"Your Majesty... are you sure you really want to do this?" Hathaway's face was dark, a cross vein throbbing on her forehead.
"Nero, isn't this... a bit inappropriate?" Stella's expression was also hard to describe.
"Hmm, last time I came with Roger and them, I was a bit reserved. Today, I must try it!"
Nero stood with her back to them, her face resolute.
"What does this Juice Sea taste like, hmm, today I will personally taste it!"
Nero held the tip of the fishing rod, letting Hathaway slowly lower her.
Her face gradually approached the sea surface. Nero first swept her hair back with one hand, then stuck out her tongue like a kitten and took a lick.
"Hmm, it really is the taste of juice!"
After confirming there were no issues, Nero immediately plunged her entire head into the sea.
"And it really is the ocean! Hmm, this sweet feeling of powerlessness, muhahaha! How interesting!!"
Nero opened her mouth wide and began to drink. Various flavored beverages gurgled into her stomach...
"Hmm, my stomach feels so uncomfortable! My hair is also sticky and disgusting... Hathaway, I feel completely drained of strength right now."
Back on the ship, Nero slumped in a chair, groaning while clutching her stomach.
"It would be strange if an ability user didn't feel uncomfortable after actively touching seawater and drinking so much!"
Hathaway wiped Nero's head with a wet towel, complaining speechlessly.
"Sigh... this won't work, it can only be washed clean with shampoo later."
After wiping for a long time, it felt the same as usual, but Nero's hair still emitted a strong scent of juice.
"I clearly drank juice, hmm, Totto Land is truly a cunning sea area." Nero said, looking listless but still stubbornly.
"Also, my mouth feels very dry right now, give me a drink other than juice!"
"Then have some brown sugar ginger tea. Your stomach should feel much better after drinking it." Stella carefully carried a cup of ginger tea and walked out of the cabin.
"Hmm, then Stella, feed it to me!"
"Moo~ Nero, really!" Although Stella said she didn't mind, her hands were honest enough to scoop up a spoonful of ginger tea and bring it to Nero's mouth: "Ah~"
Sitting motionless in the chair, Nero opened her mouth wide: "Ah~~~ Hmm, hmm! It's spicy!"
"And Hathaway! Help me rub my stomach."
"Sigh!" Hathaway sighed, warmed her hands, then lifted Nero's top and gently massaged Nero's belly.
"Hmm~ So comfortable!" Nero's body softened further, her eyes narrowed, and she sagged like a boneless mass.
In reality, she was fine long ago. With Nero's current physique, it was only a momentary discomfort.
But with such an enjoyable opportunity, of course she couldn't miss it, and being cared for felt really good...
"Mama, Mama! Kaidou, long time no see!"
Charlotte Linlin happily came out to greet him. She still cared for Kaido, even though they were now competitors on the New World.
But in her heart, a sibling-like bond still existed between them.
"Linlin! I didn't come here to reminisce with you!"
Kaido took two gulps of sake, his face full of impatience, releasing Conqueror's Haki without any regard for politeness.
"Didn't you say there was important business that required me to be here in person? Then hurry up! I don't have that much time to waste."
"Mama, Mama! Don't rush! Another guest is coming later. Also, don't just randomly release Haoshoku on my territory, you bastard!!"
A Conqueror's Haki of the same level erupted from Charlotte Linlin, sweeping towards Kaido.
Their Conqueror's Haki clashed, neither giving way, and the port became a mess.
The originally clear sky immediately turned dark and gloomy, and the clouds in the sky formed a giant vortex.
"This is, a clash of Haoshoku?"
"Just standing here makes me want to wet myself!"
"It's truly terrifying, a clash of Mama's level of Haoshoku can even change the weather."
"Are these the top powerhouses of the New World?"
The people around discussed animatedly. These people rarely took action anymore; most battles were skirmishes between their subordinates.
However, as conflicts gradually escalated over the past two years, key personnel from all sides also participated in the struggle, and even they were about to be unable to sit still.
"The true purpose of this gathering is to discuss the situation in the New World. Continuing like this will only allow the Marine to exploit loopholes."
After a stalemate, Charlotte Linlin was the first to take a step back, retracting her Haki.
Kaido also didn't push his advantage, similarly retracting his Haki afterward, but his tone remained harsh.
"The situation in the New World? You came to me just to tell such a boring joke? Have you gone mad from giving birth?"
Sitting down cross-legged casually, Kaido took two more gulps of sake, but he didn't leave immediately.
Currently, his faction was the weakest on the New World, not yet having reached its peak. In his own territory, those samurai were still secretly waiting for an opportunity to overthrow him.
This also caused him to always be stationed in Wano Country, rarely leaving.
This was also why he hadn't left yet. In his opinion, this should be Linlin wanting to team up with him, so he immediately put on a strong front upon arriving.
"Of course, it's not just the two of us. I've also invited Whitebeard and Nero!"
Upon hearing this, Kaido instinctively wanted to leave. There was still an idiot dancing in Wano Country!
However, thinking of Wano Country's isolation, they probably didn't know this news yet, otherwise Charlotte Linlin wouldn't have invited him.
But even so, Kaido was still a bit anxious. If the truth came out, he couldn't escape being ganged up on by the two.
"Tsk, is it a negotiation about territory? Whitebeard is one thing, but why invite that little girl Nero? She doesn't need to expand her territory."
"That's precisely why we need to invite Nero! Mama, Mama! Nero is our key target for recruitment."
Charlotte Linlin also sat casually on the ground with Kaido, picking up a cream puff nearby and tossing it into her mouth.
"Team up with me, Kaido! No one truly wants an all-out war. We all need time to develop our respective forces now. Only by teaming up can we secure more benefits."
This hit Kaido right in the heart. If he fought alone, he was no match for Whitebeard.
If he could ally with the Mama Pirates, then even if the truth about Oden was discovered one day, he wouldn't be completely passive.
But he still didn't agree immediately. Being too quick might reveal a weakness, even though he and the other party were old acquaintances.
No, it was precisely because he was familiar with the other party that he understood even more that he couldn't show any weakness at this time.
Kaido didn't speak, remaining silent.
"Mama, Mama! Then you think it over carefully. Just give me an answer before tomorrow. I specifically invited you a day in advance. Whitebeard and Nero won't arrive until tomorrow."
Charlotte Linlin stood up. This was enough; the alliance was basically settled.
In her opinion, Kaido's silence was nothing more than the reserve of a great pirate.
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