As she grew older, Charlotte Linling's personality became increasingly erratic, especially for her eldest son Perospero. He hadn't felt anything resembling "motherly love" in years. It was something reserved solely for his younger siblings.
With Charlotte Linlin's personality, even if it's her children who made a mistake or failed to complete a task she had assigned, they would be harshly punished.
Fishman Island was already flying the Beasts Pirates' flag. Even if Charlotte Linlin herself came here, it wouldn't change anything, so Perospero changed his approach.
As long as he brought back some sweets and pleased Charlotte Linlin with them first, he could explain things afterward. At worst, he'd get scolded a little.
But if he returned empty-handed, who knew what kind of punishment he'd face.
However, when he saw Queen's sinister smile, Perospero already had a bad feeling.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. When it comes to external trade here, I call the shots."
This was the condition for the Beasts Pirates' protection of an island—control over the island's external trade.
Wano Country was the prime example. Since it had been turned into the Beasts Pirates' headquarters, its economy was entirely self-contained. The Beasts Pirates were the only connection its people had to the outside world.
Their methods were also clever, drastically improving the standard of living for the populace, which further solidified their rule.
Most of the fully subjugated islands followed this same model. These islands had subtly formed a country belonging to the Beasts Pirates, leaving no openings for outsiders to interfere.
Islands that merely flew their flag weren't subject to such strict rules, but even then, goods for export still required Beasts Pirates' approval. They provided escort services and took a cut for themselves.
When Whitebeard protected Fishman Island, he asked for nothing in return. It was purely due to personal ties that he lent Neptune his flag.
This meant no economic burden, but also limited protection from Whitebeard.
In contrast, though the Beasts Pirates took profits, they bound themselves and the protected islands into an economic community. It cost money, but brought more security.
Perospero wasn't interested in the Beasts Pirates' rules; after all, they had their own ways of doing things. The problem was that Queen's words were clearly a threat.
"So what is it you said you wanted to buy again? And what did you just call me?"
"...Handsome... and dashing... Queen, could I purchase some Fishman Island sweets?"
Perospero forced out the painful words and even clutched his chest after saying them.
Even for a fierce and ruthless pirate like him, this line went against his conscience.
If it weren't for fear of his mother's punishment, he would never say such a thing to Queen.
"Hmph, at least you're honest."
"So about those sweets—"
"Not for sale."
"W-What did you say?"
"I said they're not for sale. The weather on Fishman Island's been bad lately. The workers aren't in the mood to work, so production's been low. There's barely enough for internal use, let alone any to spare for you.
Isn't that right, Minister of the Left?"
Queen looked seriously at the Minister of the Left, who was in charge of Fishman Island's finances. The Minister gave a confirming nod.
Everyone here was a pirate. Since Perospero wasn't familiar with them, of course they'd side with Queen.
"Queen! You b*stard, you're messing with me!"
Hearing Queen's mocking tone, Perospero flared up.
"That's right, I am messing with you. You destroyed my banana plantation. I'll never forget that."
"When did I ever destroy your banana plantation?!"
"Over twenty years ago. Don't tell me you've forgotten already?"
With Queen's reminder, Perospero recalled the incident.
"It's been so damn long already! You're still holding a grudge over a small thing like that?!"
"'Small thing'? You dare call that a 'small thing'?! If you weren't Charlotte Linlin's son, I'd have killed you ages ago!"
Messing with Queen's food was an unforgivable offense to him. Even though it had happened ages ago, Queen had never let it go.
"Wasn't your banana plantation destroyed because that woman kicked you like a ball?! And you're blaming all of this on me?!"
"If you hadn't stirred up trouble, would she have done that? And for the record—I wasn't kicked like a ball, that was a combo move! A combo move, you uncultured long-tongued freak?!"
As Queen brought up old grievances, Perospero also exposed Queen's past embarrassments.
To be honest, the whole "Queen Bowling" incident did cause some damage, but Queen couldn't afford to offend Shayna. Besides, the real root of the banana plantation's destruction was Perospero's invasion in the first place.
Under those circumstances, Queen naturally channeled all his resentment onto Perospero and started bragging about his intellectual pedigree.
"We're all pirates, why are you acting all high and mighty?"
"I've also worked with Vegapunk, and I'm a genius scientist not inferior to him! Haven't you read the newspaper?!"
Using his status as a scapegoat, Queen silenced Perospero completely. With his plan obviously going nowhere, Perospero simply stormed off.
Queen was clearly out to get him. There was no point in further discussion. He might as well return to Whole Cake Island and face the punishment.
As long as Charlotte Linlin wasn't in one of her eating disorder rampages, she likely wouldn't punish him too severely over this. At least he refused to take Queen's bullying any longer.
After disposing of all the pirates trying to abduct Merfolk, demonstrating the Beasts Pirates' dominance in front of the remaining people, and chasing off Perospero, Queen completed his mission. He then saw Hawkins fiddling with tarot cards.
"What are you doing?"
"Divining. According to the cards, there's a 95% chance I can successfully join you. A 36.7% chance I'll become a full-fledged member. A 50% chance I'll rise to officer rank."
"Divining? What's the use of that?"
"Sir Queen, divination is a unique art. And from you, I've sensed something very unusual."
"Oh? Am I that special?"
"Yes. Because no matter how I divine, there's a 100% probability you'll suffer a disaster involving bloodshed*. That's extremely rare." [TN: It is commonly used in fortune telling to warn of an impending accident or misfortune that may result in injury, bleeding, or violence.]
The unpredictable Arceus was essentially the ruler of fate, but Queen was a true anomaly. A result of 0% or 100% was exceedingly rare in Hawkins' readings. Even in seemingly hopeless situations, most people had at least a 0.1% survival rate.
Someone like Queen, clearly doomed to misfortune, was a rare type indeed.
This confirmed for Hawkins that his decision was absolutely the right one.
Hearing Hawkins' words, Queen froze for a moment, then suddenly understood something.
"Disaster involving bloodshed" has a very clear meaning, and judging by Kaido's already drunk state, it's not surprising that Queen was due for bad luck.
But Hawkins' appearance showed Queen a new path; this guy might be useful for foreseeing danger.
"Kid, I'm suddenly seeing potential in you. I might just let you follow me. But you better understand; we're the Beasts Pirates. Beasts Pirates don't believe in fate.
Even if fate says your path leads to death, you must fight back and carve out your own path.
Now, I, the Plague, one of the Three Calamities, will personally assign you a test.
It's simple: use your divination to find a way for me to avoid this disaster involving bloodshed!"
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