Grandpa... Grandpa?
"Yay yay yay yay???"
Upon hearing the words of the Elder of Economy, Shirahoshi was completely stunned. These were the legendary Five Elders, representing the pinnacle of world power?!
Wouldn't this kind of person be very fierce?
How could he let people call him grandpa???
Beside them, they watched as Shirahoshi's eyes widened and shone brightly.
The Elder of Economy laughed loudly, then patted Shirahoshi's big head.
"Alright, little girl, one call is enough, there's no need to keep calling."
We've been together for so many years, do you think you can make all five of us happy just because you call me grandpa?
So you won't have to repeat the same name so many times, haha.
Amidst the laughter, the Elder of Economy gently ruffled the little girl's hair, then turned to look at Gion and Hancock.
When the Elder of Economy's gaze swept over Gion shuddered.
"The Five Elders!"
She nervously prepared to kneel down, then quickly tried to bow to the Five Elders, but before she could kneel, the Elder of Economy gently lifted his foot and used the instep of his foot to block Gion's knee.
"This isn't our first meeting, Gion Vice Admiral, but regardless, you seem a little confused about the situation since Little Gawain brought you here!"
The Elder of Economy, feigning displeasure, snorted, then, while helping Gion to her feet, turned to look at the trembling Hancock.
Hancock shuddered violently when the Elder of Economy cast a glance at her.
She nervously twisted her hands together and said shyly to the Elder of Economy.
"Grandfather...?"
"Ah, that's more like it. I never imagined that Hancock, with your proud reputation at sea, would be so incredibly well-behaved at home, little girl!"
The Elder of Economy was very pleased with Hancock's nickname, so he patted Hancock on the shoulder encouragingly.
Feeling the approval of the Elder of Economy, Hancock breathed a long sigh of relief, then her heart was filled with uncertainty.
Gawain's parents have approved of him!
Is the next step to discuss wedding arrangements?
Will my grandfathers urge me to have a child soon?
Oh dear, how embarrassing~~~.
For a moment, Hancock clutched her heart, feeling dizzy and unable to control herself.
Seeing Hancock's listless appearance, Gawain couldn't help but rub his nose.
"Senior, stop teasing my women. Look at them, they're practically jumping for joy."
"Hahaha, you should be happy! Otherwise, do you expect even your wives to look at us five old men with such seriousness, without any regard for family and elders?"
The Elder of Economy smiled and responded to Gawain's words, then turned around and gently patted Gawain on the shoulder.
"Since you actually brought your wife back, I'll make an exception this time and add a few more sofas for you guys."
"Guards!"
"Yes, sir!"
Outside the room, people immediately responded to the Elder of Economy's order, and in less than two seconds, they carried a series of sofas into the room.
Of course, they even brought a huge blanket, which was for Shirahoshi.
Although the house Room of Heaven is tall enough, no giant has ever visited it so far, so they really haven't prepared a sofa for giants.
Shirahoshi didn't mind at all; on the contrary, she didn't really like sofas. With her size, sitting on a sofa would make her viewpoint too high.
Now everyone is sitting on the sofa, and she is lying on the blanket. Her perspective is now almost eye-level with everyone, and she likes this eye-level feeling.
Beside her, after Shirahoshi obediently lay down on the blanket, Hancock also asked in the direction of the Five Elders, her voice trembling.
"Grandpa, may I really sit down? The Gawain Family... no, no, our family."
"Don't we have any special rules in our family?"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Before the Elder of Economy could answer, the broad-shouldered Elder of Diplomacy shook his head at Hancock.
"What rules? Are those things that can be applied to us?"
We have ruled the world for so long, and the effort and hard work we have put in during that time were not to impose more rules on ourselves!
So sit down comfortably, just like you're back in your own home.
When you kids are around, we won't talk about national affairs, we'll only talk about family matters!
Although you weren't born here, regardless of the circumstances, as long as Gawain chooses you, and you acknowledge Gawain's choice, you will be accepted.
"Then we're family now, little girls!"
At this point, the Elder of Economy waved to the sofa behind Hancock, and seeing this, Hancock and Gion finally sat down with peace of mind.
Gawain did not sit down immediately. After watching his women take their seats, he nodded to the Five Elders.
Seeing Gawain nod, the Five Elders smiled slightly and then returned to their respective sofas to sit down.
Seeing this, Gawain also sat down between Hancock and Gion.
After Gawain squeezed in, the two women trembled slightly with nervousness, and then couldn't help but tidy their hair at their temples.
At the same time, among the Five Elders, the Elder of Culture looked around and then smiled at Gawain.
"Little Gawain, although your bringing back your lover has made me and my old friends very satisfied."
But no matter what my old friend thinks, I still feel there's something missing!
"Isn't it a bit too few people you brought back?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Elder of Culture held up a reward notice, which featured a picture of Nico Robin.
The Elder of Culture joked as he shook the reward notice.
"You have more than just those three excellent girls on your ship; there are clearly many more you could have brought back!"
Moreover, your generation's patriarch of the Gawain Family has finally chosen the lifestyle of having multiple wives.
Since that's the case, why not have more? Otherwise, we old folks will have to worry about your family's single-lineage inheritance!
"Like this Devil Child, or that Vinsmoke Family girl, or that Flander Family child, she'll be fine when she grows up, right?"
"That's right!"
As soon as the Elder of Culture finished speaking, the Elder of Military laughed and clapped the scabbard in his hand.
"The five of us have worried about your Gawain Family for generations, fearing that there might be a break in the family line!"
This time, absolutely not! You must marry more and have more children. Mary Geoise already has enough Celestial Dragon; a few more of your Celestial Dragon children won't make a difference, will it?
As soon as he finished speaking, the Elder of Military raised his right hand and gave Gawain a thumbs-up.
Seeing this, Gawain shook his head repeatedly, both amused and exasperated. Then he quickly glanced at the condition of Shirahoshi and the other two.
Well, the girls who had been so swaggering on the Dark Bird Ship were now all like ostriches, wishing they could bury their heads in their chests...
Gawain rubbed his hair helplessly, then said with a laugh.
"Senior, please stop teasing me like that, otherwise... I see that you seniors are all still very healthy, perhaps you could also..."
"Hey, what are you saying, kid!"
The Elder of Military interrupted Gawain with displeasure, then slammed the knife in his hand down.
"Don't underestimate the grandfathers, okay? When they were young, they were known as handsome young men in Mary Geoise!"
Which grandfather didn't have five, seven, or eight children? It's just that too much time has passed, and all of the grandfather's children have passed away.
Now, although we all have a dozen or twenty great -Sun Tzu, too many generations have passed, and we've been too busy with politics; our feelings for each other have simply faded..."
At this point, the Elder of Military reminisced about his early days.
Thinking back 344 years, before he became one of the Five Elders.
Back then, he also ventured out to sea with the woman he loved!
Back then, there were no metal ships or steam power on the sea; his voyages relied entirely on sails and Haki!
Looking back now, those days were so much more leisurely and happier than they are now.
As for now, Elder of Military have long been accustomed to devoting their lives and time to handling every proposal of the entire World Government...
Like the Elder of Military, the other elderly men also reminisced about their own past; after all, which old man hasn't been young once?
Aren't the things that young people yearn for and pursue precisely what every elderly person has experienced and gone through?
As he pondered this, the Elder of Economy sighed softly, then shook his head and turned his attention back to the girls.
"Let's not think about that anymore, old folks. We're way too far removed from the concept of youth!"
As for now, we've agreed not to discuss state affairs, and we can't let our centuries-old habit spoil the fun for Little Gawain and the children!
At this point, the Elder of Economy raised his hand to support his chin, stroked his short, golden beard, and said thoughtfully.
"I just realized that we elders are really quite incompetent."
It was the children's first visit, and we hadn't even prepared suitable gifts!
This won't do, this absolutely won't do!
Suddenly, the Elder of Economy clapped his hands at the three people in Gion.
"Little girl, your grandfathers didn't have time to prepare gifts for you in advance, but this is just right."
Since you're all here, let's just tell us what you like. As long as it's something you want, there's nothing your grandfathers can't give you!
"That's right, this is truly something we five can be very proud of."
Whether it's a rare delicacy found only in the heavens or a legendary item from Sea Room.
They will always be yours if you want them!
So don't be shy, haha!
The Elder of Military picked up where the Elder of Economy left off, then he looked at the girls with a smile.
Faced with the expectant gaze of the Elder of Military, the three women were momentarily stunned.
After Shirahoshi's tail smacked the floor several times, she murmured in surprise.
"How wonderful! I even received gifts from my grandfathers!"
But... well, it's just that I don't know what I want.
"Can I have the latest Beautiful Scale Set? I heard it's very expensive. Although Gawain has made a lot of money, we still have a super big Laboon to raise. We're so strapped for cash, Grandpa~~~."
With a charmingly coquettish gesture, Shirahoshi blinked her big, sparkling eyes and looked towards the Five Elders.
Looking into Shirahoshi's big eyes, the Five Elders looked at each other, then they all burst into laughter.
"This little girl!"
The Elder of Economy, clapped his hands with a smile.
"They're finding all sorts of ways to get money from us on Gawain's behalf."
But that's fine too, at least the little girl really sides with Gawain.
I had originally agreed with Gawain that I wouldn't provide him with any financial support, but for your sake, I'll reluctantly approve 300 billion.
Don't complain about the small amount; the Heavenly Tribute hasn't been particularly plentiful lately. The harvest has been getting worse and worse in recent years, Vegapunk has incurred many more expenses, to the point that the Navy and Army are almost fighting over a few Beli right in front of us.
You all have to understand me, I really don't have much money left."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Elder of Economy waved his hand and instantly wrote an approval document for 300 billion Beli.
He then handed the approval document to Gawain while continuing to speak with a smile.
"Watch closely, girl, I'm handing Beli over to your husband."
As for the Beautiful Scale Set you requested, well, that's a bit of a hassle.
After all, that stuff is mainly a specialty of Fish-Man Island; your hometown has everything...
However, considering that you haven't been home for quite some time, I'll send someone to contact your hometown later and arrange for a shipload of equipment and paint for the Meilin to be shipped from there."
Wow~~~!
Upon hearing the Elder of Economy's words, Shirahoshi's tail flapped even more vigorously. She cheered happily and waved to Gawain, striking a pose that made her look like she was very proud of herself.
Three hundred billion Beli! That's a whole three hundred billion Beli!
The baby arranged everything for his brother with just one sentence!
Meanwhile, Shirahoshi was standing to the side, where Gion and Hancock, who had initially been somewhat reserved and embarrassed about the gift, were also present.
Seeing Shirahoshi's proud little face, the two of them couldn't help but exchange a glance.
Suddenly I feel motivated!!!
Just then, the Elder of Military looked towards Gion and said...
"We are quite satisfied with the gifts from Shirahoshi. Now let's talk about you two."
Gion, I always felt that the gift you wanted would complement my expertise. What do you think?
The Elder of Military looked at Gion with interest.
Meeting the Elder of Military's gaze, Gion blushed and nodded. Then, while instinctively rubbing the hilt of her Konpira, she spoke to the Elder of Military.
"The Five Elders are truly..."
"Um?!!"
"Cough cough, Grandpa... Grandpa!"
Grandpa really knows me well. I... I am indeed interested in the latest equipment independently developed by the World Government!
Since Grandpa told me not to be polite, then... then I really won't be polite.
When I was in the Navy, I heard that Dr. Vegapunk had made a lot of new discoveries.
Grandpa... could you share those achievements with our Dark Bird Ship? I... I'm very interested in them!
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, the Elder of Military clapped his hands with amusement.
Are you really interested in those things?
Alright, alright, since you've asked, I definitely won't let you down!
Vegapunk has recently presented me with quite a few new things, and among them, two things have particularly interested me.
One of them was a special Devil Fruit he created by developing his bloodline factors.
The other one was the experimental version of the Pacifista he developed!
Since you have your own scientists on board, I'll give you a Devil Fruit and five experimental Pacifista so you can continue developing Vegapunk's work!
Besides, let me think about it. Your ships can probably hold hundreds of thousands of people. In that case, I'll approve another 100,000 sets of standard naval equipment for you.
Including firearms, ammunition, knives, and fabric for making military uniforms, all of this should satisfy you, little girl, right?
As soon as he finished speaking, the Elder of Military looked at Gion gently, while Gion's ears turned even redder in an instant.
Regardless of what Gion's previous impression of the Five Elders was.
At least for now, the Five Elders' gentle smiles and magnanimous demeanor truly made Gion feel quite favorably toward these five grandfathers.
The grandfathers are so incredibly generous; they're so gentle and kind to their daughter-in-law, who's not Celestial Dragon and is considered a lower-class person!
Gion quickly nodded.
"That's enough, that's enough. Grandfathers have given us too much. I... well, your wife is extremely grateful."
"Haha, don't be shy. From now on, you'll be Mary Geoise and Gawain's wives. You'll have to get used to your new life!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Elder of Military turned to look at Hancock. Meeting Hancock's thoughtful gaze, the Elder of Military continued to ask.
"You're the only one left, little Hancock. One of those girls likes Beli, and the other likes arms."
So what gift do you want?
You really need to think this through carefully, because once you miss this opportunity, you might not get another one, little girl~."
Happy New Year, everyone! I wish you all a smooth and prosperous new year!
Also, I've been feeling really unwell these past few days... just coughing non-stop, sigh.
Anyway, Happy New Year! Starting Miss Monday, I'll be back to full health every day.
Love you all.