Make an Alliance

New World, Hundred Flowers Island, Grimms, Hundred Flowers Castle. 

In a massive meeting room, as Lox's voice fell silent, the atmosphere grew tense again.

"Charlotte Linlin, I don't see any reason to help you develop such a thing. Our family's scientist, Dr. Vegapunk, is very busy," Locke said lazily, leaning back into his chair.

"Hey! Locke, you little brat, don't get too arrogant! Show some respect!" Charlotte Owen, who was behind Charlotte Linlin, warned Lox, clearly displeased.

With a ripple of energy, Aireda disappeared from the front of Katakurri and reappeared before Charlotte Owen.

"This is not a place where you can act recklessly. Moreover, know your place!" Aireda said, his fist charged with a shockwave, which he slammed into Charlotte Owen's stomach.

Boom! Owen was sent flying through the air, crashing into the meeting room wall, with his body still burning.

"Aireda!" Katakurri reacted swiftly, his expression darkening as he approached Aireda with an invisible pressure that seemed like a rampaging beast.

"Hmph! What, Katakurri, want to settle things with me right here?" Aireda, undisturbed, met Katakurri's impending aggression with his overwhelming aura.

"Meow, meow, meow, Katakurri!" Just as the battle was about to erupt, Charlotte Linlin spoke up.

"Meow, meow, meow, Locke, tell me, what else do you want from me?" She looked at Lox with a menacing glint, fully prepared to take action if he made unreasonable demands.

Lox nonchalantly toyed with his teacup, seemingly unfazed by Charlotte Linlin's imposing presence.

"Besides what you've mentioned, I need your help for my Locke Pirates to establish a firm foothold in the Underworld. We also require access to your Charlotte family's intelligence network."

"!!!!"

"Youngster! Are you trying to irritate me?" In a fury, Charlotte Linlin slammed her palm onto the table, kicked over a sofa, and her conquering Haki burst forth.

"Hmph! This is not a place for you to act recklessly, Charlotte Linlin!" Jin stepped forward, the first to react, his gaze icy as he stared at Charlotte Linlin.

A raging fire ignited on his body, and the air around him burned intensely. 

"Youngster! Haven't you learned your lesson?" Charlotte Linlin stared angrily at Jin, whose entire body was ablaze.

"Hmph!"

"Pant, pant, pant..." Heavy breathing could be heard from Charlotte Linlin's body. At this moment, her eyes were bloodshot.

"Huff..." After a while, Charlotte Linlin finally calmed down and returned to her seat.

"Lox, I can agree to your requests. However, I have a condition. If you don't agree to it, this conversation ends here!"

"Oh? Tell me, then," Locke said curiously.

"I can help your Locke Pirates to establish themselves in the Underworld firmly. Furthermore, access to our Charlotte family's intelligence network will only be limited to our family members."

"So, you understand what I mean, right?" Lox understood the implication in Charlotte Linlin's words.

"I got it, Linlin. So, which daughter of mine are you willing to marry off?"

"Hehehe! You truly are something, Locke. You can pick any of my daughters as you like. How about that?"

"Is that so? Then I'll let my crewmates choose carefully." Lox turned to his crewmates.

"Hey, Barbosa, you're not getting any younger. How about finding a woman for yourself?" Upon hearing Locke's words, Barbosa chuckled mischievously.

"Haha, Locke, you're right! In that case, I'll take that girl named Brulee." Barbosa directly named the girl hiding behind Katakurri.

"What?!" Hearing her name mentioned, Brulee trembled in fear and clung tightly to Katakurri's pants.

"Hehehe! Brulee, I accept. Let's have a good cooperation, Locke!" After receiving a satisfactory answer, Charlotte Linlin also smiled.

"Hehehe! Now that we're allies, Locke, as family, our Charlotte family's intelligence network is open to you anytime."

"Well, I'll have Vegapunk help you with the Giant Serum." Locke walked over to Charlotte Linlin, and the two shook hands.

"Happy cooperation!" After a while, Charlotte Linlin, accompanied by Katakurri, Owen, and others, left contentedly, leaving Charlotte Brulee, the little girl.

Seeing them off, Locke and Barbosa both wore satisfied smiles. "Hehehe! Who would have thought that Charlotte Linlin still clings to that idea."

Barbosa chuckled and then waved to Brulee. Seeing Barbosa gesturing at her, Brulee's fear intensified. She trembled and reluctantly walked over to Barbosa's side.

"Hehehe! What a timid little one. Though an ugly scar mars her face, it doesn't matter."

Barbosa pinched Brulee's cheek and waved his hand, allowing her to leave the meeting room.

Once Brulee had left, Locke and his crewmates gathered for a discussion. "Barbosa, from now on, all matters concerning the Underworld and the Charlotte family's intelligence network will be your responsibility."

"I hope you'll use the Charlotte family's intelligence network and establish our own."

"I believe in your intelligence and capabilities. You can do it." Lox gazed at Barbosa, speaking with a tone of trust.

"Hehe, Lox, you can rest assured. Leave it to me," Barbosa replied with a confident smile.

"Good. When the time comes that the Charlotte family is no longer of any use to our pirate crew, they won't be necessary anymore."

"By the way, Jin, what do you think of Katakurri's strength?" Suddenly, Locke thought of something and turned to Jin, asking.

Jin pondered for a moment. "His strength is impressive, and he possesses Conqueror's Haki. With proper training, he could become a valuable asset."

After hearing Jin's assessment, Locke nodded in understanding. "Let's see if we can recruit him into our pirate crew when the opportunity arises. I quite admire him."