"Another one!"
Nami stood next to Shano and laughed mischievously.
"Ever since we entered the Totland Sea, they've been coming up to us one after another. You're already the fourth one, brother! You're really popular."
"Let them be," Shano said calmly. "Just respond politely, no need to say anything."
"Isn't there anyone you're attracted to? I think this purple-haired girl down there is pretty good," Nami glanced at him. "If you can't choose, I can call Bell-mère and have her choose herself..."
Plop!
The pet-eating demon screamed and fell into the sea.
Shano clapped his hands, then glanced at Custard.
This girl seemed to be the sixth one. He couldn't remember her name clearly, but he had to admit—she was really cute.
She was just a little older, seemingly a few years older than Bell-mère.
BIG MOM had 46 sons and 39 daughters, most of whom were utterly awful. It was truly a stretch for Charlotte to pull out these few older daughters and offer them for courtship in order to rope him into their family.
Shano had no interest whatsoever.
He simply admired Katakuri, not BIG MOM herself. He held off on attacking Totland for now because of strategic necessity, not because he was particularly close to the nation—let alone wanting to become BIG MOM's son-in-law.
Once the ship docked, he was the first to descend the gangway.
Custard mustered her courage and stepped forward, her cheeks blushing slightly as she saluted.
"Sir, welcome to Biscuit Island. I'm Charlotte Custard, and I'll be meeting you and your crew on your way to Cake Island."
"Thank you," Shano nodded slightly. "Do you need to register?"
"No thanks!" Custard waved her hand hastily. "That's only for ordinary guests. You're my most cherished VIP, so why do you need all this formality..."
She glanced up at Shano, her heartbeat quickening.
He looked even more handsome up close.
Her smile grew even more sincere.
"Sir, if you'd like, I can take you directly to Cake Island right now. We've already arranged accommodations there.
"However, if you'd like to rest for a while, I can also be your tour guide and show you around Biscuit Island. Just the two of us..."
Well done!
Cracker, who had been eavesdropping from inside a biscuit soldier, mentally gave his sister a thumbs-up.
That's it, Custard! Keep it up, stay sharp, don't lose face!
"Visiting Biscuit Island?"
Shano was about to say something when he suddenly felt a gaze from behind. He turned to look.
Smoothie had put down her soda cup and was squinting at him. Galette's expression was grim, as if she were about to swallow Custard whole.
Farther away, Myukuru had even taken out a small mirror and was retouching her makeup…
Shano shook his head helplessly.
What was going on with this strange atmosphere?
He had no interest in these Charlottes who had approached him, and they hadn't established any kind of relationship. So how could this be a sisterly showdown?
"Well..."
Custard noticed the sisters' eager gazes, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead, but she still said,
"It's still early, and there's plenty of time, right? Biscuit Island has the largest number of biscuit soldiers stationed in the entire Totland Sea. It's quite unique..."
"Forget it," Shano said coldly. "Let's just go to Cake Island."
He had no interest in getting caught up in the drama between the three women.
"Eh?"
Custard was visibly stunned, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face before she forced a sweet smile. "Very well, sir, I'll lead the way..."
Cake Island.
This was the heart of the Totland Sea and home to BIG MOM's Cake Castle.
For the upcoming tea party, the entire area from the harbor to the Cake Castle had been lavishly decorated.
The main road was paved with a red carpet, flanked by singing candy streetlights. Residents lined the streets, dressed in festive attire and clutching small flags bearing the Charlotte Family crest.
At the dock exit stood the largest welcoming procession in the history of Totland.
Over twenty young members of the Charlotte Family formed two lines, with Katakuri at the front, arms folded, standing silently.
Many guests noticed this scene, their gazes drawn and voices swirling.
"Hey, that's Katakuri, the leader of the Four Generals, right?"
"They actually let him come out to greet someone personally? Who deserves such treatment? Yesterday, Morgans, the president of the World Economic News, arrived, and he was only greeted by a minister!"
"Idiot, keep your voice down... It's that man, haven't you heard the rumor?"
"What rumor?"
"That BIG MOM is interested in recruiting the 'world's number one swordsman'—Shano—and is even willing to marry several of her daughters to him!"
Someone lowered their voice and said mysteriously, "It's said this tea party is being held in such a grand manner just to connect the two parties!"
"Huh? Is this true?"
The others gasped. "That's a super monster with a bounty of over 2.8 billion berries! If the marriage is successful, wouldn't the strength of Totland..."
The discussion stopped abruptly.
Because at this moment, the sea outside the port suddenly rippled.
The End broke through the waves, emerging from the sea mist. The handsome figure standing on the deck instantly attracted countless eyes.
"They're here!"
"It's The End's flag!"
"The rumors were true—it really is Lord Shano!"
The crowd suddenly became agitated.
"Everyone, get ready." Katakuri's eyes focused, and he raised his hand to signal the others.
The spectators cheered and waved their flags. The Charlotte children, already prepared, took out various instruments and began to play.
For whom?
The street lamps, imbued with souls—Homies—of course!
The Homies cleared their throats and began singing sweetly and dancing in unison:
"The candy door gently opens~
The cream steps form a sea~
Welcome, noble swordsman~
Totland opens its heart to thee!"
"My mother's laughter is like honey~
Katakuri-sama stands like a wall~
Because you have slashed lava and light~
Even Kizaru retreated and fled!"
"Boyo boyo~ Dance!"
"Biscuit soldiers line up!"
"If you like this sweet country..."
"Why not stay forever, stay!"
On the deck.
Listening to the song echoing across the sky, Shano frowned.
He had always remembered the Cake Island arc as a dreamy fairytale, filled with singing and dancing, but seeing it in person—this was still a bit much.
The ostentation was simply too grand.
Tens of thousands of people lined up to welcome him—he almost thought he was the sun of Totland.
He glanced behind him.
Smoker, Robin, Kuina, and the others all had similar expressions, each holding their foreheads, overwhelmed.
Bonney, however, was the first to rush off the boat, eyes sparkling. She circled the singing Homies, petting them, inspecting them.
"Wow! They're alive! Bear, come see! They're all moving! Can we eat them? Whatever, I'll take a bite first!"
A Homie let out a shrill cry.
Normally, Nami would have rushed out to join Bonney, but she had just been pulled from the sea, soaking wet, and was now glaring at Shano while wringing out her hair in frustration.
Shano ignored her. After Jack dropped anchor, he led the crew ashore.
Katakuri had already strode forward, bowed slightly, and extended his right hand.
"Long time no see, Lord Shano. Welcome to Cake Island."
"Long time no see."
Shano nodded, his eyes scanning the curious and eager crowd before returning to Katakuri with a smile.
"Isn't this a bit much?"
"You're joking."
Katakuri shook his head. "In the eyes of the world, you're now almost on par with the Four Emperors. It's no exaggeration to say it's our honor that you're even willing to attend our tea party."
"The song is a bit... explicit."
Katakuri looked slightly embarrassed, coughing. "The lyrics were written by Pudding's little sister. She's only thirteen or fourteen—not very sensible. Please don't take it to heart."
"The tea party will begin the day after tomorrow, but tonight, there's a small welcome banquet prepared for you and your crew." He gestured politely. "Cake Island is large, and the castle is some distance away. Please follow me."
Katakuri led the group down the red carpet. Along the way, residents enthusiastically offered them gifts.
Most were candies and snacks. Shano was able to hold them all at first, but later they piled up like a mountain, forcing Bear and Jack to help carry them.
By the time they reached the end of the red carpet, more than a dozen of Totland's unique pig carts were waiting.
"There are plenty of seats—please choose freely," Katakuri said with a smile. "As for the gifts, they'll be in the last cart—huh?"
His eyes widened.
Strange. He had just seen Shano's two big men carrying heaps of gifts. How did they suddenly disappear?
"I ate it all!"
Bonney touched her round belly and burped. "But I'm still not full. Hey, uncle with the scarf, when's the banquet starting?"
"Anytime."
Katakuri's eye twitched.
Where did this little girl come from? How is she so small yet so gluttonous? Still, his mother always liked children… Maybe these two could even play together.
Once everyone was seated, the pig carts set off, rushing through fields and forests toward the towering castle in the distance.
Katakuri squinted into the dust trail and turned sharply.
"What's the situation, Cracker?"
"Alas, there's no progress at all."
The burly biscuit soldier stepped forward and sighed.
"I followed Custard's ship and watched for a long time. Not only her—Smoothie, Galette… all the sisters tried hard, but that guy was completely unmoved. He didn't react at all."
"Tsk. Cute, sexy—so many beauties surrounded him, and he was still so indifferent."
The biscuit soldier leaned closer, whispering, "Hey, Katakuri, do you think it's possible the world's number one swordsman is actually—"
"Don't talk nonsense."
Katakuri cut him off, annoyed. His brother was too old to still be so unreliable.
"Hmm?" He suddenly noticed something, frowning. "Cracker, this armor—is it your real body?"
"Of course," the biscuit soldier said, confused. "What's wrong? Why bring this up?"
"It doesn't look like the other biscuit soldiers."
"They look the same."
Katakuri shook his head. "But you forgot to carry your sword. Anyone would notice. Aren't you the one who hates showing your real body the most?"
"Sword?"
The biscuit soldier reached behind his back, puzzled—
"Eh!!!"
Cracker's eyes bulged. "No! Where's my Pretzel?!"
Pretzel was the name of the general's beloved sword, and the model for all his biscuit blades. For ordinary biscuit soldiers, losing a sword wasn't a big deal. He could generate more.
But this time—it was Pretzel itself that had gone missing!
A thief?
Katakuri's eyes flashed, and he immediately surveyed the area.
Just then, among the Charlotte children lining the red carpet, chaos broke out.
"Hey, my pocket watch is gone!"
"My hat! Where's my hat?!"
"Brothers and sisters, has anyone seen my jewel brooch?!"
Amidst the startled exclamations, Katakuri's face darkened. His powerful Observation Haki exploded outward, enveloping the area.
Who was it?
His cold gaze swept over the spectators and locked onto the remaining guests.
Tea party guests were always a mixed bag. With so many underground figures present, it wasn't surprising some would try to steal.
In the past, the Charlotte Family would turn a blind eye. Their wealth gave them that luxury.
But today?
Shano had arrived. He had personally come to welcome him. And someone had dared to steal—right under their noses?
What if they stole from The Enders? Or worse—from Shano himself?
The consequences would be unthinkable.
A full investigation.
Katakuri's expression turned ice-cold.
Today, there would be no mercy.