Shano was naturally unaware of the disturbances in the outside world.
At this moment, he was sitting at the dining table on the deck of the Queen Mother Chant, wolfing down the desserts piled up in front of him. He didn't care that cream covered his face.
There was no helping it—he was really starving!
He hadn't eaten since noon yesterday, and after a high-intensity battle with Akainu that lasted more than ten hours, his stomach had long since started growling.
On the other side of the table stood Katakuri and Smoothie, watching him eat with slightly strange expressions.
Behind them, several of the Charlotte family's children stood frozen, whispering to each other.
"He eats so much…"
"His appetite's nearly half of Mom's."
"What a pity. So handsome, but such ugly table manners. Doesn't he care about his image?"
"Right? He's still no match for Katakuri…"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! If Smoothie hears you, she'll be mad!"
…
Among the crowd, a burly man with flaming red hair and a cloak crossed his arms and snorted coldly.
His name was Owen, the Heat-Hot Fruit user, Charlotte family's fourth son, Katakuri's twin brother, and the Minister of Roasting.
In the "Most Popular Brother Rankings" in Totto Land, he was currently ranked second.
As a brother, he had to admit…
These younger siblings were really clueless!
Table manners?
Why care about that? For men, strength was everything!
And wasn't this guy the best example?
He suddenly dropped in from the sky and sat down on their ship like it was nothing, looking around for Big Mom. When he didn't find her, he spotted the table of desserts, his eyes lit up, and he began eating like he owned the place.
Seriously!
This was the flagship of a Yonko!
It was far too arrogant to act like this, ignoring everyone around him.
But…
Owen clenched his fists hard. He wanted to teach the guy a lesson and protect the Charlotte family's pride.
But in the end, he held back.
Just earlier, through the telescope on the ship, he'd watched Shano fight Akainu to a standstill.
With that kind of strength, a single punch from him would knock Owen out cold. Better not provoke him.
Besides, Katakuri was in charge here, so there was no rush.
Owen turned to look at Katakuri. The latter finally stepped forward, unable to stay silent anymore.
"Lord Shano."
"Hmm?" Shano was busy stuffing a large corn tart into his mouth and looked up in confusion.
"You've eaten quite a bit…"
Katakuri's forehead darkened. "As hosts, offering you dessert is our duty… but shouldn't you stop for a moment and listen to why we're here?"
"Your purpose? I can guess."
Shano picked up a water cup, took a sip, and chuckled. "We made too much noise, huh? Don't worry, I'm not planning to attack Totto Land anytime soon."
Attack Totto Land?
This guy really dared to think big!
Owen's face darkened, and his fists tightened again, but he still held back.
"Please don't joke like that, sir."
Katakuri frowned. "If we were only drawn here by your clash with the admiral, we wouldn't have made it in time. To be frank, we've actually been searching for traces of the End Pirates in this sea area for a few days. Today, we just happened to run into this battle…"
"You've been looking for me?" Shano raised his brows. "Why?"
"I came on Mother's orders to propose marriage," Smoothie said, interrupting him.
She lit a cigarette and examined the black-haired young man before her with interest. Handsome and strong enough to fight Akainu—he was more attractive the more she looked at him.
It'd be better if he were a little taller.
After exchanging a look with Katakuri that said "He's the one", Smoothie pulled out a chair and sat down, smiling at Shano:
"What do you say, little brother? Marriage is a big decision. You don't need to answer right away. I'll give you time to think it over."
"Marriage? Marriage??"
Shano nearly choked on his drink and spat out a mouthful of water. His eyes widened. "Wait, BIGMOM wants to marry me?!"
What kind of nonsense was this?
Shano sucked in a breath.
Hiss…
How old was BIGMOM now?
He couldn't remember exactly, but she had to be past sixty, right? A real granny.
Thinking of her giant figure, enormous stomach…
Who could handle that?!
Jabba?
Even Jabba couldn't—this was a different class entirely. No one had the driving license for this tank.
"Uh…"
Shano was momentarily speechless.
If it were forty years ago, Charlotte Linlin might've been worth marrying at her peak…
But now?
"What a joke, kid!"
Owen finally snapped, shouting with a red face, "How could Mom marry you?! You'd be climbing over our heads to become our stepfather!"
"Shut it, Owen."
Katakuri took a deep breath and turned to Shano. "Apologies. My sister misspoke and caused a misunderstanding. Don't worry, it's not like that. The one you're marrying is…"
He glanced at Smoothie and smiled. "The most outstanding unmarried child of the Charlotte family."
"Huh?"
Shano looked even more shocked.
"You mean… you want me to marry you?"
He gave Katakuri a once-over and suddenly grinned, "Tsk, not bad looking. I might consider it."
???
Katakuri's pupils shrank. He took an instinctive step back. "…Sir, I'm a man."
"Hahahaha—!"
Shano slapped the table, laughing so hard he almost cried. "Sorry, sorry, just kidding. Don't take it so seriously."
He wiped his eyes and turned to Smoothie, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "So, you're the one?"
"What, not satisfied?" Smoothie chuckled, exhaling smoke as her lips curled upward.
"Before meeting you, I didn't care much for this idea. But your looks and strength… very attractive. Especially your strength. I've stayed single all these years because I can't stand men weaker than me."
"What a coincidence."
Shano smirked. "I can't stand women weaker than me either."
Dong!
Before he finished, Shano suddenly kicked at Smoothie.
The kick came so fast she didn't react in time and was about to be hit.
But…
Even before the kick landed, Katakuri's eyes turned red. He flashed forward and blocked the blow with crossed arms.
Clang!
The dull sound of impact echoed like metal clashing. Though sweat beaded on his forehead, Katakuri stood firm.
"Bringing up marriage on a first meeting was abrupt. But we've been polite and meant no disrespect. If you don't want it, just refuse. Why attack my sister?"
Katakuri narrowed his eyes. "Or… were you just testing me?"
He was sure it was the latter.
After all, Shano hadn't used full force.
Otherwise, he would've been sent flying hundreds of meters.
"It's easy to talk with smart people."
Shano grinned, sat back down, and crossed his legs.
Though shorter than everyone present, the terrifying aura he gave off made everyone feel like they were looking up to him.
Only Mom could probably tame this man…
Katakuri, standing closest, felt the full weight of that pressure and began sweating slightly.
He regretted bringing his sister to see him…
But who could've predicted this?
When the marriage idea was raised, Shano had only defeated Rayleigh and escaped an admiral.
Rayleigh hadn't been active for years, and escaping from an admiral was impressive, but not unheard of.
Back then, Katakuri thought they were at the same level.
Now?
After seeing him clash evenly with Akainu, that illusion was completely shattered.
He couldn't even help comparing Shano to his own mother.
Such a person couldn't be taken lightly.
"My Observation Haki is weak. You're known for seeing the future."
Shano tapped the table, staring at Katakuri.
"Since we've met, I won't let you go so easily. How about being my sparring partner before you return to Totto Land and helping me improve it?"
He truly respected this guy.
Setting aside their positions, Katakuri was a good brother and a strong man.
His Observation Haki was likely unmatched, perhaps even superior to some of the Four Emperors.
Katakuri fell silent. Clearly, he didn't expect that request.
"…Alright," he said at last. "But I have a condition."
"Oh?" Shano raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it."
"If you're willing to marry Smoothie, I'll be your lifelong sparring partner, no problem. But… if you have no intention of marrying my sister, then you're an outsider. I don't train outsiders."
Katakuri pulled a letter from his coat and placed it on the table, looking Shano dead in the eye.
"To avoid becoming a total outsider, at least attend the tea party in two months and meet Mom on Cake Island."
Shano's eyes fell on the letter.
—VIP Invitation to the Tea Party.
He was familiar with it.
BIGMOM held grand tea parties regularly, attended by her children, marriage prospects, and allied external forces.
It was a way to maintain relations and strengthen Totto Land's influence.
Even attending the tea party didn't mean full alliance—it just meant neutral friendship.
After a moment's thought, Shano picked up the invitation.
"Alright."
He smiled. "For today's desserts, I accept. Just be sure to remind me. I'll come to the party."
The desserts, of course, weren't the real reason.
He'd already hinted at the truth in jest—
He didn't want to make Totto Land his enemy yet.
On one hand, there was still a power gap.
The Charlotte family's organization was massive and disciplined. Even the three remaining generals weren't foes his crew could handle.
As for BIGMOM herself—
He wasn't afraid anymore. After the fight with Akainu, his confidence in his own power had soared.
On the other hand, Totto Land was the most harmonious and stable of the Yonko territories.
Residents paid in soul lifespan, and Big Mom's hunger pangs were risky—but aside from that, the islands were safe, diverse, and well-governed.
BIGMOM was complex—brutal, yes—but she had ideals, and she ran her domain efficiently.
Compared to Kaido's cruelty or Red Hair's mystery, Totto Land came closest to Shano's vision of an ideal territory—stable, prosperous… like a real nation.
So—
Unless he could completely overwhelm her forces, there was no need to make the innocent people suffer the horrors of war.
"Then it's settled."
Katakuri said seriously, "With your strength, Mom will show you the highest respect. It'll be the most prestigious VIP treatment in tea party history."
"No problem."
Shano stood, stretched, and smiled, hooking a finger at Katakuri.
"Then for the next few days, you're mine. This will be hard work. Be ready."
Katakuri nodded and turned to Smoothie, Owen, and the others.
"You return to Cake Island and report back. I'll stay and train with Lord Shano for a few days."