[~1200 Words]
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"If you are interested in a marriage alliance," Tamago began, producing a small booklet from his coat and holding it aloft, "you may choose one of Totto Land's princesses as the subject of this union." He offered the album, awaiting James's decision. "This is a collection of the Totto Land princesses, please take a look."
"A marriage alliance…" James mused.
Charlotte Linlin was notoriously temperamental; allying with her was akin to befriending a tiger. Yet, if he could effortlessly acquire Charlotte Pudding through such an agreement, the benefit would be substantial.
This acquisition would allow him to modify his strategic plan: first, deal with Kaido, then reconsider his approach to Charlotte Linlin. Therefore, Charlotte Pudding was a necessity. As for the others...
James pondered for a moment, then made his decision.
He raised a hand, and the small booklet levitated from Tamago's grasp. His mastery over the Rumble-Rumble Fruit had evolved; a subtle electric field now constantly permeated the hundred-meter radius around him, passively manifesting without conscious control.
Within this field, he could summon lightning, instantly flicker his body, and even imbue other Devil Fruit powers, such as the transmission capabilities of the Float-Float Fruit.
Without hesitation, James began to flip through the pages. Charlotte Linlin boasted numerous daughters, and he only vaguely remembered a few of them, recalling their beauty but not their names.
His sole criterion for choosing a Divine Consort was aesthetic connection—simply put, Captivating beauty.
His Divine Consorts absolutely had to be beautiful.
Moth-like eyebrows and a delicate forehead, pearly teeth and crimson lips, youthful charm and an ethereal grace… in essence, beautiful enough to captivate him.
He was destined to become a true god; why would he choose women he couldn't bear to be with? That would be a form of self-torture.
Everyone's aesthetic sense differed, but surely no one, after achieving such power, would willingly choose to "eat bitter fruit."
He followed his intuition, floating the selected photos to his right and relegating the discarded ones to his left.
"This…" Tamago watched the booklet, now beyond his control, with dawning disbelief. He rubbed his eyes, ensuring he wasn't mistaken, and murmured, "How is this possible… Can the Rumble-Rumble Fruit be used in this manner?"
"Tamago, what's wrong?" Pekoms asked, having missed James's subtle display, assuming it was a normal Devil Fruit application.
"Nothing…" Tamago quickly shut down the conversation, fearing potential repercussions.
"Heh heh~ Everyone who first witnesses God James's capabilities are as surprised as you," Shura interjected, an inexplicable confidence in his tone. "How could mere mortals comprehend the Lord God's powers?" Shura's unwavering conviction made Tamago question himself: was his understanding of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's specific capabilities truly lacking? But still, James hadn't even emitted a spark of lightning, yet he had suspended those photos. It looked suspicious, no matter how one considered it.
After a short while, James had reviewed all the photos.
Charlotte Linlin had a total of thirty-nine daughters, and he held approximately twenty-five selections in his hand.
Charlotte Smoothie was notably absent, as one of the Sweet Generals, she was naturally not considered a mere tool for a marriage alliance.
Other significant high-ranking members, such as Charlotte Brûlée, the Mirror-Mirror Fruit user, were also excluded. Charlotte Flampe, being underage, was likewise omitted.
Ultimately, James chose four.
He returned the other photos to the album, leaving his selected Divine Consorts displayed: Charlotte Custard, Charlotte Melise, Charlotte Galette, and Charlotte Pudding.
"I agree to this marriage alliance," James declared.
Pekoms and Tamago were about to express their relief when James's next words startled them. "However, to ensure the alliance between the Divine Country and the Big Mom Pirates is even more stable, I have decided to choose these four as my Divine Consorts. I wonder if the two of you are authorized to make this decision on behalf of Charlotte Linlin?"
"This…" Cold sweat beaded on Tamago's forehead. In previous marriage alliances, who didn't diligently choose just one? This was the first time he had witnessed such a blatant disregard for the one-choice limit.
Pekoms flicked his tail anxiously, responding helplessly, "We two are not qualified to make decisions for Mama… Mama said you only need to choose one. There's no need to pick more for a marriage alliance, Gaa-oh~"
"Heh~ Whether it's necessary or not is not for you two to worry about. Contact Charlotte Linlin and let her make the decision!" James commanded.
"Yes, Let´s Contact Mama…" Tamago and Pekoms exchanged worried glances. Neither wanted to call Charlotte Linlin, as her scolding was a frequent ordeal.
"What? Don't tell me you didn't bring a Den Den Mushi."
"Tamago, make the call. Just hand it to James. That way, we won't get scolded, Gaa-oh~" Pekoms suggested, a glimmer of an idea in his eyes.
"You're right," Tamago realized suddenly.
As long as James spoke and diverted Mama's attention, they might be safe. He took out a Den Den Mushi, but before he could activate it, James simply extended his hand and took it.
The nearby angel thoughtfully stepped forward, opened the Den Den Mushi, and dialed the number.
"Purupuru… Kacha~"
"Hello? Tamago…" Charlotte Linlin's wild voice boomed through the receiver.
"Big Mom, I've heard much about you. I am God James. Tamago and Pekoms have informed me about the marriage alliance…"
"Mamamama… is that the lightning boy? Are you calling to agree?"
"That's right. Not only that, but I also wish to marry a few more of your beloved daughters as my Divine Consorts to further strengthen our relationship."
"Marry a few more? Lightning boy, you're really asking for a lot~ With your Rumble-Rumble Fruit ability, the value you can bring me is only enough for you to marry one."
"You might not know it yet, but I am a person from Skypiea, serving as the God and Emperor of my Divine Country. The value of a marriage alliance with me is not just my strength, but also the unique delicacies and special shells of this Sky Island."
"Sky Island? Delicacies? Shells? The World Government's investigation into you is truly superficial. While Sky Island's shells are priceless, they are of no use to me. However, Sky Island's delicacies are quite good. But even this will, at most, grant you one additional choice."
"Is that so…" James nodded, the outcome not far from his expectation.
To make Charlotte Linlin truly relent, he would likely need to tempt her with both delicacies and research on giant humans.
As for offering her Sky Island people or suggesting children with her, such overtures could easily be construed as insults, leading only to enmity.
His primary target remained Charlotte Pudding, so caution was paramount. As for the two he hadn't chosen now—Custard and Melise—he certainly wouldn't let them go; he would acquire them eventually.
"Then I will choose Charlotte Pudding and Charlotte Galette as my Divine Consorts. I will have Tamago bring the delicacies back, Big Mom."
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