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"Yes, Mama.
Lick~~"
The eldest son, Charlotte Perospero-whose role in the Big Mom Pirates resembled Marco's under Whitebeard-stuck out his tongue, licked his candy cane, and answered unhurriedly.
"The moment Doflamingo returned, he brought the entire Family down on Hachinosu like lightning."
"Not a single member of the Five Peaks Pirates remains. Not even the children escaped.
How tragic~~"
Despite his words, undisguised mockery curled the eldest son's lips.
Conflict at sea was never child's play. Defeat meant wrecked ships and death. Did anyone really expect their enemies to leave behind the seeds of revenge?
"But that makes things troublesome, Mama."
He reined in his mockery, his brow tightening.
"Even Doflamingo, who vanished years ago, returned without a sound and wiped out Ochoku in a single move.
Then Rossi, who's stronger than him..."
Marriage bound the Charlotte Family and the Family together.
Though that marriage rested more on the interests of their alliance, the Charlotte Family still possessed many secrets unknown to outsiders.
For instance: Rossi was not dead.
Over the past few years, as the Family repeatedly faced encirclement and attacks, Charlotte Smoothie had helped Diamante and the others several times in a personal capacity.
Shadows shrouded the Throne, a corpulent figure sunk deep into its broad seat.
Charlotte Linlin's face was swallowed by the darkness. Only the dull sound of her fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest echoed through the empty hall.
Her eldest son's question hung in the air, receiving no immediate answer.
Intelligence had long since arrived through secret channels.
Oni-that woman with countless ties to the Family-had once revealed to Smoothie that the slip of paper representing signs of life had never been damaged.
Every force at sea with any sense understood what that meant.
More strikingly, over the past year, the Family had withdrawn