Mangaka in the StrawHats

"Big Mom..."

The hall stood frozen, the guests and Charlotte family members at a complete loss for words.

"What? Is anyone planning to stand up for Big Mom?" Logan's voice cut through the silence, his calm demeanor unwavering as his eyes scanned the room.

No one answered immediately. The gravity of the situation was still sinking in.

"Ah hehe~~~"

Stussy was the first to break the silence, her soft laughter like the chime of silver bells. "You have such a strange sense of humor," she mused. "If even Big Mom couldn't take you down, how could we overestimate our abilities?"

"Yes, yes! Please, do as you like!" the King of Loan Sharks, Du Feld, chimed in, nodding and bowing rapidly, eager to avoid conflict.

Meanwhile, "Big News!" Morgans could barely contain his excitement, his eyes glinting with the opportunity for a groundbreaking story.

Nobody dared challenge the Straw Hat Pirates, not after seeing Big Mom get taken down like that.

"So...who knows where Big Mom's treasure room is hidden?" Logan asked, his voice light yet commanding. "We'll need a guide."

His gaze fell on the members of the Charlotte family, who all stood stone-faced. None of them dared betray Big Mom—at least, not in public.

"Please," Stussy teased, a playful smile on her face. "Do you really expect them to betray their mother? Not after everything."

Logan's eyes met hers, amused by her tone. "And I suppose you're not volunteering to help either, are you?" he asked, though he already knew her answer.

Stussy laughed. "Of course not. Outsiders like us wouldn't know where Big Mom hides her treasures."

"Yeah, I guess it would be too much to expect," Nami said, shrugging. "No one's going to betray their mother."

Luffy chimed in, nodding. "Yep, I agree with Stussy and Nami. Even pirates don't betray family like that."

But Logan merely smiled. "Normally, you'd be right... except Big Mom doesn't exactly seem like the best mother, does she?"

The mood shifted immediately. His words struck a nerve, and the room tensed. The members of the Charlotte family shot daggers at Logan with their eyes, their expressions betraying their inner turmoil.

"You really dare say that..." whispered one of the guests in shock. The audacity of it was almost too much to comprehend.

Logan continued, his voice cool and steady, "On the surface, Big Mom may be your mother, but let's be honest. She's more like your captain—or your emperor. Tell me, how many of you have actually known a real mother's love? For that matter, how many of you even know your father?"

The truth in his words landed like a heavy blow. The Charlotte family members, especially the younger ones, looked uncomfortable. Logan's gaze swept over them, his words digging deep into wounds they tried to hide.

"You've never known a father's love, and as for your mother... well, let's be real. Has Big Mom ever treated you like her children? Or just like pieces of her empire?"

"Shut up!" one of Big Mom's children shouted, his face red with fury. "Stop slandering our mother!"

"Yeah!" another one joined in, his fists clenched. "Mom gave us our Devil Fruits! She loves us more than anything!"

"Don't you dare shake our faith in her!" more of them roared, their voices overlapping in anger.

But Logan's smile remained. "Oh, I'm not trying to shake anything. I simply believe that a great reward will always attract courageous individuals."

His gaze lingered on the Charlotte family members. He could see the pain in some of their eyes, masked by bravado. Their loyalty wasn't just about love; it was about fear, power, and survival.

"Ah hehe~~~," Stussy's laughter cut through the tension once more. "What an amusing philosophy. You really think anyone here is short of money?"

Logan turned to her, nodding slowly. "You're right, money might not be enough. But there are things far more valuable than money."

The guests looked puzzled. The Charlotte family members glanced around uneasily.

Logan's voice dropped lower, more persuasive. "I'm offering something better. Lead me to Big Mom's treasure, and I swear, on my honor as the vice-captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, that I can lead you out of Big Mom's grip. After that, you can either leave freely, or you can choose to stay with me and seek my protection."

The hall fell into stunned silence.

Even Stussy seemed taken aback. "What...?" she whispered, her teasing demeanor faltering for a moment. She hadn't expected this.

The guests murmured among themselves, utterly confused. "Protection? From Big Mom's own children?"

"They'd never betray their mother! That's madness!"

"This isn't a cage—it's paradise!" someone scoffed.

Logan stood firm, unflinching. "I'll give you ten seconds. After that, you'll never have this chance again. If any of you want true freedom, this is your only shot."

The room buzzed with tension.

"Ten!" Logan began to count down.

"Nine!"

"You think any of us would betray our family?!" Perospero barked, his face twisted with disdain. "Who says this is a cage?"

"Eight!"

"We're loyal! We'll never leave our mother!" another one shouted, trying to rally the others.

"Seven!"

"Six!"

The Charlotte family's bravado faltered. They exchanged nervous glances, wondering if anyone would actually take the offer.

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

Everyone held their breath. It seemed like no one would take Logan's offer.

"Me!!" a voice rang out, cutting through the tension like a knife.

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice. One of Big Mom's younger children had stepped forward, trembling but resolute. His eyes were filled with desperation and a burning desire for freedom.

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