"Get out of the way, old witch!"
Ugh, so salty, I can't bite it. Bonney spat it out and looked up fiercely, like an angry little beast:
"I knew it, you were the one behind it all! I even thought you were a good friend last time, but I didn't recognize your true colors, you old hag!"
"Impudent!"
Perospero frowned and was about to step forward.
But he was stopped by a wave of BIGMOM's hand. The Four Emperors not only didn't get angry but even showed a kind and gentle smile.
"Mama mama mama, pirates also have a sense of justice, Bonney, rest assured, no matter how you see me, I'm still willing to consider you a good friend. In the coming days, I will entertain you well, until you're willing to stay with me forever..."
Her gaze suddenly turned to Bevony: "You did well, Bounty Hunter. Hey, Perospero, give her double the reward!"
"Double? That would be a billion Belly?"
Bevony perked up and whistled:
"Whoa~! That's more than I've earned from all my orders since last year. So generous, Lingling-sama! Thanks, it seems it's worth it to work more for you Sea Emperors!"
Perospero followed the order and brought over ten suitcases, while Bonney glared angrily at Bevony:
"You're getting cocky! Hey! Do you realize you're working for a Sea Emperor, but you forgot that Brother Shano is also a Sea Emperor? Aren't you afraid of his wrath?"
"Shano?"
BIGMOM burst into laughter beside them, "Mamahahaha, that kid... I must say, the things he did in Shampodi were really impressive, reminded me of that man back in the day..."
"But, precisely because of that, he's already become the number one target for the World Government and Navy Headquarters, liable to be retaliated against at any time."
BIGMOM clicked her tongue, "Not to mention, at least during this time, he can't easily leave Endgame, much less search the New World for a little girl like you..."
"That's considering the worst-case scenario."
Bevony extended her right hand, arrogantly playing with her golden hair, "My ability is one of a kind in this world. Endgame won't ever think you're in Ten Thousand Nations, let alone trace it back to me."
Just as Bevony finished speaking—
Blu Blu~ Blu Blu~
A series of urgent radio snail rings suddenly echoed in the castle hall.
"Hmm?" BIGMOM frowned and turned her head.
"I'll get it, Mama."
The eldest daughter, Comper, rushed over and connected to the large radio snail on the table, while Bevony glanced at Bonney and covered her mouth smoothly.
The signal connected, and the radio snail's appearance quickly changed.
Short black hair, prominent eyebrows, these features were not enough to reveal the caller's identity, but when the radio snail leaned slightly forward, and the cold sternness shone from its eyes...
The members of the Charlotte family present nearly all simultaneously changed their expressions, thinking of a certain man.
"It's been a while since the tea party last year, hasn't it, Lingling."
A cold, familiar voice rang out, confirming their suspicions at that moment:
"You should guess why I'm calling now. Explain well why you sent someone to kidnap Bonney?"
The entire Cake Castle hall fell into deadly silence instantly.
Bonney, her mouth tightly covered, couldn't make a sound, but her eyes still shone with mad joy—Ha! She knew it, even if Kuma couldn't find her, Brother Shano could!
And the children of the Charlotte family looked at each other, their faces filled with astonishment.
This matter was top secret within Ten Thousand Nations, known only to their children; no other officials knew about it.
Even the bounty hunter Bevony, responsible for the kidnapping, was initially hired through the most private channels. How could they have locked onto the target and tracked it down so quickly?
BIGMOM's face was grim.
She looked around, first locking on Bevony, then quickly frowned and looked away; it couldn't be her... So, was it another traitor among her children?
Lola, more than one?
"Mama mama mama!"
She suddenly burst into exaggerated laughter, "It baffles me, Shano! I was happy to hear your voice, but you immediately resort to this baffling interrogation, Bonney? When did I ever..."
"Enough."
The cold voice on the other end of the radio snail snapped, "You're a Sea Emperor at least, have the guts to face it, Lingling! At this point, is it meaningful to keep acting?!"
"..."
BIGMOM fell silent.
Shame, anger, longing... all sorts of emotions intertwined in her eyes.
Finally, when her gaze passed over Sister Carmel's photo nearby, all hesitation was replaced by the ferocity in her eyes.
"Yes, it was me! Mama mama mama, but, so what?"
She grinned and slowly stood up straight:
"I want this little brat! I want her to stay with me until the end of my life, and no one can change it! Shano, don't think because I gave you face at the last tea party that you're above me, who do you think you are, talking to me like this!"
So what if he was acknowledged and ascended to a new Sea Emperor?
That title...
She'd held it for decades!
Since the era of Rocks hadn't ended, she, Charlotte Lingling, had always been the top powerhouse commanding the seas!
Her carefully managed Ten Thousand Nations, the massive fleet, the illustrious royal team of officials.
Is that something a fledgling force like yours can mess with!!!
Mama! Truly mama! The surrounding Charlotte children were also thrilled, filled with admiration.
Facing questions from other Sea Emperors with unwavering dominance, this was why they could tolerate mama, still love mama!
The other end of the phone, too, fell silent for a few seconds.
"So, you're not going to return Bonney, and don't even bother to explain?"
Shano's cold voice came through.
"No need for naive words! Since I can't return Bonney to you, any more explanation is redundant, unnecessary, isn't it?"
BIGMOM chuckled through gritted teeth: "Mama mama mama! I am a pirate, Shano! If there's something I want and I've taken it, why would I return it!"
"You claim you're not a pirate, but living in the New World, in this era, you still have to play by pirate rules! If you want Bonney back, use your strength and come get her!!!"
The radio snail eyed her, its previously expressionless face gradually stretching into a sinister arc:
"It's good to hear you say that... Seems like I needn't worry about past ties anymore."
"In Ten Thousand Nations, in Totto Land, wait for me in your lair! Charlotte Lingling! Want to use Bonney's abilities to get younger? No need for that, I, Shano, can also make you young again!!!"
Click!
The call ended, BIGMOM staring icily at the radio snail, speechless for a long time.
"Mama..."
After waiting a while, Perospero wiped his cold sweat and cautiously spoke up, "Does this guy mean to..."
"What, didn't you hear clearly? Idiot! He's coming over as a guest!"
BIGMOM crushed the phone, bursting into loud laughter:
"Mama mama mama! It's truly exciting, hey, little ones, hurry and prepare! Our Ten Thousand Nations is about to welcome the most honorable, most deserving guest we've ever had!"
——————
Navy Headquarters, Marinfanto.
In the Marshal's office located on the top floor.
"The selection for the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Holy Land has already urged us to finalize for the second time."
Sengoku rubbed his temples, looking quite weary, "We can't delay any longer, and meanwhile, the CP Department has also submitted a candidate suggestion, it's a very troublesome guy..."
"Who?"
Sitting opposite was the Grand Admiral, Akainu, who had just returned to headquarters last night. For some reason, his expression was darker and more somber than usual, and he lighted a cigar, puffing smoke coldly:
"That Weevil, right?"