New World, Pleasure Island.
Once just an ordinary island devastated by pirates, it was transformed a few years ago when the Pleasure District chose it as their New World headquarters and began construction.
Now, it has become one of the most famous entertainment islands in the New World. The island is fully equipped—food, drink, games, and every indulgence one could desire can be found here. This naturally attracts a constant flow of pirates and scoundrels, who spend money without hesitation, greatly fueling the island's prosperity.
Because it regularly gathers pirates and complex groups from across the seas, information flows here at an incredible rate. It is precisely by harnessing this network that the Pleasure District has risen to become one of the top intelligence organizations in the underworld.
At the island's center, within the Pleasure District's headquarters, in the tallest building, Queen Stussy sat in her office, sorting and compiling critical intelligence reports.
As she read the documents in hand, the Den Den Mushi on her desk suddenly rang.
Stussy gave it a glance, then straightened her expression and answered with measured seriousness.
"Good day, Saint Saturn."
On the other end was none other than Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Five Elders' Warrior God of Science and Defense.
Saturn ignored her greeting, asking calmly,
"How did the Whole Cake Island affair go?"
"As expected," Stussy replied without delay.
"And Charlotte Linlin? Did she give any thought to our proposal?" Saturn pressed.
"I hinted at your suggestion, but she doesn't seem willing to leave the pirate life behind—at least not anytime soon," Stussy reported.
"Arrogant fool..." Saturn muttered coldly.
In recent years, as Totto Land gradually took on a more formal structure, its influence spread rapidly across the New World, drawing the attention of the Five Elders and the World Government toward Charlotte Linlin.
Compared to the other seas, the World Government's influence in the New World was weak. For a long time, the Five Elders had sought to strengthen their foothold there, but no decisive progress had been made.
The last major opportunity came when Roger was captured—and when Shiki was taken down as well. The plan had been to use Roger's execution to bolster the Government's prestige while unleashing the Navy to launch a massive campaign against the New World, tightening their grip and pressing their influence.
But on the day of his execution, Roger turned everything upside down, delivering the world a shocking revelation.
Not only did the Government fail to achieve its intended results, Roger's words plunged the seas into chaos, ushering in the Great Pirate Era—a nightmare for the World Government.
With pirates surging into the seas in droves, the Navy could no longer focus on the New World. Instead, they were forced to scatter their forces across the globe to suppress chaos at its source and maintain the most basic stability.
As a result, the World Government's prestige in the New World did not rise—it declined. That sea has truly become pirate territory now. Their authority means nothing there.
Because of this, the Five Elders turned their eyes toward Totto Land. Pirates are by nature chaotic, acting as they please, but Totto Land had displayed an extraordinary degree of order amid the chaos.
Even if that order was forged in blood, even if it was far from... normal, the Five Elders did not care.
If Charlotte Linlin were willing to cooperate with the World Government—abandon her pirate status, and bring Totto Land into the fold as a powerful allied nation—the Government's influence in the New World would undergo a dramatic transformation.
That was why, during this Tea Party, they sent Stussy to sound her out, to see if she had any intention of such cooperation.
The Five Elders were willing to negotiate. Conditions could be set—so long as they weren't too outrageous. For Totto Land's influence, its strength, and the fighting power of the Big Mom Pirates, they considered it worth the price.
But judging from Stussy's report, Charlotte Linlin had no intention of working with them at all.
"Did you manage to obtain any crucial intelligence?" Saint Saturn inquired again.
"Yes. The Big Mom Pirates appear to have close ties with the Donquixote Family of the North Blue. It's highly likely both factions have made arrangements concerning Flevance. I obtained some relatively confidential intelligence: due to the Big Mom Pirates' extensive involvement in the arms trade within the underworld, they've inevitably clashed with the Beast Pirates over business interests. That's why Charlotte Linlin partnered with the Donquixote Family. Their goal is to control the source of Amber Lead production for high-end weapons, thereby suppressing Kaidou's arms business. I've compiled the relevant data on this matter and sent it to headquarters for the commander-in-chief. Based on our projections, unless Kaidou devises superior countermeasures, the Big Mom Pirates will secure comprehensive technological superiority in arms within the next three to five years..." Stussy said softly.
"I've reviewed that report," Saint Saturn responded, then added, "This is precisely why we're hesitating. Our original plan was to entrust the arms trade to Kaidou, but now it seems the Big Mom Pirates might be the more suitable choice..."
Stussy didn't offer any opinion. She knew the Five Elders weren't seeking her counsel. Her role was to provide intelligence, nothing more.
After a brief silence, Saint Saturn continued, "Then for now, we'll proceed with the Big Mom Pirates... This is an exchange of relationships and interests. If she benefits from these collaborations, she may eventually change her mind and choose to work with us."
"I believe this could indeed become a turning point," Stussy added, gently pushing the idea forward.
Silently, she thought: Ortoren, I've really done you a huge favor here. Don't let me down.
Saint Saturn didn't pursue the topic further. Instead, he shifted direction.
"This time, did you see Benn Ortoren? Any progress on the investigation I assigned you regarding him?"
"I did," Stussy replied. "His identity is now confirmed beyond doubt. At the Tea Party, Charlotte Linlin publicly acknowledged him as the fifth son of the Charlotte family—the child after Perospero, Katakuri, and the others. Our investigation into Vice Admiral Benn's background shows no discrepancies. He was indeed born aboard the Rocks Pirates' ship but was later abandoned. His father raised him on Terian Island. It wasn't until around Sea Circle Calendar 1497 to 1498 that he reconnected with the Big Mom Pirates. However, their relationship wasn't particularly close. Still, Charlotte Linlin has always tried to draw Vice Admiral Benn closer, and he hasn't completely rejected that connection."
"That matches the Marines' account," Saint Saturn remarked thoughtfully. "Anything else?"
"Yes. Our investigation indicates that after assuming command of the G-5 Naval Base, Vice Admiral Benn gradually revealed the darker nature of his pirate bloodline. He has repeatedly accepted bribes from nations under his jurisdiction and even extorted the Shichibukai. Reliable sources confirm he extorted at least 20 billion berries each from Gecko Moria and Smash Fist Slekemind. He also sold off a large amount of supplies confiscated by G-5 in the underworld, using the profits to sustain his extravagant lifestyle..." Stussy reported quietly.
"Extravagant lifestyle?" Saint Saturn raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Yes. Although we haven't yet conducted a detailed investigation, it's said that since he became G-5 Base Commander, his daily expenses on food, drink, and necessities have been nothing short of the finest—at least the finest within his reach. He also seems to have a gambling habit. We once stumbled across one of his underground transactions. He spent 200 million berries on a complete set of the highest-grade fishing equipment available. That alone shows how deeply he indulges in personal pleasures..." Stussy continued her report.
Saint Saturn listened, and instead of feeling angry, he seemed reassured. In his eyes, a Navy commander like that was the right kind of commander. If every officer were like an ascetic saint, forever preaching justice, intolerant of flaws, and devoid of vices—how could such people ever be trusted with high positions?
"Minor matters. As Vice Admiral Benn, commander of G-5 Base at the New World's frontline—the harshest posting—it's only natural for him to seek enjoyment outside of duty." Saint Saturn chuckled lightly, then asked, "Any other problems?"
Stussy glanced at the documents in her hands. They contained some of the more secretive details she had uncovered about G-5. The information was vague, but explosive nonetheless—such as the fact that the G-5 Marines had secretly constructed standard Marine warships.
Even though Ortoren had done everything possible to hide it, ships couldn't be built from nothing. Where there were traces, there would always be flaws to uncover.
After a brief pause, Stussy answered softly, "No. Everything else is normal."
Saint Saturn had no reason to doubt her. After all, he knew perfectly well that Stussy had only met Ortoren once on Whole Cake Island. Could a single meeting really have turned her?