However, establishing a nation isn't that simple; insufficient numbers have always been a major problem.
Although Air had mentioned a solution, Totto Land, being in a remote location, didn't have enough intelligence to quickly figure out which places were invaded by pirates and where disaster victims needed rescuing.
So Charlotte Linlin made a decision: she would send those pirates who still longed for the sea back out, on the condition that they contact her via den den mushi if they discovered any islands that had been invaded by pirates.
Those departing pirates made solemn promises that they would absolutely not violate the agreement, but Milim didn't think much of it.
Milim always felt that anyone associated with the word 'thief' couldn't be easily trusted, but the final outcome greatly surprised Milim.
While most people wouldn't keep their promises, some would.
Ding, ding, ding, ding.
A ringing sound came from the den den mushi next to the office.
This sound not only caught Charlotte Linlin's attention but also drew the attention of Milim, who was bored reading manga on a nearby sofa, to the den den mushi!
Linlin glanced at the den den mushi and knew it was one of the pirates she had released calling.
She answered the den den mushi, and a deep voice came through.
"King Linlin, are you well these days?"
"Well, that depends on whether you can bring me good news," Linlin said with a soft smile, her tone very gentle.
During her time as king, Charlotte Linlin's temper had become increasingly gentle and approachable.
Perhaps this was the responsibility of being king; this responsibility allowed Charlotte Linlin to become a qualified king at an unimaginable speed.
She was no longer the vicious pirate queen from the original story.
"I'm not sure if this counts as good news or not?" The voice on the other end of the den den mushi sounded somewhat ineffable.
Linlin paused: "Hearing you say that, I'm truly curious."
"I'm currently on Pell Island. The residents here had all their possessions plundered not long ago."
"But what puzzles me is why they don't feel sad at all. Instead, they seem rather joyful," the pirate Captain said, unable to understand.
"If what you say is true, it's truly incredible. Could it be because of a Devil Fruit ability?!" Even Linlin was full of questions upon hearing the pirate Captain's strange words.
Not only were they not sad about all their treasures being stolen, but they were happy. Besides being affected by a Devil Fruit ability, Linlin couldn't think of any other reason.
"King Linlin, you should have the Eternal Pose for Pell Island, right?"
"Of course, I do!"
"Then this island is yours to handle."
"Understood!" After speaking, Linlin hung up the den den mushi and returned to her seat, propping her chin on her hand in deep thought.
At this point, Milim couldn't hold back any longer. She threw down the manga in her hand and slowly walked up to Linlin!
"Linlin, that island looks very interesting. Let me go bring all the residents here."
Seeing Milim, whose face clearly showed her curiosity, Linlin was silent for a few seconds before suddenly saying, "That island is very strange. I'm not comfortable letting you go alone. I have a feeling you'll mess things up. Bring Air with you!"
Milim put her hands on her hips, puffed out her cheeks, and retorted, a little annoyed at being underestimated, "Hey, hey! What's there to be worried about? With my strength, how could I possibly mess up such a small matter?"
"Linlin, are you underestimating me too much?"
"Oh dear! I misspoke. Milim, you're so amazing, how could you possibly not handle these small matters? I'm just asking Air to go help you with some minor things!" Linlin skillfully began to soothe her.
"Since you've said so, then there's nothing I can do," Milim replied tsundere-like, looking very happy after being soothed.
Easily handled! Linlin chuckled inwardly… Soon, Milim and Air jointly boarded a ship and set off for Pell Island!
Naturally, five or six large ships followed behind them, to be used for transportation.
On the ship, Milim picked up some delicacies nearby and began to savor them, while Air stood beside her, feeling that things were very amiss!
At this moment, Air's heart was full of bitterness. King Linlin, you want me to manage Big Sister? Are you kidding me?
If Big Sister acts capriciously, I'm not confident I can persuade her.
Spring Island is not far from Pell Island; a normal ship would only take two or three days to arrive. The ship Milim was on hastened its speed because they were in a hurry.
After just over a day, they had already reached Pell Island.
Milim's eyes sparkled. She skipped onto Pell Island, pointing at the town as she ran, "The people on this island don't feel sad even when their money is stolen. It looks super interesting, Air, let's go!"
"Coming, Big Sister." Air directed the ship to dock at the shore while hurrying to catch up with Milim.
The two quickly entered the town, but found it completely different from what the pirate Captain had described. The villagers here all had bitter expressions, some even emaciated and sallow from hunger, looking as if they would die at any moment.
There was no hint of happiness at all.
"How could this be? Didn't they say everyone was happy?" Milim looked at these thin villagers in confusion!
"Big Sister, how could anyone be happy about being robbed? There must be some other reason for this. We'll know once we ask around." Air looked at the scene before him and couldn't help but recall his own childhood when he didn't have enough to eat.
"Oh! Then let's ask." Milim had completely abandoned her brain and was too lazy to think too much.
In Milim's own view, nothing else mattered except strength, so under normal circumstances, Milim would not turn her rusty brain.
Air was the first to approach an older villager and ask, "Elder, has something happened here?"
"Sigh!" The elder sighed and looked up at Air, clearly not wanting to explain.
Air took out 1000 Berries from his pocket, handed them to the elder, and asked again.
This time, the elder looked at the money in his hand before speaking.
"What else could it be? Of course, we were robbed by pirates."
"But I heard you were willing?" Air questioned again.
The elder pursed his lips and spoke somewhat embarrassedly, "We were willing at the time, but now I regret it a bit."
This made Air even more confused: "If you regret it now, then why were you willing back then?"
"Sigh, the ones who plundered us were the Kuja Pirates, and the Kuja Pirates are undoubtedly stars of the sea, treasures of the sea," the elder said slowly, his eyes filled with infatuation.
"When I saw Gloriosa, the Captain of the Kuja Pirates, the moment I saw her, I fell deeply in love with her."
"I was willing to give her everything, including all my treasures, but after they left, it wasn't long before I regretted it."