Over the next few days, Ortoren idled on Whole Cake Island, waiting for the rest of the invited guests to arrive for the tea party.
With little to do, he spent his time hanging out with Katakuri and the others—fishing, strolling through town, and the like. During this period, he also crossed paths with other siblings who had returned to Whole Cake Island.
This was essentially Ortoren's first time meeting blood relatives beyond a few familiar faces like Katakuri, Cracker, and Perospero. It didn't go smoothly. The Charlotte family members were proud, quick-tempered, and prone to violence. Since Ortoren hadn't grown up with them, there was little bond between them, and some simply couldn't stand him.
Why him? Why does Mama value and favor him so much? Why does Katakuri take care of him like that?
What makes Ortoren better than me?
So, during those first two days, members of the Charlotte family kept stepping up to challenge him.
Everyone knew Ortoren had a kind nature and despised violence. He preferred resolving things with virtue and had no interest in pointless conflicts. At first, he patiently turned down these challenges, not wanting to damage the harmony and affection between siblings.
But the more he refused, the more they pushed. His unwillingness to fight made them think he was easy to bully, and the provocations escalated.
In the end, left with no choice, Ortoren just shook his head with a bitter smile and accepted their challenges.
What happened after that… well, within two days, the island's medical system was running at full capacity. The Charlotte family's hospital turned into a family gathering spot, as every last one of those who had dared challenge Ortoren ended up admitted.
From then on, Ortoren's days were much quieter. Nobody else came knocking, looking for a fight.
This left the kind-hearted Ortoren feeling he had done a good deed—he had, after all, eased the family's violent atmosphere. Surely, from now on, they would think twice before acting. As the fifth son, and in a way the elder brother to most of his siblings, Ortoren felt he had fulfilled his role and responsibility as an older brother.
...
Early that morning, Ortoren and Katakuri went to the harbor. Some guests had already sent word the night before that they would be arriving today.
Katakuri, as always, was polite in such situations. As the host, if he wasn't busy with something important, he would personally greet the guests. Ortoren, who was looking to expand his connections, naturally tagged along whenever Katakuri made an appearance.
At the dock, Ortoren stood with a cigarette in his mouth and a doughnut in hand, waving it back and forth in front of Katakuri.
Katakuri's eyes followed the doughnut's movements. After a while, he said impatiently,
"Toren, either eat it or put it away. What's the point of waving it in front of me?"
"I was worried you skipped breakfast, so I brought this for you. Want it?" Ortoren asked mischievously.
Katakuri swallowed hard. He really wanted to say yes, but with the guests' ship already approaching and so many eyes around, eating a doughnut here would mean taking off his scarf and revealing his true face—something he refused to do.
After taking a deep breath, Katakuri said, "If you don't put that away, I'm going to lose my temper!"
"But you can't beat me," Ortoren taunted again.
Katakuri let out a cold snort. "In this family, I'm respected by all my younger brothers and sisters. With just one call, they'll come to my aid. You may be strong, but you might not take us all down before exhausting yourself!"
"You make ganging up sound so righteous?" Ortoren muttered in disbelief.
He actually wanted to point out that those beloved siblings were all currently in the hospital, but saying it aloud would've been a bit cruel to his second brother, so he kept quiet.
Instead, he stopped teasing Katakuri, popped the doughnut into his mouth in one bite, and said with a touch of distaste, "This thing is way too sweet and heavy. How do you manage to eat so many of these every day without getting sick of them?"
Hearing the words "Second Brother," Katakuri's mood lifted instantly. He let go of Ortoren's earlier provocations and replied calmly, "Because I love it above all else."
As the two chatted idly, a passenger ship docked and lowered its gangway. A man in a sharp suit, with a bulging belly and wrapped in a lavish fur coat, stepped ashore.
His slicked-back pompadour and cigar clenched in his teeth gave him the air of a crime boss.
Katakuri, worried Ortoren might not recognize him, spoke first: "Lu Feld, the Loan Shark King of the underworld. He controls enormous sums of capital and has a good relationship with Mama. We've worked with him many times before, and things have always gone smoothly. If you're ever short on money, you can reach out to him."
"Loan sharks charge insane interest, don't they? Is it really worth it?" Ortoren asked hesitantly.
Katakuri gave him a strange look. "Interest? By asking him for money, we're already doing him a favor. If he dared charge us interest, who does he think he is?"
Ortoren's eyes lit up in sudden realization. He clapped his hands. "Second Brother, you're right! I'm definitely making friends with this guy!"
Katakuri didn't step forward to greet him. Simply showing up at the port was already more than enough respect. While Lu Feld might be a king of the underworld, his status was nowhere near that of Katakuri, the second prince of Totto Land.
So when Lu Feld spotted Katakuri after disembarking, he approached with a friendly smile and greeted him warmly. "Katakuri-sama, thank you for taking the time to meet me. I'm deeply grateful."
Katakuri's expression stayed cold, his tone even as he replied, "Mr. Feld, it's been a long time. Mama has been talking about her old friend constantly these past few days. Your presence will surely make this tea party more splendid. Welcome."
Despite his cold demeanor, it was clear Katakuri still chose his words with care and respect.
After a brief pause, Katakuri gestured toward Ortoren. "This is Benn Ortoren, the fifth son of the Charlotte family and my younger brother. I'd like you two to meet. I hope you'll get along well from here on."
Hearing this, Lu Feld's face grew even warmer. He immediately reached out, grabbing Ortoren's hand and shaking it vigorously. "I've long heard the rumors that Vice Admiral Benn, the Marine's rising star, is close to the Charlotte family. But to learn you're also Lady Linlin's child is truly unexpected. I've wanted to meet you for a long time. Now that you're active in the New World, should you ever need my help, Vice Admiral Benn, don't hesitate to ask."
It was obvious that even without Katakuri's introduction, Ortoren's presence alone commanded prestige and respect.
As the saying goes, you don't strike a smiling face. Ortoren had no reason to dislike Lu Feld—and might need to borrow money from him someday. So he returned the handshake with a warm smile. "The pleasure's mine. I've also long wanted to make your acquaintance. Our G-5 Marines are in the middle of expanding, so I may indeed need your support in the future..."
By this stage of his career, Lu Feld's wealth mostly came from exploiting those beneath him. But when it came to dealing with people like the Big Mom Pirates or Ortoren, his money served more as an investment in connections. Interest was the least of his concerns, so he was more than happy to establish business ties with Ortoren.
...
Not long after Lu Feld departed, another passenger ship docked at the port. As the gangway lowered, a breathtaking beauty descended gracefully. Her flawless features, alluring figure, and overwhelming charm radiated irresistible femininity.
This woman was none other than the Queen of the Pleasure District, Stussy!