Next Bonus, 100!!
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That night, in the hot springs.
Hancock was lying on top of Jin.
Snow-white skin, a perfect face.
Long eyelashes framing elegant, bright eyes. A straight, delicate nose. Red, sensual lips.
A cascade of long, black hair, like a waterfall, spilling down her back.
She looked at him, her face flushed with a shy, bashful expression.
But the words she spoke sent a jolt of shock through him.
"My love... I think my period is late."
"EH??"
"I've missed my period this month," she said, her beautiful face filled with a mixture of hope and trepidation. "Are you not happy? About our child?"
Though he was completely stunned, a wave of joy washed over him. "Of course I'm happy," he said, his hands trembling slightly. He had been a man in two lives, and this was the first time he might be a father.
He chuckled, a wide, goofy grin spreading across his face.
"Here, let me feel," he said, lifting her from the water and pressing his ear to her stomach. He could feel a faint, pulsing connection.
Or maybe it was just his imagination.
According to Hancock, it had only been a month.
He kissed her. "This is wonderful," he said, his voice filled with a giddy joy. "You have to take good care of yourself."
He had originally come here to give the Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit to Hancock. But now that she was likely pregnant, he decided against it.
What if it affected the baby? What if some of the fruit's will was transferred to the child?
It was better to be safe.
"You're not to go on any raids this year," he said. "If you need any supplies, I'll have them sent to you. Let your sisters handle the patrols. Maya is training on the island, isn't she? I'll have her join the Kuja crew on their patrols. If anything happens, I'll be able to get there right away."
The last time Jin had visited Fish-Man Island, he had left Maya and Shiro on Amazon Lily to train their Armament Haki. Maya had great potential, with her powerful Observation Haki, but she was lacking in temperament and physical strength.
Hancock's pregnancy kept Jin on the island for an extra two days. He had his ship auto-pilot to their location and deliver a shipment of supplies and mushroom spores. At the same time, he picked up the 20,000 "Dream" plants they had cultivated.
Of the previous batch of 10,000, 80% had met the quality standard. Jin had given 5,000 to the Celestial Dragons as Heavenly Tribute and kept the rest for research.
This year, with the establishment of the CIU, the Heavenly Tribute for all member nations had been increased by 10%.
The quota the CP0 had given Jin had doubled, to 10,000 plants.
The reason? The Winter Blossom Kingdom's income was high, so they had to bear a greater burden.
If he couldn't deliver the 10,000 plants, he would have to pay the equivalent in Berries for each one—at the 1 million Berri price he himself had set.
But in reality, as the supply increased, the price of each plant would inevitably fall.
It was clear that the Five Elders had taken notice of the Winter Blossom Kingdom's financial success and were making a move, not only to get a piece of the pie, but also to curb Jin's military development.
The reason most of the member nations were so corrupt and poorly governed had a lot to do with the invisible hand of the World Government.
Whenever a strong nation emerged, either their Heavenly Tribute was increased, or some "accident" would happen. They were subject to a constant, invisible pressure.
Jin was familiar with this tactic. It was a favorite of hegemonic powers.
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They set sail.
Maya wanted to go back to Asuka Island to see her grandmother.
Shiro had grown a bit. He now had the majestic air of a tiger king.
Maya's skin was tanned a wheat color. She had a neat, short haircut, a sniper rifle slung over her back, and an ammunition pouch at her hip.
She was clean and sharp. She had a heroic air about her that she hadn't had on Asuka Island. The martial spirit of the Kuja had tempered her.
"You've grown," Jin said, smiling and ruffling her hair.
As his earliest follower, his little secretary, seeing her growth filled him with a sense of pride.
Maya stuck her tongue out at him. "Where's Robin?" she asked. She and Robin were very close.
"In her office. She's very busy."
Jin sent Maya to find Robin.
When girls get together, there's always a lot to talk about.
Jin dealt with the backlog of official business.
When he returned to Hannabal, he found the whole island in an uproar. Shirahoshi's arrival had caused a massive stir. Everyone had come out to see the mermaid princess who was said to rival the beauty of the world's most beautiful woman, Hancock.
That night, tickets for the music hall, even for the worst seats, were being scalped for 100,000 Berries apiece. It was insane.
Fortunately, Jin was there to keep order. One look from him was enough to quell any troublemakers, and the cultural exchange went off without a hitch.
After that, Jin took Shirahoshi and her entourage to Drum Island. The icy climate almost turned the Fish-Men into popsicles, but it couldn't dampen Shirahoshi's joy at seeing snow for the first time. She rolled around in it, a massive, happy mermaid.
The receptionist just shook her head.
But after the ice park opened, they had gotten used to seeing all sorts of strange reactions from people who had never seen snow before.
While Shirahoshi and her group were sightseeing, Jin dealt with matters of state. He also met with Law, Viola, Rebecca, and Tank Lepanto, who had all returned safely.
"So," he said, "what are your plans?"
He wasn't going to keep them in a cage.
"I will follow your arrangements," Viola said. She had been a part of the Donquixote Family for a long time and was used to following orders. She didn't want to anger this young king.
Jin looked at her.
She was the user of the Paramecia Giro Giro no Mi, able to see everything within a 4,000-kilometer radius. A human radar.
She had the makings of a great navigator.
But... her relationship with Doflamingo was a problem. What if she still had feelings for him? One undercover agent, Monet, was enough.
Suddenly, an idea flashed in Jin's mind. Luffy would be setting out to sea next year.
Why not... have her go undercover with the Straw Hat Pirates? She could replace Nami as the navigator.
Nami was now in charge of the finances for the entire East Blue trading company. It was unlikely she would join the Straw Hat crew.
Viola's abilities and experience would be a huge help to the early Straw Hat crew.
And as for the bonds of friendship... those could be cultivated.
And if she were the navigator, Jin could arrange the route Luffy and his crew would take. There were several islands in Paradise that were member nations, which made them difficult to deal with. It would be the perfect opportunity for Luffy to go on a rampage.
And Jin would be there to clean up the mess.
After all, he had already cleared the original route. There was no point in Luffy going on the same adventure.
He just had to be careful not to let them realize that everything had been arranged...
Then again...
Luffy, Nika... that was an eight-hundred-year-old prophecy. In a sense, wasn't that also "arranged"?
"Alright," Jin said with a smile. "I'll make the arrangements."
He would be the one moving the pieces.
He looked at Rebecca. Because of the cold, she was bundled up, but her youthful figure was still quite prominent.
"I want to get stronger," she said, clenching her fists, her gaze firm.
Though she was young, she had been trained by Kyros since she was a child. She had shown impressive swordsmanship in the Dressrosa coliseum.
"Alright," Jin said. He planned to send her and Maya to Amazon Lily to train. Rebecca would fit in well there.
He turned to Tank Lepanto. He was a tall, strong man, fiercely loyal to King Riku.
"The two princesses will be taken care of. I will ensure their safety. As for you, you will join Law's crew."
Jin didn't ask for his opinion. He just gave the order.
"Law has a grudge against Doflamingo. By helping him, you'll also be helping King Riku."
"Yes, sir!" Lepanto said, bowing.
"Law," Jin said, "gather your crew. You're setting out a year early. Here are Doflamingo's key strongholds in Paradise. I want you to take them out, cut off his tentacles in Paradise."
Law took the documents, a look of joy on his face. "Thank you, Captain," he said.
His goals were to take down Doflamingo and to save as many people as he could. He had no interest in becoming the Pirate King.
Although he had been "brought" here by force, Jin had helped them immensely. He owed him a great debt.
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With the arrangements made, Jin took Shirahoshi and her group to Asuka Island to drop off Maya, and incidentally, to appease the pouting Hina.
After that, they went on a state visit to Alabasta and Kilauea.
Then, they followed the newly established trade route, visiting a number of other islands.
He wanted the people to feel the radiance of their king.
Loyalty.
Because of what they had suffered under Arlong, the people of the Conomi Islands hated Fish-Men. Fortunately, Shirahoshi was beautiful enough to win them over.
And Madam Shyarly, as Arlong's sister, offered a sincere apology, which helped to ease the tension.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
End of February.
Baltigo.
The headquarters of the Revolutionary Army.
A joint force, composed of the CIU, led by Shamrock, and a Marine contingent, including Sakazuki and Kuzan, had been assembled to attack the island.
This battle was a continuation of the events in the Sorbet Kingdom.
The World Government had been secretly amassing troops for some time.
The plan was set in motion after they had confirmed that Dragon, Kuma, and the other Revolutionary Army commanders would be holding a meeting there.
But when the joint force landed on the island, they were stunned to find it completely empty. The Revolutionary Army had vanished.
Shamrock, furious, took his anger out on a slave. When he had calmed down, he came to a single conclusion.
"There's a traitor."
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