The North Sea.
On an island dotted with buildings and several vast plazas, soldiers constantly moved about, with guards stationed at every checkpoint.
Every soldier wore identical armor, and their appearances were virtually indistinguishable.
Those unfamiliar with the place might mistake it for a royal palace.
However, the strong figures of the North Sea factions knew this was the stronghold of the Vinsmoke family, rulers of Germa 66.
At this moment, Judge sat upon his throne, with three young children beside him—one girl and two boys.
Besides them, two rows of people were seated below the throne.
These individuals were all captains of the top-ranking pirate crews in the North Sea.
They had gathered here because they had received word that Benzene, the Marshal of the Xuanwu Navy, was personally leading a force to purge the pirate factions of the North Sea.
And now, they were watching a video.
"Judge, I'm taking your head."
"I give you three days. After three days, I will land on this island."
"You can rally all the pirates of the North Sea and prepare to kill me."
"If you cannot, I will make you leave this world forever."
Benzene sat in the captain's seat of the Xuanwu warship, the camera focused on him, his words filled with confidence and arrogance.
Thus, this video was a warning directed at the Vinsmoke family.
Or perhaps, a declaration of war.
This video was not just for Judge, but for all the pirates of the North Sea.
"How arrogant!"
"Utterly arrogant!"
"To disregard us all so completely."
"Do they truly believe the Xuanwu Navy is invincible?"
"We have operated in the North Sea for years, yet even the World Government and the Navy couldn't capture us. What makes the Xuanwu Navy think they can? Just because of him?"
"He's practically courting death!"
"Hahaha, since the Marshal of the Xuanwu Navy has arrived, let us join forces to capture him, prove our might, and quash the arrogance of the Xuanwu Navy. Even better, we can counter-attack the Xuanwu Navy and occupy the East Sea."
"An excellent idea!"
"Hahahaha!"
…
With each word spoken, the captains, indignant and enraged by Benzene's blatant disregard for them, also found themselves intrigued by the prospect of capturing the Xuanwu Navy Marshal and pushing into the East Sea.
Judge, seated on his throne, listened to the pronouncements of the pirate captains below, feeling a surge of contempt.
Without these individuals, Judge was confident he could repel the Xuanwu Navy's assault.
Germa 66 had soldiers who feared no death; they could produce as many as needed and equip them with formidable gear.
Even if the Xuanwu Navy soldiers were powerful, he believed his own men could overcome them.
As for Benzene, he had to admit his strength, but what of it?
Even the strongest individual would eventually succumb to concentrated firepower.
However, having these pirate forces around would reduce some of his own losses. Furthermore, their presence would consolidate more power, making his domain stronger and giving him more leverage when dealing with the World Government.
The tribute of Celestial Gold, while granting him protection from the World Government, was not a long-term solution.
As soon as the World Government deemed the Vinsmoke family no longer useful, they would not hesitate to strike.
Especially after witnessing the technological prowess displayed by the World Government, Judge's apprehension grew.
…
In the North Sea, on an uninhabited island.
This was a temporary branch established by the Xuanwu Navy's North Sea Fleet.
Gintoki Sakata and Yelu Siji, after being attacked and breaking out of encirclement, had returned here successively, preparing for the next move.
"Still not dead?" Benzene looked at Gintoki Sakata's abdomen, the blood-soaked bandages, and said calmly.
Gintoki Sakata stood at attention, clad in a black admiral's cape, and smiled, "Almost died."
"But I am blessed with great fortune. I will not die until I have helped the Marshal overthrow this world's old system."
Benzene nodded, then turned his gaze to Yelu Siji beside him.
The lower half of his left arm was missing.
Otherwise, he appeared quite spirited.
"Can you still wield the iron staff?" Benzene inquired.
Yelu Siji replied with a serious expression, "No problem, I can still fight."
Benzene's gaze then swept over the soldiers behind them. Many bore injuries to varying degrees. Those remaining unharmed were mostly Xuanwu Navy soldiers deployed elsewhere who had not yet participated in the battle.
Now that Benzene had declared war on the Vinsmoke family, Gintoki Sakata naturally recalled all the Xuanwu Navy soldiers stationed at various bases in the North Sea.
On the way back, many soldiers had been ambushed. However, after paying a small price and eliminating their attackers, they had successfully regrouped.
"Eat this!"
Benzene tossed two Senzu Beans, speaking calmly.
Gintoki Sakata and Yelu Siji each caught a Senzu Bean. Unlike Yelu Siji, Gintoki Sakata had eaten a Senzu Bean before, so without hesitation, he put it in his mouth and crushed it.
In mere moments, Gintoki Sakata felt all his wounds heal and was filled with renewed strength and vigor.
He casually shattered the bandages on his body, revealing smooth skin with no trace of injury.
Although Yelu Siji had heard about it, seeing Gintoki Sakata's injuries heal almost instantly still shocked him.
Without further delay, he consumed the Senzu Bean.
A slight tingling sensation spread through his wounds, and then they all healed.
The tingling was more pronounced at his severed left arm, and then, before the eyes of everyone present, his missing limb began to regrow.
Yelu Siji clenched his fist, feeling power surge through him, and then burst into excited laughter, "My arm has grown back!"
"Finally, I don't have to be a one-armed man anymore."
Hearing this, Gintoki Sakata's expression shifted slightly. He instinctively moved away from Yelu Siji, a hint of wariness in his eyes.
Yelu Siji, oblivious, continued to laugh excitedly.
Seeing Gintoki Sakata's reaction and hearing Yelu Siji's words, Benzene immediately understood what Gintoki Sakata was thinking, and his mouth twitched.
This fellow had a rather crude mind.
"Board the ships, set sail!"
Benzene turned and walked towards the Xuanwu warship.
Gintoki Sakata and Yelu Siji, along with their respective troops, boarded the warships and set course for the Vinsmoke family's stronghold.
As the grand fleet of the North Sea Navy set sail, the news once again spread, drawing everyone's attention.
While many were curious how Benzene would annihilate the Vinsmoke alliance, they were also eager to see if Benzene would falter in the North Sea.