Chapter 10: In the Western Sea

The underworld—no matter the era or place, it exists everywhere.

Pirates are just one piece of that shadowy society. Lawless men of the sea, bound not by surface-world rules but by their own. If anything, they are the most infamous denizens of the underworld.

But here in West Blue, there’s an even greater force—the Mafia.

"...Color me impressed. Never thought a pirate of your caliber would leave the Grand Line just to show up in the far reaches of West Blue… You’ve been making waves, you and your crew."

"—Gehahahaha! That so? Even you West Blue mafiosi’ve heard of us? Good to know. Guess that’s why they call you the Five Great Families, huh?"

Plush sofas, sleek furniture—luxury befitting a mafia boss’s parlor. Surrounding us were men in black suits and hats, their presence making one thing clear: they weren’t civilians.

But they weren’t pirates, either.

As Captain Rocks said—they were gangsters. The Mafia.

West Blue’s underworld was ruled by the Five Great Families, a coalition of powerful syndicates. Pirates were feared, sure, but the mafia? They were legends.

Turf wars. Backroom deals. Conspiracies stretching even into the surface world. Their world was built on blood, betrayal, and gunpowder.

"Even pirates fear the mafia here."

That’s what the captain had told us before we arrived.

"...So. You said you wanted a deal with us."

"Yeah. We’ll pay. In exchange, you hand over weapons, intel… and that thing that occasionally drifts into your hands."

Captain Rocks leaned back on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, utterly unfazed by the mafia boss in front of him.

"...Right. About that." The boss exhaled smoke, a smirk curling his lips. "See, the country backing us took a good look at your bounties… and let’s just say they were real impressed. So they told me—"

Click. Click. Click.

The sound of gun hammers cocking echoed from all sides.

"—If those bastards ever set foot in West Blue… bring me their heads!!!"

"!"

Oh, hell.

The moment the words left his mouth, every mafioso in the room took aim—too close for comfort. If they fired now, I’d be in trouble. No way to dodge, and even one shot would hurt like hell.

…But I was the only one sweating.

Captain Rocks sat relaxed, flanked by Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, Shiki, and the other executives. Even Kaido and I—relegated to luggage carriers—stood unfazed.

Because to them?

This wasn’t a threat.

—But we’ve got nothing to fear. If they underestimate us… we’ll teach ‘em what real pirates are made of.

And just as the captain had said—

"Guh…!!!"

"...!?"

"…!"

In an instant, every mafioso aiming a gun collapsed, eyes rolled back.

Only the boss remained standing—pale but conscious. Impressive, considering he’d just faced Conqueror’s Haki.

(And before you ask—yeah, the only reason I was still standing was because the captain excluded us from the pressure. Still sent a shiver down my spine, though.)

"Wha…?! The hell did you—?!"

"Gehahaha! Disappointing. Heard the Five Great Families were something special… but you couldn’t even sense the gap between us? How’d a dumbass like you survive this long? Luck? Gehahahaha!!"

"Y-You son of a— GACK!!?"

BANG.

A single shot from the captain’s pistol tore through the boss’s chest.

As he crumpled, blood pooling beneath him, Rocks grinned.

"Deal’s off. Bargaining with idiots is beneath me… We’ll wipe out your family and the country backing you. Gehaha! We’ll find someone else to trade with."

"Y-You…!!"

"—Later."

BANG.

A second shot—this time through the skull—and the captain stood.

"Alright, boys! We’re burnin’ this place down! Deal’s a bust—GEHAHAHA!!"

"What a waste of time… MAMAMAMA!!"

"Can’t be helped. Captain’s right—no point dealin’ with fools. Jihahaha!"

"Tch… Pathetic."

As the crew filed out, Kaido and I followed—me with a black suitcase, him lugging a massive sack.

"Gehahaha! Hey, Kaido! Nue! Strip this place bare! Take anything valuable! We’ll ‘clean up’ on the way out!"

"Aye, Captain."

"…Got it."

And so, Kaido and I ransacked the mafia’s mansion.

Cash, jewels, booze—anything worth a berry went into our haul. I even found a safe, which Kaido helpfully smashed open so I could shove stacks of bills into my suitcase.

Our crew lived by plunder, but money was still necessary. Especially for the captain, who traded it for weapons, rare items, and intel. (My trident? Apparently, he got it the same way.)

"Oi, Kaido—look! Diamond ring!"

"Hoh… Bet that’d hurt if you got punched with it."

"That’s the first thing you think of?! Never change, Kaido…"

I tried on some of the jewelry, but Kaido’s priorities, as always, leaned toward violence. Not "pretty" or "valuable"—just "this’d make a good weapon."

(He wasn’t wrong, though. A backhand with that thing would ruin someone’s day.)

"Forget that—let’s drink. Worororo, they’ve got good stuff here."

"Idiot. If we slack off, the captain’ll kill us. Besides… I’ve got something to do."

"Hah? Like what?"

I scratched my cheek, avoiding his gaze.

Yeah… this was about that.

"Well, y’know… gotta take care of her—"

"! Oh, you mean that old hag—"

"NUEEEEEEEE!!"

"!! L-Linlin…!"

"!! The hell’re you here for, Linlin?!"

Just as I hinted at my "errand," the source of it appeared down the hall.

I flinched. Kaido squared up immediately—but Charlotte Linlin didn’t even glance his way.

"HA~HAHAHA! MAMAMAMA! Shut it, Kaido! I’m not here for you today!"

Her gaze locked onto me.

"It’s you I want, Nue!!"

"Uh… w-what do you need…?"

I won’t lie—I was scared.

Out of everyone, Linlin terrified me the most.

The crew’s resident sweet-toothed maniac, infamous for her "hunger pangs" and habit of killing allies. Whitebeard’s glare kept her in check sometimes, but if he wasn’t around? She did whatever she wanted.

Stole sweets. Killed people. Took treasure.

The only one she listened to was Captain Rocks—because he was stronger.

And that meant if you weren’t stronger?

You were prey.

So yeah, even a pirate like me—used to this life—was nervous.

But there was another reason I dreaded her.

Lately… her attitude toward me had been…

"MAMAMAMA~! Nuuue~! No need to be so scared… You’re just too adorable! Don’t worry, I won’t eat you—you’re much too cute for that~♡ HA-HAHAHAHA!"

"Ahaha… th-thank you?"

That unsettlingly cheerful laugh again.

At first, she barely noticed me. But ever since that conversation, she’s been like this.

Flashback

"Nue… got a sec?"

"! W-What is it?"

"HA~HAHA! MAMAMAMA! Nothing much… just a little question. Are you… a normal human?"

"Huh? Oh, uh, I’m a Devil Fruit user, but—"

"Not what I meant. Those ears… that form. Doesn’t quite look right. Thought you might be some new, undiscovered race. So? What’s the truth?"

"Uh, well…"

"Well? Don’t bother lying."

"I-I-I’m human! Just… y’know, the ears are like this, and the wings are from my Devil Fruit…!"

"…………I see. Pity."

"S-Sorry…?"

"—But I like you anyway."

"……Huh?"

"HA~HAHA! MAMAMAMA!! You’re cute and obedient!! —Tell you what. If you’ve got time… help me with some work. As an apprentice, you should listen to an executive, right?!"

"Y-Yes… of course."

"MAMAMA… Good. I don’t hate honest kids. Now, here’s what I need—"

And just like that, I became Linlin’s errand girl.

She’s weirdly sweet to anyone useful—me and Kaido included. But her "kindness" makes my skin crawl.

"Ooooh…!! DIE, LINLIN!!"

"Don’t interrupt, Kaido! Put that energy into WORK, you brat! Take notes from your adorable little sister!! HAHA!"

"GRK…!!"

Kaido swings his club at her face—only for Linlin to catch it effortlessly. Even as a rookie, he’s stronger than most pirates here… but against her? No chance. Her Haki-coated arm smashes him into the ground.

"…KAIDO!?"

"HA~HAHA! MAMAMAMA! Your ‘big brother’ never learns!! All guts, no skill!! Better train harder, Kaido—and you, Nue!! MAMAMAMA!!"

As I rush to Kaido’s side, Linlin looms over us, laughing. Ugh… this hag’s the worst…! Her own kids are sweet, but she’s out here calling me her "little sister" like she forgot I’m the older one! What kind of mother—

"Mama! We gotta go—NOW!"

Prometheus, her living sun, cuts in. Linlin clicks her tongue.

"Tch… Right, right. —Nue!"

"!?"

She leans in, grinning.

"Those mafia rats… brought extra troops. War’s already started. So—go check on my kids. They’re waiting on the ship. Don’t let ‘em near the harbor, got it? My little angels can be… rowdy~♡ Be a dear and play nice… —ZEUS!"

"Yes, Mama!"

With that, she hops onto her thundercloud and vanishes out the window. By now, the mansion’s probably cleared out—everyone dead or unconscious.

"…Guess I’ve got no choice. Might as well blow off some steam."

I heave Kaido onto a Red UFO (thank you, floating convenience) and grab our loot. Flying’s handy—even if Kaido’s heavy.

Time to head back to the ship… and babysit some "angels."

The "Playground"

If the ship’s storeroom is my home, then this is my playground.

An open field. A park. A place to unwind.

And today? I’m their entertainment.

"—So yeah, your mom’s the worst. Super stressful, you know?"

"Ugh…!"

"Don’t take it out on—!"

"—US, you jerk!!"

Three kids glare at me: a bowl-cut brat, a spade-haired runt, and their self-appointed leader—a boy with cheeks stuffed full of donuts.

Sigh...

"Oh, relax. I’m playing with you, aren’t I? Pirate games, just like you wanted~! Ahaha! Hey, Katakuri—dodge or you’ll eat dirt again~!"

"Tch… Damn adult…!!"

"Hah! You’re just a rookie pirate yourself…!"

As I lazily steer a mini Red UFO toward Katakuri, the hat-wearing brat (Perospero, was it?) mutters insults. Kids~. Gotta be gentle.

"Mmm~? Is that any way to talk to your big sis? As the eldest, you should set a good example—right?"

"GYAH!?"

A flick of my snake-summoning power sends him scrambling. Katakuri, ever the protective brother, lunges at me—

"PEROS!! You—! I’LL take you on!!"

"Oops~"

—Only for me to sidestep and hoist him by the collar. The younger girls gasp.

"Aww, Katakuri got caught!"

"Katakuri-nii-chan, ganba~e!"

"Ganba~e!"

"Don’t lose~!"

One by one, the little girls—Compote (eldest), Monde (second), Ash (fourth), and Effilée (fifth)—cheer for their brother. Adorable.

I grin down at the squirming Katakuri in my grip.

"Aww, they’re rooting for you~ Too bad you’re already caught!"

"Tch…! L-Let go! I ain’t lost yet! I’m strong—!"

"Ugh… Even Katakuri couldn’t win…"

"Sorry, Katakuri…"

His triplet brothers, Daifuku and Oven—the bowl-cut and spade-haired kids—apologize weakly from where they’re already floored. Pathetic.

Time for some fun.

"Ahaha~ Katakuri, you’re so weak~! Is your only talent being squishy~?"

"H-Hey! Stop poking me! Don’t stretch me!!"

"Hmm… Okay, fine~ Then how about… tickles! Koshokosho~!"

"W-Wait—HAHAHAHA!! S-Stop it!! HAHAHA—!!"

"…………"

I don’t stop.

His mouth stretches to its limit, forced into laughter as I poke and prod his mochi-like body. Mochi human—literally. His whole body produces sticky rice cake. It’s weirdly addicting to touch.

Amande, the usually silent third sister, watches her brother laugh helplessly.

"…Katakuri-nii-san looks happy."

"I’M NOT!!"

"Suuure~ You love getting attention from your big sis~!"

"Guh—HAHAHA! O-Okay…! I-I give up!! I surrender…!"

"Whaaat? Can’t hear you~!"

"HAHAHA—!! N-Nue, you…!!"

"—Alright, joke’s over~! And that’s another win for me!"

I finally release him. Playtime’s over… for now.

"Tch… Finally, those damn snakes are gone… You okay, Katakuri?"

"Hah… Hah… Damn it… Can’t win…"

Perospero sighs, watching his brother pant in frustration.

Adorable.

These kids—Linlin’s "angels"—keep challenging me, thinking they can beat a real pirate. Wrong.

My rookie life’s toughened me up enough to toy with them—ahem, I mean, play with them.

I’m basically their boss now.

"Nihihi~ What’s wrong, Katakuri? Thought you’d win today~? Poke, poke~"

"Shut up… Next time, I’ll… Hey! Quit poking me with that spear!!"

"Aww, it’s not like I’m stabbing you~"

"Obviously… Mama’d kill you if you did… Perorin."

Perospero, ever the responsible big brother, side-eyes me. Smart kid.

Linlin would end me if I actually hurt them.

"Okay! Today’s loot—snacks! Gather ‘round~!"

"! Yay!"

"Snacks!"

"Gimme gimme!"

"Please!"

"Honestly… You girls are too carefree… On this ship, you can’t just trust food from random pirates—"

"—Oh, there’s candy too~"

"—Which is why refusing would be rude, Perorin~♪"

""""PEROS-NII!?""""

The triplets gape as their candy-obsessed brother immediately backtracks. Priceless.

Linlin’s kids—some look alike, some don’t. Different fathers, probably.

Rumor has it she’s been pregnant nonstop since she was 18, ditching the dads afterward.

This room’s just for her kids. Cribs, baby beds—even now, she’s still pregnant.

Monster.

"Hey~ Donuts too~ Not hungry?"

"…! N-Not now…!!"

"He’s totally lying…"

"Katakuri… Even Peros-nii’s eating. You don’t have to compete with Nue."

"…But…"

Katakuri pretends to resist, but his eyes keep darting to the donuts. Hopeless.

"C’mon~ I stole these just for you~ Eat up!"

"Mmm~~! So sweet~!"

"HEY!! You said they were for me!!"

"Oopsie~ Actually, there’s none left for you~"

"YOU’RE JUST A BULLY!!"

"Good comeback. 10/10."

"SHUT UP!!"

He finally plops down, back turned. Aww, did I go too far?

"—Psych! These are the real donuts!"

"Huh…? Wait, but you just—"

"That was just my power messing with your head~ Surprised? Then eat up~"

"…You’re impossible—"

"WAAAH! WAAAH!!"

A sudden cry cuts him off.

Ah. Duty calls.

I head to the crib.

Who’s crying this time?

…Of course. Cracker.

Guess I’ll pick him up—

"! What happened to Cracker?"

"Hmm? Dunno, maybe he bumped into a fence or somethin’ again? Our crybaby Cracker-kun hates even the tiniest bit of pain and starts wailin’, y’know~?"

"WAAHH!! WAAHH!!"

The baby boy—Charlotte Cracker, the 10th son of the Charlotte family—was a crybaby who hated pain more than anything. The other babies—the quintuplets (5th son Opera, 6th son Counter, 7th son Cadenza, 8th son Cabaletta, 9th son Gala) and Cracker’s triplet sisters (6th daughter Custard and 7th daughter Angel)—weren’t nearly as bad. Hence, they called him Crybaby Cracker-kun. Seriously, babysitting him was a pain.

"So? Did he say anything?"

"Nah, not really…—!?"

"Whoa!?"

"Eek!?"

Just as I tried to ask Katakuri what he was about to say—BOOM!—a deafening noise and shockwave violently rocked the ship.

As the kids shrieked in surprise, causing a minor uproar, I quickly placed Cracker back in his crib and rushed out of the cabin.

"What the hell was…!? Wait, is that…!?"

"Hey, Nue! An attack!? If so, I’ll—!?"

Stepping onto the deck and scanning the port town—I saw it.

The lighthouse. Shattered in half, its wreckage impaled right into the heart of the town.

And… moving toward the harbor, wreaking destruction—a familiar woman.

"DOOOOOO… NUUUUUUTS!!!!"

"! MAMA!!"

That’s right… Charlotte Linlin, Katakuri’s mother.

She was having one of her infamous "Hungry Pangs" again. Once this happens, she’ll rampage uncontrollably—friend or foe be damned—until she gets whatever food pops into her head.

This had been a major nuisance during the Rocks Pirates’ voyages. Normally, Streusen—the crew’s cook, who was usually by her side—would whip up sweets to calm her down. But hey, was Streusen even here—? Oh, there he is!!

"—W-Wait, Linlin!! That’s the ship!! Don’t go that way!! At least keep wrecking the town!!"

Damn, Streusen… that’s cold. But I 100% agree, so I can’t judge. Sorry, townsfolk. Hate to say it, but that woman? She might look human, but she’s basically a monster. Stopping her head-on is near impossible. So… yeah, you guys take the hit for us, ‘kay?

"WHERE’S MY DOOOONUTS!!!"

"Got it! Donuts, right!? Easy! I’ll make ‘em right the hell now—!?"

"Ah—"

—CRASH!

At that exact moment, unluckily for Streusen, debris from a tower Linlin had demolished landed square on his head, knocking him out cold.

"…O-Oh no…"

I could feel the blood draining from my face. Shit shit shit. She’s coming this way. We’ve got donuts, yeah, but she’s seconds from attacking—

"! N-Nue!! Hurry!! Give Mama these donuts!!"

"R-Right!! —But she’s already heeeeere!!"

"GIVE ME… THE DOOOONUTS!!!"

—Welp. I’m dead.

Could I just toss a donut into her mouth in time? SCREW IT, NO TIME TO THINK!! ROAR, MY RIGHT ARM!!

I grabbed the box of donuts Katakuri handed me, ready to throw—when a shadow and voice cut between us.

"—Hey, Linlin… the hell you think you’re doin’, tryin’ to scratch up my ship… GYAHAHA."

"!! —!!?"

A familiar voice. A familiar figure.

Rocks D. Xebec stepped between Linlin and the ship—his pitch-black, hardened fist slamming into her and sending her flying.

Linlin crashed onto the deck, eyes rolled back, twitching. And standing there, having landed effortlessly—

"…Tch. Typical Linlin, still barely conscious even after my hit… But she ain’t movin’. Bring her the damn donuts already!!"

"Captain…"

That’s right. The only man who could stop Linlin’s Hungry Pangs without feeding her—Captain Rocks.

He dismissed his Armament Harden, cracking his neck as he barked orders at the remaining crew. I plopped down on the deck, legs jelly. That was way too close… If the captain hadn’t shown up, I’d actually be dead.

"…Hm? Oh, Nue. Heh. Holdin’ donuts, huh? Good thinkin’."

"Ah… yes. Here."

"…………"

Noticing the box in my hands, Rocks took it, leapt off the ship, and strode toward the groaning Linlin. Katakuri beside me stayed dead silent. Can’t blame him—Captain Rocks was terrifying. Even I wasn’t fully used to him, and to the kids (who weren’t even treated as pirates yet), he was scarier than their monster of a mother. I mean, he one-shotted Linlin.

"…Phew. We made it, huh?"

"…Yeah… …Mama… and my… donuts…"

Katakuri nodded but then looked down, muttering in disappointment over his lost treats. Poor kid. After seeing his mom like that and losing his favorite snack, of course he’d be down.

Honestly, surviving was lucky enough… but still. Hmm. What to do…? Katakuri looked so crushed, I kinda felt bad. Pirates aren’t supposed to be this nice, but…

Eh, whatever. I do what I want, and spoiling kids sometimes ain’t so bad. So, pulling one last donut from my personal stash, I grinned.

"…Ta-daa! What’s this!?"

"Eh…!? D-Donut!? Huh, why…!?"

Katakuri’s eyes widened, completely thrown off. I shrugged like it was nothing.

"Meh… I grabbed extras for myself to snack on later. So, y’know, one left."

"O-Oh… …But you’re not givin’ it to me. You’re just teasin’, right?"

Rude. Sure, I might’ve messed with him once or twice normally, but I’m not heartless enough to bully a kid after all that. If anything, I’m being nice.

"Nah, not this time."

"…Even so. I don’t take handouts!! I’m… a pirate!! I won’t accept pity!!"

Ugh… What’s with this self-imposed pride? I get it, but come on…

"You’re not a pirate yet, though."

"I’m gonna be one soon, so it counts!!"

"Sigh… Whatever. Fine, if you say so. But here—take half the donut."

"Hah!? You even listening!? I said I don’t want p—"

"—It’s not pity. I’m just paying back a debt."

"…Huh?"

I tore the donut in half and held it out, cutting him off. Simple logic, really. Pirate honor, or whatever.

"Your donut kinda saved us, right? Well, originally it was mine, and sure, Captain did the heavy lifting. But technically, your donut ‘fixed’ Mama’s tantrum. So call it a thank-you… or me settling a debt."

"…That’s allowed?"

"Sure is. Pirates pay back what they owe—if they wanna. Or you can just ignore it. Hell, that’s pirate-like too."

"…The hell kinda rule is that?"

"Don’t want it? Fine by me. So?"

"…………"

Katakuri clammed up. Oho~? That pride of his is ridiculous. Guess he’s refusing—

"…I’ll take it."

"Oh?"

He snatched the donut from my hand and shoved it into his mouth. I blinked.

"—…Tasty. Thanks."

"Huh? Wait, since when’re you this honest?"

"Doesn’t matter. You said I could take it."

Gruff, but he thanked me properly. Weird. Unless…

"…Wait. Did you fall for me? Like me?"

"The hell!? You forget your own logic!?"

"Suuure~. Not like I’d mind. I am an adorable beauty, after all. Ahaha~ Stolen your first crush? Years from now, you’ll look back and romanticize this—your first love, some older girl you couldn’t forget—"

"Why’s that so specific!? Ugh… I hate you…!"

"Aww. Rejected~."

"Tch, damn brat… Fine, gimme the other half!"

"Nope~! Mine!"

I held the remaining half above his reach, grinning as he flailed. Heh. Kids are fun. So easy to tease—and hey, for once, I felt tall. Hard to come by when you’re surrounded by giants like Kaido—

"Ghh… Damn headache… I’ll kill that old hag…"

"!"

"Oh."

Speak of the devil. Kaido lumbered onto the deck, rubbing his head and muttering murder. Katakuri tensed. Yeah, Kaido’s terrifying. Even I think so, and I’m used to him. But at least he’s up—

"Hm? Hey, Nue. That looks good. —Chomp."

"Wha—!?"

"…Oh."

Kaido plucked the donut from my raised hand and swallowed it in one bite. Did he even taste it? My grip on my spear trembled.

"YOU STOLE MY SNACK, YOU—!!"

"Pfht!? The hell, Nue!? You wanna spar!? Bring it!!"

"STOP SOLOING THE CONVERSATION—!! I’LL KNOCK YOU OUT COLD TODAY!!"

"G-Great, now Nue and Kaido are wrecking stuff… Still better than Mama, though…"

—End result? We brawled, trashed part of the ship, but nobody cared. Between Linlin’s rampage and the delays, our little "fight" got swept under the rug.