However, before his spear tip could reach Rhett, a golden flash of lightning suddenly appeared. Enel's figure instantly materialized in front of Rhett. He caught Judge's spear tip with one hand, letting the electricity rage around him without taking a scratch.
"Old man, your electricity... isn't even enough to tickle me." Enel tilted his head, a mocking smile on his face. "Your son wasn't good enough. Neither are you."
Judge's pupils contracted. Before he could react, Enel's other hand was already pressed against his chest.
"God's Judgment: Thunder Punishment."
"BOOM—!!!"
A thunder pillar several meters in diameter fell from the sky, blasting Judge into the sea and kicking up massive waves.
The seawater boiled. Electricity crackled everywhere. Judge's battle suit was smoking from the extreme voltage. His body convulsed uncontrollably as he barely managed to stay afloat. It was clear that the battle suit wasn't very mature yet. Getting electrocuted made it smoke. In other words, it was weak.
"Father!" Reiju struggled to help, but Moria's shadows held her tight.
"Kishishishi... Not so fast, little girl. Your opponent is me." Moria grinned darkly, using his shadows to slam Reiju onto the deck. Then he stepped on her back. "The technology that Germa prides itself on is nothing but a toy in the face of true power."
Meanwhile, Niji had just climbed back onto his ship from the sea. He was soaked through and a mess. He gritted his teeth and glared at Enel. "Bastard... don't underestimate Germa's power!"
He activated his battle suit's maximum speed, becoming a blue blur as he charged at Enel. Electricity gathered around his fists. He tried to win with a high-speed surprise attack.
But Enel didn't even give him a proper glance. He lazily raised one finger.
"Hmm, electricity."
"CRACK!"
Niji's fist stopped just an inch from Enel's nose. His body was completely paralyzed by Enel's lightning. He couldn't move.
"No matter how fast you are, you can't outrun a 'god's' perception." Enel smiled disdainfully. Then he punched Niji in the stomach. "Discharge: Thunderstorm."
"GUAH—!"
Niji spat out a mouthful of blood. He flew backward like a broken kite and crashed hard onto the deck of the snail warship, leaving a large crater.
All of the young ones were out of the fight.
Now it was two demons at the door. Judge had a predecessor. His name was Kurozumi Orochi. He was still lying underground somewhere, sleeping very soundly.
But Judge wasn't quite on that level yet. He hadn't earned that kind of treatment. Speaking of which, there was another predecessor they could aspire to. Three demons at the door — Kaido. It seemed Orochi was out of luck.
"Kishishishi... The old man has quite a presence, doesn't he?" Moria grinned darkly. His shadows surged like a tidal wave, instantly forming several giant pythons that wrapped around Judge.
Judge snorted. He swung his spear in a wide arc. Electricity exploded, tearing the shadow pythons apart. But the next second, Enel appeared behind him like a ghost. The tip of his golden trident rested lightly against the back of Judge's neck.
"Mortal, your speed... is too slow."
"What?!" Judge's pupils contracted sharply. His battle suit went into overdrive. He spun around and thrust his spear. But Enel had already turned into lightning. The electricity passed through the air harmlessly.
"Raigo: God's Judgment."
BOOM—!
A thunder pillar connecting heaven and earth descended. Judge was hit directly. Sparks flew from his battle suit. He crashed onto the deck, and the snail warship rocked violently.
"Father!" Reiju struggled to get up, but the shadows held her down. Niji had just climbed out of the sea when Moria stepped on his head.
Judge struggled to push himself up. His battle suit was mostly destroyed. The electricity was erratic. He looked up and saw Rhett still sitting on his blood mist throne. He hadn't moved at all. He was just propping his head on one hand, watching the whole thing with interest.
"Damn it...!" Judge was furious. He slammed a button on his wrist. "All troops, attack! Destroy the enemy!"
In an instant, every cannon on every snail warship turned toward the Bruma Jackson. Energy built up. A blinding light flashed.
"Oh? You have more tricks?" Rhett finally raised an eyebrow, but he was still lazy. "Little Enel, old Moria, don't let them bother me while I'm sunbathing."
"Understood, Captain." Enel grinned and raised both hands. "Ten Thousand Thunderbolts: Heaven's Punishment!"
BOOM—!
Countless thunderclouds gathered in an instant. Thousands of lightning bolts fell like a storm. Germa's fleet exploded one after another in the blinding light. Flames shot into the sky.
Moria spread his arms wide and laughed. "Shadow Box: Hell Prison!"
Countless shadows rose from the sea, forming a massive cage that trapped Judge and the three Vinsmoke siblings. Judge attacked the walls of the cage frantically, but it did nothing.
Clone soldiers surged forward like a tidal wave, mechanically and precisely carrying out Judge's orders. They charged at Enel and Moria without hesitation.
Rhett: You have to admit, a huge wave of people rushing at you is quite a sight.
"Kishishishi... They just keep coming, don't they?" Moria grinned darkly. He waved his hands. His shadows turned into countless black blades, instantly cutting dozens of clone soldiers in half.
Enel hovered in the air, flicking his fingers. Golden lightning fell like rain. Each bolt pierced a soldier's chest with surgical precision.
"Ten." Enel counted lazily.
Judge stood inside the shadow cage. He couldn't move, but his eyes were still full of arrogance. "Do you see? Do you see, Rhett? This is Germa's army! Endless, absolutely obedient, fearless! No matter how strong you are, you will eventually be overwhelmed! Do you really think you can fight an entire nation with just a few people?!"
Rhett leaned back on his throne, propping his chin on his hand. He gave a knowing smile. "Keep going."
This was exactly the effect Rhett wanted. Good. Judge was proud of his technology.
To be honest, for a long time, Rhett had been unsure about Judge. He hadn't known how to subdue him in a way that made sense.
Judge didn't seem like a good person. But then in the Whole Cake Island arc, he was redeemed. That made Rhett think he might actually be a good person.
Then it hit him — Murong Fu. A man who would do anything to restore his kingdom. Once Rhett made that connection, his attitude toward Judge, his approach, everything became clear.
Crush him. Make him lose hope. Make him rage. Make him turn dark. Then... hehehe. Give him a tiny bit of hope.
To create a hero, give him a tragic past and a little bit of light. To create a villain, snuff out his hope.
And what Rhett wanted to do was personally snuff out Judge's hope — and then give him a little bit back. Hehehe.