185. When the Black Soul Stone Meets Sargeras

Sakazuki, the senior brother, hung up the call amidst Kuzan's dubious voice. He turned around and looked down at the map spread out on the table, focusing on the location of the North Blue.

Besides the already marked Donquixote Family, there were still one-third of scattered red dots dispersed throughout the North Blue sea area.

In Sakazuki's view, this lengthy plan still lacked a crucial preparatory step. And this preparation would directly affect the military power of the North Blue for the next ten, even twenty years.

The Expeditionary Force's legion commander pondered the next plan, while his hands kept moving, dialing another Den Den Mushi: "Fox, it's me."

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, Lindeman awaits your command." The Deceiver, who had been hidden for a long time, answered his boss's transoceanic call immediately. Relying on his steadfast, meticulous, and somewhat perfectionist style, Lindeman had even gained popularity far exceeding Rear Admiral Onigumo within the Expeditionary Legion.

Although Onigumo firmly believed this surge in popularity was because a certain silver-haired fox was better looking than himself.

"Notify Vinsmoke Judge to assist us in initiating the [Dark Soulstone] plan." Sakazuki finally revealed the specific name of the secret mission previously given to Lindeman. (See Chapter 169)

The great spy, who had left the fleet since meeting the Vinsmoke family, had already been assisting the legion's master in quietly starting the layout during the Expeditionary Force's stay in the North Blue.

An invisible net had been laid out back then. With the brewing over the past year or so, Sakazuki felt the time was ripe.

Lindeman nodded at the Den Den Mushi. He didn't mind being Vice Admiral Sakazuki's group pet during leisure time. But during missions, the meticulous legion staff officer was the most ruthless poisoned blade: "Understood, Vice Admiral Sakazuki. I will immediately coordinate with His Majesty Judge's military operations."

He paused slightly, carefully reporting the legion's recent achievements in the North Blue: "Following your instructions, under my codename [Kil'jaeden], I have connected numerous scattered gangs and black market groups, annexing more than half of the arms dealers secretly linked with various North Blue nations."

Coordinating with the legion's covert operations himself, he could still achieve such major actions. In comparison, the Vinsmoke family, a prominent force in the North Blue, was disappointing.

Lindeman hesitated rarely, but still decided to report his speculation to Boss Saka: "But the Vinsmoke family's speed in gathering and integrating the North Blue black market is lower than our expectations... I suspect Judge is not serving the legion wholeheartedly."

But Sakazuki wasn't surprised. He enlightened this subordinate whom he favored quite a bit: "It's only normal that the Vinsmoke family's speed in integrating the North Blue underground black market is lower than our expectations."

"Uh... Are you saying he's doing it deliberately?" The Deceiver heard the implication and asked.

"Of course. Our His Majesty Judge, with his large family and business, naturally has concerns." Sakazuki's finger gently pressed on the map, studying the symbol representing Doflamingo: "Although Vinsmoke is currently cooperating with the Navy, don't forget, from the start of the integration until now, the Navy hasn't lent a hand. You know? Judge is a smart man."

Now, Lindeman completely understood the crux of the matter: "Judge is worried the Navy will sell them out while they are fully offending the vast North Blue black market and underground forces?"

"You know one part but not the other." The cunning "Navy Demon" patiently cultivated his capable assistant's long-term vision: "On one hand, Judge is cautiously encroaching on the territory and resources of the black market and underworld. On the other hand, he is carefully observing the reaction of the Donquixote family, which occupies the largest share of the North Blue underground business."

Sakazuki twitched the corner of his mouth: "That's why I say Judge is a smart man. The Vinsmoke family's integration speed is slow, but it hasn't touched that flamingo's bottom line. He knows that while I'm not personally overseeing the North Blue, completely infuriating that rogue Doflamingo would be seeking death."

"By the way, in a few days, a major figure will enter the North Blue to assist you in completing the mission. Fox, be careful dealing with him." Sakazuki casually picked up a movement report from the table, reminding Lindeman: "He is much more bloodthirsty than Onigumo."

The Vinsmoke family, just mentioned by the two giants of the Burning Legion, hadn't actually been having an easy time lately. Integrating all the underground arms and underworld forces within the North Blue sea area sounded enticing, but in reality, it was fraught with difficulties.

None of those warmongers sitting on stockpiles of weapons were easy targets. Small-time arms dealers were relatively easy to handle, but medium-to-large underworld forces would immediately respond to this kind of black-on-black act of stealing their livelihood and territory with open conflict.

Even the Vinsmoke family, known as the 'War House', was somewhat worried that such multi-front, wide-ranging conflict would attract the attention of the industry leader—the Donquixote family.

Fortunately, a black market arms dealer named [Kil'jaeden] had suddenly emerged in the North Blue at some point, successfully diverting most of Doflamingo's attention.

This newly emerged arms tycoon, through unknown means, started from scratch in a short period, annexing more than a dozen weak underground arms depots.

[Kil'jaeden], who should have been seen by Judge as a competitor in the underground arms industry, had now become a benefactor attracting hatred and gunfire. The Germa Kingdom, already enemies with various North Blue nations, finally gained a slight breathing opportunity while facing the immense pressure of being besieged by both legitimate and illegitimate forces.

Because this [Kil'jaeden], who was making enemies everywhere, hadn't even properly digested the resources and territory just annexed before hastily turning his blade towards the underworld.

Judge could already imagine how this reckless newcomer, unaware of restraint, would be targeted by the established "leading enterprise". He sat waiting for the other party to start a war with the Donquixote family, so he could fish in troubled waters during that period and complete the integration target Sakazuki set for them himself.

However, the silver-haired fox-faced man who abruptly appeared before his bed this morning dispelled the Vinsmoke family's previous plan of watching the fire from across the river.

The King of the Germa Kingdom, just about to call the guards into the room, stared blankly at the identification file placed before him: "You are from the Burning Legion?"

"Navy Headquarters Commodore, Burning Legion Expeditionary Staff Officer—Lindeman pays his respects." This stranger with narrow eyes maintained a polite smile and bowed slightly towards Judge.

"I know you, Lindeman the Deceiver." Judge thought for a moment and stated the visitor's nickname. After all, the War House's intelligence system wasn't just for show; they had some understanding of this rather famous Navy ace spy.

But in the next second, the words of this fox-faced Marine almost made him suspect he had auditory cognitive impairment.

The Deceiver nodded with a smile: "Indeed, it is I. But at this moment, I hope you will address me by the name [Kil'jaeden]."

"Kil'jaeden?" Judge leaped up. This name matched an arms dealer who had risen to fame in the North Blue's underground forces and underworld over the past six months.

How could there be so many coincidences in the world? Judge's mind raced, secretly guessing the vast amount of information carried by the other's name: [Could it be...]

"Let me tell you plainly, I am that arms dealer who suddenly emerged and caused trouble these past six months, and also your competitor in the underground trade," Lindeman couldn't be bothered to beat around the bush anymore, explaining clearly in one sentence.

His Majesty the King of the Germa Kingdom's expression turned somewhat ugly. He clearly understood something from the other's self-introduction: "Hmph, it seems Vice Admiral Sakazuki doesn't trust me. I am clearly his ally, yet deliberately guarded against like this."

Judge felt as if the moment his words left his mouth, the fake smile on the other's face widened by several degrees.

With an unsettling smile, this Navy spy calling himself Kil'jaeden shook his head repeatedly: "Aiya ya, doing this wastes Vice Admiral Sakazuki's kind intentions."

"Kind intentions? Isn't he afraid I'll dominate alone after controlling the North Blue black market?" Judge scoffed at this. If Sakazuki hadn't personally come knocking and forced him into a corner, he wouldn't have wholeheartedly become the Navy's lapdog.

"No, no, no," Lindeman shook his head humbly, yet spoke heart-piercing words, "You are no match for Doflamingo."

He looked up, his azure eyes fixed on the displeased Judge: "If the legion wasn't consolidating the underground weapon supply of various North Blue nations behind the scenes, holding the lifeline of military supplies, making kingdoms that hate you hesitant to act. Do you think you could have survived being pincered by both legitimate and illegitimate forces?"

The Vinsmoke family patriarch's eyelids twitched slightly, finally finding the reason why the North Blue nations hadn't turned against him.

Although the Germa Kingdom's recent integration of underground forces was done secretly, some major powers with intelligence sources knew about this situation.

If their underground arms channels were completely controlled by the Germa Kingdom, then rather than waiting for a slow death, it would be better to attack together. Striking early still offered a chance of victory.

But currently, the arms channels of various North Blue nations were still held by this self-proclaimed underground neutral arms nouveau riche, Kil'jaeden.

"Should I express my gratitude?" Judge's tone was still somewhat stiff, but lacked the previous sense of distance.

"No, I am merely here to inform you, hoping you can cooperate with our legion's military operation codenamed [Black Soulstone]."

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