Golden Island was swept up in a whirlwind of celebration. From Baron Island to Whole Cake Island to Elan Island, every corner of the Hell Pirates' territory was alive with feasts and festivities. The reason? The birth of Captain Brook's children!
Even Rocks, holed up on Hachinosu, caught wind of the news through his sprawling intelligence network. For once, the mighty pirate fell silent, lost in thought. He'd ruled the seas for years without heirs—should he take a page from Brook's book?
But family was a liability, a chink in the armor of a man aiming to conquer the world. The thought of enemies holding his loved ones hostage was unthinkable.
Besides, as his strength grew, the odds of siring offspring dwindled. A conqueror's bloodline wasn't something just anyone could bear. Finding a woman as formidable as Charlotte Linlin was no easy feat! His usual flings ended with women unable to withstand his raw power—always a one-and-done deal. A partner of Linlin's caliber? That was a tall order.
"Does having kids dull your ambition, Brook?" Rocks muttered under his breath. History was littered with examples—even overlords lost their edge once family entered the picture, weighed down by attachments.
Vesper, a former hegemon, was a recent case. He'd poured his heart into raising his son, Shirokiri, only to see his strength wane. Age played a part, sure, but that kid sapped his focus.
Rocks hoped Brook wouldn't falter now, cowed by fatherhood into hesitating against the Navy, the World Government, or the Celestial Dragons. The Hell Pirates' might was crucial to toppling the powers at God Valley!
...
On Golden Island, the party roared on.
Brook hadn't put down his newborn daughter, Kanna, since he first held her. His doting was off the charts—five stars, and the readers better give five-star reviews to match!
"Haha, Captain Brook's got it bad for Kanna! Won't even let us hold her," Shakky teased. "He handed over Hades and Osiris without a second thought!"
The crew's top officers could all see it: Brook was smitten with his silver-haired, big-eyed daughter, clutching her like a treasure he'd never let go.
"Damn right!" Brook shot back, mock-fierce. "My boys can tough it out, but anyone who messes with my precious girl? They're done for!"
Reluctantly, he passed Kanna to the crew for their turn to meet her, but his eyes never left her, tracking every move like a hawk.
"Gurarara!" Whitebeard Newgate's laugh boomed. "No one's dumb enough to cross Princess Kanna—not even Hades or Osiris!"
He scooped up Hades, his face softening with affection. This was it—the warmth of family he'd always craved.
"Linlin, you're incredible," Stussy said, admiration in her voice. "Three kids with Brook in one go!" She touched her own belly, feeling the single life growing there, still far from ready.
"Mama mama!" Charlotte Linlin grinned, her excitement infectious. "It's not enough! I'm aiming for a whole nation! Next time, I'll have even more!"
Brook's fond gaze shifted from Kanna to Linlin, who was shoveling sweets into her mouth with gusto. A flicker of worry crossed his face. Sure, her figure was still flawless, but if she kept indulging like this—between childbirth and her sweet tooth—she might not stay that way.
Time to put finding pure gold on the priority list. After their trip to Elbaf, Brook would hunt down that giant lantern fish.
The task was already in motion. Fishman Island's troops had it on their radar, and Island Whale Laboon, growing near Elan Island and the Eighteen Hells Island, was part of the search. At a growth rate of twenty meters a year, Laboon was already sixty or seventy meters long under Brook and Vegapunk's care—a speed that stunned everyone. In another twenty years, it'd hit the four- or five-hundred-meter mark of a mature island whale.
Laboon had scoured the nearby seas and was helping track the lantern fish. Despite being a "juvenile," it dwarfed most pirate ships, making the Straw Hats' Merry—thirty or forty meters—look tiny. Laboon was a local legend, pampered by both the Hell Pirates and the Pirate Guild.
"Linlin, ease up on the sweets," Brook said seriously. "It's fine for now, but we've gotta watch it. I don't want you losing that figure."
With the Giant Tribe's Winter Solstice Festival ten days away, packed with feasts, Linlin could indulge for now. But Brook planned to rein in her eating habits afterward.
"Got it, Brook!" Linlin replied, her tone earnest. At her core, she was still a young woman who cared about her looks. Known as the New World's reigning beauty, even Rocks and Roger couldn't deny her allure.
Strength and beauty combined—she was the strongest woman among pirates!
The Navy had its own star: Rear Admiral Tsuru. Her recent mission to capture former Vice Admiral Dolodo had failed, delaying her promotion to Vice Admiral at Navy Headquarters. Rumor had it she'd actually nabbed Dolodo but let him slip away—possibly swayed by the justice-driven ex-Marines turned pirates in his crew.
"Let's rest for a week, then we're off to Elbaf!" Brook declared. From Baron Island to Elbaf, with the Qilin Lion's Wind-Wind Fruit boosting their airship, three days would do it.
"Sweet! I'm ready now, Brook!" Linlin said, swallowing a chunk of cake. But his stern look made her sit back down, sheepish.
"You might be, but think about Kanna and the boys," Brook said, exasperated. "They need feeding. Take them to nurse—they're probably starving."
He shook his head at his fierce but naive partner. Linlin needed more than just strength; her knowledge was lacking. Brook had urged her to hit the books at the Tree of Knowledge, but she stuck to picture books about races and animals, ignoring strategy, common sense, or social nuances.
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