One Piece: I'm not Roger

After Charlotte Linlin finished listening to her son's account, her aged expression shifted through several shades. She could not believe that those two fools had dared to cause trouble on her territory, let alone attempt to assassinate Roger without knowing their place.

Beside her, Stussy's body stiffened the moment she heard Aether accuse her of participating in the assassination. However, she quickly recovered and returned to a composed, gentle expression as she stood quietly. She trusted her relationship with Big Mom. Without evidence, Aether could do nothing to her. In reality, she truly had not participated.

"I am just a beautiful vase. Don't think you can slander me, man."

After Charlotte Linlin took a deep breath and organized her thoughts, she spoke slowly.

"Roge, it seems two idiots disturbed your rest. That was my negligence. I will provide satisfactory compensation tomorrow. As for Stussy, I can guarantee she did not participate. You have no evidence to prove otherwise."

Seeing Stussy act indifferent as if it had nothing to do with her, Aether revealed a meaningful smile.

"That may not be the case, Linlin. As the saying goes, you can know a person's face, but not their heart. I actually have evidence proving Stussy participated."

Aether's words made Charlotte Linlin turn her gaze toward Stussy in confusion. Could it be true?

Not giving Stussy any time to respond, Aether pressed the Den Den Mushi and played the recording.

Under everyone's gaze, the footage began to play.

"Stussy" appeared at Aether's door. The two then embraced, and the scene shifted as they fell onto the bed. The screen briefly went dark before showing the two lying together when the assassination attempt occurred. In the footage, "Stussy" repeatedly launched sneak attacks on Aether, only to be suppressed and forced back.

"…"

The entire area fell silent.

It was only when Charlotte Linlin spoke loudly that the strange atmosphere broke.

"Stussy, you actually climbed into Roger's bed and then tried to assassinate him. You truly don't know your limits."

"I didn't do it! How is this possible?"

Stussy was completely flustered. The woman in the video had her face, but she had not gone to Aether's room tonight, nor had she acted in such an outrageous manner.

More importantly, Aether had recorded something like this. He was truly a pervert beyond anything she had ever encountered.

Seeing that everyone had begun to believe it, Aether spoke seriously.

"Linlin, hand Stussy over to me. She is barely considered my woman. A night of husband and wife brings a hundred nights of kindness. I will not kill her. At most, I will have her stay home and raise children in peace. I quite like her."

"…!"

Stussy's face turned pale instantly. The issue was no longer just humiliation. As a member of CP0, if she were captured by an enemy of the World Government, she would likely be abandoned or eliminated to protect classified intelligence. She knew far too many secrets.

Unable to remain composed, she hurriedly denied it.

"This is fake. I was not with you at all today. The woman in the video is an impostor who disguised herself to approach Roger."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Aether looked at her with interest.

"Then Stussy, where were you during that time? Is there anyone who can prove your whereabouts?"

Stussy's heart tightened.

During that time, she had returned to the ship to report Roger's appearance to the World Government. There was no important witness who could confirm her movements.

Still, she forced herself to respond.

"The people at the port can prove I returned to the ship."

"So, there is no one here who can confirm your whereabouts. As for the people at the port, what is the difference between them and no one?"

Stussy's expression darkened with anger. She could not understand why this man was pressuring her so relentlessly.

In the pirate world, such witness testimony was almost meaningless. Disguises were far too easy to use. If she were in control of the situation, she could deny everything, but now she had no leverage.

Aether had originally intended to insist regardless of evidence, but being able to corner her through logic made things even better.

"Linlin, you heard her. Stussy has no witnesses. Hand her over to me."

"Mama, you must believe me. I did not do this."

Aether's certainty and Stussy's pitiful expression made Charlotte Linlin hesitate for a rare moment. On one side was Aether with so-called evidence, and on the other was a close acquaintance.

In the end, she made her decision.

Pirates did not care about truth. On the sea, only strength mattered. Whether it was her, the other Five Emperors, or Aether, they all understood this.

If she allowed someone to take her guest without consequences, her authority in the seas would be questioned. The same fate had already begun to befall the Blackbeard Pirates, who after their defeat against top Marine forces, losing territory and influence.

If she, too, was pressured by another Emperor, she might end up in the same position.

"Roger, if you are willing to let Stussy go, I will give you 10 billion Berries as compensation, and I will also owe you a favor."

The word "favor" made Aether pause slightly. However, the intelligence he needed from Egghead Island was more important than Linlin's favor.

This was already a major concession from Charlotte Linlin. In all her years ruling the seas, she had rarely owed anyone a favor. The 10 billion Berries also made Stussy's expression tighten. It was nearly her entire fortune, yet she could only endure it silently.

With eyes like autumn water filled with resentment, she looked toward Aether.

However, Aether showed no interest in their terms.

He shook his head and said with a faint smile,

"Linlin, that won't work. Although Stussy betrayed me, I still love her deeply. I cannot accept your conditions."

The refusal came without hesitation.

Charlotte Linlin's expression froze.

If it were her, she would never refuse such a condition. What value could mere affection have compared to a favor from her and 10 billion Berries?

Stussy immediately felt a chill run through her body. The man in front of her clearly had no intention of letting her go. She needed to leave immediately.

Her short skirt swayed as she stepped back.

"Linlin, I will leave first. I will send the 10 billion Berries afterward. I will leave the rest to you."

"Stussy, go ahead. I will handle Roger."

The moment Stussy turned around, Aether's grin deepened.

"How annoying."

The instant his words fell, Aether vanished from where he stood.

Only shattered ground and a burst of dust remained where he had been.