"That's right. If you want some, I can sell it to you at market price." Hearing Linlin's words, Kaido wasn't surprised either. After all, Charlotte Linlin placed quite a bit of importance on intelligence gathering.
"Mamamama~ Then it's settled. I'll have someone contact you." Charlotte Linlin nodded satisfactorily, but then her tone shifted. "However, Kaido, I doubt mere seastone is enough to warrant you personally receiving me, is it?"
Upon hearing this, a trace of surprise flashed in Kaido's eyes. He set down his gourd, seriously appraising this old friend before him. "Speak your true purpose, Linlin."
"Mamamama~ Kaido, you've established a foothold in the New World now. What are your plans for development next?" Charlotte Linlin asked Kaido, a probing note in her tone.
"Development?" Hearing Charlotte Linlin's words and considering the recent news, Kaido replied with a playful tone, "So that's how it is, Linlin. I never expected you to seek outside help. Wororororo..."
Kaido then laughed heartily, his laughter echoing across the sea.
"Shut up, Kaido!" Charlotte Linlin, hearing Kaido's laughter, shouted angrily. "That bastard Shiki, daring to launch a war against my husband's country without so much as a word."
"Your husband?" Kaido was somewhat astonished, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Correct. My eleventh husband, the King of the Volz Kingdom. I was just about to take over that country, and then that bastard Shiki had the nerve to invade it before I could!" Charlotte Linlin stated directly, her voice filled with rage.
"Volz Kingdom? The country in the New World that produces all kinds of Den Den Mushi?" Kaido said, a thoughtful glint flashing in his eyes.
"Correct," Charlotte Linlin nodded, her fingers unconsciously tightening on the armrest.
"Taking such a big loss and not going for revenge... that's not like you, Linlin," Kaido said to Charlotte Linlin, a hint of teasing in his voice.
"Hmph! If I hadn't been giving birth that day, that bastard Shiki never would have succeeded so easily!" Charlotte Linlin said indignantly. Then she continued, "Although I don't fear Shiki himself, the disparity in overall fighting power is too great. Streusen has to stay behind to guard Totto Land. My pirate crew doesn't have many powerful officers; right now, it mostly depends on my four children here to hold the line."
As she spoke, Charlotte Linlin pointed at Perospero and the others beside her, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes.
"So, you want to form an alliance with me?" Kaido asked bluntly.
"Correct, Kaido. Shiki's current strength is not to be underestimated. He already has twenty-eight squadrons under his command. The captains of the top ten squadrons all have some serious skills. Combined with Shiki's own Devil Fruit ability, the Golden Lion Pirates have become extremely troublesome." As she spoke, Charlotte Linlin stood up directly. Her enormous frame cast a huge shadow in the setting sun. "So, Kaido, let us form an alliance. My children still need time to grow. And your subordinates also need time to grow."
Charlotte Linlin glanced at the officers beside Kaido, their faces still youthful, a trace of calculation flashing in her eyes.
Kaido silently observed Linlin, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his chair. The sea wind lifted his black mane, revealing the ferocious horns on his forehead. Although he now occupied Wano Country as a base, it was indeed as Linlin said—his core officers were still too young. Currently, only King, Bullet, and Queen among his officers could barely be considered top-tier. The others needed at least a few more years to develop.
"Wororororo..." Kaido suddenly let out a low chuckle. "Linlin, you've certainly made a good calculation. However..." His gaze suddenly turned sharp. "...why should I help you deal with the Lion?"
A flash of anger passed through Linlin's eyes, but she quickly restored her smile. "Mamamama~ Kaido, do you think Shiki will just leave you alone? The seastone produced by Wano is an important strategic resource. If it hadn't leaked into the underworld, perhaps no one would have thought of Wano. But now, I estimate Shiki has already taken notice of Wano. I don't think it will be long before Shiki attacks it."
Hearing this, Kaido frowned slightly. It was true. Shiki's ambitions were known throughout the New World. Wano's natural defenses were highly effective against invasion by other forces, but against Shiki with his Fuwa Fuwa no Mi ability, it was practically undefended.
It was entirely possible Shiki might attack Wano due to this butterfly effect. In terms of pure combat power, Kaido didn't fear Shiki at all. In fact, in a battle of attrition, Kaido was confident he could defeat Shiki after a few days. But as Charlotte Linlin had said, while his current crew had the greatest potential, those who hadn't yet realized that potential might not be able to withstand Shiki's forces.
"Linlin, what do you propose?" Kaido asked Charlotte Linlin with a note of seriousness in his voice.
"Mamamama~" Seeing Kaido soften, Charlotte Linlin laughed out loud, then said, "Very simple. We form a pirate alliance. If Shiki moves against either one of us, we immediately join forces and declare war on the Golden Lion Pirates. If we combine forces, I don't think even Golden Lion Shiki could possibly be our match. What do you think, Kaido?"
The sun had completely sunk below the horizon, leaving only faint lamplight on the deck. Kaido silently watched Linlin as the sea breeze ruffled his long hair. After a long while, he finally spoke.
"Agreed." After a long period of thought, Kaido nodded in agreement. Then he added, "However, my alliance with you is only directed against the Golden Lion Pirates."
Hearing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Linlin's face. "Mamamama~ Deal!"
"By the way, you just took over Wano, yet you'd leave. Aren't you afraid the samurai will rebel against your rule while you're gone? Or is there something outside more important than Wano?" Charlotte Linlin said to Kaido.
"Wororororo. If I don't leave, how will those rats hiding in the sewers dare to jump out?" Kaido responded with a hearty laugh.
"Is that so? I see," Charlotte Linlin said upon hearing this. "When do you plan to return to Wano?"
"Where I go is none of your business, Linlin," Kaido stated bluntly.
"Mamamama~ Fine, I won't pry. Anyway, with your current strength, you could easily suppress any rebellion in Wano even if it happened," Charlotte Linlin said directly.
***
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