— — — — — —
Ambition. Purpose. Power.
Charlotte Joey.
This man's character is remarkably twisted.
He enjoys going with the flow.
Yet, at the same time—When forced to act, he pursues perfection.
To some people, the idea is simple: "Do you really need the World Government's approval to build a nation?"
If you ask him, he'll be blunt: Absolutely not.
With his own strength, the power of his mother, and the ever-growing talents of his younger siblings, who would dare challenge him?
However...
That's not Joey's way. It's not in his nature.
If he's going to do something, it must be done to the extreme.
TheTotto Landmay have been created by his mother, Big Mom, but at its core, it remains a pirate nation.
No matter how high it climbs. It will always be looked down upon.
Why?
The reason is simple: No matter how powerful pirates are, no matter how terrifying, the established nations and the World Government never see them as equals.
To the world, pirates are merely thieves.
Joey, however, envisions a different path for Totto Land.
It won't just become a member nation recognized by the World Government; it will be a decision-making nation—perhaps even one with privileged status among the decision-makers.
This is Joey's goal.
And this goal?
It's just the beginning—a little goal.
From Dressrosa to Alabasta, this man has gradually brought 28 nations under his influence.
Same as today, he want to get the Germa Kingdom.
Fish-Man Island. Germa Kingdom.
Both are powerful nations.
Though Fish-Man Island has long avoided attending the Reverie, it isn't due to a lack of qualification.
Germa Kingdom is much the same.
If these two nations joined the conference, others would inevitably be pushed out.
Why?
It's like a genius who consistently scores over 100 points in a test but chooses not to compete. In their absence, others can claim first place. However, the moment they return, that top position vanishes.
This is the crux of the issue.
The Kingdoms of Alabasta, Dressrosa, Germa, and Fish-Man Island...
When these four powerhouses back a proposal...
Who would dare oppose it?
Even if someone wanted to, they'd have to consider the consequences—potentially resulting in 50 nations agreeing to the proposal.
At that point, even the World Government couldn't veto it.
The written rules must remain unbroken in the public, no matter the circumstances.
— — —
"Alabasta!"
"Dressrosa!"
"Germa!"
"Fish-Man Island!"
Joey murmured softly, countless thoughts swirling in his mind.
For a moment, it felt as though he had the world in the palm of his hand.
Before long, he shook himself from his reverie and said calmly, "Let's go meet the king of Germa."
"Hahahaha!"
At that moment, a bold laugh rang out, followed by a voice:
"Chief Joey, there's no need to trouble yourself! I've come to see you personally!"
A ship approached swiftly, and a tall man in an opulent cape stepped forward.
Joey's smile grew wider as he patiently waited for the man to arrive.
Vinsmoke Judge.
The father of Germa's next supreme commander. Judge not only left behind his son but also a host of genetically engineered soldiers designed to serve as his son's subordinates.
As Joey recalled the details about this man, he smiled and greeted him warmly:
"Mr. Judge, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Judge laughed heartily.
"Chief Joey! The pleasure is mine. Your visit brings great honor to the Germa Kingdom! But let's cut to the chase—I know why you're here. So, tell me, what can you offer in return?"
Truth be told, Judge was genuinely pleased with Joey.
Great nations often maintain subtle connections.
Riku, Cobra, and Judge had already discussed certain matters among themselves.
"Hehehe..." Joey chuckled softly. "I've always preferred dealing with clever people. Since you're so direct, Mr. Judge, let's hear what you have to offer."
Judge pondered briefly before replying seriously:
"Two years from now, Germa will attend the Reverie and support your proposal. Beyond that, I offer you this: a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit—the Healing Fruit."
As Judge revealed the Devil Fruit, Joey's interest was immediately piqued.
The Paramecia-type Heal-Heal Fruit.
This fruit wasn't remarkable for its combat capabilities but for its unparalleled restorative power.
It was essentially a team-wide healer—a massive boon for any battle.
Joey, who had a borderline obsessive interest in collecting Devil Fruits, couldn't help but be intrigued.
In his collection, he only valued mythical Zoan fruits, the powerful Logias, and high-tier Paramecia fruits. Mid-tier Paramecia fruits were only considered if they related to sustenance or food.
Consequently, his collection remained small: The Art Fruit. The Puff-Puff Fruit. The Heat-Heat Fruit.
All of these were high-tier, even borderline bug-level fruits.
Additionally, he had the Mirror-Mirror Fruit and the Book-Book Fruit, though he hadn't yet found suitable users for them.
The Healing Fruit was undoubtedly a top-tier addition.
Joey smiled.
"And what do you want from me, Mr. Judge?"
Judge raised a single finger.
"Very simple. Berserk Beasts and Skeleton Soldiers. That will suffice."
"Oh?"
Joey's curiosity deepened.
For a scientific madman like Judge, these peculiar creations were far more valuable than they appeared.
This was shaping up to be a fascinating deal.
.
.
.