Birthday

"We can't keep letting them grow unchecked. At this rate, Many Countries might become a second Great Kingdom someday." Marcus Maz Saint (Mars) stroked his long beard, a trace of apprehension in his eyes.

The Warrior God of the Environment had long, straight white hair and a long beard. He wore a black suit.

He was a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit user who could transform into Itsumade. He possessed wings, exceptional reconnaissance abilities, a sturdy body, and an Immortal Body.

"Easy for you to say, but the Navy can't spare any more fighting power. Just dealing with Rocks has already forced them to go all out. Provoking Many Countries as well, a place capable of easily destroying islands, would be an unwise move no matter how you look at it." Topman Warcury Saint (Mercury) snorted coldly.

The Warrior God of Justice had white hair but a bald crown, two white mustache tufts shaped like the character for eight, and wore a black suit. A large bright-red birthmark covered his forehead.

He was a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit user whose transformed form was a Warthog. He possessed tough hide and could unleash Conqueror's Haki-infused roars.

"Are we supposed to keep letting them grow? At the very least, we need to cause them some trouble. We can't let them live too comfortably." Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro (Venus) had killing intent in his eyes.

Jupiter sneered disdainfully. "Cause trouble? Who can still cause trouble for Many Countries now?"

"I even suspect that Milim possesses strength equal to Rocks's."

"Don't forget, Rocks once broke into Lord Imu's residence."

Venus snorted. "That incident was our failure, but the main blame lies with that worthless Navy Admiral. He couldn't even stop Rocks."

Mercury suddenly spoke. "Enough. Stop arguing."

"Continuing like this won't produce any results. Why don't we leave this decision to Lord Imu?"

"No." ×4 The remaining Five Elders objected in unison.

"If we have to trouble Lord Imu over such a trivial matter, then what is the point of the Five Elders existing?"

"That's right. We should avoid informing Lord Imu about this matter. We already failed in our duty when Rocks met Lord Imu."

"If we trouble Lord Imu again over something this minor, we may all be punished."

After discussing it for so long, they still failed to reach a conclusion.

They could only follow the original plan and multiply the underground bounties on the intelligence about Many Countries and every one of its members several times over!

Many Countries continued to flourish. They also occupied several uninhabited islands nearby, expanding their territory.

There were even some pleasant surprises among those barren islands. One island actually contained an iron mine.

Besides that, the biggest event was that it was Milim and Lingling's birthdays in the coming days. This was the first time Milim and Lingling had celebrated their birthdays since Many Countries had been established.

It was also the year they turned twenty. Since they had been born on the same day, their birthdays naturally fell on the same day as well.

Many Countries was especially lively today. Everyone in the nation was celebrating Lingling and Milim's birthdays, while all the country's chefs worked hard to make an enormous birthday cake.

The Nine Serpent Pirates Ship, symbolizing Daughter's Country, had also docked at the port of Many Countries.

Though they had only been apart for a few months, Gloriosa and Shakki met again.

The moment they met, a radiant smile appeared on Gloriosa's face.

Yet there were faint dark circles beneath Shakki's once-beautiful eyes. Clearly, she was not yet accustomed to the work that came with having just become the Empress.

Ignoring Gloriosa, Shakki walked over to Milim. "Happy birthday, Milim! This is the birthday present I brought you." As she spoke, Shakki pulled out a gift box from behind her back.

Milim accepted the gift box with practiced ease. She had already lost count of how many times she had accepted one today.

"Shakki, it looks like your work is exhausting. You've even learned how to smoke." Milim grinned as she looked at the cigarette in Shakki's mouth.

Shakki said wistfully, "There's nothing I can do about it. I'm responsible for a country's future, so I'm constantly worried."

"Looks like you'll become an outstanding ruler just like Lingling!" Milim praised Shakki with a smile.

"I wouldn't dare dream of that. But at the very least, I won't become a ruler who abandons her people for love." Shakki gave Gloriosa a pointed look.

The smile on Gloriosa's face did not change. "You never know. Perhaps one day, you'll make the same choice too."

"Did you divine something?" Shakki frowned.

Gloriosa shook her head. "No. I simply believe in the fate of our Nine Serpent Empresses."

"Forget it!" Seeing that Gloriosa was unwilling to say anything, Shakki stopped asking and turned to Milim instead. "Milim, aren't you going back yet? Who are you waiting for here?"

"A group of pirates. They said they were nearby recently, so they decided to come join the fun." Milim nodded.

"Oh?" Shakki looked at Milim in confusion. "What kind of pirates could possibly make you care this much?"

"They're... Oh, look, they're here." Milim had just started to answer when a ship gradually appeared along the distant shore.

"The Or Jackson... Gold Roger!" Shakki immediately recognized the approaching pirates when she saw the ship sailing toward them.

As the Or Jackson drew closer and closer, it finally arrived at the port of Many Countries. A group of burly men then jumped down from aboard.

"Yo, Milim. You were the first person I spotted." That was the first thing Roger said after jumping down. Then he turned and saw Shakki standing nearby.

Hearts immediately appeared in his eyes. At an unimaginable speed, he arrived before Shakki, dropped to one knee, and took her hand.

"Could this beautiful lady tell me her lovely name?"

"I've completely fallen in love with you."

"Hehe." Shakki covered her mouth and laughed softly. "My name is Shakki, but you should forget about falling in love with me." As she spoke, she pulled her hand free.

"Shakki—what a beautiful name!" Hearing Shakki's pleasant voice, Roger was already intoxicated. The rest of the crew also stared at Shakki, unable to move, while only Rayleigh forced himself to remain calm.

Shakki gave Rayleigh a surprised glance. She knew her own charm very well; practically no man could resist it.

But this man seemed somewhat different.

Gloriosa stood to one side, an increasingly strange smile appearing on her face.

"Wow!" Milim stared wide-eyed at Roger. She had never expected the Pirate King to really be this kind of man.

If you enjoy this book and don't want to lose it next time, please remember to add it to your bookshelf.