Rhett propped his chin on his hand, listening with an amused smile. Blood mist curled around his fingertips, occasionally brushing against the combat suits with a faint sizzle.
"Interesting little toys." He suddenly reached out and grabbed Judge's shoulder. "But do you know why I'm more interested in your 'Lineage Factor'?"
Judge's body went rigid.
"B-Because..." His throat bobbed. Cold sweat dripped down his temples. The human experiments he had tried to hide. The brutal genetic alterations of his own children. The countless clone soldiers who had died. All of it flashed through his mind like a nightmare.
Rhett leaned close to his ear. His voice was as light as a snake's tongue.
"The next time you give a report and leave out half of it..." The blood mist suddenly wrapped around Judge's throat. "I'll put you in a culture tank and let you experience the 'perfect modification' process yourself."
Judge's pupils contracted to pinpricks. He opened his mouth, but only a choked gasp came out.
"Now —" Rhett let go and leaned back lazily on his throne. "Go prepare a complete experiment report. Including... how you turned your own son into a 'failure.'"
The sea breeze carried the smell of blood across the deck. Judge knelt on the ground, looking at his trembling hands. These hands had created armies. Had modified children. Had even dreamed of conquering the North Blue. And now, they honestly reflected one truth.
He had never been the one in control.
He had just gone from being one tool to being another, sharper tool.
---
Regarding the discussion of Lineage Factor, there were many theories in Rhett's previous life. What was certain was that Germa used Lineage Factor to clone soldiers. In more common terms, it was genetic modification. But Rhett didn't think that was reliable. First, artificial Devil Fruits were created through Lineage Factor research, which was why they couldn't be controlled freely. Or maybe that was just because Caesar's technology wasn't good enough.
But there was also Spandam's sword. And Mr. 4's gun that ate the Dog-Dog Fruit. You could tell Rhett about genetic modification all you wanted. He would just show you his blood mist. Before eating their fruits, those objects weren't even alive.
Judge stood in front of Rhett. "Lord Rhett, do you have any tasks for me? I need to prove my worth. I want to contribute to your cause."
Rhett's fingers tapped lightly on the arm of his throne. Blood mist swirled around him, as if brewing something. Judge kept his head down. The cold sweat on his forehead had not yet dried. The pressure on his shoulders would not let him relax for a moment.
"Judge, I've heard you're quite skilled, is that right?"
"Whatever you need, my lord, I can research it."
Suddenly, Rhett spoke.
"Show me your worth. I want you to build two things."
Judge immediately perked up. A look of focused intensity, unique to a research fanatic, appeared in his eyes. His mind was already racing through all kinds of advanced weapon designs. Energy cannons? Upgraded combat suits? Or...
"First," Rhett held up one finger. "A fully functional baby crib with protective features."
"Rest assured, my weapons are absolutely — crib? Baby crib?!!!!"
Judge's expression froze instantly.
"...Baby crib?" His voice wavered. He wondered if he had heard wrong. He asked again, unwilling to accept it.
"Yes, a baby crib." Rhett repeated lazily. "It needs to be bulletproof. Fireproof. Lightning-proof. Ideally, it should be able to rock itself and play lullabies. Oh, and add a temperature control system. Also, it needs a self-defense system. Even if I throw it into the desert or into the middle of the ocean, the baby inside must remain safe and comfortable."
Judge's mouth twitched. He opened his mouth, as if to say something. But in the end, he just managed to force out, "...Yes, Lord Rhett."
Enel couldn't help but snicker. Moria was laughing so hard his shoulders shook. "Kishishishi... A scientist's new research topic?"
Judge's face turned bright red. But Rhett completely ignored his embarrassment. He slowly pulled a longsword out of the blood mist. It was a replica of the "Ace" sword.
"Second," Rhett tossed the sword to Judge. "Make a sheath for this. It needs to be able to switch between gun, cannon, and sword modes. The switching speed must be under half a second."
Judge caught the sword in a fluster. Finally, something in his comfort zone. He immediately shifted into gear. His fingers traced the blade. His mind was already calculating the mechanical structure possibilities.
"No problem, Lord Rhett! Germa's technology can absolutely achieve this!" His voice finally regained some of its old confidence.
Rhett nodded. Several technicians in white coats walked out of the blood mist and stood respectfully behind Judge.
"These people are yours to command," Rhett said calmly. "How long will it take?"
Judge straightened his back and gave a serious promise. But the next second, he couldn't help muttering, "...So who is the baby crib for?"
Rhett glanced at him. The blood mist in his palm suddenly condensed into a small, blurry baby shape, then instantly dissipated.
"You guess."
Judge: "..."
He decided not to ask any more questions.
"I will get it done immediately. I can have the baby crib finished within a week. But the weapon will take longer. Please forgive me, my lord."
Rhett nodded. "Go ahead. Take your time with the weapon. But the baby crib must be high quality."
Judge turned and walked away. There was even something tragic about his posture. A mad scientist who had dreamed of conquering the world had suddenly been assigned to develop baby products. Well, not "like." That was exactly what had happened.
Moria was laughing so hard he slapped his thigh. "Kishishishi... Take the baby crib seriously. It's very important!"
Enel picked his ear, looking disgusted. "Boring." But the corners of his mouth still turned up.
Rhett leaned back on his throne. The blood mist hid the deeper meaning in his eyes.
"Alright. Stop laughing and get to work." He waved lazily and pointed at Reiju. "You, show us to our lodging. You could use a little initiative."
Why Reiju? Because compared to the others, this girl was more in touch with her humanity.
Meanwhile, Judge stood at the entrance of his laboratory, holding the replica of the "Ace" sword and a stack of baby crib blueprints. He was deep in self-doubt.
"Yes, my lord. Please follow me." The girl was already behaving very calmly, but there was still fear in her eyes.
Rhett nodded. Good. Knowing fear was good.
---
While waiting for Judge to complete his tasks in Germa Kingdom, Rhett and his group temporarily stayed in Germa's side palace. Why the side palace?
That was a question for old Moria and little Enel. Rhett had instructed them not to damage any laboratories. Because in the future, all of them would be his family's assets. And then they went to town on the living quarters. So now, they could only stay in the side palace.