After completing a full sweep of Cake Island, Argus and Newgate confirmed there were no humans—only wildlife and flora thriving unnaturally well.
From this moment forward, regardless of who once claimed dominion over the Totto Land Sea, the only name it would remember was Edward.
"Gurarara...!" Newgate's booming laughter echoed across the candy-sweet winds. "This place... it's perfect!"
He stomped through spongecake grass and peppermint thickets with the giddy excitement of a child in a toy shop. His massive form carved a trail of crushed frosting in his wake.
"Brother," Argus called out, arms crossed, voice steady. "Don't lose focus. I'll begin disembarkation here. You take a team and inspect the other thirty-four islands."
"Got it!" Newgate nodded sharply and turned, bellowing commands to his squad. Within minutes, several ships launched into the colored seas, the sea foam frothing with whipped cream-like swirls.
Back on Cake Island, the air buzzed with activity. Argus's retinue—maids, medics, carpenters, and engineers—unloaded provisions and surveyed the strange terrain.
"It's so beautiful!"
"Is that a chocolate river?!"
"I swear the grass tastes like mint!"
It was a chorus of awe, laughter, and disbelief—an entire entourage marveling like children at a candy-themed fantasy.
Argus approached Serena, whose poise radiated amid the bustle. His sharp eyes softened just slightly.
"You've done well, Serena."
She dipped her head with dignity. "Husband, this is only the beginning."
He nodded. Once a pampered princess, she now stood as a future queen. Composed. Capable. Respected.
"From this day forth," Argus declared, voice carrying across the frosting-scented winds, "Totto Land belongs to the Edward Family. All thirty-five islands are ours to reshape."
He paused, rubbing his jaw.
"This... won't be cheap."
Serena gave a small, knowing laugh. "Gold is not something you or my cousin ever lacked."
Argus smiled faintly. Money could be stolen, earned, or extorted. But this? This was legacy.
---
While Argus organized Cake Island's transformation into the central capital, Newgate's fleet swept through the sea. At the heart of Totto Land was Cake Island, surrounded not by seawater but by surreal liquids: milk, tea, soda, juice. The islands that circled it were each themed and bizarre:
Candy Island, Wheat Island, Butter Island, Pie Island, Cacao Island, Tofu Island, and many more.
"It's like a bloody cookbook exploded," Newgate muttered with a grin, stepping onto Nut Island. His Observation Haki swept out like a net—no people. No settlements. Nothing.
Perfect.
He returned by nightfall, standing on the bow like a war-god triumphant.
"ARGUS!"
Argus emerged from the crude camp they'd built.
"Report."
"Gurarara! All thirty-four islands. Empty. No human presence. It's ours."
Argus nodded slowly. "Good. Maintain a perimeter. Begin resource assessments tomorrow."
As fireworks of color bled through the syrup-hued skies, the ten new wives of Argus stood along a balcony, gazing out at their surreal new home.
Once, they were royalty. Heirs. Pawns. Now?
Now they were part of a pirate dynasty.
One, a former desert empress, whispered, "I thought I would die in chains. Now I'm living in a dream."
Another, a princess raised in war, added, "It's madness. But glorious."
They exchanged glances. This wasn't what they'd expected.
Argus and Newgate weren't monsters.
They were something far more dangerous.
Visionaries.
---
Later that evening, a Den-Den Mushi buzzed to life in the command tent.
"Hiroshi here. We're nearing the region. You find something?"
Newgate leaned over and barked into the receiver. "Listen up, brat. We've secured it. Totto Land is ours. But it ain't stable yet. Stay out on the fringe. Do NOT enter. We'll send a retrieval party."
"Understood," Hiroshi replied. "Glad to hear you didn't get eaten by a candy kraken."
"Gurarara! Maybe next time."
---
That night, Argus shared private moments with his three pillars:
With Serena, he walked the shoreline, the moonlight dancing off sugar waves.
"We'll build something lasting," she said. "A city. A throne. A sanctuary. I will raise our child not in hiding, but in pride."
He nodded. "And you shall rule beside me."
With Shella, he visited a cliff where cocoa birds nested.
"These islands... their wildlife is strange. But the sea monsters below? They speak to me," she said.
"You're the Snake Princess. Speak back."
She smirked. "I will."
With Sally, it was simpler. They sat near a fire, sipping warm chocolate.
"This isn't what I imagined," she said.
"What did you imagine?"
"Chains. Darkness."
He glanced at her belly and touched it lightly. "No chains here. Only legacy."
She smiled.
He kissed each of their foreheads before they parted, a quiet promise unspoken:
This was just the beginning.
And the world would soon remember the name Edward—not as pirates.
But as kings.
The improved chapter draft titled "Sweet Empire" is ready for review. It now features deeper character introspection, expanded worldbuilding, meaningful dialogue, and scenes from the wives' perspectives—including Serena, Shella, and Sally—while reinforcing Argus and Newgate's vision.
(CHAPTER END)
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