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Chapter 7 - Chapter 7

The safest move, of course, was to bind Dr. Hughes to the family by marriage.

Conveniently, the family happened to have several daughters of marrying age.

If the older ones didn't suit him, there were younger girls who could be taken in as child brides.

They'd grow up soon enough.

And if he fancied Mama herself—well, even if she wasn't a special race,

with his world-renowned brilliance…

it wouldn't be impossible to grant him that privilege.

If the two of them truly joined, perhaps they could produce children both strong and clever.

Mamamama—just thinking about it was exciting!

Elsewhere, Hughes had been brought to a room in the main castle to rest for a bit.

What struck him as novel was that everything in the room was "alive."

Though none of the furniture had grown limbs or could move,

each piece had a human face, and could speak.

The effect was bizarre and uncanny.

But it was one of the island's signature features.

All of those furnishings had been given souls by the Soru Soru no Mi (Soul-Soul Fruit).

Hughes couldn't help wondering: if lifeless things could be given souls…

what about living beings?

The mindless giants produced by the gigantification serum retained only the animal instinct to feed.

They lacked intelligence; though they had souls, they were like bewildered toddlers.

They could serve as bioweapons, but they were hard to control effectively.

If they were remade as a different kind of Homies via the Soru Soru no Mi…

their giant power could be pushed even further.

That would require discussion—something to study carefully with Charlotte Linlin.

Before long, Hughes met the members of the Charlotte family, led by Charlotte Linlin herself.

Most bore bandages here and there, and all regarded him with curious eyes.

She looked nothing like the elderly "iron balloon" who would one day reign as an empress.

Nor did she match the stunning beauty on wanted posters from a decade ago.

Her figure now was more massive; her face, hard-edged and fierce—still retaining a trace of mature allure.

Unlike those powerful figures who once suppressed their auras when dealing with him,

Hughes saw in her eyes unmasked greed, a pirate's ferocity, and a king's devouring will.

"Mamamama… Welcome, Dr. Hughes, to Whole Cake Island. From today on, we're intimate partners in business."

"The honor is mine, beautiful Lady Charlotte Linlin."

"How do you find Whole Cake Island? I trust my children haven't neglected you along the way."

"Not at all—please don't worry. We've gotten along quite well."

"As for my impressions—if you'll forgive the frankness—everything here feels like a fairytale, dreamlike and unreal. You've built something remarkable, Lady Linlin." As he spoke, Hughes couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

"Such a honeyed tongue. I'm starting to like you, Dr. Hughes."

"Say—why don't we take this relationship a step further?"

"You can become my thirty-eighth husband."

"With your intellect and my natural gifts, our offspring would be the most perfect creation of Mama's life." Expectation glimmered in Charlotte Linlin's eyes; her tone probed for an opening.

Had this been more than ten years ago—facing that breathtaking beauty—Hughes might not have cared whether she was "firsthand."

But looking at this current, steely visage, he felt no spark at all.

"Please don't joke about that. It's not happening," Hughes said, firm and unhesitating.

Seeing the obvious distaste on his face, Charlotte Linlin felt a twinge of disappointment.

Back in the Rocks era, she'd been the brightest jewel on the seas—countless famed pirates eager to kneel at her feet.

What an unromantic man.

If Plan A failed, there was always Plan B.

"If you don't fancy Mama, how about my lovely daughters?"

"The Charlotte family has a proud tradition of marriage alliances. If you and one of my girls make a match, it would be a story for the ages."

"Doctor, you wouldn't want to spurn my good intentions, would you?" As she spoke, Charlotte Linlin leaned her massive body forward. The three Homies at her side didn't transform, but their expressions twisted to match "Mama's" surging aura.

Hughes sighed. "Fine. In that case, let's take a look."

"Mamamama, excellent! You hear that, girls? Drill, polish, and present your most beautiful selves to our most precious guest!"

Within the Big Mom Pirates, Charlotte Linlin's word was law.

Her children had no freedom to marry; Mama strengthened the crew through political unions.

So, the moment she spoke,

every unmarried girl—down to those not yet of age—stepped forward. Hughes even spotted a child no more than three or four.

According to Charlotte Linlin, engagements could come first to "cultivate feelings," with the wedding later when they came of age.

Pirates, indeed—willful to the core!

Say this for Charlotte Linlin: she could bear children, and she wasn't picky.

Of her thirty-plus daughters, a few were odd-looking, but there were beauties among them.

At the head of the list, naturally, stood the long-legged heart-stopper: Charlotte Smoothie.

Not only was her talent for battle exceptional; in time she would rise to the rank of a Sweet Commander.

As a "frail" scientist, a strong partner was ideal.

Though today's Smoothie had yet to ripen into her future, sultry prime,

she had already begun to shine within the family.

Sun-kissed skin, a tall, willowy frame.

Blue eyes, sensuous lips glossed in pale violet.

Silver-white wavy hair, bangs veiling her right eye.

A pink, striped, skintight bodysuit left those perfect thighs boldly on display.

A Shibo Shibo no Mi (Wring-Wring Fruit) user, she could modulate the fluids in her body and alter her physique at will.

If he had to choose only one, then without question, Smoothie was the top pick.

Next was Charlotte Galette, a Special Paramecia user of the "Yellow" Fruit.

Her potential looked solid: pink hair, golden eyes,

porcelain skin, red gloves, a red miniskirt, red heels, and a violet cape.

A classic cool beauty—second place.

Charlotte Amande, of the Snakeneck tribe, a formidable swordswoman.

Soft-blue curls, full lips, light green eyes.

Tall and slender, skin a touch pale, a vertical-striped pale-blue dress fit for a noble lady.

A wide-brim hat called to mind the eerie silhouette of "Hachishaku-sama."(8 feet tall women)

(End of Chapter)

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