"Buy!"
We're pirates. Taking things by force is what pirates do best. Making us pay for them really goes against our professional ethics.
But if we rob them, the problem goes right back to square one. At the very least, it would be safer to wait until Mama finishes giving birth.
"Mama, don't be so quick to get angry. I think this is actually an opportunity."
Perospero began displaying his cleverness once again.
"Vane's team can produce weapons with such immense power. If we can seize control of their production line, then we'll have a steady supply of weapons—and the profits from selling them as well."
If you could sit back and collect money without lifting a finger, who would want to be a pirate? Mama's goal is to establish Totto Land with stable territory. Doing business is perfectly acceptable.
"What do you have in mind?"
"Mama, let them operate their weapons business in the New World first. Once their weapons gain a reputation here, we'll make our move and swallow them whole."
That way, both the production line and the sales channels would belong to the Big Mom Pirates.
"In the meantime, we can even help them build their reputation. For example, we could purchase some weapons ourselves. If the pirates of the New World see that even the Big Mom Pirates are using their weapons, their sales channels will open up very quickly."
Perospero already regarded the Rocket Team pirates as prey in his pocket. Opening up the market for their weapons would take a bit of time—but that time would be enough for Mama to recover from childbirth. By then, taking down the Rocket Team pirates would be effortless.
He truly was brilliant. He'd found the perfect excuse to prevent Mama from launching a war for now while still securing profit in the process.
"It sounds like a good idea… but I don't want to spend too much money buying weapons."
Big Mom was the type who wanted everything—always pushing for more.
Perospero's mind raced wildly before he finally came up with a fairly decent solution.
"We can marry off one of the Charlotte daughters to them. Vane doesn't reject women—he just doesn't want to come to Whole Cake Island."
"Then, under the name of family, we can acquire goods at the lowest price. And when the time comes to make our move in the future, we can take over the Rocket Team pirates' assets in the name of family as well."
In this pirate-dominated, quasi-feudal world, such tactics were hardly uncommon.
But doing this would mean marrying a Charlotte daughter away. Previously, they had always taken sons-in-law instead—it did feel like breaking tradition… Yet when considering the immense benefits involved, Big Mom couldn't help but feel tempted.
"Who do you think would be suitable?"
The fact that Big Mom asked such a question clearly meant she was giving ground. No banquet then so be it. There was still the annual Tea Party. Compared to the massive benefits at stake, skipping one feast was nothing.
"Galette. When Vane looked at the photos, he lingered on Galette's the longest."
Perospero had sharp eyes. He noticed Vane had paid the most attention to Galette's photo—though it was only about a second longer than the others.
Big Mom straightened up, her gaze sweeping across her many children before finally settling on the most normal in build and appearance—Galette.
"Galette!"
The moment Perospero called her name, Galette felt a chill. Mama's will was not something she could defy… Marry away!?
Marrying away also meant she would never be given a precious Devil Fruit. Mama never made a losing deal.
Refuse? Impossible. No child could go against Mama's will.
Agree… and her future would be uncertain. She would lose the chance to eat a Devil Fruit, have no idea what kind of man her future husband would be, and as someone blatantly planted as a spy, her position at his side would surely be awkward.
She might even die… Mama might even want her to die there. That would give her a perfectly justified reason to act.
Galette knelt there, unable to find any point where she could resist. It seemed she could only submit to the command.
"Galette, raise your head. It's time for you to contribute to our family."
Trembling, Galette lifted her head and looked at her mother.
Big Mom leaned forward, her massive face looming close. Strands of drool seeped from her mouth, dripping onto the floor and producing faint sizzling sounds of corrosion.
Perospero's expression turned tense.
"Galette, hurry and agree. Mama's hunger pangs are about to kick in."
In a weak voice, Galette said,
"I… will devote myself to the family."
"Quick! Have Head Chef Streusen bring the finest desserts at once!"
They had dealt with scenes like this many times. Most of the time, they managed to resolve it—but occasionally, there were mistakes. And the price of those mistakes was something none of the children were willing to bear.
…
Outside the castle.
"Congratulations, Galette. You're about to get married—to a pirate worth over a billion, no less."
Melise, the seventeenth daughter with antlers on her head, approached with a tone dripping in mockery.
Melise was also one of the more beautiful members of the Charlotte family. She was slightly older than Galette but looked even more youthful. Compared to Galette, she had a pair of deer antlers, making her one of the more distinctive sisters.
Beautiful, yet not ostracized.
"Hmph!"
Galette had grown used to such sarcasm. She turned her head away and walked off without a word.
"With that sour face, she'll probably just end up getting beaten after she's married off."
"Exactly. And she's marrying away. It's the first time a Charlotte daughter is being sent off like this. She's a freak."
When everyone else was bringing husbands into the family, a daughter marrying away could hardly expect to hold a high position.
…
On Vane's side.
They had only set sail slightly later than Perospero and had already been at sea for over two days.
Their course skimmed past Big Mom's territory, heading straight toward the central region of the latter half of the New World.
The living map, Mogan the giant, pointed at the chart and said,
"The closest place to Sleeping Island is a country not recognized by the World Government. Its ancestors were pirates as well. But I haven't been there in over ten years, so I don't know what it's like now."
That was similar to Martha's situation. At this stage, Vane had no interest in that country. Reaching Sleeping Island was the top priority.
"Once we've replenished the magnetic charge, we'll head straight to Sleeping Island."
According to Mogan's estimate, if they wanted to reach Sleeping Island, they would need to recharge the Log Pose with sufficient magnetism at another island along the way.
"Then let's go to this island—Octagon Island."
Octagon Island?
Baccarat brushed her hand over the book, and her Vision-Vision Fruit ability projected a phantom image of Octagon Island's basic appearance. It turned out the name came from its shape—it had eight corners.
It was a rocky island with little vegetation—certainly no star anise, cinnamon, or fennel.
"This is a well-known transit island in the New World, controlled by the Shipping King."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo