While Gion led Nami and the others to suppress pirates, Caelan was also working hard to expand his own forces.
He walked into a private room, where the distressed Baby5 was being held.
To be fair, Gecko Moria understood Caelan's intentions quite well. After capturing Baby5, he had arranged a decent single room for her. Aside from a pair of Seastone handcuffs, there were no other restrictions.
Nicely done, Moria.
Caelan gave Moria a silent thumbs-up, then turned his attention to Baby5.
She had long, jet-black hair and wore a traditional black-and-white maid uniform, her full chest accentuating her curvy figure. She looked just like the archetypal seductive anime maid often put in compromising positions.
"If it weren't for Doflamingo's protection, Baby5 would've ended up as nothing more than a comic relief character," Caelan thought as he observed her.
Baby5 had grown up in a poor family. As a child, she was labeled useless and a waste of food, then abandoned by her mother.
Later, she was adopted and raised by the Donquixote Family, eventually becoming one of its assassins.
Because of her traumatic childhood, she developed a deep longing to feel needed—to prove her worth.
As long as someone needed her, she couldn't refuse them. Whether it was lending money, marriage proposals, or coercive demands, she would accept them without question.
She had already been proposed to by many lowlives. If Doflamingo hadn't killed them, she might have ended up living out one humiliation after another.
And today, Baby5 was facing another scumbag—one who would follow her for the rest of her life.
"Thanks for the combat maid, Doffy," Caelan silently crossed his heart, once again thanking Doflamingo for the generous "gift."
"No one needs me anymore... wuuuu..."
Baby5 curled up in a corner of the room, quietly sobbing.
With the Donquixote Family destroyed by Caelan and Doflamingo imprisoned, she felt her life had lost all meaning.
Her need to feel needed was unfulfilled, and she didn't even notice when Caelan walked in.
"Here, stop crying."
Caelan handed her a tissue and spoke softly.
"Thank you."
She accepted it out of habit, muttering her thanks reflexively.
Then, without thinking, she asked, "Is there anything Baby5 can do for you?"
But the moment she looked up and saw Caelan's face, her expression changed.
This was the man who destroyed her family. If not for him, she would still be needed!
"You monster! Don't act kind!"
Baby5 glared at Caelan, furious.
Caelan only smiled, unfazed by her anger.
He extended his hand and said, "I need you to be my personal maid."
"Eh!?"
Baby5's eyes widened in disbelief, her expression stunned.
Even though the man in front of her was the villain who destroyed her family... he needed her!
Even though he clearly had malicious intent... he needed her!
Even if he was an unknown, terrifying demon... he needed her!
To be needed once again—it made her feel alive.
The despair and resentment in her heart vanished in an instant. Baby5 no longer felt angry or worthless.
Just like that, she forgot all her hatred for Caelan for destroying the Donquixote Family.
A soft blush bloomed across her face, and she looked at Caelan with sparkling eyes.
She grabbed his hand joyfully and said, completely smitten, "I'm willing!"
"From now on, whether it's day or night, you'll have to take good care of me."
Caelan smiled, acting like the kind of demanding client that makes impossible requests.
Being needed 24/7 would make her Agent 007—no time to eat or sleep.
And Caelan wasn't even paying her.
If any regular office worker was offered this deal, they'd quit on the spot.
But Baby5 agreed. In fact, she agreed with enthusiasm.
"I'm so happy! Baby5 is needed all day long!"
"Lord Caelan, I'll take good care of you—day or night!"
Baby5 was bursting with joy, as though she'd just been granted a noble title.
Being needed constantly gave her a sense of immense value.
"So good."
Caelan stroked her long black hair. For a moment, his moral compass seemed to tremble.
But in the next instant, he abandoned any guilt and even felt morally righteous.
A girl like Baby5 would get manipulated by someone eventually. Better it be him than someone worse.
At least he wasn't lying to her.
He convinced himself he was saving a naïve, ignorant girl.
With flexible ethics, Caelan found a way to make himself feel noble.
After that, Caelan brought Baby5 with him to visit Princess Mansherry.
After defeating Doflamingo, Mansherry had been rescued, but Caelan had been too busy to handle the matter until now.
This princess of the Tontatta Kingdom looked like a palm-sized figurine.
But her wavy golden hair, delicate features, and petite figure made her remarkably beautiful—even at that size.
Of course, her tiny form was part of her charm. At least, Caelan found her adorable.
"Lord Caelan! You're finally here!"
Mansherry leapt onto Caelan's palm, clearly delighted.
She still held deep gratitude for the hero who saved her.
Especially now that he was taking her back to the Tontatta Kingdom.
After being imprisoned by Doflamingo for so long, she desperately missed her father.
"Alright, let's go."
Caelan held her in his palm and headed toward the site where the raw materials for artificial Devil Fruits were cultivated.
Soon, they arrived at the residence of the Tontatta Tribe.
After Mansherry explained things with Caelan's support, the dwarves realized they'd been completely deceived by Doflamingo.
They immediately began cursing him and wept tears of gratitude for Caelan, who had rescued their beloved princess.
"I have two requests."
Caelan turned to Gancho, king of the Tontatta Tribe and Mansherry's father.
"Please, just tell us. If it's within our power, we'll gladly help."
Gancho pounded his chest in reassurance.
"First, I need you to continue cultivating the raw materials for SMILE. I'll pay you and provide whatever your tribe needs."
SMILE, the artificial Devil Fruit developed by Caesar, relied on raw materials that could only be cultivated by the Tontatta Tribe.
This had long been part of Caelan's plan.
First, auction Caesar and the SMILE production technology for a massive profit.
Then, control the source of raw materials for long-term income.
"No problem!"
The Tontatta Tribe agreed without hesitation.
Farming? They were more than used to that.
And unlike Doflamingo, who had forced them to work for free, this great hero Caelan was offering actual payment.
This was a great man!
"And second, I need Princess Mansherry's ability. Is that alright?"
Caelan looked at Mansherry, his tone sincere.
Mansherry had eaten the Heal-Heal Fruit, giving her the ability to heal all living things.
Caelan didn't need it for himself, but it would be incredibly useful for his subordinates and the women around him.
"As for that... it's up to Mansherry to decide."
Gancho looked at his daughter, a bit hesitant.
"Father, I'm willing to help Lord Caelan!"
Mansherry agreed without hesitation.
Caelan had saved her from Doflamingo and freed her homeland.
She wanted to repay him.
Having accomplished both objectives, Caelan smiled contentedly.
By the way, the Tontatta Kingdom also agreed to join the Illuminati, becoming its second member nation.
However, they were exempt from military fees and dues. In return, they would grow crops for Caelan.
"So easy to win their trust."
Caelan left the Tontatta Tribe's settlement with Mansherry in hand, feeling a little amazed.
They claimed to be cautious, but in reality, they believed anything if you spoke with sincerity. Just as easy to handle as Baby5.
As he looked at the obedient Baby5 beside him and the chatty Mansherry on his shoulder, Caelan couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
(To be continued.)