One Piece: I'm not Roger

[Significantly altered the fate of Black Maria, reward: 5000 points]

After confirming the final candidates, Aether dusted off his clothes and rose to his feet, preparing to leave.

"Queen, I'll give you two days to prepare everything regarding the contract. After that, come to my territory and exchange for Kaido. Be quick about it, otherwise I can't guarantee Kaido's safety."

He glanced toward the two people beside him.

"Let's go, Black Maria and Page One."

As Aether motioned for Page One to follow, a figure suddenly stepped in front of him. Although Ulti's eyes clearly showed fear, she still forced herself to stand firm.

"You can't take Pay-Pay with you. He's weak, he won't survive under someone like you. Why don't you switch him with someone else? You can even take me instead."

Ulti's words immediately made Queen frown.

In his eyes, Page One was inferior to Ulti in both personality and potential. If Aether was willing to replace Page One with anyone else, it would naturally be the best outcome.

After all, the Beasts Pirates had practically raised the two siblings. Emotionally, they were family.

Even rationally, the difference was obvious. At only twenty years old, Ulti was already one of the Tobiroppo. Eighteen-year-old Page One, while talented, was still slightly behind her. Given enough time, the siblings both had the potential to become Calamities.

Unfortunately, Queen was the only one thinking that way.

The moment Ulti spoke, the others immediately looked at her with dissatisfaction. In their eyes, she was trying to drag them down with her.

Even Sasaki thought the same. If another substitution happened, the next unlucky person could very well be him.

"Enough, Ulti," Sasaki snapped. "It's Page One's honor that Lord Roger chose him. Following Lord Aether is no worse than staying with the Beasts Pirates. Don't tell me you think Lord Roger is inferior to Kaido?"

"Exactly."

"She's causing trouble again."

"This is obviously a good thing."

The flood of criticism instantly overwhelmed Ulti. Her expression twisted with anger as she pointed at them furiously.

"What nonsense are you idiots saying? If it's so good, why don't you go yourselves?!"

Sasaki shrugged.

"Lord Roger picked you two siblings, not me. Even if I wanted to go, he wouldn't take me."

"That's right."

"Stop being ungrateful."

Ulti gritted her teeth in frustration. With her straightforward personality, she simply couldn't argue against an entire crowd.

Behind Aether, Black Maria watched the scene quietly.

Normally, her relationship with Ulti wasn't bad. Among the Beasts Pirates, there were only a few women of similar status and age, so they naturally interacted often.

Still, her current situation was partly caused by Ulti. It would be impossible for Black Maria to feel nothing about it.

Seeing Ulti's furious and helpless appearance, Black Maria instinctively curled her lips into an amused smile.

Unfortunately for her, Aether noticed immediately.

"You seem pretty happy watching Iron Head struggle."

Black Maria's expression stiffened instantly.

"N-No, Lord Aether, I'm not."

"There's no need to call me Lord. We're around the same age, just call me Aether."

Aether glanced at her casually before continuing.

"I heard you're good at taking care of people. For now, you'll serve as my maid. We'll decide your position after returning to base."

Black Maria lowered her head obediently.

"Understood... Aether."

Since she couldn't change her fate, adapting quickly was the smartest option.

At that moment, Ulti suddenly stepped forward again. Her expression was awkward, almost unwilling.

"Rog..."

Aether interrupted her calmly.

"Call me Aether."

Ulti clenched her teeth before correcting herself.

"...Lord Aether."

The title sounded incredibly unnatural coming from her mouth.

"Can you replace Pay-Pay? He's weak and useless, he doesn't deserve to work under you. Let me take his place instead."

Aether looked at her with interest.

For her brother's sake, this stubborn girl was actually willing to lower her head.

He pointed toward Page One.

"Don't ask me. Ask him. If Page One refuses to follow me, I'll switch you two immediately."

Ulti immediately turned toward her younger brother, her eyes filled with expectation.

Unfortunately for her, Page One's answer shattered those hopes completely.

"Sister... I want to follow Lord Aether."

Ulti froze.

Not just her, everyone nearby looked stunned as well.

Page One, someone who usually lacked confidence and followed Ulti everywhere, was willingly abandoning the Beasts Pirates to join Aether instead.

A faint smile appeared on Aether's face.

Naturally, this outcome was no accident.

Earlier, he had privately informed Page One that if he refused to join him, both Kaido and Ulti would die.

With Page One's timid personality, there was no way he would dare gamble with their lives.

Everything had gone exactly according to plan.

"Maria, Page One, let's leave."

Under everyone's gaze, Aether led the two toward the ship.

But before they could board, Ulti blocked their path again.

This time, however, her words shocked everyone present.

"I'm coming too."

The surroundings instantly fell silent.

Ulti crossed her arms tightly, avoiding everyone's eyes as she spoke.

"As Pay-Pay's older sister, I'm not leaving him alone with strangers. If you people bully him because he's new, what then?"

Aether observed the conflicted look on her face and inwardly smiled.

The plan had succeeded perfectly.

Outwardly, however, his expression remained indifferent.

"I already selected two people. Whether you follow or not has nothing to do with me."

Hearing that he wasn't rejecting her, Ulti immediately followed behind him.

Soon, the four boarded the ship together.

The Aether Pirates' forces would arrive later to take over the island, so there was nothing else Aether needed to handle personally.

Meanwhile, Queen finally realized something was terribly wrong.

Wasn't this basically the same as losing another member?

And among the Tobiroppo, Ulti's potential was one of the highest.

Still, he couldn't find a single flaw in Aether's logic.

"Lord Aether, this situation..."

Aether interrupted him casually.

"I only chose two people. As for Iron Head Girl insisting on following me, that's your own internal issue. If you want her back, convince her yourselves."

Queen's expression darkened.

He had completely overlooked the bond between the siblings.

Whether Aether planned this intentionally or simply took advantage of the situation, Queen couldn't tell.

Technically speaking, though, Aether hadn't violated the agreement at all.

In the end, Queen could only watch helplessly as the ship departed.

Using force to drag Ulti back was impossible in his current injured condition.

Besides, if he actually tried it, would Aether really stand by and watch?

On the deck of the ship, Aether looked at the departing island and smiled faintly.

This time, he had truly profited.