One Piece: I'm not Roger

Regardless of what Judge was thinking in private, Aether stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and spoke.

"Judge, we're allies now. Don't worry, from now on, your business is my business."

Hearing Aether mention an alliance, Judge's expression darkened even further. He had no desire to become an ally of the "Pirate King." If his base were in the New World, it might not be a problem, but the Germa Kingdom was currently operating in the North Blue. Unless the entire kingdom relocated to the New World, acting too boldly would only bring trouble.

The Four Blues could be considered the primary domain of the World Government. In the entire world, only the Grand Line and the New World provided an environment where great pirates could truly survive, unless one became a legal pirate like the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Becoming Aether's ally in the Four Blues would almost certainly result in being targeted by the World Government.

Judge hurriedly spoke.

"Wait a moment, Roger-sama. We're only in a cooperative relationship, aren't we? How did we suddenly become allies?"

Aether's hand resting on Judge's shoulder tightened slightly as he replied with an unchanged smile.

"Judge, do you look down on me and therefore refuse to become allies? You should know that the moment you provide me with Raid Suits, the World Government will inevitably view it as an alliance."

"Roger-sama, how could I possibly look down on you? It's just... well..."

Where were all these excuses coming from?

Aether interrupted again.

"Don't worry, Judge. As an ally, I'll naturally lend you a hand. If you want to restore your family's glory in the future, I'll help you deal with Marine interference. Unifying the North Blue won't remain a dream forever."

"Unifying the North Blue..."

Judge recalled the days when his father still sat on the throne. Back then, the Germa Kingdom was treated like a rat crossing the street throughout the North Blue, despised by nearly everyone. Not a single World Government-affiliated nation took Germa seriously. In the end, his father died consumed by that frustration.

The dream of unifying the North Blue was his lifelong pursuit. No, it was the pursuit of the Vinsmoke Family across generations.

Judge swallowed the words he originally intended to say.

Even though he knew Aether would not truly help him unify the North Blue, having even the slightest hope was better than none.

"That's right, Roger-sama. We're allies, the unbreakable kind."

After confirming the alliance, the next task before Judge was communicating with the World Government and minimizing the impact of manufacturing the Raid Suits. Ideally, he wanted to avoid being held accountable for cooperating with Aether.

Although the Germa Kingdom possessed no fixed territory worth mentioning, it maintained a powerful network of connections within the World Government. While it was not an affiliated nation, it enjoyed privileges comparable to one. If necessary, it could even influence bounty posters and certain government policies.

In the original story, over a year later, Judge used those connections to alter Sanji's bounty poster.

All of this was the benefit he gained through technological cooperation with the World Government. In many ways, both sides maintained a mutually beneficial relationship.

"Pleasure doing business."

"Pleasure doing business."

Their hands clasped firmly together.

Aether applied a little pressure, allowing Judge to experience his overwhelming strength firsthand.

Suppressing his discomfort, Judge gestured toward Reiju. Only when his most favored daughter stepped forward did he formally introduce her to Aether.

"Roger-sama, this is my eldest daughter, Reiju. She grew up listening to your stories and has admired you for a long time. I want to fulfill her dream by marrying her to you."

"..."

Aether was caught off guard by the sudden proposal.

His gaze shifted from the eager Judge to the expressionless Reiju. No matter how carefully he looked, he couldn't detect any trace of the supposed admiration Judge had mentioned.

The intention behind the proposal was obvious. Judge wanted to strengthen their relationship through marriage.

Although Reiju was exceptional in every regard, Aether remained completely unmoved.

A terrifying gaze from behind was fixed on him.

Good one, Judge.

Trying to marry off your daughter right in front of the Pirate Empress?

This lord was a lifelong supporter of pure love and had no intention of getting involved in that kind of situation.

"Cough, cough."

Maintaining a gentlemanly smile, Aether politely declined while offering a compromise.

He understood that Judge wanted to bind himself more tightly to Aether's forces through marriage, but Aether had no intention of sacrificing himself merely to expand his influence.

"Miss Reiju is indeed beautiful and captivating, but we've only met today. Marriage is out of the question. However, Miss Reiju is welcome to join the Aether Pirates. Her strength and intelligence make her more than qualified to become my partner."

"This..."

Judge was about to continue persuading him when his body suddenly stiffened.

A powerful wave of Conqueror's Haki washed over him.

Turning his head, he met Hancock's distinctly unfriendly gaze.

The pressure of her Conqueror's Haki made his expression change.

The Pirate Empress, a woman capable of using Advanced Conqueror's Haki, was not someone to provoke lightly. More importantly, she was clearly the one occupying the position of "official girlfriend."

"Then forget it. It seems my daughter doesn't have that fortune. She can only follow Roger-sama as a crew member."

In truth, Judge still sensed certain implications within Aether's words.

For example, Aether had only said marriage was impossible because they had just met today.

That meant the matter could be reconsidered once they became familiar with each other.

Joining the Aether Pirates was a perfect opportunity.

Although Judge's decision appeared somewhat impulsive, it wasn't because he took marriage alliances lightly.

The real reason was simple.

Aether was too powerful.

When faced with someone whose strength inspired fear, the best solution was to stand on their side and secure a favorable position in their eyes.

In less than four months, even a person who only read newspapers could see that the Aether Pirates possessed strength comparable to two Emperor crews combined.

They were the strongest force currently sailing the seas.

Even the legendary Rocks Pirates paled in comparison, and the Aether Pirates possessed far greater unity than the Rocks Pirates ever did.

Since he had already been forced to place a bet on Aether, he might as well keep raising the stakes.

Only significant investments yielded significant returns.

Seeing that the two sides had reached an agreement, Reiju finally revealed a graceful smile and spoke with genuine warmth.

"Then please take care of me from now on, Captain Aether."

"I'll be counting on you as well, Miss Reiju."

The banquet continued smoothly.

Host and guest enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

Aether almost felt as though he were back home.

Of course, if one ignored the fact that three of the hosts had been seriously injured by the guest, as well as the shattered glass and splintered wood scattered across the floor, the atmosphere would have been even more perfect.

Night gradually descended.

Inside a luxurious VIP room, Hancock pressed Aether onto the bed in a domineering posture.

The alluring curve of her chest was accentuated by gravity, nearly brushing against the man's face.

Her slightly raised brows added a different kind of charm to her already exquisite features.

One long leg slipped between Aether's, while her slender, pale hands pinned his shoulders firmly in place.

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