With hidden assets like Stussy added in, the Charlotte Family's intelligence network had begun to show the potential to rival the World Government's—even the Cipher Pol under the Celestial Dragons.
For now, it was only potential. But just as no one had imagined that the Charlotte Family could stand up to the World Government and actually win, who could say that Totto Land's intelligence network would not one day become the greatest in the world, rather than merely the greatest among pirates as before?
Although Charlotte Linlin had said during her earlier talks with Whitebeard that she was not particularly interested in expanding her territory, she would not turn away nations or factions that voluntarily sought her protection—as long as they were not harboring ulterior motives like James Glenn had back then.
The battle at Marine Branch G1, followed by their performance in forcing Garp to leave in defeat, had already established Totto Land's status as the "Uncrowned King" of the New World. Then, after signing a peace treaty with the World Government, they had at least temporarily eliminated the risk of innocent bystanders being caught in a clash between giants.
As a result, far more than one or two factions had come seeking to join them. Even the Pudding Kingdom, which had once relied on the World Government's power to unify its island, resolved to withdraw from the alliance and throw in its lot with Totto Land after the ceasefire between Totto Land and the World Government.
The reason was simple. Totto Land was stronger than the World Government in the New World, and the tribute it demanded was far lower than the Celestial Gold.
Even the Pudding Kingdom, already a major New World nation, had become a vassal of Totto Land. The underworld's big shots needed no further