On Cake Island, Rhett Vane had arrived, bringing Katakuri and the others with him. No one could predict the kind of shockwave and terrifying storm this event would unleash.
After all, this wasn't just any incident—it had already stirred conflict among the Four Emperors and provoked the very core of the Big Mom Pirates.
Cake Island, dreamlike in appearance, resembled an enormous dessert, layered like a cake. The buildings across the island were vibrant structures made of colorful candy and sweets.
Ordinary residents lived around the towering Cake Castle, which loomed over everything like a massive skyscraper. It was the central stronghold of Big Mom.
Katakuri and the others followed behind Vane, their wrists shackled with seastone cuffs. Escape wasn't even a consideration. It was pointless. Futile. Vane and his crew would never allow it.
As they passed through the Temptation Forest, the dense trees parted on their own, creating a five-meter-wide path. The forest was intelligent—it knew fear. The trees whispered among themselves, quivering. The Charlotte family's strongest warriors, Katakuri and his elite, had become prisoners.
Brulee, the weakest among them, hadn't eaten or drunk anything in days. She stumbled forward like a ghost wandering through endless torment. Her complexion had turned ashen, as if she stood at death's door.
The Temptation Forest was eerily silent. No tree dared make a sound. All watched Vane and his crew pass through, trembling in fear. After all, these were the ones who had captured Katakuri—the undefeated myth.
After a long walk, they finally emerged from the forest into an open plain.
"Interesting trees," Esdeath said, glancing back at the forest.
"You think so?" Kalifa asked.
"Very."
Kalifa arched a brow. "Didn't expect you to be so curious, Esdeath."
"Why not? By the way, the night-blooming cereus in that little dish I picked up has bloomed. Have you seen it? It's beautiful."
Kalifa clenched her jaw silently. That plant was in Vane's room.
She said nothing.
Just then, Vane's voice broke the moment. "You two can chat later. Focus."
"Understood, Vane," Esdeath replied, adjusting her military cap—the one she'd recently bought back in Dressrosa.
She looked at Vane's back. That was the man she had chosen to protect.
To her, nothing was more valuable than potential, and Vane had boundless potential. His goal was to become king of the world. That ambition aligned with her values. He was courageous—willing to confront Big Mom, one of the strongest beings alive.
In Esdeath's mind, survival of the fittest was law, and she would ensure Vane reached the top.
Soon, they reached the town. When the island's residents saw Katakuri and the others in cuffs behind Vane, panic spread instantly. Their eyes widened, breath caught in their throats, and fear clouded their faces. They silently stepped aside, not daring to question what they saw.
Vane and his crew were heading for the tallest structure—the massive Cake Castle, the heart of Big Mom's territory.
"That's... Vane!" someone whispered.
Stussy happened to witness the scene as she strolled nearby from Happy Street. Her face, usually calm and amused, shifted to one of visible alarm.
"This is bad," she muttered.
"No wonder Linlin's been acting strange these days."
"I think I understand now."
As a top agent of CP0—the World Government's elite force tasked with protecting the Celestial Dragons—Stussy had been keeping a close eye on Vane. After all, he had killed three Celestial Dragons and remained free. The higher-ups had only reported that he'd entered the New World but hadn't shared his exact location.
She hadn't expected this—that he would come to Cake Island and capture the likes of Katakuri.
Katakuri, Owen, Perospero… these were the pillars of the Big Mom Pirates. Katakuri, especially, was regarded as invincible. But now he was shackled like a common criminal.
Stussy realized this could only mean one thing—Vane hadn't come to negotiate. War was on the horizon.
"A confrontation with Big Mom," she whispered. "Unbelievable."
"I must report this immediately," she said, turning sharply.
Just then, she caught sight of Esdeath.
"Who's that woman with blue hair?" she wondered aloud. "A new member of his crew?"
Esdeath radiated power. Her presence was undeniable. She wasn't someone to underestimate.
Kalifa noticed Stussy at that moment.
"That woman…" she muttered, her brow furrowing. "I've seen her before."
Then she remembered. "Right. She's CP0. I encountered her once during my training. High-ranking. Dangerous."
Esdeath turned to her. "What are you saying?"
Kalifa nodded in the direction of Stussy. "That one in the red dress and white hat. She's with the World Government. Important."
"So?" Esdeath asked.
"We should be cautious. The World Government is focused on Vane sama."
Esdeath's eyes narrowed. "Then we eliminate her. Best not to let her report anything."
"Agreed," Kalifa said calmly.
The towering Cake Castle now stood before them.
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