Chapter Text
The world is overrun by wickedness – this is an undeniable fact. No matter the corner of the world, the Blue that you sail, suffering is as bountiful as fish are to the sea and in similarly incalculable forms.
Men struck down for want of their worldly possessions, their bodies callously stripped bare and gifted to the woods, for even closure is too kind of an act for such beasts in human skin. Perhaps there is pride in the slay, like the huntsmen to the deer, guiding them to string the carcass for all to see. Or maybe it was simply mindless passion, destruction unguided by reason or value.
Kingdoms toppled mindlessly, as common greed darkens the feeble-minded or blind hubris feeds the power-hungry, just to become another crown, another mark, that will one day be toppled in turn. All the while numerous trade routes fall, alliances shatter, starvation and poverty overtaking former prosperity, spreading discord like a plague amongst the subjects. It takes hold in them, turning gentle lambs into rabid wolves as they seek penance for their suffering. Soon the throne will be bare again yet still warmed by the fresh blood. A cycle endless as it is ruthless.
Islands razed, leaving nothing but the charred remains of its former citizens to greet the rising sun. All sailors that come seeking refuge will find only ash and dust. Not a soul is left to care nor weep for the dead, their culture nothing but words in a book – if even that – and for what reason? Wealth? Power? Fame?
Is that all the loss of innocence is worth? Are their tears, their joy, their light, just a bug to be crushed, so that these… monsters can feel better about themselves?
Death has its place in the world, for it is indeed how the great cycle of life functions – small sacrifices for the greater good that keeps the world turning, water flowing, and the sun rising. Death feeds into life and life into death. Some will be lost prematurely if they find their way in the middle of the fray, but it is a tragic necessity. The many will always outweigh the few.
But monsters, soulless and vile as they are, pay no mind to this holy chain while they burn the world just to warm their feet. Everyday they find new ways to kindle this pyre.
Murder. Theft. Insurrection. Rape. Arson. Bribery. Fraud. Extortion.
Piracy.
Truly, it's frustrating to see how the world has been so steadily overcome by such depravity. Weaker men have broken, giving into apathy or passivity in the face of such adversity. It’s a disgraceful act that can only be forgiven by death, but there is, to an extent, logic behind it.
Sakazuki is no such man.
He yields to no evil, nor will he let their byproducts weaken his resolve. If anything, seeing the fruits of such demented labor only hardens it further, sharpening the edges into a fine form so that he may more efficiently exterminate criminals. If he has to carve out a brighter future with his own two fists, straight through a mountain of pirate corpses, then so be it.
Even so… he cannot deny that there is something unquestionably rejuvenating about his quarterly compliance inspections with Chief Warden Hannyabal at Impel Down.
“-we've also made progress on locating those who demoned themselves away in the lower levels – at least a dozen have been recaptured just this past week alone and are currently being interrogated on the whereabouts of the rest of their ilk.” The Warden spoke calmly as he gestured to the row of tinted windows they were walking past, each leading to different holding cells of said attempted escapees where they were being questioned by guards partnered with the prison's numerous Jailor Beasts. “Chief Guard Sadi has been overseeing the situation and assures me that they are making major progress on weeding out the rest of the pests.”
The Marines faced an endless battle at sea, pirates and revolutionaries alike flooding the world like locusts on a farmers field, so it goes without saying that their work was never done. Sakazuki, for all his willpower and strength, is still a human like any other. Though only death could cease his war against terrorism, even he could admit, privately, that it was disheartening how many such beings darkened their world. You would cut one down, only for another two to pop out not unlike heads of a mythical hydra. And their quest to destroy the heart was a long one, longer yet since Gol D. Roger made a spectacle of himself on the Marine’s dime.
But here, he could truly see just how much they have accomplished. Here, in this underwater prison, absolute justice was being served out to those most deserving of judgement. Level upon level, criminals were facing the consequences of their heinous acts upon humanity. They could scream and beg all they want, put on their faces as though they were actually human like the innocents about sea-level, but they could no longer run from truth or justice while with these walls.
Here, hope could be found.
For a better future, a world without piracy. A world they could be truly proud to serve and protect. This war was not without point – they were making undeniable, valuable progress as each cell was filled by the scum gathered from the sea surface. Each one was a victory for the greater good of the world as delivered by the hardworking men and women that make up the Marines.
How proud Sakazuki was to look upon the residents of Impel Down and think – We did this.
“Once we’re done they'll be moved to the newer cells on Level 5 until further notice… or at least those that survive will. You know how it is.” The warden chuckled as he glanced towards him.
“Hm, yes.” The Fleet Admiral spared no extra glance to the cells nor paid heed to the sounds escaping through whatever small imperfections made up the walls. Whatever justice the mongrels received would likely still be too kind for his taste, but for the most part he trusted the Impel Down staff to make such calls while surrounded by their home walls.
However, there were admittedly some exceptions to the rule, he mused bitterly with a deep-set screw of the lips.
“Keep it up. I want word the instant you apprehend Mr. 2 – his part in the breakout and… alliance with Strawhat has not been forgotten. I will see to his retribution personally.”
These days, those ‘exceptions’ usually involved one damnedable rubber pirate in a strawhat.
‘He cannot evade his damnation forever.’ The Marine seethed internally.
It was because of him that these inspections were quarterly instead of the once standard annual, brought on by the unconscionable large-scale breakout from the prison a little over two years ago. It was one of his first acts as the newly placed Fleet Admiral, striving to see that such a thing would never occur again through more thorough and common inspections of the massive facility. Clearly it needed a heavier hand to guide it, given that not only were both Strawhat and Blackbeard able to break in then back out, but there was a large mass of unaccounted for prisoners somewhere within the walls, if the hoard of degenerates following Ivankov out were anything to go by.
‘Demoned away’, how moronic.
Sakazuki would make sure every last soul was found and soundly reprimanded with extreme prejudice to remind them just where they stood in the world. Mr. 2, who had ensured Strawhat’s escape, would be the face of this movement.
Hannyabal clicked his tongue with a sour expression. “You, me, and half this prison. Of course, I’ll have you on speed dial for the occasion.” He released a low huff. “Moving on, we’ve had the research department maintenanced and outfitted with the latest supplies from Egghead Island…”
The smaller man guided him through a doorway, away from the holdings and into a series of more clinical lodgings. They were lit by bright, buzzing lights, trailing down the long corridor full to the brim with blinking machinery weaved into the walls, the doors, the windows, and even the surveillance den den mushi which made home on the walls. Guards in cybernetically enhanced suits stood tall throughout the space, armed to the teeth with goofily designed guns and tasers that frankly looked more like a child's toy than actual weaponry. Along with them were a good deal of lab coat wearing individuals moving about, who could be anything from physicians or surgeons, to genetics specialists or robotics engineers.
Though a stretch more rough and worn down than similar technology found on the eccentric landform that was Egghead Island, there was a clear touch of Dr. Vegapunk within the department.
“Here we not only handle the more troublesome inmates but also put the vast array of individuals within our confinements to good use!” His chest puffs out as he aims a toothy grin at Sakazuki, hands tugging at his own lapels. “Not only have we been closely studying the numerous devil fruit holders, but we’ve also begun working on those with cybernetic or odd genetic enhancements. While we no longer have King in our possession – the Elder’s requested him again, uh,”
Here Hannyabal deflates marginally before finding a second wind, leading them towards a larger window surrounded by a group of muttering scientists holding clipboards.
“But! We do have Queen, wholly subdued and have been making steady work of disassembling his cybernetics. Which there are a lot of. He’s frankly more machine than man at this point. I can’t say I fully understand it all, being a Chief Warden and not a scientist or what-have-you, but I’ve been told nothing but good things in this regard.”
Equal parts irritation and pride rushed through his veins, boiling hot as it poured into his core. ‘Don't they have better things to do than get in our way? Have they learned nothing?’
For all his loyalty towards the noble blooded elites above him, Sakazuki finds the Elder’s constant scheming and esoteric interference to be a continuous thorn in his side. Absolute justice is not something easily obtained while handling his own myriad of subordinates and associates, so it would be appreciated if those old codgers stopped dragging their corpses in his way. The outcome at Wano is just the most recent and glaring example of how cumbersome their efforts are – they, along with Cipher Pol, are the entire damn reason Strawhat was somehow able to awaken his baffling Devil Fruit. They should have stayed out of it and left the pirates to their own devices, let them fight it out amongst themselves in hopes of mutual destruction.
Clearly, that was asking too much.
Acquiring the remnants of the Beast Pirates was a decent enough consolation prize, particularly the aforementioned Lunarian, so of course the Elder’s would sequester it back off for their personal studies.
Queen wasn't too shabby of a catch either, but the Fleet Admiral doubted there would be much of value to actually learn from him. Vegapunk far outclassed the pirate in both raw intelligence and ingenuity, granting them invaluable tools like the Pacifista or Seraphim, so despite whatever grand ‘advancements’ the other claimed to achieve, it would be unlikely to measure up well in the grand scheme of things.
For now, the knowledge that another loathsome ‘plague’ upon mankind had been apprehended, tucked away in their own personal hell-hole to suffer for every crime they ever committed, would have to tide him over.
Plus, Ryokugyu supposedly did quite a number on the man.
Pushing past the simpering scientist crowding around the window, who scattered like roaches upon realizing who he was, Sakazuki drank in the sight beyond as Hannyabal joined him once more.
It was quite clear to anyone who knew him that Ryokugyu was indeed the one to capture the belligerent mad scientist, the tell-tale signs of his preferred methods of apprehension obvious in the way that the once ‘larger than life’ man’s skin wrinkled and bunched up over his thin, boney figure. Queen’s much loved fat could no longer be found anywhere on his body, a fact probably exacerbated by his stay within the prison. He could easily be confused for someone fresh off of Level 3.
Along with that, he was missing both legs, part of his left arm, and had his chest cavity opened to reveal a peculiar mixture of flesh and technology. Despite that, he seemed to be suffering no current discomfort as he laid spread out on the examination table, his single arm strapped down in numerous areas while metal – or perhaps seastone – cuffs were snapped over his neck, waist, and joints, his mouth still running freely as he tried to goad the woman overseeing his dissection. Unlike the previous area, sound traveled freely here through a speaker just below the windows ledge, beside a number of buttons and one single small den-den mushi.
“-ere are other ways to get into my goods, honey, if you really wanted a fun ride all you had to do was ask! I may not be as full figured as before, but you’re still welcome to aaaaaall the Queen you need! Muhahaha-!”
The woman, eyes mostly hidden behind shaded glasses, hardly bothers to glance his way from where she observes some square bobble most recently removed from his chest. “Unfortunately for you, even with all the fat in the world you’d never be enough man for me. Now, King, on the other hand-”
Beady eyes bulged from his skull, red and veiny. “HAAAA?! That pathetic bastard?! That mangy rat with wings has NOTHING on MY genius-”
“Domino is personally making sure he’s kept properly detained as they disassemble what they can and run tests.” A chuffed Hannyabal chimes in. “She’s also been probing him, as well as the rest of the Beast Pirates, for whatever information we can get in regards to Wano, Kaido, the Strawhats, etcetera, etcetera.... That’s the only thing keeping us from gagging him or removing his vocal chords at this point. He’s…”
“-AND THE FUCKING SHEDDING! Not just feathers, oh NO, but his damn HAIR! Always getting in my red bean soup! Shoulda just shaved it all off, seeing as he was just gunna hide in his lil gimp suit-”
“...chatty.”
“Which only makes him more likely to give us what we desire. Arrogance loosens unwise lips.”
“Very true!” He then picks up the resting snail, holding it up for Sakazuki to see. “The speaker system also allows us to hear in so we can observe in full, but if we need to relay anything to those within, you just hit the green button below and the den-den will connect to hidden baby ones on those inside. The prisoner will be none-the-wiser, so there’s no concern of alerting them or leaking confidential information.” Gently, he places the snail back down. “We hope to implement something like it on a wider scale, but it’s slow going. It’s not exactly the most comfortable feeling, bit too slimy for my liking, but what can you really expect-”
Sakazuki tunes out the other man’s babbling, focusing entirely on the people on the other side of the window work. He can’t help the way his eyes draw to the open chest, to the organs and visible beating heart that lay within. Despite the many augmentations corrupting his form, it still appears the same as the hearts beating within his jailers and Sakazuki’s own warm bodies.
Human, yet inhumane.
How can they be so similar when one takes such joy in spreading evil into the world?
“-and for such an OH-SO MIGHTY Lunarian, he still lost to a tiny, pathetic runt of a human! Not even a Devil Fruit user or cyborg! Just some fucking regular ass flesh bag! Muahaha, could he BE more worthless?!”
“He lost to swordsmen. You lost to a cook. What’s your excuse?”
“HA-that damn sorry-ass Vinsmoke BARELY won and even a failure of an experiment is worth more than an average man! Witless little fool even had to call his buddy for a little pep-talk ‘cuz he’s such a sniveling baby! ‘Oh, woe is me, my daddy tried to make me useful, but, boohoo, I can’t handle that! Kill me if I go CRAAAAAZY! Waaaaah!’” Queen tries to laugh again, but it turns into strangled wet coughs and wheezes as he squirms against his cuffs, spittle flying everywhere. “Not that Roronoa had a problem with that – probably can’t wait to put that Vinsmoke brat six feet under, I know I sure couldn’t – but it’s just so CUTE how stupid they are! Fucking around during a damn fight, little shit-head-”
The Fleet Admiral’s eyes narrow.
Roronoa and Vinsmoke.
Pirate-Hunter and Black-leg.
It’s the Strawhats, of course, being the ones who brought the Beast Pirates to their knees and ended a 20 year era of Kaido’s reign in Wano. The World Government knew that much, even if the finer details were hidden behind mountains and mountains of bureaucracy and red tape.
(Damn the Five Elders and their secrecy.)
But the picture was certainly becoming clearer.
So Pirate-Hunter took down King while Black-leg handled Queen… It made sense, given what they knew about the ‘wings’ of Strawhat Luffy. Right and left hands conquering another set of right and left, giving way for a new tyrant to take the lead. Sounds about right for their breed.
Though this was quite the development wasn’t it? Some sort of death pact?
“-still Judge’s brat through and through, whether he likes it or not! No one can outrun science! Not him, not King, not even you, Sweetcheeks! And I know I saw! A sword shattering against Haki-bare skin, a broken body snapping back into place like it was metal, bright blue flames without a Devil Fruit – does that sound human to you?!”
“It sounds like you just like to hear yourself talk.”
It was no secret that Pirate Hunter and Black-leg held great mountains of animosity for each other – they lost nearly as many men to the two buffoons in-fighting as they did direct combat – them killing each other would be the natural conclusion. Such a thing made far more sense then continuing to sail together in relative peace. With King and Queen, another pair that had no lost love, there was at least some semblance of self-control to keep them from self-destructing. Something the neophytes had absolutely none of.
If he had more free time – the downside to being Fleet Admiral, forced to sit away in his office delegating work more often than not – Sakazuki would go to great lengths to learn just what it was that Strawhat had on them that kept them in line. It was just another factor that made him so dangerous, such an undisciplined and lackadaisy leader yet somehow he still managed to tame the Pirate-Hunter then groomed a warmonger prince to be his cook, of all things, all the while keeping their mutual bane in check.
Whether it be pure strength or underhanded manipulation that gave him his control, it went without saying that the capricious pirate was not one to be underestimated.
‘Perhaps we’ll get lucky yet and have the two actually tear out their own throats.’ He thought with an uptick of the lips.
Hell, it might even take Strawhat down a peg or two. The possessive brat hated losing whatever he considered his – just look at his little fit at Sabaody or when he finally fell Fire-Fist at Marineford… No better than a mewling newborn. And then he dares storm an Emperor’s territory with barely half of his crew, all because his precious prince had a family call?
It was a recipe for disaster in their favor. His obsession with his underlings would eventually be his downfall – not by any outside force, but by own precious wings, just like the fabled Icarus as he flew too close to the holy sun…
Sakazuki's chest tightened as anticipation started to build up, each thought flowing faster and faster than the last.
Corpses of the Strawhat Pirates, laying dead from the hands of their own protectors.
Less lives of true Marines wasted on them, less wasted resources, just their own dirty blood coating swords and legs.
The image of Strawhat's miserable form as he sobbed over Fire-Fist's quickly cooling corpse burned into his mind's eye.
Will he cry over his subordinates as they gut each other just as he did his so-called ‘brother’?
Will he betray one for the other?
Will he do nothing, not willing to break either toy?
Would this drag Flame Emperor Sabo – another supposed ‘brother’ if Fujitora's word was worth anything – from whatever crack he holed away in to lick his wounds?
Or maybe Dragon would finally step away from the shadows, seek vengeance for his little bastard, neck stuck out to greet Death's scythe freely?
The Monkey bloodline meeting its gorey end.
(Perhaps Garp would at last crack too, showing the true colors hidden beneath the white coat he claims to serve, giving Sakazuki the freedom to finally, finally end the traitorous coward.)
'Why leave it to luck's feeble hands when his own achieved so much more laudable results?'
“-anyone with half a brain would revel in that power yet he was too busy moping ‘cuz some common whores were mean to him! ‘Kill me if I’m not myself’-- PAH! Hey, think he’d cry if I told him he’s the spitting image of-”
Judge.
‘That's it.’
Beneath his feet, the floor begins to smoke as the heat of his excitement seeps out and his veins take on an orange glow not unlike streaks of lava flowing through cracked volcanoes.
“-it took us days to find the rest, for such slow creatures they can really move when they want to, and admittedly there are a lot of crevices for them to hide away in. But they're back in Development's hands to be outfitted with the usu-uh?!”
Hannyabal's ramblings stopped with a squawk as he was shoved away from the window, jaw hanging free as Sakazuki none-to-gently slammed the green button and the den-den mushi beside it shot awake. The speaker piece cracked ominously in his grip when he brought it to his lips.
“I want every iota of information you can get from Queen on his run in with Black-leg.” Inside the room Domino barely kept from jolting at his voice, unlike the scientists (one sending what looked like a chunk of an organ flying across the room in shock). “I don't care how inconsequential it may sound, note everything. I don't want a single detail missed.”
Gacha.
Spinning on his heel without a second thought, Sakazuki marched away, each step sizzling against the shiny metal floor.
“F-Fleet Admiral?” Exclaimed the stunned Warden. “Where are you going?”
“I've seen what I needed to. The inspection is over. I have more important duties that require my immediate attention.” There was no time to waste, the sooner he acted the sooner they could finally end this affliction which threatened all that was just in the world.
“But-but I still haven’t shown you our newly improved waterboarding center! We now have freshwater options for fishmen and saltwater for Devil Fruit users, along with an increased range of temperatures from as cold as semi-perma frost or as hot as – and you’ll love this – the molten core of a volcano!”
“Save it for next time.” His stride never faltered.
He had a meeting to set up.
Sitting across a wide table from him, Vinsmoke Judge eyed the Marine Fleet Admiral cautiously. Beside him sat the eldest of the crown princes, Vinsmoke Ichiji – also known as Sparking Red, eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses that clashed with his otherwise princely garb, yet an almost condescending smirk sat solidly on his face.
(An unusual change of pace. In all previous meetings to date he was accompanied by the crown princess. ‘What brought about this deviation’, he wondered.)
While Germa 66 was a recognized kingdom and had lended their strength and resources to the World Government in the past, following the near alliance with the Big Mom Pirates, communications were strained to say the least. Along with that, it was no secret that they had taken Caesar Clown into their fold. The connection with known criminals was disappointing but not entirely unforeseeable. Judge's desire for power to reclaim the supposed former glory of their crown was clear as the sky was blue.
For now, though, Sakazuki would look the other way. There were bigger, far more dangerous fish to fry.
“Good evening, your majesty. It's truly generous of you to take the time to meet with us on such short notice.” He greeted amicably.
The other man’s dark eyes held his own gaze unflinchingly. “It's of no concern. Germa 66 is always willing to lend itself to an ally like that of the Marines.”
Which is why they tried to team up with one of the Emperors?
Sakazuki wills down a scoff. ‘Later.’
“And we thank you for such devotion.” He replies instead, tones kept carefully even. “Your forces have been immeasurable aids in the pursuit of Justice. We have achieved many monumental victories in partnership.”
“Am I to assume that partnership is being requested today? The correspondence seemed rather vehement in our attendance.”
Well, if nothing else, he can thank Judge for being direct and no nonsense. No sense in dancing around the point for too long.
“Something of that sort.” Leaning back in his chair, Sakazuki hummed low in feigned thought. “I presume you have heard about the fall of Emperor Kaido and the Beast Pirates in Wano, yes?”
His face tightens but the supreme king nods slowly. “We have.”
“And you know who it was that brought their downfall?”
“...We do.” A glare is now freely shot at the Marine. “If you have a point, I would implore you to get to it. I do have a kingdom to run and I would assume you an armed force.”
(If Sakazuki didn't know better, he would say the crown prince's smirk almost seemed to grow at his father's ire.)
“At ease. There are no enemies at this table.” He says at last, shooting the king a tepid look of his own before leaning forward to carefully slide over an overflowing manilla folder. “You see, we recently apprehended what is left of the Beast Pirates. Included in that mix is someone I'm sure you're quite familiar with – Queen the Plague.”
“You could say that.” Not that he looked very enthused at the thought, Judge's nose scrunching up as if he was faced with a pile of rotting garbage.
“Well, he was certainly familiar with you. Holds quite a grudge, though it seems to have shifted targets as of late. During our investigations, it came to light that it was your wayward son that took him down.”
Sakazuki be damned if that didn't cause an absolute rainbow of emotion to cascade over Judge's face, from eyes-wide shock to cocky glee to profound indignation and so on, each fighting for dominance as the king tried to find the right thing to say in response.
Eventually he found his words, face settling for a return to sour displeasure. “If you're talking about Black-leg Sanji, then I'll have to correct you. That… boy is no son of mine. We have no allegiance with him.”
“Is that so? Queen seemed quite adamant that he was no different than any other of your progeny.” Sakazuki lightly tapped his fingers along the folder.
Judge sat back, arms crossing over his chest with a sound huff. “Queen is an imbecile with delusions of grandeur, not that he would have any proper insight to the goings-on of our family to say. His judgement can hardly be trusted.”
“Perhaps,” He certainly isn't the only delusional one, but the Fleet Admiral held his tongue, instead flipping the folder open to pull out copious notes and pictures. “Yet on further investigation to verify the credibility of his claims, we found that they didn't seem too far from the truth either. Or at least, they would seem right at home amongst a report of your kin's own triumphs.”
There's a beat of silence as his words are considered, Judge squinting at him with barely concealed curiosity. “Just what sort of ‘claims’ are you speaking about?”
He slides out a handful of pictures, courtesy of the Beast Pirates own security measures. “A body broken beyond all repair somehow able to stand back up and right itself. A sword snapping clean in half while the head is unblemished by either Haki or wound.”
It had taken quite a bit of convincing with the Five Elder but Sakazuki eventually got through to them, and in turn, much of what Cipher Pol had gathered during their romp in Wano was made available for his disposal. With the knowledge of what exactly they were looking for, it didn't take long to locate the evidence. The battle between Black-leg and Queen was a rather pathetic display, if you asked him, with far more running and hiding than was honorable – Pirates, he supposes.
But the parts that stood out were truly remarkable.
Even with his body crushed, he somehow righted those broken bones without a single flinch, pushing them back into place as though they were mere strands of hair flying against the wind. It was inhuman.
And familiar.
Given his wide eyes as he took in the photographs before him, Judge agreed. Even the prince seemed intrigued, his vague smirk falling away as he leaned closer, replaced by arched brows.
“That’s…”
“The way he corrects himself is quite curious, no? I don't think any regular man could do the same. And as someone who has worked with you in the past, I must say I was quite surprised. It was as though I was watching your…” The Marine’s eyes darted to Ichiji, who was still peering at the pictures in thought. “Elite task force at work.”
The king seemed at a loss for words, gently picking up the photo of his third son snapping his broken neck back in place. “I don't understand… How is this – his enhancements never developed.”
Sakazuki shuffled through the folder, looking through the various gathered pictures. “He wouldn't be the first late bloomer to exist.” He states as he finds the pictures he was looking for, opting this time to hold the bundle out for the other to take. “This was something I personally spotted whilst going through our intel. I almost thought it was a technical error or the mistake of an eye… Yet we spotted it again and again.”
Judge stared at the top photo blankly, eyes roving over it in question before he suddenly gasped. He yanked it away, moving to the next picture, and then the one after that, each quicker than the last, then jumping through them wildly after he reached the end. They may be the most grainy and low-quality of the bunch, but that is what happens when you blow up shots to focus on smaller details.
“Tell me, your majesty. Which way is the curl supposed to go?”
Roping in a few extra eyes, Sakazuki had double checked that he wasn't seeing things from over-exertion. Such a minute detail, they nearly missed it, focused so closely on his injuries. Yet once spotted, he couldn't stop seeing it. He couldn't spot the exact moment it happened, but at some point during their little battle, Black-leg's eyebrow changed.
“It is one of their defining traits. Yet shouldn't his eyebrow differ from his siblings?” Here he looks unabashedly at Ichiji. “From where I sit, they look the same.”
There seemed to be a war going beyond the eyes of the king, flashing back and forth between something manic to disgruntled. Finally he sat the pictures down, uncaring as the prince at his side slid them closer to himself, instead watching Sakazuki intently.
“Queen called him a ‘failure of an experiment’. I don't think I necessarily agree with that assessment.” Sakazuki could vaguely feel the king's foot start to tap, sweat beginning to bead down the ruler's face. “Or at least… not an unsalvageable one.”
“What is the purpose of showing me… all of this?” Judge asked mechanically.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Sakazuki let the other’s words hang in the air, tapping a single finger against the grain of the table.
“We have a deal for you.” He replied.
“A deal?”
“We will supply you with all the necessary tools and might to retrieve your… weapon. In return, you will use that weapon–” Eyes reopening, he stares down the king, unblinking and determined. “–to crush Strawhat Luffy.”
The mercenary king jerks as though struck. “You want us to go to war with an Emperor?”
“That hardly seems like an equal trade.” At last the elder prince spoke, both sets of eyes shooting towards him. “In addition, the ‘weapon”, as you call it, would be far from a willing participant. I fail to see what exactly we stand to get from this trade but trouble.”
The words seem to give Judge back his wit. “Ichiji is correct. We are honored that you hold us at the level of an Emperor,” The words come out almost vitriolic, eyes heated as he returns the stare he was given. “But the risk far outweighs the reward.”
He was afraid they'd think that. “True, I can see why you'd think so. But I don't think you're considering the full scale of what we're offering you.”
Interest swiftly returned to Judge. “Then explain; Just what are you offering exactly?”
“We're offering you not just our time, money, and resources, but the aid of Cipher Pol for the actual retrieval process. You tell us what is needed and how to proceed, and it'll be done. Along with that, you will have our full support in repairing the weapon so that it is primed for its use.” Once again Sakazuki leans forward, weight placed fully on his resting arms as his hands laced together. “Support which includes access to our own technology development network.”
“Are you suggesting…?” Judges eyes have become impossibly wide, nearly cutting behind his mask.
“Temporary full access to Vegapunk's research.”
Even with his pride, Judge would be unlikely to turn down such an offer. A chance to peek into the genius, to catch a glimpse in what he's achieved since they each went their separate ways? No matter how badly one wants to surpass a mind like that of Dr. Vegapunk, looking away from his work was as good as looking away from the wheel because you felt you could do better.
“As for the weapon's willingness,” Here he faces Ichiji. “I would think you of all people would understand what these developments would mean in conjunction with our aid in repair.”
The prince says nothing, face falling back into an infuriating yet somehow neutral smirk.
“Still, you're asking for us to take on an Emperor…” Judge's resolve has been clearly shaken, desire for access to the Garden of Eden written all over his face, holding weakly to the last obstruction. “Surely you understand my reservation?”
The reason goes unspoken but not unheard. Seems the mess with Big Mom did leave its mark on the great ruler.
Sakazuki shakes his head all the same. “That would be true for any other Emperor, but I think we both know Strawhat is… unusual in regards to his subordinates.”
Once again the visage of the boy's face, anguished and broken as he sits above his brother's dead body, finds way into his mind.
‘Soon.’
“He is indeed vicious and relentless in his pursuits, but he does have his weaknesses like any other creature.” Unlacing his hands, one taps a picture of Black-leg. “He's possessive. And unwilling to give up on what he deems his. That is something I'm sure you understand.”
Judge scowls in response. “All the more reason not to get involved.”
“Even when his own subordinates may challenge it?”
“Pardon?”
“I told you earlier that Queen faced Black-leg. Well, during their altercation, he claims Black-leg reached out to another Strawhat Pirate – Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro.”
“That seems to be a ridiculous epithet. Can he be both a Pirate and Pirate Hunter?” Quips Ichiji, seemingly unbothered by his father's swift hushing or Sakazuki's sneer, sitting back with a shrug.
“Regardless,” He released a breath through the nose, glancing down at the pictures now covering the table. “Black-leg had him enter an agreement… in Queen's words, to kill him if he ‘loses his mind’.”
Shaking his head, Judge scoffs. “That boy… He continues to spit in the face of evolution, even now. That said, how exactly does that change anything?”
“It changes everything.” The picture beneath his hand began to smoke, middle slowly burning black. “Because Strawhat will do everything to oppose it. He is unreasonable, unrealistic… But time and time again, he has been broken when forcefully separated from his so-called family. And if we consider the lengths he went the last time to retrieve Black-leg…”
He doesn't fight the smirk that pulls at his lips as he meets Judge's eyes, letting the other man ruminate.
“Do you think he'd let Pirate-Hunter kill him?”
“I… You may have a point.”
“So Strawhat will order him not to. That will still leave the bulk of the war to us, won't it?” At least there is no sass in Ichiji's voice this time, instead a small, very miniscule hint of curiosity or perhaps anticipation.
“You've never met the Pirate-Hunter, have you? Yes, Strawhat may try to stop him, but there is no guarantee that he would actually listen. As devoted to his captain as he is, he and Black-leg are far from what I'd call companions.”
“...It's not us you want to fight the Emperor, is it?” Questions the prince softly.
Sakazuki's smirk grows, gritted teeth beginning to peek through. “You're finally catching on.”
“Of course.” Judge brings a hand up to stroke his chin, his eyes wide and calculating, thoughts seemingly running wild as a glaze overtakes them. “In-fighting – you want us to use Sanji as bait to instigate fighting amongst their own crew. Have them destroy themselves from the inside out. They're a small crew, just one or two members turning would cause great unrest. Even if we are forced into direct combat, it most likely wouldn't be against a full or unified group. They'd be weak.”
“Exactly.” He wants to laugh, victory so close he can almost taste it. “If our suspicions are even close to correct, this should cause immense discord amongst the pirates. Even in the worst case scenario, don't forget you'd have a piece of that Emperor’s crew fighting for you.” Sakazuki gripped the burnt picture, letting it crumple in his grip. “He fought and beat Queen as he is. Imagine how much stronger Black-leg would be perfected.”
The tension in the room was thick and heavy, broken only smoke filling the air as the clutched picture now burst into an all out flame.
“No longer the failure, with both your scientific might and Vegapunk's research imbued, he could be Germa 66 crown jewel.”
Judge's breath stuttered.
“He could be the key to reclaiming its former glory. Is that reward not worth the risk, your majesty?”
A fire had filled the king’s chest, seeping out with each erratic breath, not unlike the one which flickered and reflected in his eyes as it ate away at the paper in the Marine’s hand.
Sakazuki grinned.
“Y-”
“Have you forgotten your honor, father?”
Both men jerked, the atmosphere shifting as the prince spoke up, his voice taking on sharp irritation. He stared down his father, who blinked owlishly in return.
Were Sakazuki not utterly enraged at the boy for interrupting, he would almost be impressed by his mettle. Ichiji held firm even as the picture was completely incinerated with one final plume of fire, lava dripping out of his fist to marr the table beneath.
“You made an agreement, father. Whether or not you regret it now is entirely irrelevant.” The boy sits back, leg kicking the table as he crosses them to match his crossed arms. “But I refuse to have less honor than pirates.”
“What are you going on about?” The Fleet Admiral growls in demand once his prattling is finished. “Explain yourself at once.”
“Were you not listening to what I just said?”
‘This brat!’
“You-!”
A fist comes slamming down on the table, the other covering his face as Judge mutters curses into his palm. “No, he's right. Dammit all.” He shifts to press at the bridge of his nose. “We entered our own… agreement with Sanji – Black-leg. He has my word that we would not interfere in his life any farther. And as much as it pains me, I have to agree with Ichiji. I cannot throw away my honor unless I wish to be less than the scum that fill our seas.”
Well.
It isn't what he expected. But nor can he disagree with it. Men are nothing if they can't uphold their integrity, so he is… vaguely moved by the two Vinsmokes' resolve.
‘Even if promises made to pirates are worth less the dirt they walk on.’
It's not like they can't work around it.
“Just his life?” He questions them slowly, letting his thoughts run feely.
“Nor would we bother his companions in the East Blue.” Replies Judge.
“Hm.”
At last, an idea sparks.
“What of his death? Can you interfere in that?”
“What,” Confusion laces the king's voice. “What do you mean?”
“Just as I said – did you make any promises to not interfere after he dies?”
‘Really, it's quite a simple solution.’ He thinks with an amused huff. ‘We did offer our assistance in retrieval.’
“It's simple – seeing as you have an agreement not to bother the boy's life, don't. For better or worse. Let us handle it. He doesn't have to be dead long and I'm sure you could patch him up just fine. You have the tools for that, don't you? And you would still have our aid for what comes after.” Sakazuki bares his teeth in a vicious grin, clasping his hands together once again. “If anything, that may only make your victory more likely.”
Judge seemed to understand, dragging his hand down over his mouth once more as he contemplated the words.
“Rip him away, then dangle a possibility of return in front of their noses, only for it to not be like they hoped… Watch where the chips fall.” Oh, he wished to be a fly on the wall when it occurred. “But it wouldn't be his life that you partake in.”
The king is nodding as Sakazuki speaks, hand lowering to reveal the mad grin slowly returning to his face.
“Black-leg Sanji dies.” He continues. “Vinsmoke Sanji lives. How does that sound?”
Both men look at Ichiji, waiting for him to object.
A shrug. “It's acceptable.”
The Fleet Admiral holds his hand out to the king. “And you?”
Judge barks out a high laugh, his own shooting out to take it into a bone crushing grip even as his glove sizzles against Sakazuki's.
They shake.
“It's a deal.”