Ortolan: As Long as We Don't Talk About Money, Our Mother-Son Bond Is Very Deep!

Instead of responding to Charlotte Linlin's question, Ortolan asked, "How's the situation in Totto Land lately?"

"Are you here to gather information, or to inquire in a personal capacity?" Charlotte Linlin asked first.

"Personal identity," Ortolan said with a smile.

Charlotte Linlin nodded and then said, "The development is going quite well. I recently plan to change the family's management model, making Totto Land more like a country. On each island, we'll station a family official as the local governing minister, and then they'll build the corresponding management system for that island, controlling the country layer by layer from the bottom up..."

As Ortolan listened to this, he nodded in agreement. This must be the management model that the Big Mom Pirates continued for a long time. Basically, it could be called a 'bureaucratic system'.

This continuation of the system has indeed, to a large extent, made Totto Land, the pirate Totto Land, more formalized and nationalized.

While Ortolan was pondering these thoughts, Charlotte Linlin continued her enthusiastic discussion, her voice filled with anticipation. "In this way, our Big Mom Pirates will have a more stable environment, attracting more investment and creating greater profits. These profits can gradually be transformed into our weapons, warships, and army. In the long run, even Whitebeard won't be able to keep overshadowing me among the pirates. Roger's title of Pirate King was forged by creating a wave that shook an entire era, and I, too, will one day sit on that throne and become the ultimate queen of this great sea!"

At this point, Charlotte Linlin looked at Ortolan with some dissatisfaction and said, "If you were willing to come back now, we could immediately declare war on the Whitebeard Pirates. With the two of us joining forces, who in this world could stop us?"

Ortolan felt that this sounded familiar. Wasn't that the same thing Shiki used to trick Roger during the Ed War Sea Battle?

And when Ortolan thought of Shiki, he was reminded of Impel Down. In this story, Shiki should be starting his prison break, right?

But that's definitely impossible now. After capturing Shiki, Ortolan immediately suggested putting a collar on Shiki. That guy could cut off his legs and fly out of the air, so how could he cut off his head and fly out of the air?

He's not a sorcerer, so he can't conjure up flying heads or anything like that.

Looking back now, he was too young and naive. He wasn't as cunning as Suga. If it were now, Ortolan wouldn't have reminded the Marines to put a Seastone collar on Shiki. He would have loved for Shiki to escape again so he could catch him again. Two great achievements from the same person – that's the sustainable cycle of resources!

Clearing these thoughts from his mind, Ortolan asked again, "By the way, how's the weapons production I Katakuri to you before? The money should be coming in soon, right? We G-5 are planning to import another batch of equipment from you. Meanwhile, the World Government is probably about to start looking for outsourced weapons manufacturers. If your production capacity is sufficient, you could submit a bid..."

"Who should we ask to bid?" Charlotte Linlin asked, rolling her eyes.

Ortolan patted his chest confidently and said, "I, Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, can easily act as an intermediary and recommend you. I heard that the CP is in charge of this matter, but don't worry, I'm known for my good relationships, and I know people in the CP. As long as you're ready, once the higher-ups give the green light, I can arrange it for you immediately!"

Charlotte Linlin looked at Ortolan with suspicion and said, "As a middleman, do you also want to make a profit from the middleman's markup?"

"What are you saying? Even brothers should keep clear accounts, and we're no exception. I've gone to great lengths to find you a large market, so shouldn't I get some compensation for my labor? I'm not a slave to mining!" Ortolan said righteously.

"How much do you want?" Charlotte Linlin didn't bother arguing with Ortolan and asked directly.

"Talking about money is a bit too much. What I mean is, how about we share the fruits?" Ortolan said with a friendly smile.

Charlotte Linlin scoffed and said, "Do you know which stage of weapons production is the most costly?"

"Technology research and development..." Ortolan said, slightly embarrassed.

"Do you know how much of my budget Caesar has squandered since he came to our Totto Land Totto Land?" Charlotte Linlin sneered, looking at Ortolan and asking.

"How much?" Ortolan asked guiltily.

"We're about to break the 500 billion Beli! Do you know what 500 billion Beli means? Even if you sold your G-5, it wouldn't be worth that much!" Charlotte Linlin said, holding up five fingers with a pained expression.

"Five hundred billion!?" Ortolan was also stunned and asked in surprise, "He researches Ancient Weapon? How can he spend five hundred billion? What kind of weapons and equipment? Don't be fooled by him. Before I came here, Dr. Vegapunk told me that Caesar loves to scam funding to satisfy his personal extravagance!"

In the original story, Caesar, while working under Doflamingo, swindled a lot of money from Charlotte Linlin and used the money for food and drink.

This guy really has a criminal record!

That's why Ortolan was suspicious. Five hundred billion... well, thinking about it carefully, it doesn't seem that exaggerated. Scientific research has always been a terrifyingly expensive black hole. When I was chatting with Borsalino in Punk Hazard, I heard that Punk Hazard consumes nearly a trillion Belly of the World Government's funds every year... I wonder what they're researching? It's so expensive?

Hearing this news made Ortolan realize that he was really good at calculating. He entrusted Vegapunk to the World Government to raise, and the World Government would pay him. He would take over the family business in the future, which made him very happy.

Charlotte Linlin sneered, "He managed to swindle money from me right under my nose. Even if he's incredibly clever and audacious, I won't bother with him..."

Seeing Charlotte Linlin's confidence, Ortolan said no more. After all, it made sense. In the original story, Caesar Root was not within Charlotte Linlin's sight, so he might have dared to act recklessly. Now... he probably really wouldn't dare.

"Of course, not all of this money is for weapons or technology; most of it is invested in biotechnology. That kid told me he could create Giant race... I'm quite looking forward to it," Charlotte Linlin explained again.

Having put that topic aside, Charlotte Linlin continued, "Anyway, even putting all that aside, I've invested a lot, and now you're just going to talk your way out of it and expect me to share the spoils? Do you think that's appropriate?"

"I've paid the price. The procurement volume from the world's official government must be astronomical, trillions are common. How much profit is involved? How is it inappropriate?" Ortolan said with great confidence.

"Do you think I have no other choice besides you in the Realm of Justice? In a couple of days, the Queen of the Pleasure District, Stussy, will be attending my Tea Party. Isn't she one of your Realm of Justice's people?" Charlotte Linlin said with great disdain.

You need to introduce me? You just said that the CP Agency is in charge of vetting this matter. If I go to Stussy, that's a one-step solution, okay?

"You know Stussy's identity?" Ortolan, slightly surprised.

"Heh... what a novel thing? She looks exactly like that good-for-nothing woman when she was young, and Caesar is under my command. MADS had all those little secrets back then, nothing can be hidden from me..." Charlotte Linlin sneered.

Ortolan thought to himself, "As expected of the organization known for having the best intelligence in the pirate industry, they really have something."

However, he still wouldn't give up and said, "But I was the one who first gave you this idea and opportunity. I used up a lot of brain cells in the process, so shouldn't I get some of the benefits?"

"How did you become so mercenary?" Charlotte Linlin frowned, somewhat displeased.

"Isn't this because I'm forced to make a living? My grand plans for G-5 haven't even started yet, so of course I have to tighten my belt..." Ortolan couldn't help but complain.

Charlotte Linlin looked at Ortolan and actually grew to like him more and more. It had been a long time since she had talked to him, and even though the boy was here to ask for favors, she still found him handsome and charming.

However, she can't always agree to whatever this kid says; that would make it seem like she's spoiling this rebellious son.

So, after Charlotte Linlin had been making a fuss in Ortolan for a while, she tapped her slender fingers on the table a few times, then raised an eyebrow. "You just said that even brothers have to settle accounts, but since you're my son after all, and things have come to this point, sharing the profits with you isn't out of the question..."

"Tell me your requirements, as long as we don't talk about money, my son and I have a very deep bond!" Ortolan replied without hesitation.

"Say something nice, will you? Over the years, I've never heard you say anything good to me..." Charlotte Linlin sighed softly, her voice tinged with resentment.

Ortolan felt a pang of unease at the request, but for the sake of G-5 and Marines justice, he took a deep breath, forced a smile, and looked at Charlotte Linlin in a cloying tone. "My dearest mother, your son is working hard to build this business, and I hope..."

But before he could finish speaking, Ortolan was disgusted with himself. He slammed his hand on the table and yelled, "I can't take it anymore! I really can't say something like that. It's just disgusting. You might as well just say you want me to help you beat Whitebeard to death!"

Although she hadn't finished speaking, Charlotte Linlin was already slapping the table and laughing so hard she could barely contain herself, tears welling up in her eyes.

After he finished laughing, she wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, her tone still smiling, "Alright, alright, I'm really happy today, I agree!"