One Piece: I'm not Roger

A few days later, in the waters of Totto Land, a merchant ship slowly sailed past the satellite islands guarding Cake Island.

These islands all possessed unique themes and landscapes.

Cacao Island, a chocolate-themed island, was governed by the Minister of Chocolate, Charlotte Lola.

Jam Island was a jam-themed island located west of Cake Island, governed by the Minister of Jam, Charlotte Dacquoise.

Nut Island was a nut-themed island located west of Cake Island, governed by the Minister of Nuts, Charlotte Amande.

Cheese Island was a cheese-themed island located west of Cake Island, governed by the Minister of Cheese, Charlotte Mont-d'Or.

Biscuit Island was a biscuit-themed island located northwest of Cake Island, governed by the Minister of Biscuits, Charlotte Cracker.

Candy Island was a candy-themed island located southwest of Cake Island, governed by the Minister of Candy, Charlotte Perospero.

Then there was the capital itself, Cake Island, formed from gigantic cakes and cream, its structure resembling an enormous multi-layered mille-feuille cake.

The entirety of Totto Land resembled a fairytale kingdom, though many of its inhabitants were as vicious as wicked old witches.

After admiring the scenery along the way, Aether, now disguised, casually chatted with the elderly merchant captain while subtly gathering more information about Totto Land.

"Mr. Watson, how do you find doing business here in Totto Land?"

The old man had enjoyed conversing with Aether throughout the voyage, so he spoke openly. Although he suspected Aether might be some important figure, he felt that discussing common knowledge would not bring him trouble.

"Mr. Holmes, living and doing business in Totto Land is actually manageable. Although the Big Mom Pirates are a mixed bunch, as long as you keep your head down, the worst you'll usually face is a bit of bullying. It rarely reaches the point where you'll lose your life, unless you encounter one of Big Mom's hunger pangs. Then things become extremely dangerous."

"Oh? How dangerous?"

Recalling the horrifying scenes he had witnessed during Charlotte Linlin's episodes, the old man answered with lingering fear on his face.

"If you encounter Charlotte Linlin during one of her hunger pangs, you must run as far away as possible. Once, while I was delivering sweets to Cake Island, she suddenly had an episode. My employees were only caught in the aftermath, yet more than half of them were either killed or seriously injured. I even heard that the Yonko Big Mom killed one of her own sons."

Even killing her own son...

It seemed that once Charlotte Linlin's illness flared up, reason became impossible. The only solution was suppressing her through force. Usually, Katakuri was responsible for stopping her rampages.

Still, compared to the lives of ordinary people in Wano Country, the civilians of Totto Land at least had a chance to survive peacefully so long as they did not provoke the pirates.

Among the former Yonko, only Charlotte Linlin had truly established a functioning nation. Kaido, after occupying Wano Country, had simply dumped the nation's affairs onto Orochi.

Perhaps noticing Aether's unconcerned expression, the old man hurriedly warned him again.

"Young man, don't think I'm trying to scare you. The Yonko are the strongest monsters on the seas. If Big Mom goes mad during this wedding banquet, even a great pirate could die here on Cake Island."

"I understand. Thank you for the warning, Watson."

Aether's relaxed response made the old man shake his head helplessly. During his years doing business in the New World, he had seen far too many arrogant pirates. Most of them either ended up recruited or dead.

Soon, the merchant ship arrived at the port of Cake Island.

A large group had already gathered at the harbor, seemingly awaiting the arrival of an important guest.

The old captain was startled when he recognized the figures standing there.

"Three Sweet Commanders... Charlotte Katakuri, Charlotte Smoothie, and Charlotte Cracker are all here? Just who are they waiting for?"

The combined strength of the Three Sweet Commanders was enough to contend with an Admiral. That was common knowledge across the seas.

Even Aether was slightly surprised to see three Sweet Commanders personally sent out. He wondered if they truly were waiting for him, so he casually joked,

"Maybe they're here to welcome me."

Hearing such outrageous words, the old man hurriedly covered Aether's mouth and nervously glanced around. Only after confirming there were no suspicious living objects nearby did he lower his voice.

"Don't say things like that once you're on Cake Island. Countless objects across the island have been given life. If you speak poorly about the Big Mom Pirates in front of them, the information will reach Charlotte Linlin immediately. People have been executed because those monsters reported them."

Aether nodded seriously.

"Don't worry. I won't do anything reckless."

So the living objects also functioned as surveillance.

Considering nearly the entire island was filled with creations born from Charlotte Linlin's powers, infiltrating Cake Island unnoticed would likely be impossible.

Aether appreciated the old man's goodwill. Whether he caused chaos in Totto Land or simply attended the wedding peacefully would ultimately depend on Linlin's attitude.

The ship finally docked.

Katakuri had already led his younger siblings aboard. The overwhelming pressure from the gathered forces terrified the old man and his workers, leaving them frozen in place.

When the leaders of the Big Mom Pirates stepped onto the ship, Captain Watson immediately assumed his smuggling activities had been exposed. It felt as though death itself had arrived at his doorstep.

Just as Watson was about to confess everything, Aether suddenly patted him on the shoulder from behind and smiled.

"Relax. It seems they really did come for me."

A strange warmth dispersed the fear in the old man's body. His eyes widened as he watched Aether calmly approach Katakuri.

Aether walked forward alone toward the three Sweet Commanders without the slightest concern about being surrounded.

"Katakuri, are you here to receive me?"

The usually expressionless Katakuri gave a slight nod.

"Indeed. Since Pirate King Roger has accepted Mama's invitation to the banquet, we naturally must provide the highest level of hospitality. Distinguished guest, please follow me. Mama has already prepared entertainment that will surely satisfy you, Lord Roger."

The so-called "highest level of hospitality" clearly could not be trusted.

From the tense expressions of Smoothie and Cracker, it was obvious they were less interested in welcoming him and more concerned about preventing him from causing trouble.

Clearly, the series of major incidents Aether had stirred up over the past few months had made even Charlotte Linlin wary of him.

Although he was being heavily "misunderstood," Aether did not lose his temper. As a guest, he was willing to show the host a certain degree of respect.

The group soon departed.

The old man watched in complete disbelief. Only after Aether and the others disappeared into their vehicle did he finally regain his senses when one of his workers tapped him on the shoulder.

Staring at the shoulder Aether had touched earlier, Watson pointed shakily toward the direction they had left, his voice trembling.

"He... he was actually Pirate King Roger, the current head of the Yonko! A figure like that chatted with me for hours! Hahaha! I finally have something to brag about to my grandson!"

One of the sailors quietly reminded the captain,

"Captain... that Pirate King didn't seem to pay the full fare. He said he'd pay the remaining two-thirds after arriving."

"..."

Watson's face instantly stiffened.

Allowing an outsider onto a ship in the New World was an extremely dangerous decision. The only reason he had agreed to let Aether aboard was because his crew was fairly capable and the advance payment Aether offered had been enormous.

Under the gaze of his crew, old Watson slowly took out a gemstone and declared,

"How could Lord Roger possibly ride without paying? This gemstone is a gift from him. Its value far exceeds the original fare. Now that I think about it, I'm the one who profited! Hahaha!"

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