"Ah, well… no, you're still very beautiful."
Ren sincerely praised Robin's appearance, sparing no compliments whatsoever.
That finally made this dark-bellied queen, who was indeed older than him by quite a bit, stop looking quite so dark.
"All right. Since you don't mind, that's good."
Robin smiled and stopped Ren from continuing his endless stream of praise. Then she said, "But you should pay attention to these things too.
"I can roughly guess what Nami and the others are thinking. I believe you should be able to as well.
"So you need to make a choice. Either don't start this at all, or make sure that if certain things exist, everyone has them, and then it won't be a problem.
"But if some people have them and some people don't, unpleasant things may happen.
"I'm not encouraging you. I'm merely making these things clear as part of my duties as your secretary."
"..."
This time, Ren truly did not know how to answer.
Because no answer would be good.
Naturally, he understood what Robin meant by Nami and the others' thoughts.
Saying no… he was not that kind of person.
Ninety-nine percent of ordinary people were perverts at heart, let alone when it came to two-dimensional fantasies.
Who did not have a few fantasies?
Otherwise, what happened with Hancock would never have happened.
But accepting it… that was another matter entirely.
Putting everything else aside, when it came to Violet, what Ren valued was her Devil Fruit ability.
A four-thousand-kilometer radius was absurdly overpowered, and it could even adjust between macro and microscopic perspectives. It was practically a god's-eye-view strategic weapon.
As for Baccarat, she had not shown the value he had expected.
However, Ren no longer needed that as much at the moment.
In short, not everything should be taken into his crystal palace.
That was what he thought.
And yet, about half an hour later, Ren had a solemn expression as he rested both elbows on the desk.
He raised his hands, interlaced his fingers, and propped them beneath his chin.
He seemed to be enduring something, though the corners of his mouth were curled upward.
No one in front of him could see this scene, because Robin had long since left to prepare various matters.
After all, Ren did not know how to answer, and she would not press him to the end either.
Or rather, hesitation itself was already an answer.
Regarding that point, Ren, who had already lost in practice, had no choice but to admit that as a person, he still had quite a few filthy aspects.
For example, right now.
The buildings on Punk Hazard were all research facilities.
However, the rooms inside naturally would not be as cold and sterile as a real laboratory.
They would change according to the habits of their users.
Robin's style was an office.
The place where he was located was naturally behind a long office desk, seated in a high-backed chair while maintaining that posture.
However, if one looked carefully, they would discover that the high-backed chair was rocking back and forth.
Green hair slipped through the gaps and hung down, swaying with the rhythm, rocking, moving forward and back.
"Mmph… hiss… gulp…"
Muffled gurgling sounds followed, almost like someone sucking on a popsicle.
Near the Calm Belt,
A grand fleet slowly sailed into this forbidden sea, a place regarded as taboo by most people.
It consisted of more than a dozen large and small three-masted sailing ships, all seemingly made from dessert ingredients.
Every flag they flew, without exception, bore a pirate flag painted with a pink skull.
If any outsiders were here, they would certainly cry out in shock upon seeing those flags.
They were the flags and fleet style of the Big Mom Pirates, one of the Four Emperors of the New World.
If a pirate familiar with them were present, they would be horrified to discover that not a single one of these ships had a simple background.
The ship whose appearance resembled a mochi dumpling represented the foremost of the Big Mom Pirates' Four Sweet Commanders, the man vaguely regarded as the second-in-command of Big Mom—that is, of the Emperor Charlotte Linlin.
Charlotte Katakuri!
Bounty: 1,057,000,000 Beli.
The ship whose appearance resembled a biscuit represented another of the Four Sweet Commanders, Charlotte Cracker.
Bounty: 860,000,000 Beli.
The ship decorated with alcoholic motifs represented one of the Four Sweet Commanders as well, Charlotte Smoothie.
Bounty: 932,000,000 Beli.
These were three of the Four Sweet Commanders whom the Big Mom Pirates placed openly on the surface as their chief faces.
But that was not all.
A man dressed as though he had walked out of a Western European tale, a man whose entire body was fiery red like maple leaves, and a woman with a serpentine figure, an extremely long neck, and a sword in hand...
If someone familiar with the Big Mom Pirates were here, they would understand what such a formation represented.
Just like now.
"This really is unbelievable."
Cracker, bare-chested and sitting in a slovenly posture, looked at the windless sea and spoke.
"Is this your first time in the New World? There's nothing worth mentioning about the Calm Belt."
Katakuri, holding his trident-like spear, stood at the front of the deck and said without even turning his head, "It's nothing more than a natural wonder. The greatest danger here is merely those Sea Kings.
"But for us, they don't pose much of a threat.
"Cracker, you're one of the Sweet Commanders. Don't make a fuss over every little thing."
"I'm talking about this lineup. Isn't it really strange?"
Cracker withdrew his gaze and looked toward Katakuri, who was much older than him and, in terms of blood relation, his elder brother. "Three of the Four Sweet Commanders have been deployed, along with Brother Oven, Brother Daifuku, and Sister Amande.
"Even wiping out a country wouldn't require this kind of scale. Is that guy called Ren really that strong?"
"..."
Katakuri was silent for a moment. Then he turned to look at his younger brother, his expression carrying a trace of solemnity. "Are you questioning Mama's judgment?"
"I wouldn't dare..."
Cracker's expression changed slightly. "I just think I alone would be enough."
"He is a powerful fighter capable of injuring Kaido. Don't underestimate him too much."
Katakuri shook his head and swept his gaze over the ships carrying their siblings around them. "However, Mama's idea should be to make things a little safer.
"According to Brother Perospero, there's a high chance Kaido will come to Whole Cake Island to discuss cooperation with Mama.
"Even when it comes to cooperation, there are still differences in superiority and inferiority. At their level, ordinary battles can no longer determine who stands above the other.
"If we can bring back Ren, the man who made Kaido suffer a loss, then Mama will undoubtedly occupy a favorable position in the negotiations to come.
"That is also the reason Mama did not come herself. She needs to appear more casual about it, and an emperor can only be matched by another emperor.
"So the best method is to capture him alive. Furthermore, that man's base is on Kuja Island in the Calm Belt.
"The Calm Belt has no wind. Ships can only rely on external wheel power to move, and the entire seabed is filled with clusters of Sea Kings.
"Without sufficient strength, it is impossible to pass through the Calm Belt and reach Kuja Island.
"This time, we also need to investigate the situation there. That flying two-winged army within the Demon Pirates...
"They definitely have a major connection to Kuja Island's all-female pirate force. It's even possible that the Empress is merely the public-facing ruler pushed to the front.
"Mama is interested in that army too. If all of these things must be done, then manpower is necessary."
"...That makes sense. That guy called Ren still isn't worth mobilizing this many people for.
"If that's the case, then it adds up."
Cracker's eyes flickered, and he then noticed the point most worth caring about. "But from the sound of it, are you certain Mama intends to form an alliance?"
"Not certain. That depends on Mama's thoughts, as well as how their talks go."
"So that's why Big Brother Perospero didn't tell me about this."
"Correct."
"I really want to see what it looks like when Mama and Kaido meet. What a pity.
"If I were there and another conflict broke out, I'd be able to see Kaido's strength."
Cracker rubbed the tiny bit of stubble that had just grown on his chin, and battle intent seemed to surge in his eyes.
"That probably won't happen. You're not that old, so perhaps you don't know."
Katakuri shook his head. "Mama and Kaido know each other. They even have something close to a sibling-like relationship.
"A very long time ago, Kaido received a great favor from Mama, and he has yet to repay it even now."
"There was such a thing?"
Cracker was somewhat surprised. He indeed knew very little about that.
Or rather, only the few who had been born early enough knew a bit about it.
"They were once on the same ship. That pirate crew was called Rocks."
Katakuri said this while looking toward the surrounding ships.
Oven and Daifuku seemed to be talking as well, though the direction of their conversation was different.
"This is an opportunity. An opportunity given by Mama."
Daifuku spoke with certainty. "An opportunity for Katakuri to show himself."
"...That's just your own guess."
Oven felt a slight headache, and was even somewhat afraid to follow up on his brother's words.
Just earlier, they had been discussing whether Demon Ren was worthy of making them go to such great lengths. Then the discussion extended to that two-winged flying army.
From the army's system, it continued to extend further and further, until it reached the future of the Big Mom Pirates.
The so-called future referred to the question of who should replace Mama as the next captain once she aged to her limit.
And Charlotte Daifuku had his own subjective opinion on that matter, one that was very strong.
"What do you mean, guess or not guess? Mama is already very old. She can't possibly fight until death like Whitebeard, can she?
"We children need to think about Mama's future. Since that's the case, we have to consider in advance who should be the next captain of the Big Mom Pirates.
"What's wrong with Katakuri? His reputation is nearly second only to Mama's within the Big Mom Pirates.
"In the eyes of the outside world, he is the imperial deputy of the Big Mom Pirates. Not only is he powerful, his Devil Fruit ability has also awakened.
"How many enemies has he solved for the family over the years? Or is it that the eldest son absolutely has to inherit the captain's position?"
Daifuku revealed a dissatisfied expression.
"Big Brother Perospero has merits too."
Oven smiled bitterly and said, "Besides, this kind of thing is decided by Mama. What can we interfere with?"
"Of course we can. We can make Mama like him even more.
"I naturally won't delude myself into thinking that a single matter can establish Katakuri's position."
Daifuku's tone was somewhat agitated. "But as long as Katakuri gains significant credit in this battle...
"Mama will definitely like him even more. When she makes her choice, she will naturally lean toward Katakuri rather than Perospero."
"I don't understand. Aren't we all family? Why do you dislike Big Brother Perospero so much?"
Oven said helplessly.
"It isn't dislike. It's necessary consideration."
Daifuku shook his head. "We are pirates, Oven. The most important thing for pirates is strength. Only with strength can there be power.
"Whether it's the Whitebeard Pirates, the Beasts Pirates, or even the Red-Haired Pirates, all of them are built upon the overwhelming strength of their captains.
"Big Brother Perospero does handle internal affairs very well, and he has achievements in solving enemies for the family.
"But in terms of strength, he absolutely would not be Katakuri's opponent.
"You've heard of it, haven't you?
"The undefeated war god whose back has never touched the ground. To this day, no enemy has ever defeated Katakuri.
"His mastery of Observation Haki has even reached the point where he can briefly see the future.
"That is something Perospero cannot do!"
"..."
Oven showed a hesitant expression, because he knew these words were correct.
"All right. Just take this as an order from your elder brother to his younger brother. Do as I say."
Daifuku patted Oven's shoulder. "In the coming battle, we must make Katakuri the most dazzling one!"
"..."
Oven revealed a helpless expression, but in the end, he did not refuse Daifuku's request.
If it could save him some trouble, then it was not necessarily a bad thing.
As for whether saving trouble would lead to trouble, he did not think there were any opponents worth caring about on the island they were about to attack.
Even if it was Demon Ren himself, Oven did not believe the other party would be Katakuri's match.
Being able to injure Kaido was indeed a kind of capital.
But if it were Katakuri, he would only have done even better!
That was precisely why Daifuku and a whole group of family members leaned more toward Katakuri in this regard.
And on a large ship not far away,
Smoothie glanced toward where Oven and Daifuku were, but did not get involved in their conversation.
She was aware that factions existed within the family, but as long as they did not interfere with her, it did not matter.
As the center of the topic, Katakuri was not completely unaware of this.
However, he himself had no intention of stopping it.
If Mama intended to step down from the stage, Katakuri felt that he was more suited than Perospero to become captain.
He would protect his younger brothers and sisters in the family and give them the lives they wanted.
If it were Perospero, perhaps both the process and the result would lack humanity, and he might even act the same way Mama did.
After all, Brother Perospero had stayed by Mama's side for too long, and had always assisted in handling the various affairs of the Big Mom Pirates.
Subtly, that had caused his views to draw closer to Mama's. Then many unpleasant things would happen.
That made Katakuri uneasy.
"Demon Ren, huh..."
After ending his idle conversation with Cracker, Katakuri tightened his grip on his trident, a thoughtful glint flashing through his eyes.
After he met that guy, what method should he use to deal with him in order to better suit Mama's wishes, or even make Mama happy?
Yes.
He did not believe he would lose.
Because Katakuri knew that he was strong.
Even among monsters within the family such as Oven and Amande, he was almost the strongest one.
He had never lost with his back touching the ground. Victory had long since become something he was used to.
The captain of the Demon Pirates, Demon Ren, was indeed very strong.
Judging from all the intelligence, the matter of him injuring Kaido and leaving a permanent scar was most likely true.
But Katakuri still believed that he would obtain the final victory.
Although he had never actually fought Kaido before, if it were him, he was certain that he could do something like that too.
This was his confidence.
His Devil Fruit had been developed to the level of Awakening. His Haki mastery was only slightly weaker than Mama's, and when it came to Observation Haki, he was even stronger.
He had reached that legendary realm of seeing the future.
"I'm truly looking forward to it. What sort of surprise will you give me?"
Katakuri thought to himself.
Damn it. It was perfectly fine when I posted it. I even specifically went to check on the Qidian app, and it really had been posted, but for some reason, it got blocked.
(End of Chapter)