Five pure white warships fanned out in formation, their hulls bearing the World Government's cross emblem.
Although their cannons were not raised, the oppressive pressure made the islanders on the shore hold their breath.
On the bow of the central ship, a Justice coat fluttered in the morning breeze. It was a stern-faced middle-aged man with short hair standing like steel needles and a vertical scar running from his forehead down to his cheekbone over his left eye.
"Onigumo," Linlin narrowed her eyes, her voice filled with undisguised disgust. "The fish that slipped through the net at God Valley has now become a Vice Admiral candidate? Mamama!"
Onigumo — Kaizer remembered the name. One of the Vice Admirals who had chased Linlin during the God Valley battle. He had clearly been promoted since then.
"Charlotte Linlin." Onigumo's voice came through the Den Den Mushi, calm but icy. "Former cadre of the Rocks Pirates, currently occupying territory in the New World, illegally establishing a nation, kidnapping civilians of multiple races, and plundering merchant ships — your crimes are numerous."
He paused, his gaze shifting to Kaizer.
"And former Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Kaizer, number 1746, who deserted after the God Valley battle and is now colluding with pirates. These two serious crimes are enough to send you to a military tribunal."
Linlin grinned, her smile ferocious. "Mamama! Then come and arrest me!"
She took a step forward, cracking the ground. Purple light from the Soul-Soul Fruit began to swirl around her as Prometheus and Zeus rose from behind her, flames and lightning intertwining.
Onigumo's expression remained unchanged. "I am not here to start a war today."
He took out a scroll from his coat. The golden wax seal gleamed in the sunlight.
"The World Government has issued an order." He unrolled the scroll. "Given the turbulent situation in the New World and the rampant pirate forces, in order to maintain stability in the seas, the 'Legitimate Autonomous Territory' system has been established.
Forces that meet the conditions may apply to the World Government for certification and obtain legal status along with certain privileges."
Linlin froze.
Kaizer also froze.
Longbread squeezed forward from behind, his short stature almost hidden by Linlin, but his voice was clear: "What are the conditions?"
Onigumo looked at him. "First, acknowledge the sovereignty of the World Government and pay annual tribute. Second, do not actively attack World Government member nations or Marine fleets. Third, cooperate in clearing pirates in surrounding waters. Fourth…"
He paused.
"Accept the World Government's stationed inspectors."
The port fell deathly silent.
Linlin's expression shifted from stunned to furious. "Mamama! You want to plant spies in my country?! Dream on!"
Onigumo remained calm. "These are conditions, not requests. You may refuse, in which case the World Government will designate Totto Land as an 'illegal regime,' and the Marines will have the right to suppress it at any time."
He looked at Kaizer. "As for you, Lieutenant Kaizer… or rather, former Lieutenant. If you assist Charlotte Linlin in accepting these conditions, the World Government can consider pardoning your desertion and even retain your rank."
Kaizer remained silent.
Longbread tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "It's a trap. Definitely a trap."
Kaizer knew it was a trap. How could the World Government easily recognize a nation founded by a pirate? And sending inspectors — wasn't that just a variant of CP0?
But…
He looked at the five warships. Although only Onigumo was a Vice Admiral candidate, there were at least two thousand troops on board. If war broke out, Totto Land could win, but the losses would be heavy. Once war started, it would mean officially becoming enemies with the World Government, and subsequent suppression would be endless.
Totto Land had just begun. Perospero was still small, and the Seastone supply from Wano wasn't stable yet…
"How much is the tribute?" Kaizer suddenly asked.
Onigumo glanced at him. "Thirty percent of annual income."
"Too high," Kaizer said. "Totto Land has just been founded and everything is in ruins. Fifteen percent."
"Twenty-five percent."
"Fifteen percent."
Onigumo narrowed his eyes. "Are you bargaining with me?"
"I'm negotiating conditions," Kaizer said calmly. "If the World Government is truly sincere, it should show sincerity. Twenty percent, no more."
Linlin suddenly turned her head. "Kaizer! You—"
Longbread pulled her back and shook his head.
Onigumo stared at Kaizer for a long time, then suddenly smiled — a cold smile, like a blade.
"Lieutenant Kaizer, you are quite good at negotiation." He put away the scroll. "Twenty percent is acceptable. But the inspectors must be stationed here — that is the bottom line."
"The number, authority, and scope of activity of the inspectors must be clearly defined," Kaizer said. "Also, the World Government must publicly recognize Totto Land's legal status and guarantee that other member nations will not invade Totto Land's waters without cause."
"Acceptable," Onigumo nodded. "Specific clauses can be discussed in detail. But before that…"
He took out a small Den Den Mushi from his coat and tossed it over.
Kaizer caught it.
"In three days, Mariejois will send an envoy for the official signing," Onigumo said. "Keep communications open until the envoy arrives."
With that, he turned around. His Justice coat billowed in the wind.
The five warships began to turn.
"Wait," Linlin suddenly spoke.
Onigumo stopped, but did not turn back.
"Mamama…" Linlin's voice lowered, but became even more dangerous. "When did your World Government become so easy to talk to?"
Onigumo was silent for a few seconds.
"The New World needs stability," he finally said. "And you… are easier to control than Kaido, Whitebeard, or Shiki."
The warships raised their sails and slowly sailed away.
Even after the five white ships disappeared over the horizon, the port remained silent.
After a long time, Longbread exhaled heavily. "What game are they playing?"
"Divide and conquer," Kaizer said, looking at the Den Den Mushi in his hand. "There are currently four major forces in the New World: Kaido, Whitebeard, Shiki, and Linlin. The World Government wants to win over the weakest one to use against the other three."
"The weakest?" Linlin was furious. "Where am I weak?!"
"Compared to the other three, Totto Land is indeed the weakest," Kaizer said honestly. "Shortest founding time, smallest territory, fewest troops. The World Government thinks you're easier to control."
"Mamama! I'll show them—"
"Linlin," Kaizer interrupted her, his voice soft. "Perospero is still small."
Linlin's anger caught in her throat.
She looked down toward the castle — where her child, barely a month old, was waiting.
"…Then what do you suggest?" Her voice carried a rare hint of… helplessness?
"Negotiate," Kaizer said. "But with a bottom line. Inspectors can come, but they cannot interfere in internal affairs. Tribute can be paid, but it must be exchanged for real benefits — for example, the Marines cannot enter Totto Land's waters without reason, and the World Government must publicly recognize Totto Land's sovereignty."
Longbread frowned. "Will they agree?"
"They will," Kaizer said confidently. "Because the World Government has bigger problems right now. Roger has become the Pirate King, Shiki is expanding, and the Revolutionary Army is becoming active… They need a 'obedient' pawn in the New World. And we can pretend to be obedient."
He looked at Linlin. "But there's one condition that you must raise."
"What condition?"
"Demand that the World Government recognize Perospero's legitimate right of succession," Kaizer said. "And during the signing ceremony, you must attend while holding Perospero."
Linlin was stunned.
Longbread's eyes lit up. "Brilliant! If the World Government publicly acknowledges Perospero's succession rights, it means they recognize the legitimacy of Totto Land's royal family! Even if they want to turn against us later, they'll have to consider the international repercussions!"
"Not only that," Kaizer added. "It will also give Perospero a relatively safe environment to grow up in — at least on the surface, the World Government cannot touch him."
Linlin stared at Kaizer. Her huge eyes flickered with complicated emotions.
Finally, she grinned.
"Mamama! Then let's do that!"
She pulled Kaizer into a crushing hug, nearly suffocating him.
"You're still so smart! Mamama! So when do we go to Mariejois?"
"We don't go," Kaizer said, struggling free from her arms. "We make them come. Totto Land is our territory. The negotiations must take place on our land. That is the bottom line."
Longbread nodded. "Correct. We cannot go to Mariejois — that's their home field. We negotiate here, where we have the advantage."
Linlin thought about it and agreed. "Fine! Then let them come!"
She turned and roared at the still-gathered islanders: "Mamama! Did you all hear that? The World Government is coming to negotiate with us! From today onward, Totto Land is a legitimate nation!"
The islanders looked at each other, then burst into cheers.
A legitimate nation. It meant they were no longer "pirate slaves," but "legal citizens." It meant merchant ships could trade normally, children could attend school normally, and life could continue normally.
Kaizer watched the cheering crowd, but his heart felt no relief — only heavier.
The World Government was not a charity. Their concessions must have a purpose.
Inspectors… would they be CP0? Or some other agency?
Twenty-two percent tribute… Totto Land's current income was meager, so twenty-two percent wasn't too much. But what about later? Once the sugar factory was fully operational, the Seastone processing plant was built, and trade routes were opened, twenty-two percent would be an astronomical figure.
There were also the clauses about "not actively attacking member nations" — what if a member nation provoked first? What if the Marines disguised themselves as pirates to attack?
Too many loopholes. Too many traps.
But at least for now, they had gained some breathing room.
"Longbread," Kaizer said quietly. "Draft a protocol proposal. Make the clauses as favorable to us as possible, especially regarding the inspectors — no more than three, activity limited to the port area and designated residential zones, no entry into the core areas of the castle, no access to confidential documents, no interference in internal affairs."
"Understood," Longbread nodded. "I served in the Marines. I know their tricks."
"Linlin," Kaizer turned to his wife. "These next few days… restrain yourself a bit. At least in front of the envoy, act like a normal head of state."
"Mamama! I know!" Linlin patted her chest. "I can be very proper!"
Kaizer and Longbread exchanged a glance and sighed at the same time.
They could only hope.
Three days later, the World Government's envoy ship arrived at Totto Land.
It was only one small, unremarkable ship. On the bow stood a man in a white suit wearing a mask.
CP0.
Kaizer's pupils shrank. As expected, the World Government had sent the highest intelligence agency.
The masked man disembarked with elegant movements, as if attending a ball. Two similarly dressed CP0 members followed behind him like shadows, one on each side.
"Lady Charlotte Linlin," the masked man's voice was gentle, but through the mask it had an inhuman quality. "I represent the World Government and have come to discuss the matter of autonomous territory with you."
Linlin was wearing a relatively formal robe today — though it was still pink and had no holes. She held Perospero in her arms and sat on a temporarily brought-out throne, trying her best to look "dignified."
"Mamama! If you're here, let's talk!" she said. "But let me make it clear first — if the conditions are not satisfactory, I'll throw you all into the sea to feed the fish!"
The masked man seemed to smile — though his expression was hidden, his shoulders shook slightly.
"Of course," he took out a document. "This is the draft prepared by the World Government. Please review it."
Longbread took the document and quickly flipped through it. Kaizer stood beside Linlin, soul perception fully active.
These three CP0 members had very strange soul fluctuations — cold, calm, more like machines than humans. Especially the masked man in the center; deep in his soul there was a… non-human emptiness.
Either modified humans or killing machines trained through extreme methods.
After reading the document, Longbread's face darkened.
"The inspectors have 'enforcement rights when necessary'?" He pointed at the clause. "What counts as necessary? Who decides?"
"Of course, the inspectors decide," the masked man said mildly. "After all, some emergencies require immediate handling."
"No," Kaizer spoke up. "Enforcement rights must be exercised by Totto Land itself. The inspectors only have supervision and advisory rights, no enforcement rights."
The masked man turned to Kaizer. "And you are…?"
"Kaizer. The other ruler of Totto Land," Linlin answered for him. "What he says is what I say!"
The masked man was silent for a few seconds.
"It can be modified," he finally said. "But in exchange, the tribute must be raised to twenty-five percent."
"Twenty-one percent," Kaizer refused to budge.
The negotiations lasted an entire day.
They argued over the inspectors' authority, the percentage of tribute, sea territory jurisdiction, trade privileges… Every clause was contested, every word was haggled over.
The masked man was highly professional, his rhetoric watertight. But Kaizer had experience from his previous life, and Longbread had Marine experience. Working together, they didn't fall behind.
Linlin spent most of the time playing with the baby, only slamming the table on key clauses: "No! This clause is unacceptable! Mamama! If you keep talking nonsense, I'll turn you all into cookies!"
In the end, as the sun began to set, an agreement was reached.
The main clauses were as follows:
Totto Land obtains "Legitimate Autonomous Territory" status, and the World Government publicly recognizes its sovereignty.
Tribute is set at twenty-two percent of annual income, paid every six months.
The World Government will station three inspectors in Totto Land. The inspectors have supervision and advisory rights, but no enforcement rights. Their activity is limited to the port area and designated residential zones; they may not enter the core areas of the castle.
The Marines may not enter Totto Land's waters without cause, and Totto Land may not actively attack World Government member nations or the Marines.
The World Government recognizes Charlotte Perospero's legitimate right of succession.
Totto Land must cooperate in clearing pirates in surrounding waters, with spoils divided fifty-fifty.
The masked man signed the agreement and stamped it with the World Government seal.
Linlin couldn't write, so she pressed a handprint — one larger than a person.
Kaizer and Longbread also signed.
"Pleasant cooperation," the masked man put away the document. "The inspectors will arrive in three days. I hope we… get along well."
He turned and left. His white suit looked like a ghost in the setting sun.
Only after the ship had sailed far away did Linlin slump her shoulders. "Mamama! I'm exhausted! Pretending to be proper is harder than fighting!"
Longbread wiped the sweat from his forehead. "But at least… it's done."
Kaizer looked at the copy of the agreement in his hand. Instead of feeling relieved, his heart felt even heavier.
Inspectors.
Three CP0 agents would be permanently stationed in Totto Land.
This meant every move they made would be monitored. Totto Land's secrets might be exposed. Hiyori's existence might be discovered. The Time-Time Fruit might…
"Longbread," Kaizer said quietly. "Add three more secret rooms in the deepest part of the cellar. Use Seastone mixed with lead plates to block all detection."
"Understood," Longbread nodded. "I'll hide Hiyori and the fruit securely."
Linlin stood up, still holding Perospero. "Mamama! Who cares about inspectors! If they come, they come! If they dare cause trouble, I'll turn them into Homies!"
She paused and looked at Kaizer. "But Kaizer… you looked quite handsome when you were negotiating earlier."
Kaizer chuckled.
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