"Huh? The Captain knows?!"
Cynthia's composure instantly vanished, her voice pitching up in alarm. "What was her reaction? Don't tell me she went on another rampage!"
As a bellicose dual-wielding swordswoman, Cynthia was the type who feared nothing in heaven or earth. However, ever since she witnessed a certain "brother-complex" explosion a year ago, a thick shadow had been cast over the depths of her soul.
(Even if her actual strength is still a bit behind the likes of Red-Haired Shanks or Big Mom, the Captain's "willfulness" is definitely Emperor-level.)
This was the consensus reached by Cynthia and the others after that particular incident.
"It's not as dire as you think, Cynthia," Hu Tao said, her voice calm and soothing. "Though Silver Hair didn't say anything at the time, I can feel that she's tacitly approved of us sending Lily-chan to secretly protect her younger brother."
"Or rather, she was probably quite happy to pack that female knight off."
"Oh, right. That makes sense. Those knights from England are far too rigid." The blonde swordswoman's expression shifted to one of understanding. She chuckled, "If it were me, being protected 24/7 by a stubborn knight—even while bathing or sleeping—I would've snapped ages ago."
"Heh, exactly. And that's precisely why we can trust her to protect the Captain's most precious brother," Hu Tao chuckled. On her end, the Den Den Mushi mimicked her expression with a vivid, graceful smile.
"I've already given Jinbe a heads-up. He's going to take Lily-chan to see Madam Shyarly so they can divine the current location of the 'Enchanter.' By the way, is that idiot Chrollo still on Fish-Man Island?" When mentioning that name, Hu Tao's tone became slightly unnatural.
"Likely. She said before that she wanted to compose a new album on Fish-Man Island and take the opportunity to discuss astrology with Madam Shyarly."
Cynthia facepalmed in exasperation. "That moron... has she not realized that you can't even see the stars from Fish-Man Island?"
"I just hope she doesn't run into Lily-chan, or things will get complicated." The Den Den Mushi mirrored her helpless expression.
The members of the Silver Hair Pirates were all heirs to major organizations, prominent families, or kingdoms. These "princelings" were mostly eccentric personalities—none of them were quite normal. Among them, the princess named Chrollo was one of the most distinctive troublemakers.
"Let's put that aside for now, Hu Tao," Cynthia said, pivoting the conversation. "Regarding the content of the Captain's last talk with Big Mom..."
"...Are the Charlotte Family and the Oswald Family really going through with a political marriage?" The blonde beauty narrowed her eyes, her expression suddenly turning grave.
If that Oswald fellow—who had always been at odds with Silver Hair—managed to cling to the coattails of an Emperor like Big Mom, the result would be nothing short of a nightmare.
"It seems to be confirmed. As the World Government's number one lapdog in the underworld and the most powerful arms manufacturer, Big Mom is more than happy to establish a connection with Oswald."
Hu Tao sighed softly. "However, we still have a chance. While the Penguin's heir has shown some of his father's cruel and insidious flair, he's still a minor. Even if they marry, it won't be for at least another two years."
"Hmph, whether he lives another two years is still up in the air..."
The corner of the blonde swordswoman's mouth curled into a cold arc. "Hu Tao, how about I just take a trip to Gotham Island right now and cut that cripple's son down myself?"
As the top enforcer under Silver Hair, the Demon Sword Cynthia certainly had the strength and confidence to take a target's head from the midst of ten thousand soldiers and escape unscathed.
"I knew you'd say that." The Den Den Mushi rolled its eyes and shook its head. "While I have full confidence in you and your twin blades, however..."
Hu Tao paused before continuing, "According to the latest intelligence: the only son of the Penguin and heir to the Oswald family, Oswald Alois, has run away from home. Even if you stormed their headquarters alone, you wouldn't find him."
"Run away?!" Cynthia looked stunned. "Why? Wasn't he living the good life as a young master at home?"
"The specific reason isn't clear, but we estimate he likely realized he was about to become a sacrificial lamb for a political marriage and fled in advance."
At this, the Den Den Mushi flashed a malicious grin. "And according to our Captain's theory, that eccentric kid probably couldn't handle the 'glory' of his future wife's appearance. Truly cruel of her—doesn't she know Big Mom actually has a few daughters who are quite beautiful?"
"But the majority of them inherited their mother's 'excellent' genes, didn't they?" Cynthia recalled the appearance of Big Mom's numerous children and offered a moment of silent prayer for the "groom" she had never met. She continued:
"Fine, that's not the point. This is a rare opportunity. Where exactly did that Alois run to?" The blonde woman's eyes narrowed again.
It seemed the Demon Sword still intended to end the matter once and for all with a single strike.
"Somewhere in Paradise, exact location unknown," Hu Tao said cryptically.
"The Oswald family has a lot of influence in those waters. It would be irrational to go there blindly. For now, you should hurry back to Paradise Island. To draw attention away, the Penguin might launch an attack on our base. We can't do without your high-end combat power."
"I know, I know," Cynthia waved her hand dismissively.
"Honestly, you always say you can't do without me, but whenever a real fight starts, I never seem to play a decisive role. You 'tough girls' are more violent than the last—especially our Captain, she... forget it, I shouldn't speak ill of her behind her back."
Seated upon the back of a flying dragon, the blonde beauty stretched. "So, what now? If Big Mom becomes our enemy in the future, our lives are going to get difficult."
The Silver Hair Pirates occupied a very ambiguous position in the New World. This group of New World "princelings" drifted between the major powers—the Marines, the Pirates, the Revolutionary Army, and the Underworld all had dealings with them. She had many friends, but her enemies were more numerous and far stronger.
Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors of the New World, was practically a mentor to Silver Hair. Their relationship was the closest, making him one of the few true allies of the Silver Hair Pirates.
Beast Kaido, on the other hand, was in constant conflict with Silver Hair. Fortunately, a full-scale war hadn't broken out, otherwise the latter would surely suffer the most.
As for the other two Emperors, Whitebeard and Big Mom had decent relations with Silver Hair—they often drank or ate sweets together—but it hadn't reached the level of a formal alliance.
While marrying into Big Mom's family usually meant joining her crew, Oswald—as a loyal dog of the World Government—would naturally be a special case.
Once the Oswalds and the Charlottes united, one thing was certain: Silver Hair and Big Mom could no longer be friends.
"We all understand your concerns, Cynthia," Hu Tao said solemnly.
"To maintain the current balance, the marriage between Oswald and Big Mom must not succeed."
"Since the groom is hard to get to, we'll start our work with the brides."
"The brides?" Cynthia raised an eyebrow and sucked in a breath, looking shocked. "No way... you guys are planning to assassinate Big Mom's daughters?"
The Den Den Mushi fell into a mysterious silence before shooting the blonde swordswoman a look reserved for idiots.
"Did you catch something from Chrollo? How can you say something so stupid? Or is it really like Misaka says—all chest, no brains?"
"Ahem, shut up! If that's the case, yours aren't much smaller than mine, Hu Tao."
Cynthia's face turned bright red. "Just tell me, what's the plan?"
"Big Mom has many daughters, but only a few are currently suitable for marriage."
"Therefore..." Hu Tao paused, then continued, "We just need to interfere. If we make sure all of Big Mom's eligible daughters are married off within these two years, the alliance will collapse on its own. After all, the Penguin only has one son."
"Oh? That sounds promising."
Cynthia's eyes lit up, but she quickly realized a glaring issue. "Wait, Hu Tao. The idea is good, but what about the grooms? Big Mom's daughters aren't going to marry just anyone."
"Have you heard of the Vinsmoke family? That royal lineage that recently got in touch with us."
"Oh, that 'Family of Killers'?" Cynthia blinked, thinking for a moment before something clicked. she exclaimed, "Wait! If I remember correctly, the assassin organization you used to belong to was destroyed by—"
"There's no need to bring up the past. I am now just a gunslinger for the Silver Hair Pirates."
Hu Tao's tone remained flat, without a hint of emotion, as if she had long since forgotten her past. "As it happens, their current patriarch also intends to form an alliance with Big Mom through marriage."
"So, our next objective is: use every means necessary to ensure the Vinsmoke and Charlotte families successfully unite!"
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