"Regarding the currency issuasuru, have you finalized the preparations?"

  Somewhere over the sea, the airborne fortress Atntis was s away from Fusang (Wano) Isnd, leaving the newly aerritory behind. It was now en route to the heart of the Totto Land Kingdom.

  Meanwhile, in the opulent Cake Isnd Pace, the kingdom's leadership gathered to discuss crucial matters.

  In the grand hall, King El—along with Linlin, Lillian, Gerd, and other promi figures—sat attentively before a proje of Tsuru, Totto Land's rerategist and advisor, often hailed as the "Fallen Arategist" and the "Prime Minister of Totto Land."

  Oable before them y samples of Totto Land's new currency—a mix of s and banknotes.

  The s, beautifully crafted in copper, silver, and gold, bore the Totto Land Kingdom’s emblem. The banknotes dispyed intricate desiguring portraits of El, Linlin, Gerd, and other notable figures.

  This marked Totto Land’s bold move to sever moary ties with the Wover by creating its own currency, only referred to as the “Totto .”

  Tsuru's proje addressed the assembly:

  "All preparations are nearly plete, as per your instrus, El-sama. The sample designs for the s and banknotes are ready. We begin full-scale printing and distribution within two weeks, pending your final approval."

  El, visibly pleased, examihe designs:

  "These are excellent. The craftsmanship and design are impeccable. I’ll leave the final decision to you all."

  Linlin, holding a red banknote featuring El’s portrait, excimed:

  "I think this set is the best! It’s bold and regal."

  Lillian tered:

  "No, this design is more refined."

  Gerd interjected with a grin:

  "I prefer this version. It has a stronger presence, especially with our portraits included."

  As the debate grew more animated, Linlin pyfully g to El’s arm:

  "I don’t care what you all think. El-onii, you decide!"

  Just as the friendly argument tinued, Baka, a secretary from Totto Land’s Intelligence Bureau, ehe hall with urgent news.

  "El-sama..." she said, bowing respectfully. "We’ve received intelligence from the West Blue. The Wover has dispatched Vice Admiral Sengoku to iate with jao the Drill, the 12th leader of the Happo Navy, in the Kano try. They’ve invited him to join their new anization, the Shichibukai, but jao refused and has engaged Sengoku in bat."

  The news stuhe room.

  "Sengoku?"

  "The Shichibukai? What’s that?"

  "jao’s been making waves in the papers retly. I didn’t expect the Wovero try recruiting him."

  Even Tsuru, appearing via proje from her offi Totto Land, was taken aback.

  "So, they’re trying to recruit jao into this Shichibukai system?"

  El’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

  "The Wover is moving faster than I expected to establish this system. They must be feeling the pressure."

  The group quickly grasped the strategic implications. Tsuru spoke up:

  "Recruiting jao makes sense. He’s strong and has siderable influence. If he bees the first Shichibukai, it would create a lot of buzz and attract other powerful pirates to join."

  El smirked.

  "It seems the Wover intends to solidate power by enlisting pirates with strength aation to terbahe growing threats posed by us and the Rocks Pirates."

  From her office, Tsuru nodded in agreement.

  "With the current three-way standoff between Totto Land, the Wover, and the Rocks Pirates, the bance of power is precarious. The Wover likely fears an alliaween our forces and Rocks’ crew. It would be catastrophic for them."

  El chuckled coldly.

  "True, but just as they’re wary of us joining forces with the Rocks Pirates, we’re equally cautious of Rocks allying with them."

  Looking at the bounty poster that Baka had brought in, El's gaze fell on the arrogant-looking youth with a pointed head.

  "A pointed head? No wonder he’s called 'jao the Drill,’" Lillian remarked with some surprise. "Is he from the Loribe?"

  "Yes," El nodded. "Speaking of which, the Happo Navy’s Hasshoken would pair perfectly with Fsh, our ‘Metal Drill.’"

  He chuckled, tinuing:

  "I sidered going to the West Blue to acquire the Happo Navy’s secret teique for him to learn, but with everything going on these past years—training and teag those little ones—I pletely fot."

  "Metal Drill" Fsh, a 34-year-old Loribesman, was one of the prisoners El had liberated from Impel Dowernal Hell. Renowned for his expertise in headbutts, Fsh became even more formidable after eating the Drill-Drill Fruit, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. His abilities had elevated him to a signifit tender for the "Eight Vajra" rank within Totto Land's forces, earning him a bounty of 1 billion berries.

  "Perfect timing," El said with a smile. "I’ll personally make a trip to the West Blue."

  "What!?"

  "Yoing to the West Blue?"

  Linlin, Lillian, and the others were visibly surprised.

  Even Tsuru, oher end of the unication line, couldn’t help but interject, her usual posure crag slightly:

  "You, the king of Totto Land, are saying you’re bored? Who’s the real leader here?"

  El ughed:

  "The capable always do more work, don’t they? And I have absolute trust in your abilities, Tsuru."

  Tsuru sighed, ping the bridge of her nose.

  " I resign?"

  Despite her grumbling, Tsuru couldn’t deny her admiration for El’s trust and vision. He had defied opposition to pce her—a former Navy Strategist and 'traitor'—in such a vital role. The freedom he granted her to implement reforms made her deeply grateful.

  However, this king’s carefree attitude was maddening. Apart from steering Totto Land’s grand strategy, he left most of the heavy lifting to her. To make matters worse, El insisted she dedicate time every day to training and maintaining her bat readiness.

  "You’ve boarded the pirate ship; there’s ing off," Lillian quipped pyfully.

  "Lillian, you’ve been corrupted by El!" Tsuru shot her an exasperated gre before her expression softened. "By the way, where’s my little nephew? I haven’t seen him in weeks, and I miss him dearly."

  "He’s out causing mischief," Lillian replied with a grin. "Don’t worry; you’ll have your turn someday. You have more children with El."

  "Lillian!" Tsuru flushed, visibly flustered. "Some friend you are, always trying to sell me off!"

  El chuckled, his tone warm but teasing:

  "No rush, Tsuru. You’re still young. Let’s wait until the research team makes progress on the gene project."

  Tsuru’s posure faltered further, and she hurriedly ehe call, her face as red as a tomato.

  As the room fell into ughter, Lillian leaned closer to El, her eyes sparkling with curiosity:

  "How do you resist her, El-sama? It’s incredible."

  "Don’t make me sound like some lust-crazed beast," El said, rolling his eyes aly tapping her forehead. "Emotional eatters, you know."

  He expined further:

  "Having someone like Tsuru—intelligent, capable, and uanding—is invaluable. There’s o rush."

  Bleam