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Half a month.
After half a month of the Germa 66 army's occupation, the residents of Oblivion Island were growing increasingly uneasy.
Soldiers of Germa scoured forests, mountains, and even forced their way into the homes of the islanders, searching every nook and cranny.
"Still nothing?"
In the middle of a forest, Issho furrowed his brows in frustration.
Little did he know that if it weren't for the fact that the Revolutionary Army was currently under close surveillance by CP0—and that Dragon the Revolutionary didn't want to stir up trouble while they were negotiating to make "Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma a Warlord—the Revolutionary Army's cadre, the "Crimson Vulture," might have already come knocking.
After two weeks, nearly every inch of Oblivion Island had been turned upside down, yet the Devil Fruit remained elusive, leaving Issho increasingly irritated.
"Master, we've found nothing..."
Mike led a squad of Germa soldiers over, offering a bitter smile as he delivered the report.
Even if a Devil Fruit truly existed on the island, finding it wouldn't be easy. Who knew if it was hidden deep underground or tucked away in some obscure corner?
"Keep looking!" Issho could only push harder. If the fruit couldn't be found after all this effort, then perhaps it simply wasn't meant to be his.
Far away in the North Blue.
Headquarters of Germa.
Inside an enormous experimental facility...
"Blurp... Blurp..."
Frowning slightly, Vinsmoke Judge paused his research and picked up the Den-Den Mushi.
"This is Vinsmoke Judge..." He answered. The mollusk imitated a face unfamiliar to him.
"Judge, it's been a long time..."
The voice from the Den-Den Mushi carried a tone both sly and ingratiating. "This is Felte Holz!"
"Felte Holz?"
Vinsmoke Judge raised an eyebrow, his expression turning skeptical. "You're the head of CP7—a busy man. What brings you to contact me personally?"
Germa 66's influence hadn't been built in vain. They had more than a few "friends" within the World Government. After all, who among those in power didn't have skeletons in their closet?
Especially within Cipher Pol, the intelligence agencies directly under the World Government—CP5 and CP9, formerly controlled by Spandam, were no strangers to such dealings.
Felte Holz, the head of CP7, was one of those government officials with "ties" to Germa, though nowhere near as intimate as Spandam had been.
At the end of the day, it was all about mutual exploitation.
For the right price, these opportunistic politicians wouldn't hesitate to throw Germa under the bus.
"Your forces suddenly lingering in Oblivion Island in the first half of the New World, turning it upside down—how could the World Government not take notice?" Such a commotion was impossible to conceal. If the World Government hadn't heard about it, that would indeed be shocking.
"I hear your son, Vinsmoke Ichiji, is searching for a Devil Fruit?"
"What are you trying to get out of me? Or are you just here to mock me?" Judge's tone grew icy, his expression darkening.
He was well aware of Ichiji's actions in the New World and fully supported them.
If Ichiji could obtain a powerful Devil Fruit, it would be a tremendous boon for Germa.
"No, no, don't misunderstand..."
The man on the other end stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the point. "This time, I'm here to propose a deal—one I believe you might find interesting."
"As far as I know, your son Vinsmoke Ichiji hasn't found the fruit he's looking for yet. I happen to have information on a Devil Fruit, and based on its description, it's likely a Logia-type..."
"A Logia-type Devil Fruit?"
Vinsmoke Judge's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't immediately confirm the information. Instead, he asked, "What do you want from Germa in return?"
Logia-type Devil Fruits were incredibly rare and valuable.
Despite Germa's resources, they hadn't managed to find one in all these years. Felte Holz's offer was surprising, to say the least.
"Kill someone for me!"
Holz didn't mince words, his voice dripping with venom. "But he's a member of CP0..."
"CP0?"
Vinsmoke Judge almost laughed in disbelief. His tiger-like eyes glinted with cold fury as he replied, "Are you joking with me? Do you really think I don't know what kind of trouble provoking the Celestial Dragons' lapdogs would bring to Germa? You're the head of CP7—you should know better."
"And let's not forget, your information hasn't even been confirmed to be about a Logia-type Devil Fruit..."
Though Germa had connections with certain officials in the World Government, their influence was limited. Asking for minor favors or leaks of information was one thing, but trying to sway major decisions of the World Government was pure fantasy.
The Cipher Pols were the eyes and ears of the World Government. If Germa had the power to control them, the World Government would have collapsed long ago.
Unlike CP1 through CP9, CP0 was directly subordinate to the Celestial Dragons and known as their loyal hounds.
Provoking CP0 would spell endless trouble for Germa. Worst-case scenario, they'd face an Admiral-led assault from Marine Headquarters!
"I know what I'm asking. But all Germa needs to do is eliminate that bastard for me..."
Holz fell silent for a moment, clearly aware of the risks involved in targeting CP0. Yet, unwilling to back down, he pressed on. "As for the rest, I'll do everything in my power to erase any traces and pin the blame on the Revolutionary Army!"
"How about it? Think it over. Remember, all three of the Admirals at Marine Headquarters are Logia users..."
Vinsmoke Judge's expression wavered. The stakes were enormous, but there were undeniable benefits as well. He hesitated, unsure what to do.
If this deal went through, Felte Holz, the head of CP7, would be irrevocably tied to Germa's chariot.
Assassinating a CP0 official—if exposed—would mean certain doom for Holz.
After a moment of hesitation, Judge picked up another Den-Den Mushi and relayed the message to Ichiji, who was still in the New World.
"A Logia-type Devil Fruit?"
On Oblivion Island, Ichiji was taken aback.
He hadn't expected Felte Holz, the head of CP7, to have the audacity to target a member of CP0.
What kind of grudge or hatred could drive someone to make such a reckless decision?
"This matter carries significant weight. Make your own decision." Vinsmoke Judge trusted his eldest son's judgment.
"Tell him Germa will accept his terms!"
After a long silence and careful deliberation, Ichiji spoke in a low, resolute tone. "But first, we need to confirm whether that fruit is worth the risk..."