May, Sea Circle Calendar 1504.
Admiral Benn Ortoren of Marine Headquarters returned to his loyal G-5 Naval Base.
It was clear his orders had reached G-5 ahead of him. The Momonga and the early-returned Issho who greeted him at the military port were both wearing Justice cloaks and now bore the shoulder insignia of Vice Admirals.
"Welcome, welcome! We are honored to have the Admiral personally guide G-5's work," Momonga said cheerfully, cracking a joke as soon as Ortoren stepped off the ship.
"That line should be mine. I'm the current Base Commander of G-5," Issho said with a gentle smile, giving his cloak a small shake.
"Hahaha, seeing you both in such good spirits puts me at ease. We're all on the same side here—let's keep moving forward together," Ortoren laughed.
As his Admiral's aide, Momonga exchanged brief pleasantries before Ortoren asked, "How are the preparations I asked you to handle earlier?"
"All done. Notifications were sent out, and Doflamingo even sent a message yesterday—he'll be arriving soon," Momonga replied.
Before returning to the New World, Ortoren had instructed him to contact their various partners and gather everyone for a small meeting.
"Where's the meeting being held?" Ortoren asked.
"Before you left, you told Master Tom to clean up that mobile micro-island and prepare it as your New World base. It's secluded, and everything's been readied. So that's where I scheduled the meeting. Tokikake is already aboard that 'ship.' First he'll pick up Doflamingo and Moria. On the way back, he'll rendezvous with Mr. Katakuri, and then everyone will come here to join us," Momonga said with a grin.
"Good. You're doing very well as my Admiral's aide." Ortoren gave him an approving pat on the shoulder.
"What about your arrangements?" Momonga asked.
"Dragon-san should be coming. I also invited Tiger, the big-shot from Fish-Man Island's underworld—I have business with him anyway, so he'll attend. Spandine is almost here. Queen Stussy can't make it—she was summoned back to Holy Land to deal with something," Ortoren explained.
As they talked and walked toward the base, Ortoren used the Den Den Mushi to call Tesoro back as well; he had matters to discuss with him.
Despite Issho now being G-5's Base Commander—and despite Headquarters giving him a codename identical to the original storyline, "Fujitora"—there was still a great deal Ortoren needed to handle upon returning.
First was the handover: formally transferring all G-5 authority to Issho. Then he discussed with Momonga whether he'd be willing to serve as a base commander.
Momonga was indeed interested. In the original story, he served as G-1 Base Commander for years, which proved he had real talent for such positions.
But now, Momonga had zero intent of going to G-1. That base was symbolic and political, far removed from the front lines. Even Ortoren didn't want to place his headquarters there—too many restrictions, too close to the Red Line and Marine Headquarters. Even as Governor, if the Fleet Admiral decided to micromanage, he'd have no choice but to comply.
"What about G-12? That place isn't bad," Ortoren suggested.
"G-12 is workable, but its current Base Commander, Vice Admiral Vitelli, is a hawk—one of Admiral Sakazuki's people. Would it really be appropriate to remove him immediately?" Momonga asked.
"A small matter. Sakazuki and I are solid. Back at Headquarters, I openly supported his promotion to Admiral. And now that I'm Governor of the New World, this falls within my authority. But we shouldn't make it stiff. I'll contact Sakazuki later and have him transfer Vitelli himself. Once he's reassigned, I'll issue the order for you to take over G-12," Ortoren said without hesitation.
Sakazuki would certainly give him this courtesy. No issue there.
As Ortoren and Momonga continued discussing these arrangements, Tesoro knocked and entered. Spotting him, Tesoro brightened.
"Ortoren-sama!"
"Tesoro, come here. During my time at Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku brought up a new initiative—the United Maritime Police. I need you to evaluate whether our funds are sufficient to launch it…" Ortoren beckoned.
…
Meanwhile, in the New World—within the waters of Totto Land.
Whole Cake Island.
Katakuri stood in one of the grand halls of the Cake Castle, looking helpless as he watched his mother lingering over her farewell.
"Grandma really can't bear to part with you, Ace. When you go back, if your papa treats you badly, just tell Grandma. You still have Grandma's contact signal. I'll have Uncle Katakuri come pick you up. We won't stay over there anymore. Totto Land is so much more fun, isn't it?" Charlotte Linlin crouched down, her massive figure folding as she gently pinched Ace's cheeks, reluctant to let go.
Ace, too, looked heartbroken. "I don't want to go either. There are so many uncles and aunts here who play with me… But I haven't seen Mama in a long time. She called me two days ago on the Den Den Mushi—she said she missed me…"
From the moment Ortoren left until now—nearly half a year—Ace had been living under Charlotte Linlin's care, growing familiar with everyone in the Big Mom Pirates.
With Charlotte Linlin's personality still stable, and Katakuri being someone who deeply valued family, the entire Big Mom Pirates had followed suit. The atmosphere in the crew had become surprisingly harmonious.
Ace was adorable and also Ortoren's child, deeply cherished by Linlin herself. Which elder would dare bully him? They all treated him like a precious gem—too fragile to drop, too sweet to let melt.
In short, during these six months, Ace had become the genuine "Crown Prince" of the Big Mom Pirates.
To describe his feelings toward this place in one sentence: everyone here loves him, speaks kindly to him, and he absolutely loves being here.
Yamato had originally stayed with him as well, but last week Kaidou couldn't stand leaving his child in Linlin's hands any longer and personally came to bring Yamato home.
After a long, reluctant farewell with Ace, Charlotte Linlin finally composed herself and turned to Katakuri. "Be careful on the road. Make sure nothing happens to Ace…"
Katakuri thought, Leaving from Whole Cake Island, crossing Totto Land's border, and heading straight into G-5 territory—how dangerous could that be? Someone will pick him up. It's basically going home. Mom, you've never been this worried when I leave…
"I understand, Mama," Katakuri replied helplessly.
Realizing she was overdoing it, Charlotte Linlin cleared her throat. "That brat's an Admiral now. As soon as he returns to the New World, he'll be gathering people for a meeting. He's probably planning something big. Keep an eye out."
"Yes, Mama," Katakuri answered seriously.
Before long, Katakuri departed from Cake Castle with Ace sitting happily on his shoulder.
…
Meanwhile, aboard the Flamingo, Doflamingo answered the Den Den Mushi with a puzzled expression.
"Missing again?"
"Yeah… Young master Corazon took that boy Law somewhere. No clue where they went…" Trebol's voice crackled through.
Doflamingo calmed quickly. "Leave them. Not the first time. He's probably dragging Law around to find some doctor again…"
At some point, Rosinante and Trafalgar Law had grown close. Since then, Doflamingo noticed his usually sluggish brother becoming surprisingly active—constantly running off with Law.
At first, Doflamingo had been worried. Now, he was simply used to it.
After hanging up, he placed down the Devil Fruit he'd been toying with. A smile curled on his lips.
"Fufufufu… I'm sure Ortoren will like this congratulations gift for his promotion to Admiral."
On the table sat the Paramecia-type Goru Goru no Mi!—the very Devil Fruit Ortoren had repeatedly said he wanted.
...
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