Within Totto Land, as the broadcast images relayed through the Den Den Mushi showed the commanding figure standing before the camera, the members of the Charlotte Family fell into silence.
The young Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters had made it abundantly clear what the Marines intended to do next: purge evil and let the glory of justice shine eternally.
"What a magnificent and imposing man!"
After a brief silence, Charlotte Galette, who had been fixated on Xayuki in the broadcast, stepped forward and softly remarked, "However, ending the Great Pirate Era is not as easy as simply saying it."
Charlotte Smoothie, one of the Sweet Commanders, was evidently also shaken by Xayuki's speech. She furrowed her brows and turned her gaze toward the unresponsive Charlotte Katakuri, her expression grave. "If he uses the same thunderous methods he employed in his coup against pirates, the Marines' focus might soon shift to the New World, possibly launching a full-scale invasion! When that happens, the Four Emperors who rule the New World will be the first to bear the brunt!"
"Brother Katakuri, we must prepare in advance~"
Among the Charlotte Family's children, a petite girl stepped forward, her face full of concern. "If the Marines launch a major offensive in the New World, Whole Cake Island and Wano Country will surely be their primary targets. Although both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates have their territories, they are not fixed on any particular island. Especially Whitebeard, who resides on the Moby Dick most of the time, making it difficult for the Marines to track them down quickly."
"What's there to fear!"
Another member of the Charlotte Family stepped forward dismissively, saying, "If they dare to come, Mama will make sure they never return!"
"Silence."
Katakuri, who had been silent until now, glanced at his siblings and said in a deep voice, "This isn't for us to decide. Everything depends on Mama..."
Before Katakuri could finish, a familiar laugh suddenly rang out. Soon after, Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom), wearing a floral dress and with a plump figure, leisurely approached.
"Mamamama~ So you're all here?"
Under the watchful eyes of her children, Big Mom walked straight to the screen, tilting her head to take a look at the young Fleet Admiral on the screen.
With just one glance, her eyes lit up instantly.
"What a formidable and awe-inspiring Fleet Admiral!"
"I heard he led Marine Headquarters to force the Holy Land to make concessions, not only signing the Marijoa Treaty but also granting the Marines autonomy."
"Such boldness."
"Since the Marines now have autonomy, it means they no longer have to follow the World Government's orders."
Pausing slightly, Big Mom suddenly turned to Katakuri and, in a startling move, said, "Katakuri, prepare a tea party invitation for this promising young Fleet Admiral! If he's willing to come..."
At this point, Big Mom shifted her gaze over her daughters present, pointing at them one by one: "You, you... Hmm, you're all married! It'll be you, Galette. If this young Fleet Admiral attends the tea party, you shall marry him and make him a son-in-law of the Charlotte Family—"
Almost simultaneously, all the Charlotte children were caught off guard, their eyes widening as they exclaimed in unison, "Mama..."
"It's decided~"
Before anyone could protest, Big Mom made her decision and swiftly departed, leaving her children standing there, looking at each other in disbelief.
Watching Big Mom leave, Smoothie, her expression dazed, turned to Galette beside her. "Was Mama sleepwalking just now?"
"Doesn't seem like it." Galette shook her head, then looked up at the screen, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Marrying the Fleet Admiral? Sounds intriguing! But, will he agree?"
"What are you thinking, Galette!"
Unexpectedly, Galette seemed somewhat intrigued. Standing nearby, Charlotte Cracker widened his eyes in exasperation. "Mama's being foolish, why are you joining in?"
Galette smiled gently and said, "Brother Cracker, Mama isn't foolish."
Katakuri chimed in, agreeing, "Such a thing was impossible before, but now the Marines have autonomy. In a sense, the Marines are now an independent entity! Everything is decided by Fleet Admiral Xayuki. If he wishes, the World Government cannot interfere!"
"However—"
"Even if Xayuki accepts the tea party invitation, he cannot accept marriage. Unless the New World consists only of Totto Land and the Big Mom Pirates do not exist!"
"As long as the Big Mom Pirates continue to exist, Fleet Admiral Xayuki will not ally with pirate forces through marriage!"
Hearing this, Smoothie furrowed her brows and asked, "So, should we send the tea party invitation to Xayuki?"
"Send it!"
Katakuri nodded, "If Xayuki accepts the invitation, it means he's not fully confident about attacking the New World and will use this opportunity to probe us. If he doesn't accept... we better be ready for the war that could come at any moment!"
Before Katakuri could finish his sentence, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "Whitebeard Jr. is coming out!"
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention back to the screen.
On the screen, Edward Weevil and Bakkin Gom Stussy, shackled with foot and hand cuffs, were escorted by several officers through a long line of Marines to the execution platform.
As the mother and son knelt before the mirror, Ain, wearing a Vice Admiral's coat and holding the sentencing document, leaped forward to stand before them.
Glancing at the kneeling mother and son, Ain's eyes showed no emotion as she decisively announced, "Execute."
At Ain's command, the two executioners standing behind the mother and son simultaneously raised their swords and then swiftly brought them down.
As the blades fell, blood sprayed into the air.
Everyone watching the broadcast fell silent at that moment.
Sabaody Archipelago.
Watching the two heads fall through the broadcast, Silvers Rayleigh, seated on a long wooden bench under a tree, stood up after a brief silence and said, "Next, what will happen to the Seven Warlords?"
Shakky shook her head with a smile, her eyes fixed on the screen showing the imposing figure standing beside the execution platform. She said softly, "The fate of the other Seven Warlords doesn't matter. What matters is, I understand why Hancock fell for him!"
"Broad shoulders, slim waist, commanding and heroic. It's not just Hancock; if I had met him when I was younger, I'd be smitten too."
Marine Headquarters.
At the moment the two heads fell, a strong sea breeze rose, sweeping over the headquarters' high walls. It whipped the Marine flag into a frenzy before roaring through the plaza, lifting the Fleet Admiral's coat worn by Xayuki on the high platform.
At the same time, Xayuki, with one hand on his sword hilt, suddenly turned around. As the wind whipped his cloak into a wild dance, his sharp gaze swept over the members of the Seven Warlords seated at the meeting table.
"The execution is over! Now it's your turn to make a choice."
Before the words were fully spoken, Xayuki stepped forward, his powerful aura undisguised, an invisible and overwhelming pressure descending upon the Seven Warlords.
"Gentlemen—"
"Will you bow to me?"
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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