Chapter 79

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Chapter 79: Can There Be Seastone?

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The smiles and handshakes of the two highest-level people at the banquet prompted the journalists to raise their cameras and take pictures, one after another, beneath the frequent flashes.

For the nobles, dignitaries, guests, and wealthy businessmen from North Blue countries present, it was clear they weren't the main focus of this baptism ceremony.

Germa was, naturally, the talk of the event. This military powerhouse, whose citizens possessed terrifying combat capabilities, was known for its aggression and its grand ambition to dominate North Blue. Many countries and nobles in North Blue had lost sleep over it.

If it weren't for the prior mediation by the North Blue Marine, it's estimated that Vinsmoke Judge would have dragged more than half of North Blue into endless wars.

As for the North Blue Marine chief named Rogers Darren, those in attendance held him in high regard. Under twenty, this young man was seen as the true power in North Blue. His fleet was invincible, and his personal strength was unfathomable, overshadowing everything in the seas of North Blue.

"Admiral Darren, I've heard that there have been significant changes in North Blue recently..." said Vinsmoke Judge as he took a glass of wine from a waiter and offered it to Darren, his tone casual.

Darren accepted the wine, took a sip, and replied with a half-smile, "Oh? Which changes are you referring to, King Judge?"

Judge frowned slightly. As a scientist, he had little interest in political games, preferring to crush opponents with his advanced science and military technology.

"Aren't you aware, Admiral?" Vinsmoke Judge took a deep breath, suppressing his irritation. "Your army turned the entire underground world of North Blue upside down, and within less than a month, a kid named Doflamingo and his family entered the underground forces of North Blue. What I'm curious about is whether the rumors are true. Does Doflamingo have a cooperative relationship with you? After all, the rise of the Donquixote Family has impacted the expansion of Germa 66."

Darren swirled the red wine in his glass, watching the liquid ripple along the wall. "King Judge, you should understand my stance toward the so-called underground world," he said with a smile. "As long as peace is maintained, and the rules are followed, I turn a blind eye. Doflamingo is young, but he has quality, which I appreciate."

He touched his glass to that of Vinsmoke Judge's, adding, "If I'm not mistaken, the North Blue Marine fleet is now Germa's largest business partner, right?"

In the original story, the rise of the Donquixote Family in North Blue posed a challenge to the dominance plan of Germa 66. As a last resort, Vinsmoke Judge had to export war to the outside world in the form of mercenaries to achieve his goal of expansion.

Hearing the Marine Colonel's words, Vinsmoke Judge fell into silence.

After a few seconds, his face slowly formed a smile.

"The stability and peace of the North Blue are indeed the most important things."

Suddenly, the housekeeper rang the bell lightly, interrupting the ongoing greetings.

"We now invite the eldest daughter of the Vinsmoke family...the christening ceremony shall now commence!"

Everyone paused their activities and turned their attention.

A gentle-looking woman, her complexion somewhat pale, slowly made her way into the hall, pushing a baby carriage. Flanked by several Germa guards, she walked in with poise. Dressed in a long, white royal gown with no complicated jewelry, her delicate features and slender figure accentuated by only a hint of makeup.

Princess Sora of the Vinsmoke royal family.

'This is Sanji's mother... She does seem very gentle,' Darren thought to himself.

"Admiral Darren, it's our first meeting. Hello," Princess Sora said as she pushed the baby carriage towards Darren, giving a graceful curtsy.

Darren took her hand gently, bowed slightly, and kissed her hand with knightly etiquette. He smiled and said, "I've heard of Princess Sora's charm, and seeing you today, I find it to be true."

He looked at the pink baby girl in the stroller and said with a smile, "This must be Reiju, the eldest daughter of the Vinsmoke family, right? Congratulations to both of you."

"As a token of my appreciation, I have prepared a small gift for little Reiju. Please accept it."

While speaking, he signaled to Flying Squirrel, who promptly approached and handed a list to Vinsmoke Judge's butler.

Though the specific items were not visible from a distance, the dense writing indicated that the gift was far from insignificant.

"I am deeply grateful for Admiral Darren's generosity, and may the friendship between Germa and the North Blue Marine last forever," Sora responded, taking up her wine glass with a slight smile.

Darren clinked his glass with hers and they both drank.

The christening ceremony began shortly after.

Little Reiju, delicate as a doll, was gently placed in a wooden barrel filled with warm water by the housekeeper and baptized before all the guests.

The audience burst into enthusiastic applause, setting the banquet officially in motion.

"May I hold her?" Darren asked, looking at little Reiju in Princess Sora's arms.

After a brief hesitation, Sora replied softly, "Of course."

She carefully handed little Reiju over to Darren.

Holding the baby with pink hair and curly eyebrows, who was nibbling on her finger, Darren felt a moment of bemusement.

This was Sanji's biological sister, the future "poison pink," Vinsmoke Reiju.

He gently pinched Reiju's cheek, mulling over his thoughts.

'Vinsmoke Judge has indeed modified her with bloodline factors,' he concluded.

"She will be the pride of Germa 66," Vinsmoke Judge stated, approaching with a serious tone.

Darren glanced at him and replied with a smile, "I believe so."

He then placed little Reiju back into her cozy crib, stroking her hair and adjusting her little blanket.

Turning to Judge, he mentioned casually, "King Judge, I'd like to discuss a new venture with you."

"Does Germa 66 have any seastone?"