In the palace of the Germa Kingdom, the Revolutionary Army officers held a cordial meeting with the Queen of Germa.
Neither side had expected their first encounter after the previous conflict to take place in this manner.
Thanks to Michael's presence, the Germa Kingdom and the Revolutionary Army naturally became allies.
Especially after Sora learned in detail about Michael and the true objectives of the Revolutionary Army, she did not hesitate to join their cause.
Before becoming a queen consort, she had merely been an ordinary civilian drifting across the seas.
Though she knew the task ahead was difficult, just like the meaning of her name, she was born yearning for the sky and freedom.
"The Germa Kingdom is willing to share all its technologies with the Revolutionary Army, except for the clone soldier technology," Sora nodded. "The Germa Kingdom will become the Revolutionary Army's most steadfast ally in the North Blue."
"Your Majesty, with Michael here, I trust your promise."
Dragon did not mince words with Sora and readily agreed to the terms.
As for the clone soldier technology, he also believed it was best to keep it sealed away within the Germa Kingdom.
Thinking this, Dragon once again glanced at Michael, who was currently holding Crocodile's hand to read her palm.
Every time the Revolutionary Army faced a turning point or a difficult challenge, as long as Michael was present, things would inexplicably lead to the best possible outcome.
Who could have imagined that their greatest enemy in the North Blue would, after a coup, become their closest ally in theory?
The new queen was the Chief of Staff's sister? How could anyone have predicted that?
*****
"How are the three little ones—Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji—doing?"
After the meeting concluded, Michael saw off the Revolutionary Army officers heading to other nations in the North Blue before returning to the royal chambers.
As soon as he opened the door, three small figures of different colors rushed towards him.
Unlike Reiju and Sanji, who obediently called him "Uncle," these three seemed unaccustomed to the sensation of having emotions.
The moment they saw Michael, they instinctively charged at him.
The modifications to their Lineage Factor had indeed turned them into born war machines.
Though Michael effortlessly blocked their attacks, the three brothers, at just three years old, already possessed combat abilities comparable to an ordinary clone soldier.
While this strength meant little to him, it would undoubtedly shock the outside world if discovered.
After all, an ordinary clone soldier could easily take on ten regular people barehanded.
"Ichiji! Niji! Yonji!"
Sora's voice came from behind Michael, and she quickly ran over, gathering the three children into her arms.
Though they lacked emotions and had never even looked at their frail mother with genuine recognition...
How could she blame them?
She only blamed Judge, the true culprit who had long since lost his humanity.
"Mo... mother."
Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji were enveloped in this warm, gentle embrace.
Though they struggled instinctively at first, they soon fell into confusion.
Having never experienced emotions before, they did not understand what this meant.
Yet, for some reason, this embrace made them feel...
A sense of belonging.
"My children, my children..."
Sora held her children tightly, their emotions now restored, as she repeat these words over and over again.
Michael sighed and patted Sora's shoulder.
A touch of Holy Light soothed Sora's turbulent emotions.
"Thank you, Michael. I'm fine now."
"Though we only met today... don't say thank you to me." Michael shook his head. "We're siblings—siblings who staged a coup together. That counts as sharing life and death, doesn't it?"
"Yeah..." Sora said, releasing the three children. "Ichiji, Niji, Yonji, this is your uncle."
"Uncle? What's an uncle?" Yonji wore the expression of someone utterly uncultured.
"An uncle is our mother's brother," Ichiji said, giving Yonji a disdainful look. "You and Niji should really read more books."
"...I didn't say anything? Why drag me into this?" Niji protested, glaring at his eldest brother, Ichiji.
Though the three brothers were arguing, compared to their former selves—cold, emotionless war machines—they were undeniably lively now.
The presence of emotions was unmistakable at a glance.
"Seeing this scene... I'm so happy."
Sora's eyes reddened slightly, but no tears fell.
Instead, she wore a blissful smile.
"Mom! How are those three idiots doing?"
"Yeah, yeah! Are those emotionless idiots salvageable?"
Reiju and Sanji burst through the door.
Michael observed them, noting how they called them "idiots" but their eyes betrayed their genuine concern.
He nodded thoughtfully.
At this point, it seemed the three brothers hadn't yet bullied Sanji under Judge's orders.
So Reiju and Sanji still saw them as brothers.
"With me here, of course it was a success," Michael said, ruffling Reiju and Sanji's hair. "I'm an angel, after all. An angel."
"...Angel wings must be a great ingredient, right?" Sanji looked up at Michael's wings with envy.
"Right, Uncle?"
"...Is there anything else in that head of yours?" Michael flashed his trademark gentle smile while pinching Sanji's cheek.
"Don't push your luck, you little curly-browed brat!"
"I know Sanji's words weren't great..." Reiju pointed at her own face and retorted, "But out of everyone here, five of us have curly brows! Uncle, you should specify—it's this yellow curly-browed one!"
Michael couldn't help but smile at his sharp-tongued niece.
With a mouth like that since childhood, no wonder her codename as an adult was "Poison Pink."
With that thought, he glanced around at these little ones who shared his blood.
If these five could grow up normally under Sora's guidance, they might very well become figures on par with Sanji.
Add in transformation devices suited to their attributes... Even in the New World, they'd be forces to reckon with.
"Sora, have you ever thought about what the children will do when they grow up?"
"Hmm... not really," Sora admitted, shaking her head. "As long as they don't become emotionless killing machines, they can do whatever they want."
"In that case... why not send them to Marine Headquarters?"
"The Marine Headquarters' education for marine descendants is undoubtedly among the best across the entire sea."
"Go to the Marine Headquarters?" Sora's expression was filled with obvious reluctance.
Michael shook his head and smiled.
"It's not like they'll never come back. they'll return every summer and winter, and besides..."
"Trust me, once you officially start working as queen, your reluctance towards parting with the kids will quickly turn into headaches and annoyance."
"As a Rear admiral leading a group of teenage subordinates, I've truly experienced this firsthand."
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