Chapter 41 – My Son Ator Has the Potential of a Golden Emperor!
"What did you just say!?"
Ross shot up from the bed in shock, staring at Golly in utter disbelief. For a moment, he completely lost his composure.
And really, who wouldn't? Who could stay calm after hearing—right before bed—that their barely ten-year-old son was planning a joint military-business venture?
Good grief. What kind of monster have I raised…
Ross squinted at Golly's face, trying to catch any sign that she might be exaggerating. But as he slowly processed it all, he had no choice but to accept the truth: his own children were secretly plotting something huge behind his back, and he hadn't known a thing.
Sakazuki too—unbelievable. Letting these kids run wild without so much as a word of warning.
Ross didn't even need to think hard to figure it out: if Sakazuki and the other boys hadn't been backing Ator, the child would never have come to Golly asking for investment in the first place.
Maybe… they were hoping to surprise him? Ross was certain that, in the end, Sakazuki would call to pull him into the project anyway.
Something on this scale—without at least five billion Berries to start—would be impossible to fund. The Navy could only provide muscle and deterrence.
Gradually, Ross calmed himself, his expression settling back into its usual tranquility.
Well… it was only natural. The children had grown up. Wanting to give something back was perfectly normal—most children, sooner or later, felt that way.
Ross wouldn't insist. So much of what he'd done, he'd chosen to do willingly.
Still, he felt a deep, genuine satisfaction. It wasn't only that his eldest son, Ator, was so thoughtful—it was also the sense that his own kindness and efforts were finally bearing fruit. And really, that was more than enough.
"Sigh… Looks like it's time to crack open the gold reserves again. But what can I say—I'm their father."
He let out a relaxed sigh, his voice warm and pleased. It was only money, after all. He was in a good mood tonight—so even if he had to spend a little more, what did it matter?
Isn't that what old men are for—breaking the bank for their kids? He was happy to do it!
"All right, Golly," he said, "you go get some rest. Staying up late isn't good for you while you're pregnant. Leave the arrangements to me—I'll take care of the funding and security."
Then he turned to the woman beside him on the bed:
"Sorry, Molla. I'll have to work late tonight. I'll make it up to you tomorrow."
"It's fine," Molla said with a gentle smile, waving her hand in understanding. "The children's affairs come first. Go on—just finish quickly so you can get some sleep."
Ross got up. Without even changing out of his nightclothes, he walked Golly back to her room. Then he hurried down to the very lowest level of Rossburg.
There, deep underground, was a vault carved entirely out of the hollowed remains of an Island Cloud. It stored the gold Ross had brought back from Skypiea.
The Skypiean gold was plentiful—and safer down here than anywhere else.
And beyond the solid cloud walls of the vault, in hidden hollow spaces, lay Ross's most valuable treasures: Devil Fruits.
Besides the most precious of them all—the Rumble-Rumble Fruit—there were several ordinary ones and two Zoan-type Ancient Fruits.
These Devil Fruits had all been discovered on hidden ancient islands scattered across the Four Seas.
Originally, Ross had planned to save every last one for his children to eat someday. But now, he had no choice but to part with one—to help steady his son's venture.
He had even chosen the person who would receive it: that boy named Roel. Not just because Roel was daring enough, but because Sakazuki's reports about him were consistently positive. Trustworthy. Reliable. Worthy of this responsibility.
Ross intended to put Roel in charge of the operation, serving as Ator's bodyguard—so Ator could focus on his ambitions without fear.
Then Ross took out about seven billion Berries' worth of gold ingots. He loaded them neatly into large crates, used cloud platforms to lift them, and transported them out.
He quietly placed all of it in Golly's room before leaving again.
Afterward, he quickly drafted several documents and left them there as well, ready for her signature.
When everything was finally arranged, he called his steward to inform him of the situation. Thankfully, it was only a little past nine in the evening—otherwise, he'd have had to wake people up.
And in the end, still not feeling entirely at ease, Ross personally picked up the Den Den Mushi and called the Fleet Admiral.
That conversation lasted nearly until eleven o'clock.
Although their last meeting had ended in some unpleasantness and tension, Kong was not an unreasonable man. He fully agreed to support this venture.
It would be a sleepless night: several senior Navy officers were summoned for an emergency meeting, and the plan was finalized only deep into the night.
…
The Next Morning
After spending the entire night discussing strategy with over a dozen of his older brothers via Den Den Mushi, Ator climbed out of bed, dark circles under his eyes.
Of course, he knew there was no way to keep all this hidden from his father. But it didn't matter. As long as he could multiply their investment many times over, he believed his father would be proud of him.
Still, knowing he'd be found out and actually being found out were different things.
He only hoped his parents wouldn't expose him face-to-face.
He could handle them stepping in later—once he'd either succeeded or failed—but not while he was in the middle of fighting for his goal.
He needed to protect at least a little of his pride.
"Morning, Mom!"
He made his way upstairs to his mother's room. Cautiously, he pushed open the door. Only when he saw her quietly eating breakfast did he step inside and greet her.
Then he noticed the crates neatly lined up along the wall.
On top sat a small, mysterious box. Nearby were several documents already signed with Golly's elegant signature.
"Come on," Golly said, setting down her breakfast and looking up at him with a gentle expression, "which of your brothers is coming to take you to Navy Headquarters today?"
Ator scratched the back of his head. Even though he'd known she was aware, it was still embarrassing to be confronted so directly.
"It's Brother Moxxi. He just got back from the Grand Line. When he heard about everything, he insisted on coming to keep me safe."
"Oh, the third sister's little brother…" Golly sighed and shook her head. "He couldn't even bother to send word that he'd returned? It wouldn't have killed him to come visit us first."
She gave a small, scolding sigh—but her voice soon softened again.
"By the way, that little box over there—make sure you hand it over to Moxxi for safekeeping. There's a note I wrote inside. As for your safety, you don't have to worry. I've already…let the Navy know."
After she spoke, she reached out and rubbed Ator's hair firmly. Who knew how long it would be before she saw him again? In that gesture, she poured all a mother's affection and longing.
Ator didn't react much—only murmured in a tight, husky voice:
"Thank you…I'll take good care of myself."
Sure enough, Mom must have told Dad everything.
And here he was, still letting them humor him like he was a child…
Though, strangely, it didn't feel bad at all.
Ator wasn't naive. The only person who could coordinate with the Navy at this level was his father. His mother didn't have that kind of clout.
But she'd respected his pride, pretending it was her doing.
And somehow, that was exactly what made it feel so warm. So…right.
Besides, Dad had clearly been paying close attention to him all along. All this help was proof enough.
And he…would not let them down.
…
In the room next door, Ross stood quietly, hands clasped behind his back, watching everything unfold through a vision cloud.
A slow smile tugged at the corners of his lips.