The Den Den Mushi was fortunate to have been protected by Charlotte Linlin's Soul-Soul Fruit powers; otherwise, it would have shattered from the sheer force of the impact.
Ignoring the injured Streusen, Linlin reread the instructions left by Mother Carmel. She wasn't even sure if the handwriting belonged to Carmel.
"A Den Den Mushi? And Mother Carmel is inside it? We shouldn't reveal our identities? Is this some kind of hide-and-seek game? A riddle? Sounds fun!"
Excited, Charlotte Linlin picked up the Den Den Mushi's screen. It was small, and she squinted to read the message, though none of it really interested her.
Suddenly, another private message popped up.
[Carmel: Linlin, how have you been? Take care of yourself, okay?]
The towering Charlotte Linlin immediately split off a piece of her soul, bringing a pen to life as a Homie, then began writing on the screen.
[43: Mother, are you okay? Where are you now? I miss you all so much!]
[Carmel: I'm on a secluded island, rebuilding the Lamb's House. You don't need to come looking for me yet; the sea currents here only cycle once every ten years. Promise me, take care of yourself until I return.]
[43: Mother, you're still as kind as ever. I'll wait for you and the others, no matter what!]
[Carmel: Never let anyone harm this Den Den Mushi. If anyone so much as suggests it, don't let them near it. Otherwise, we won't be able to talk again for another ten years!]
[43: I swear I'll protect it! No one will lay a finger on it! Promise me you'll talk to me every day. I'll miss you!]
[Carmel: I have to take care of the others now. Be good and look after yourself.]
[43: Mm! Mother, go ahead!]
The Den Den Mushi's screen dimmed, and the first thing on Charlotte Linlin's mind was finding Treasure Tree Adam leaves to feed the delicate creature.
Just then, Streusen finally returned, blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth. The moment he saw Linlin, he forced a smile, his expression friendly, but inside, his fury boiled. Someone was trying to steal his greatest asset—his ultimate tool for conquering the seas.
"Hmph." Charlotte Linlin shot Streusen a cold glance. After what he did to the Den Den Mushi, she had no intention of treating him kindly.
"Linlin, it was my fault. I was just worried you might be deceived. Let's go find Mother Carmel together."
He had to expose that scheming fraud.
"No need. I'll discuss it with Mother myself. Right now, we're finding Treasure Tree Adam."
"Linlin, are you planning to use Treasure Tree Adam for shipbuilding? Are you finally giving up on searching for Mother Carmel? Ready to set sail and become a real pirate?"
Streusen's excitement was palpable. He was sick of this endless chase. Linlin was powerful—she should be seizing territory and ruling the seas!
"I said, we're finding Treasure Tree Adam!"
Charlotte Linlin's glare made Streusen swallow hard. He quickly turned around and started asking around for information.
...
Meanwhile, on Brook's side, his conversation with Charlotte Linlin had finally ended. He was exhausted—keeping up the act was draining.
...
A news seagull delivered a special package to one of their officers, Edward Newgate.
The captain and the other officers exchanged odd glances, wondering what could warrant such exclusive attention.
"Could it be a World Government spy?"
Newgate gritted his teeth in frustration and tore open the package right in front of everyone.
'For Edward Newgate. From your family in Sphinx.'
Newgate, now 22 years old, stared at the words with a complicated expression. For some reason, he suddenly didn't want anyone else to see what was inside.
Still, he braced himself and unwrapped the box. Inside was a Den Den Mushi, a few leaves, and an instruction manual.
The crew exchanged wary glances. Was this some kind of spy device?
It wasn't until Newgate swore multiple oaths that they finally set aside their suspicions. Only then did he turn his attention to the manual.
'A warrior beloved by this era? Do not reveal your identity?'
He scanned the instructions, noting the usage methods and care guidelines for the Den Den Mushi. But as he continued reading, his expression darkened. The information before him was shocking. It confirmed one thing: under no circumstances could his crewmates learn these secrets.
What puzzled him most, however, was the sender.
Family from Sphinx? Did he still have relatives back home?
...
"Captain, Newgate's getting stronger by the day. Even you can't suppress him anymore! And now, out of nowhere, a News Coo delivers a Den Den Mushi from his so-called family? We have to be cautious!"
A crew officer spoke to their captain, Lionman Laine, his tone laced with both resentment and envy.
A few weeks ago, Newgate had eaten a Devil Fruit. At first, everyone laughed at how weak it seemed—all it did was make his fists tremble slightly. But now? He could shatter massive boulders with ease. His strength was rapidly approaching that of their captain, who wielded the Lion Fruit.
Laine's expression was unreadable as he studied the officer before him. This man had been with him for years, fearless in battle and uninterested in wealth—an oddity among pirates, to say the least. What kind of pirate didn't love treasure?
But things changed when a crewmate grew stronger than the captain. Even if Newgate had no intention of rebelling, Laine couldn't ignore the potential threat.
Better safe than sorry.
...
"Newgate, have you ever considered setting out on your own?" Laine asked casually, probing for the young man's thoughts.
If Newgate had ambitions of forming his own crew, Laine would let him go. That was the brutal reality of the New World. A captain who lacked the strength to command respect had three choices: step down, release the rising threat before it grew beyond control, or eliminate it first.
Newgate's eyes narrowed. "Captain, what are you trying to say? Are you questioning my loyalty?"
His tone carried an edge of irritation. He was always the first to charge into battle, never took more than his share of the loot—and now they were suspicious of him over a single Den Den Mushi? Was that really necessary?
Truth be told, Newgate was still somewhat naive. The Den Den Mushi was merely an excuse. His rapidly growing strength was the real reason Laine felt uneasy.
"How could I doubt you?" Laine forced a laugh. "I was just worried your dreams might be held back here, that's all! Haha~"
Newgate let out a frustrated sigh and walked away, fuming. He glanced at the Den Den Mushi and saw that it was powered on. After hesitating for a moment, he picked it up.
But he had no idea what to say. Who was this 'family' from Sphinx? And how was he supposed to talk to them without revealing his identity?
...
[User 50: Hello, everyone. Is it really that strange for a pirate not to care about treasure?]
-----------
+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg