Chapter 227: Meeting Naze
After the war ended, Tolle led the Spaceport Base toward the route between Mars and Jupiter, continuing his campaign to recruit the space pirates.
The Spark Interstellar Trade Security Group quickly gained fame, becoming a rising powerhouse between Mars and Jupiter.
All the various factions regarded the Spark Interstellar Trade Security Group with curiosity—but none dared to provoke them. After all, this was the force that had defeated Gjallarhorn's army and forced them to recognize its legitimate existence.
In the Jupiter and asteroid belt region, a large-scale enterprise named Teiwaz, whose main business involved development and transport, sought to secure its shipping routes. To that end, they sent one of their affiliated groups—Turbines, who had previously crossed paths with Tolle—to negotiate a deal with him.
Naze, the leader of Turbines, arrived near the Spaceport Base aboard the assault armor ship Hammerhead and sent out a transmission:
"This is Naze Turbine, head of Teiwaz's transport affiliate, Turbines.
I've come to pay a visit to Tolle Koenig, Chairman of the Spark Interstellar Trade Security Group.
Could you grant us permission to enter the Spaceport Base and meet with Chairman Tolle?"
The communications officer replied, "Please wait a moment. I'll report to the Chairman first."
After receiving the report, Tolle immediately switched to the communication channel and, in his usual friendly manner, said to Naze, "Ah, so it's you, Naze! Bring your ship into the Spaceport Base right away. Let's have a good talk in person."
Naze, equally gentlemanly, replied casually, "As you wish, Chairman Tolle."
The Hammerhead slowly entered the Spaceport Base under guidance.
Naze, Amida, Lafter, and Azee were led by the soldiers to the reception room.
Upon seeing Tolle, Naze immediately extended his hand with a warm greeting. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Chairman Tolle. I've long heard of your reputation. Last time, when my Hammerhead was surrounded by space pirates, it was thanks to your intervention that we escaped."
Tolle stepped forward, shook his hand with a smile, and said, "I've long heard of you as well, Captain Naze. There's no need for such formality—just call me Tolle.
As for last time, we were simply passing by while recruiting space pirates. It was nothing at all. But tell me, what brings you here today?"
Naze chuckled. "If that's the case, I'll drop the formalities as well—call me Naze. I came mainly regarding Teiwaz's transport routes. I was hoping you could grant us some cooperation…"
After hearing him out, Tolle replied, "No problem. Since we hit it off right away, you can count on me. Consider it done.
Work aside, allow me to properly entertain you as a host should."
Hearing Tolle agree to Teiwaz's offer and terms, Naze smiled broadly. "You're too generous. I've already gained so much, and now you insist on treating me. I feel almost embarrassed."
Tolle waved it off. "Ah, it's nothing. Before I made my name, I often heard tales of your deeds, Naze. You're a man of loyalty and righteousness—I've admired you for a long time. I'd be honored if we could become sworn brothers."
…
The two hit it off immediately, chatting happily and introducing each other to their wives.
Finding themselves kindred spirits, they quickly agreed to become sworn brothers, with only the formal ceremony yet to be held.
(Tolle thought to himself: Once the oath is done, you can rest easy, brother. I'll make sure your lovely wives are well taken care of.)
That day, Tolle hosted Naze at the Spaceport Base and soon became well acquainted with his three wives.
Lafter, in particular, often pestered him to spar in MS piloting.
Tolle even let her pilot his Heavy Firepower-Type Bael Gundam for a test run and personally gave her some hands-on instruction—but without crossing any lines.
After all, as a B-class pilot, it made perfect sense for him to teach others how to handle MSs more effectively.
Zola also became friends with Amida, as their personalities were somewhat alike, and the two frequently discussed MS piloting techniques.
During their conversations, Tolle learned that over the years, Naze had taken in many women who sought his protection. His attitude toward them was "never taking the initiative, never refusing, but always taking responsibility." He also allowed them to pursue their own love if they wished. As a result, the number of his wives had exceeded a hundred, and he already had dozens of children—all still infants.
Naze even joked that if there was anyone Tolle fancied among them, as long as she agreed, he'd gladly let her go to him.
Tolle, however, shook his head, saying he already had several wives and couldn't betray them.
After all, it wasn't the right time yet—he wasn't about to give up a whole forest for a single tree.
What I want is your entire ship… and all the wives aboard it.
Tolle then proposed that the wives aboard the Hammerhead take a break from the warship and spend some time relaxing at the Spaceport.
He introduced the various living, entertainment, and leisure facilities inside the base—ranches, farmland, amusement parks, even an artificial beach.
All these had been built for Lynn Minmay and Ange, who had followed him through life-and-death battles; of course, he couldn't neglect the women who stood by him.
Now was the perfect chance to "borrow flowers to offer to the sisters," letting Naze's wives enjoy themselves as well.
With Naze's permission, the Hammerhead's wives spent their time enjoying the entertainment areas and the artificial beach at the Spaceport Base.
That evening, Lynn Minmay even held a live concert to welcome them. With Coco and Miranda dancing beside her, the performance drew a huge female audience.
Many attendees even expressed that, given the chance, they'd love to live at the Spaceport Base permanently.
When the former space pirates on the ship heard that women wanted to stay, they whistled and cheered nonstop—after all, women were a rarity among pirates.
Naze, however, could only frown in distress—if too many of his wives stayed behind, his ship would barely function.
In the end, though, when the Hammerhead departed a week later, not a single woman remained behind—they all left with Naze.
Tolle figured those rowdy ex-pirates had scared them off with their excitement. Still, it didn't matter—he hadn't been doing this for the pirates' benefit anyway.
He far preferred female subordinates. The current bunch of rough men under him were hardly pleasing to the eye.
But there was one upside: using them as cannon fodder didn't hurt his conscience one bit.