The Whitebeard Pirates were actually quite fortunate.
Because there were still many in this world who were unwilling to join the Akatsuki Organization, as they could not secure a high enough position within it and could only become an outlying force under its control.
Some were even among those targeted by the Akatsuki Organization.
Like the Vinsmoke Clan in the North Sea.
With Vegapunk's presence, the Vinsmoke Clan became quite dispensable to the Akatsuki Organization, especially since they had instigated many wars in the past.
They could not resist Akatsuki's rule.
Nor did they want to be purged by the organization.
As a king, Vinsmoke Judge decided to make a bold move to transform his Germa Kingdom into a seaworthy ark and leave this planet ruled by the Akatsuki Organization.
Because Vinsmoke Judge had acquired some knowledge from Vegapunk, he knew there were other planets out there.
The universe was vast, and they were not alone.
"Are we really going away?"
Upon hearing his father's plan, Vinsmoke Reiju hesitated: "Heading somewhere new seems like a gamble, and Sanji is still here..."
Sanji of the Straw Hat Pirates...
Was the child exiled from the Vinsmoke Clan.
"Forget about him."
Vinsmoke Judge, a very stern parent, showed no emotion: "Many war kingdoms in the North Sea are on edge, and if we don't leave now, we'll be caught by Akatsuki's encirclement..."
"Does it really matter?"
Vinsmoke Yonji laughed: "According to the intel, Akatsuki's army has already crossed the Windless Zone, led by Charlotte Katakuri... let's kill him first and show Akatsuki we're not to be trifled with..."
This guy never knew what fear was...
Because his bloodline factors had been modified, turning him into a killing tool devoid of most human emotions, notably the fear of the strong...
No...
This wasn't just fear.
As his sister Reiju put it, Vinsmoke Yonji was simply brainless.
Everyone on the sea feared Akatsuki's name, a group that ruthlessly destroyed the World Government, incorporated the most powerful armed organization, the Navy, and subdued all the Four Emperors' pirate gangs as their outlying force.
However, the Vinsmoke Clan...
In fact, did not even have the strength to face a single Four Emperors' pirate gang.
Vinsmoke Judge ignored his brainless son and continued with a deep voice: "During this time, focus all efforts on retracting our defenses, cutting off all business and contacts, fully transforming our stronghold, and leaving this planet..."
At this point, Vinsmoke Judge supplemented: "Leaving at this moment is to return stronger in the future. Other planets have technology we've never seen before. We'll absorb their scientific achievements to build a more powerful Germa Kingdom!"
The Vinsmoke Clan acted swiftly.
Katakuri, leading the Charlotte Navigation Team, crossed the Windless Zone, crushing the entire North Sea with formidable military might, defeating all kingdoms and islands defying Akatsuki.
During this time, however...
The Vinsmoke Clan remained in hiding, sometimes even retreating to the Windless Zone. With no outlying members in the Germa Kingdom to join them, they managed to stay hidden for quite a while until Vinsmoke Judge converted the stronghold into a space-venturing ark.
The technological challenge...
Was not particularly high.
The only trouble lay in the energy problem, though Judge had calculated that their energy would undoubtedly reach a nearby habitable planet.
According to Judge's observations, the planet wasn't large, but traces of human activity existed, and its technological civilization level was not high. Once they reached that small planet, the Germa Kingdom could occupy it as a base, continue space travel, or even rule the planet...
That wish was quite optimistic.
Just as Katakuri intended to continue attacking the Germa Kingdom, Akatsuki's supreme council suddenly issued an order instructing Katakuri to let the Germa Kingdom go.
The order was utterly perplexing...
They were so close to capturing those war mongers...
Furthermore, Akatsuki's leader, Uehara Naraku, and council chairman, Divine Angel Konan, both arrived in the North Sea.
"Don't mind it."
Uehara Naraku spoke to Katakuri and his Charlotte Navigation Team, calming his emotions: "Prepare to withdraw; they can't escape Akatsuki's grasp. I will personally go to subdue the Germa Kingdom."
"Yes..."
Katakuri restrained his emotions.
Was Akatsuki's leader going to personally act?
Was the Germa Kingdom actually quite strong?
As Katakuri left the North Sea, the Germa Kingdom's war fortress had already been renovated. Vinsmoke Judge rode this new space ark, taking his children and a group of genetic soldiers away from this ocean-covered planet.
Their destination...
Was to reach the asteroid near this planet.
What they didn't know was...
That asteroid was the Ninja World.
The Ninja World was the first planet Uehara Naraku drew into his Black Hole Universe; it was also the true base and origin of the Akatsuki Organization.
It was hard to predict their reaction upon reaching that asteroid...
The Ninja World.
The Land of Rain.
It remained as peaceful as ever.
Just as the Jerma 66 Space Ark completed its months-long space journey, it finally arrived at the central land of this somewhat backward little planet.
However, the weather here seemed not so good, always gloomy.
Nonetheless, Vinsmoke Judge breathed a sigh of relief; in any case, they had finally escaped the Akatsuki's pursuit.
"Reiju, Ichiji, Niji, Yonji..."
Vinsmoke Judge waved to awaken their gene soldiers and opened the door of the Space Ark: "Go out and make a big impact! Conquer this world in the shortest time!"
"Yes!"
The three sons looked full of enthusiasm.
As for the only daughter, Reiju, she stood somewhat lost by the window.
Vinsmoke Judge's face showed some displeasure; he glanced at his daughter and asked in a deep voice: "Reiju, do you have any other opinions?"
"Outside the window..."
Vinsmoke Reiju was gazing out, and finally, a trace of unease slowly appeared on her face: "Are there Akatsuki members here too?"
Outside the window.
A young red-haired man in a Cloud Black Robe uniform stood near the Space Ark, his gaze was incredibly clean and pure, as if it had never been stained by the world's filth...
Because those were a pair of reshaped eyes.
"Let me check..."
Vinsmoke Judge quickly took out a thick book, looked over the young red-haired man, and said in a deep voice: "This person isn't on the list of Akatsuki's members; maybe the clothes are just somewhat similar... Anyway, deal with him first and then extract information. If Akatsuki has really followed us, we must quickly charge the Ark here and escape this planet!"
"Wouldn't that be a bit too rude..."
A voice suddenly appeared beside them.
On the throne of the Space Ark, a young man had somehow settled in, with a warm smile on his face, appearing to be a kind man...
However...
Vinsmoke Judge was in a state of high alert!
This unpredictable person... the leader of Akatsuki... Uehara Naraku!
Anyone with even a slight understanding of the Akatsuki organization knows what the leader Uehara Naraku looks like, and he's someone you absolutely cannot provoke!
Moreover...
Never get noticed by him!
If possible, make sure never to meet Uehara Naraku, because once you meet him, it means the misfortune of life is about to begin!
And what made Vinsmoke Judge even more terrified and uneasy was that standing next to Uehara Naraku was a blue-haired woman in a Cloud Black Robe...
The Speaker of Akatsuki's highest assembly... Divine Angel Konan!
According to the latest news on the sea, there are three giants within the Akatsuki organization: Leader Uehara Naraku, Speaker Divine Angel Konan, and the Goddess of Rabbit Otsutsuki Kaguya!
"I really didn't expect..."
Sweat slowly began to flow down Vinsmoke Judge's face, and he muttered to himself in a low voice: "Two of Akatsuki's three giants... would actually be on our ship..."
"That's just the way it is."
Uehara Naraku smiled, slowly stood up, eyed Vinsmoke Judge, and his smile gradually took on a sinister quality: "Out there is Lord Nagato, the previous leader of Akatsuki, and if you were to offend him, it would make me and Teacher Konan very unhappy!"
Uehara Naraku slowly unfolded his arms, introducing in a cold voice: "Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you... Congratulations, you've arrived at Akatsuki's headquarters, the place where Akatsuki originated!"
"..."
Vinsmoke Judge's heart trembled violently.
Their family's luck seems a little bad!
No, this can no longer be described as just bad luck!
During these few months, they thought they had reached a new habitation after a space voyage, only to find themselves plunging into Akatsuki's place of origin...
This is truly out of the wolf's den and into the tiger's lair!
"Alright."
Konan furrowed her brows and lowered her head, saying softly, "Let's quickly resolve everything here... We... actually haven't seen Nagato in a long time... Before you leave us next time, go see him and say goodbye!"
"Yes, Teacher."
As Uehara Naraku's voice fell, his expression suddenly shifted: "Then I hope everyone will surrender obediently before me..."
The air on the Space Ark suddenly began to condense, forming tangible shackles that imprisoned the entire Vinsmoke Clan!
No matter how they struggled, they couldn't break free from the shackles!
"Mr. Judge."
Uehara Naraku walked next to Vinsmoke Judge, smiling as he spoke: "I happened to want to prepare a gift for Lord Nagato. How about using this Ark you built as the gift? This won't be too difficult for you, right?"
"..."
Vinsmoke Judge didn't want to speak.
Is it difficult or not? Doesn't he already know?
No wonder Katakuri suddenly stopped chasing Germa; this Uehara Naraku was just waiting for their Space Ark to be completed...
No, it should be said...
He was waiting for them to drive the Space Ark to this planet and then take it; this guy's personality is just too awful!
"Alright, your journey ends here..."
Uehara Naraku waved his palm, smiling as he opened the door of the Space Ark and stepped out step by step, his voice gradually trailing off: "My journey... is just beginning!"