Chapter 275: Ruling Whole Cake, a Fifth Top Officer?
Totto Land, Whole Cake Island.
Half a month had passed since the great war concluded. On this day, the sun shone brightly over Cake Island, and a gentle sea breeze blew.
At the shipyard, under Smoker's supervision, the workers were in full swing, repairing the ships damaged in the war. The sound of hammers and work chants filled the air. Chopper and Bepo were squatting side-by-side at the edge of the dock, munching on cotton candy and watching Smoker's busy figure.
"As expected of Smoker-senpai, he's so tough," Chopper said with admiration. "He was lying in bed unconscious until the day before yesterday, and today he's already doing this kind of heavy manual labor."
His victory against the Sweet Commander, Snack, had caused Smoker's bounty to skyrocket to 830 million Berries. He had not only become the top combatant just below the highest-ranking officers of the Curtain Call Adventurers, but his name had also become famous throughout the world. The title of "White Hunter" was now known across the four seas.
But the price had been steep. It was a victory, but a hard-won, grueling battle. Smoker had not only been turned into a bloody mess and left unconscious for a long time, but both of his ears had been cut off by Snack's sword, leaving him permanently disabled. Chopper had been helpless to fix it, but fortunately, the crew had a professional surgeon in Law, who performed reconstructive surgery on his ears. Outwardly, at least, he looked fine, no different from before. You couldn't even see the stitches.
However, his hearing had been severely affected. In daily life, without using Observation Haki, it was difficult for him to pinpoint the source of a sound. For example, right now—
"Smoker-senpai!" Tashigi hurried over and bowed slightly to a female shipwright. "Garrison Corps headquarters has officially relocated to Cake Island. We need to collect and integrate data from all industries in the new territory. Since you're in charge of the first dock, could you please organize the documents and submit them as soon as possible?"
"Yeah, got it," Smoker said, turning to glance at the female shipwright. "Simple enough. I'll head over to the Garrison Corps tomorrow… Hey, how come your voice sounds so young?" She looks like she's in her forties, but she sounds like a teenage girl.
"?" The female shipwright looked utterly bewildered. What's with these two officers? Why are they talking to me like I'm some kind of signal relay?
"PWAHAHA!" Chopper couldn't help but burst out laughing. He then felt a pang of guilt, realizing it was a bit cruel, and quickly covered his mouth, but his shoulders still shook with suppressed laughter. Bepo's face was also red from holding it in.
After Tashigi left, the little bear and reindeer finally calmed down. Chopper tore off a piece of cotton candy and popped it into his mouth with a blissful expression. "333 million Berries… speaking of which, Tashigi's bounty went up a lot too. It's almost…"
"Almost as high as yours, is that what you were going to say?" Bepo pouted. "You're the great Tony Tony Chopper, who's now considered a troublesome field medic for saving over a hundred people, with a bounty raised to 375 million Berries?"
"Th-that's not it! I wasn't trying to show off!" Chopper squirmed like a noodle, holding his face in his hands. "You bastard! Don't call me that! Even if you praise me, it won't make me happy!"
"You're obviously happy!" Bepo roared, baring his fangs. "Even Law's bounty only went up to 350 million! You've jumped to the number one spot among this generation's Supernovas!"
"Eh? Number one? You bastard! Even if you say that, it still won't make me happy!"
"Give it a rest already!"
Why are these two little ones fighting now? Gin trotted by, an empty strawberry milk carton in his mouth. He glanced over at them. Are they arguing about bounties? Hmm, what's my latest bounty again?
Gin racked his brain. I think it's 700 million, just 20 million less than Nojiko, who beat Perospero. I took down that Tamago guy and sent a dozen other pirates with bounties over 100 million flying, so the Marines are taking me more seriously again. What a headache. Does this mean I'll have to deal with even more troublesome opponents next time? Sigh, if I get seriously injured, how can I enjoy my milk while sunbathing?
He tossed the empty carton into a trash can, flicked his tail, and decided to ignore Chopper and Bepo's bickering. He broke into a run, leaving the dock behind. The wind whistled past his ears as he picked up speed, crossing the open fields and entering the bustling town.
The residents waved and smiled as he passed. Some children even gathered around him, laughing and playing.
So, I'm being accepted more and more. Gin keenly felt the change in atmosphere. Every day since they had arrived on Cake Island, he would go to the coast, drink his strawberry milk under the sun, and then run back. In the first few days, the citizens of Whole Cake Island were clearly wary of the Curtain Call Adventurers and would nervously avoid him. But now, even the children dared to approach him.
As expected of the master.
Gin thought lazily. The things that humans called "politics" were the most troublesome and boring things in the world. He didn't understand them and didn't want to. All he knew was that after his master took control of Whole Cake Island, he had swiftly enacted a series of new policies. For example, he had abolished the "soul tax" that was collected every six months, without raising other taxes. He had further solidified policies ensuring the equal coexistence of all races and allowed them to move and settle freely among the islands. He had also carefully screened the members of the former Charlotte Family, allowing those who were willing to serve and didn't have a history of evil deeds to keep their positions and help manage the affairs of the nation.
These measures had quickly put the anxious residents at ease, and they had even developed a sincere gratitude and loyalty towards their new ruler. After all, while life in the old Whole Cake Island was happy, it also had its hidden dangers. Compared to the moody, life-stealing hag, their new ruler, Lord Shane, was not only just as powerful and able to protect them in this chaotic era, but he was also benevolent and generous. No matter how you looked at it, he was a better ruler!
"Lord Gin!" A little girl with pigtails shyly offered him a newly opened carton of strawberry milk. "I heard you like this, s-so this is for you…"
Gin looked down. Hmph, it's not my favorite brand. It's no different from toilet cleaner. But since the kid is so sincere, I suppose I can deign to drink it.
"Thank you, Lord Gin!" Seeing him accept her gift, the little girl jumped for joy, and the other children cheered. The braver ones even came closer, wanting to touch his silver fur.
Hey, hey, don't push your luck, kids. Gin rolled his eyes but didn't move away. He lowered his head and focused on lapping up the milk, letting the little ones pet him. He was used to being tormented by a certain orange-haired demon, so he had a soft spot for children. He had plenty of fur, so a few pets wouldn't hurt.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a mosshead and a curly-brow fighting and swearing as they passed. Why are those two idiots still fighting? Ever since the bounties were announced, they've been at it for over ten days. They start fighting the moment they see each other… Gin glanced at them and then looked away. He had no interest. He lay down lazily, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the sunshine and the children's laughter. This is the life. Hehe, the master is probably still in the castle, tearing his hair out over all that work.
Cake Chateau.
The overly sweet, fairy-tale-like decorations had been removed, leaving only the castle's main structure. It now served as the headquarters for the Garrison Corps and the new political center of Shane's domain. Big Mom's former throne room had been converted into a grand council chamber. Departments for finance, trade, agriculture, industry, shipyards, personnel, and more had been established, and a large number of staff worked there every day, processing and approving various documents.
Shane stood alone on a terrace, leaning against the railing with a cup of coffee, looking perfectly at ease. Contrary to Gin's imagination, he was actually quite relaxed.
The Curtain Call Adventurers had annexed the entirety of Whole Cake Island, gaining thirty-four islands and a population of millions. Logically, he should have been even busier than when he first took control of the Galaxy Sea. But times had changed.
Shane took a sip of his coffee and glanced at the orderly departments in the hall. Unlike the chaotic early days of managing the Galaxy Sea, the Curtain Call Adventurers had, over the past few months, established a mature administrative system. And the management system left behind by the Charlotte Family was still intact. After some integration, the handover had gone smoothly, and there was no shortage of talent.
Aside from a few major decisions that required his approval, he was actually quite free. As the lord of a territory, it wasn't shameful to admit he was an amateur in many areas. Insisting on micromanaging everything would only cause more trouble.
"Hmm?" Shane suddenly sensed something and looked up. "Are they here already?" He put down his coffee and, in a flash, vanished from the terrace, reappearing on the rooftop at the very top of the castle.
The sea breeze blew. In the distance, Katakuri was already waiting, his arms crossed. His tall figure cast a long shadow in the sunlight.
"Leaving?" Shane asked calmly.
Katakuri nodded, his gaze sweeping over the castle that had once belonged to his family, now so different. "Yes. My younger siblings have packed their things. It's time for me to leave."
"You're sure you don't want to stay?" Shane said with a smile. "This is the second time I've asked. A reliable man like you, with your abilities and character, you're exactly what I'm looking for. Join the Curtain Call Adventurers. There's a place for you among the top officers."
Katakuri was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "This is not my home anymore. I'm relieved that the siblings who chose to stay will be protected by you. My mission now is to protect the family members who wish to leave."
"I must thank you for giving me this opportunity," Katakuri said, looking at Shane earnestly. "Thank you for your magnanimity in giving my brothers and sisters a choice. Some of them have chosen to stay and serve the Curtain Call Adventurers, while others have chosen to leave… but at least, aside from those who died as enemies in the war, the rest are still alive."
"There's nothing to thank me for," Shane shrugged. "I just did what was best for my territory. Not all of the Charlotte Family are villains. Some of them are even quite popular among the people. Keeping them on helps to ensure the stability of the nation."
After the war, what to do with the Charlotte Family had been a difficult problem, and the members of the Curtain Call Adventurers had argued endlessly about it. In the end, Shane had made the decision to handle it on a case-by-case basis. Those with bad reputations and those who were hostile to the new regime were thrown in the dungeons. The rest were free to stay or go as they pleased. The majority had chosen to leave. Smoothie, for example, seemed to have been hit hard by her defeat and had lost her will to fight; she was planning to find a place to live in seclusion in the South Blue. Some of the younger Charlotte children were ambitious, feeling that their mother had held them back, and wanted to start their own adventures on the Grand Line. Katakuri and some of the older brothers, like Perospero, were united in their goal: to protect their younger siblings until they found their own places in the world.
"In any case, I will never forget your kindness," Katakuri said, bowing deeply. "I know something of the… grand ambition of the Curtain Call Adventurers, or rather, your own. If that day… truly comes in the future, and I am able to be there, I will certainly come and do my part to repay this debt."
"That's something to look forward to," Shane said, a little surprised. "It's so refreshing to talk to an intelligent person. Hey, for you to say that… it seems you really don't hate me at all, do you?"
"In the end, Mama's death was her own doing. I can't blame you," Katakuri said with a bitter smile, a deep weariness in his eyes. "For a long time now, I have exhausted myself trying to stop Mama's various selfish whims… I knew this day would come. I just didn't expect it to come so soon." For a long, long time, I've been so tired… If it weren't for my brothers and sisters, I would have cast off the name of Charlotte and the title of the 'undefeated man' long ago.
"It's getting late," Katakuri took a deep breath, hiding his emotions, and turned towards the edge of the rooftop. "Well then, I will take my leave, Lord Shane."
Shane smiled lightly. "Have a safe journey. If you change your mind, you're always welcome back."
Katakuri waved without turning around and leaped from the top of the castle. Shane walked to the edge and watched as the tall figure landed steadily on a small boat in the harbor. More than a dozen of the Charlotte children were already gathered on the boat, and they waved as Katakuri returned.
The small boat slowly pulled away from the port, gradually shrinking into a small black dot on the sea. Shane watched it go until it had completely vanished from sight. Only then did he return to the terrace below. The sea breeze was still gentle, the sun still bright.
Shane stretched and was about to pick up his coffee when a deep voice came from behind him. "My lord, forgive my frankness, but is it really alright to just let them go?"
"What, are you worried they'll seek revenge someday?" Shane said, unfazed, taking a sip of his coffee. "That man is Katakuri. If he wanted revenge, he would say it to my face. Besides…" He turned to look at the blue fish-man who had appeared before him and smiled. "If I didn't have at least this much magnanimity, how could I talk about changing the world? And how could I have forgiven you? Right, Jinbe?"
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