Seeing how quickly Ortoren connected the dots, Stussy smiled.
"You're absolutely right. Kaidou controls vast reserves of Seastone, and most of those deposits lie deep beneath the ocean, making them incredibly difficult to mine. Open-pit sources like those in Wano are exceedingly rare. In recent years, with the Great Pirate Era erupting, the number of pirates has skyrocketed. Villains are everywhere, and Devil Fruit users have multiplied. That's why Seastone has become one of the most sought-after resources for Mary Geoise..."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"This is the advantage the Beasts Pirates hold. Compared to them, the Big Mom Pirates lack in this area. As for production capacity, Kaidou may not match Linlin, but it's still enough to satisfy Mary Geoise's current needs. Your idea would be very hard to push through. Even if I were to intervene, there's no guarantee it would succeed."
Not to mention, you still haven't told me what's in it for me.
Ortoren began tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of the sofa, his expression thoughtful and silent.
Seeing this, Stussy didn't press. Instead, she rose gracefully and went to prepare tea, humming softly as she moved.
When she returned and poured him a cup, Ortoren finally smiled and spoke.
"In the short term, maybe there won't be much difference in military technology. But give it two years, and things could change. I believe the Big Mom Pirates have far greater potential for advancement than Kaidou's crew. Wouldn't that reason be enough to offset some of their disadvantages?"
"The reasoning is sound," Stussy admitted as she sat down across from him. Crossing her long, elegant legs, she took a sip of tea with poise before adding, "But baseless speculation isn't the same as evidence. Mary Geoise isn't likely to accept your estimate without proof..."
"It's not entirely without proof." Ortoren lifted his own teacup and drank slowly.
"Oh?" A flicker of curiosity passed through Stussy's eyes. "What do you mean?"
"One of the guests at this tea party is Donquixote Doflamingo. Are you familiar with him, Ms. Stussy?" Ortoren asked evenly.
"A little." Stussy nodded lightly. "His status is unusual. In North Blue, he holds considerable influence. Since the Great Pirate Era began, his family has shifted entirely toward piracy. He's even sent people to Mary Geoise multiple times to lobby for a seat among the Shichibukai, but he's always been rejected..."
"Through my ties with the Charlotte family, I've come across some intelligence—insignificant on the surface, but critically important. Originally, I intended to report it to headquarters. But now, it seems I'll have to share it with you, Ms. Stussy..." Ortoren said, feigning reluctance.
Stussy pouted slightly, putting on an expression of mock displeasure.
"Vice Admiral Benn, you'll make me sad talking like that. I've been racking my brain to give you advice, offering strategies, and yet you still keep me at arm's length..."
"Heh... heh..." Ortoren chuckled but didn't respond, instead continuing.
"You must have heard of what's happening in Flevance, in North Blue. Large-scale unrest is about to break out there, which will drastically cut Amber Lead production. Word is, the World Government has already started stockpiling it, hasn't it?"
"There have been such reports," Stussy admitted with a slight nod.
"Amber Lead isn't just a precious metal prized by nobles," Ortoren went on. "It's also a consumable resource for high-end military weaponry. That's the real reason its price stays so high. To create precision weapons with the highest compatibility, Amber Lead is indispensable. At present, there isn't another natural metal in the world that can take its place. Am I right, Ms. Stussy?"
"That's right." Stussy nodded without hesitation.
"Once Flevance falls, the Donquixote family will almost certainly ally with the Big Mom Pirates to monopolize Amber Lead mining in the North Blue. Since the Big Mom Pirates are already in competition with the Beasts Pirates in the field of armaments, it follows that if Linlin secures this advantage, Kaidou's production of high-end weaponry will inevitably be constrained by Amber Lead. That's why I believe in the coming years, the Big Mom Pirates will overtake the Beasts Pirates in manufacturing technology and pull ahead." Ortoren's voice was firm.
Stussy's eyes lost their playfulness, turning serious. "Information like this? And our CP agency hasn't detected a thing... If that's the case, then Kaidou with Seastone and the Big Mom Pirates with Amber Lead... both sides hold unique advantages. Tch, this complicates matters."
"Seastone may be Kaidou's strongest resource, but it's not truly exclusive. Amber Lead, however, exists only in Flevance. And once the Donquixote family seals their alliance with the Big Mom Pirates, Kaidou won't be able to extend his reach into the North Blue—he simply doesn't have the power." Ortoren reminded her once again.
Stussy sipped her tea, her gaze thoughtful. After a long silence, she spoke. "If this intelligence is confirmed, then the Big Mom Pirates' competitiveness would indeed match Kaidou's, perhaps even surpass it. With me mediating, the cooperation you seek could very well be realized. However..."
Her lips curved into a sly smile. "Vice Admiral Benn, you still haven't told me—what's in it for me if I help you~?"
At that, Ortoren slumped dramatically into the sofa, lying back with a mock sprawl. "If it's my beauty and body you're after, then by all means, take me. I'll sacrifice myself for the cause. Any position you want, I'll go along with it!"
Stussy blinked in surprise, then broke into playful laughter. "While I do admit to being tempted by your strong, heroic looks, Vice Admiral Benn, don't misunderstand me. I'm not so easy or casual~"
Hearing this, Ortoren straightened up again, studying her. "Then what is it you want from me?"
"Spandine from CP-9 often tells me you're a loyal friend, that you've helped him many times. As for me, I have a bit of ambition within CP. I hope to climb higher, to see farther..." For a fleeting moment, a faint shadow crossed Stussy's eyes.
Silently, she thought to herself, If I could stand taller, see farther... maybe I could catch a glimpse of freedom.
No one willingly remains someone else's shadow, or a tool to be controlled for life. Stussy was no different, even if she was a clone.
Despite her origins, she never saw herself as lesser. She had her own will, her own complete self. She was no substitute, no tool. But the times and her circumstances left her unable to openly defy her fate. Still, she had not given up the struggle. If she could rise high enough, maybe she could find a path out of her cage.
But all of this passed in an instant, hidden behind a flawless mask. The more beautiful the woman, the better she is at deception—and Stussy was no exception. With ease, she buried her true emotions and continued smiling.
"So, I want your friendship, Vice Admiral Benn. I'd like to be counted among your friends..."
Leaning forward, her voice took on a subtle, suggestive tone. "Please note, the 'I' here represents only my personal will. I want to be your friend in a private capacity, Ortoren..."
Sitting on the sofa, Ortoren studied her carefully. He felt there was more behind her words, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Even so, it didn't change his answer.
A warm smile spread across his face as he nodded. "I doubt anyone would turn down a friendship invitation from a woman as beautiful as you."
"Then I thank you~" Stussy laughed softly, then looked at him with rare seriousness. "When I return from Whole Cake Island, I'll begin making recommendations to my superiors. You can rest assured, Vice Admiral Benn—out of friendship, I'll do my best to keep your name out of the reports."
In that moment, Stussy believed Ortoren might one day become a force that could help her in her search for freedom. For that possibility, she was willing to shield him in small, seemingly insignificant ways.
She did it for their friendship, and for her own future.
Perhaps one day, these little gestures would yield returns she never expected.