"'Sooner or later' means you don't have it right now. You're still nothing more than stray dogs. If the Vinsmoke ancestors could see you, they'd probably die from anger all over again."
"You bastard, I'm going to kill you!"
Flames erupted around Ichiji as he prepared to attack.
At that moment, Hancock emerged from the cabin of the small boat.
Dressed in a purple swimsuit dress, she was stunning beyond words.
The instant Ichiji saw her, a look of greed flashed through his eyes.
"Hahaha! Although you've been extremely rude, I can still spare your life."
He pointed toward Hancock.
"Provided you hand that woman over to me. Only a woman like her is worthy of bearing my offspring."
"..."
Aether stared at him speechlessly.
Ichiji was even more arrogant than he had imagined.
At this point, he might as well change his name to Yonji.
===
Read chapters ahead on Patreon, with every chapter organized into collections.
Subscribing a membership gives you access to "ALL" fanfictions,
Or you can buy only the collection you want, to gain access to chapters ahead.
P-a-t-r-e-o-n.com/_Zeph.