Normally, a major business deal—especially one involving teaming up to take down someone like Ochoku—would take a long time to negotiate.
But perhaps because everyone present was anything but conventional, the discussions ended surprisingly fast. Between laughter and casual talk, everything was settled with ease.
The bonfire party that followed was pure celebration—drinking, singing, and laughter filling the night.
Queen, the life of the party, took charge of the atmosphere. Once business was out of the way, he completely let loose. And to his credit, the Beast Pirates truly knew how to have fun. They joined Queen in singing, dancing, and rapping—especially since Queen was wearing overalls, looking for all the world like he was about to grab a basketball and start a street performance.
Still, both sides kept a measure of restraint. They drank heartily but stopped before crossing the line into drunken oblivion.
Though they'd all had plenty to drink, the main figures were built like monsters, so by the next morning, everyone looked perfectly fine—fresh and alert as if nothing had happened.
When Ortoren stepped out of his tent, he saw Gion eating breakfast not far away. Nearby, little Ace was chasing after Yamato, the two laughing and playing together with carefree joy.
His third sister, Amande, was her usual flustered self, hovering protectively behind Ace like a nervous maid afraid her young master might trip. Her gaze was filled with warmth as she occasionally joined in their play, creating a strangely heartwarming scene.
Ortoren didn't bother interfering. He yawned, sat down casually beside Gion, and asked, "How'd you sleep last night?"
"It was fine," Gion replied between sips of porridge. "Didn't really relax completely, but everything seems normal so far."
"With things here wrapped up, it's finally time for a real vacation. What's the plan?" Ortoren asked as he ladled himself a bowl of porridge.
It seemed Gion had been waiting for that question. She lifted a hand, swallowed the porridge in her mouth, then pulled a rolled-up nautical chart from her robe. Clearing the dishes on the table, she spread the map out neatly.
Ortoren leaned in and saw that the chart was already marked with numerous locations, connected by red lines—a complete, well-thought-out travel route.
"I've already planned everything," Gion said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "We'll set sail from here and reach Sphinx Island in twelve days—just in time for their annual fishing tournament. After that, we'll head to Ramani Island. I've heard the beaches there are gorgeous, and I've always wanted to see them myself. Once we're done in Ramani, we'll go to Terian Island. I want to see the place where you grew up, what it's really like…"
Ortoren listened with a gentle smile. Seeing Gion's bright, eager expression warmed him deeply.
"And finally," Gion continued, "we'll stop by Headquarters. Kuzan and I already made plans—he's treating us to dinner when we get back. After catching up with old friends, we'll head to the Sabaody Archipelago to meet that Coating Craftsman, Old Ray." She raised an eyebrow playfully as she said it.
Of course, she knew exactly who Old Ray was. Back before her time in G-5, if she'd caught word of Rayleigh's whereabouts, she might have mustered a team to arrest him. But now, after years stationed in G-5, her mindset had shifted entirely. Look at her now—drinking and laughing with active Yonkō like Kaidou and Big Mom! Someone like Rayleigh, a retired pirate, didn't seem so threatening anymore.
As the saying went: sure, we drink and party with pirates—but deep down, we're still good Marines.
After joking about Old Ray the Coating Craftsman, Gion looked up expectantly. "Well? What do you think? Not a bad itinerary, right?"
Ortoren couldn't help but chuckle. Seeing her so excited, he reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "Whatever you say."
He rarely initiated gestures like that, so when he did, Gion froze for a moment before her cheeks flushed a light pink. This time, though, she didn't push his hand away. Instead, she lowered her head and quietly resumed eating her porridge.
After ruffling her hair twice, Ortoren withdrew his hand and smiled as he went back to his meal.
Just then, the flap of another tent lifted. Charlotte Linlin stepped out, holding a small model ship that looked tiny in her massive hands.
"Ace! Ace!" she called out cheerfully. "It's done! Come here, Grandma's got your little treasure ready!"
Sure enough, the ship model was Ace's toy. The boy adored it and took it everywhere with him.
It was clear Charlotte Linlin had been up for quite a while and had already grown close to Ace. She'd probably just gone back to her tent to fix or adjust something.
Hearing her call, Ace grabbed Yamato's hand and ran toward her, shouting, "Grandma! Grandma! My little boat!"
The kid's cheerfulness was one of his best traits—utterly fearless, open, and friendly with everyone he met.
Hearing him call her "Grandma," Charlotte Linlin's face lit up with sheer delight. She crouched down and opened her palms, revealing the tiny ship to Ace.
Then Ortoren felt a surge of spiritual energy radiating from Charlotte Linlin's body.
A moment later, the little ship suddenly spoke—and even started singing, its voice lively and bright, as if it had truly come to life.
The moment Ace saw his little toy come to life, he was overjoyed—his eyes lit up with pure amazement as he hugged Charlotte Linlin tightly, full of innocent wonder and admiration, as if thinking, Grandma is incredible!
That reaction alone made Charlotte Linlin beam with pride. Laughing heartily, she said, "Well? Isn't Grandma amazing? I can make your little toys come alive and be your real friends~"
"It's been a long time since I've seen Mother like this. It seems she really does adore Ace," Katakuri's voice came softly from beside Ortoren. His tone was gentle, his eyes warm with affection.
"How's Second Brother been lately?" Ortoren asked casually as he sipped his porridge.
"The same as always. Nothing's changed," Katakuri replied calmly. Then his gaze drifted toward the nautical chart on the table, and he instinctively asked, "Leaving already?"
"Yeah," Ortoren replied with a grin. "Finally got some time off—figured I'd take a trip."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Charlotte Linlin, still playing with Ace not far away, twitched her ear. She must have overheard, because she immediately turned toward Ortoren with a pitiful, almost heartbroken expression.
Ortoren blinked in confusion. "...?"
"You ungrateful brat!!!" Charlotte Linlin suddenly roared, glaring furiously. "I just started playing with my precious grandson, and you're already planning to leave!?"
Ace froze. He could already understand a lot of what adults said, so after a short pause, he hugged the talking toy tightly, hid behind Charlotte Linlin's leg, and looked up at Ortoren with teary eyes. "Daddy, I wanna play with Grandma. I don't wanna go~"
Hearing that, Charlotte Linlin's heart practically melted. She immediately scooped both Yamato and Ace into her massive arms, glaring fiercely at Ortoren. "You unfilial brat! I don't care what you do, but Ace and Yamato are coming back to Whole Cake Island with me. When you're done with your little trip and heading back to G-5, I'll send them over—when Ace decides he's ready to leave."
Ortoren was completely stunned.
And he wasn't the only one—Kaidou, who had just stepped out of his tent and hadn't even managed to say a word yet, was staring wide-eyed in disbelief.
Wait, what the hell does this have to do with my Yamato?!
If you take my daughter to Whole Cake Island, that's basically turning her into a hostage!
"Hey, Linlin, I—" Kaidou quickly tried to intervene.
But before he could finish, Charlotte Linlin shot him a death glare, gritting her teeth as she growled, "What? Got a problem with that? Did you forget how I used to take care of you, huh!?"
That single "huh!?" sent a chill down Kaidou's spine. His face twitched, and after a brief, awkward silence, he forced a strained smile at Yamato. "Ahem... Have fun over there, okay? If you start missing home, just let your old man know—I'll come pick you up myself..."
Kaidou backed down instantly.
Charlotte Linlin then turned her fiery gaze toward Ortoren, her expression saying loud and clear, Say 'no,' and I'll make sure you regret it.
Ortoren glanced at Ace, who was looking at him with those wide, pleading eyes, clearly hoping to go play at Grandma's. Finally, he sighed helplessly. "Just... don't spoil him too much."
"Hmph! You don't get to tell me what to do!" Charlotte Linlin huffed proudly, satisfied with his answer.
Then, paying no further attention to Ortoren, she went right back to playing and laughing with Ace and Yamato, as if nothing had happened.
Watching the scene, Ortoren couldn't help but think how surreal it was. It was hard to reconcile the woman before him—the doting, playful grandmother—with the fearsome Charlotte Linlin, one of the Yonkō who ruled the New World with iron authority.