Chapter 206: The King of Thieves
"Another one!" Nami snickered, standing beside Shane. "They've been throwing themselves at you one after another since we entered Totto Land's waters. This is the fourth one, isn't it? You're quite the hot commodity, big brother."
"Let them be," Shane said coolly. "Just be polite. Nothing more."
"Not even one you find tempting? I think this purple-haired one is pretty cute," Nami said, giving him a sideways glance. "If you can't decide, I could always give Belle-mère a call and have her come pick one out for you..."
Splash!
The Demon of Gluttony let out a yelp as she was punted into the sea.
Shane dusted off his hands and finally spared a glance for Custard. She was the sixth daughter, he recalled, though he couldn't remember her reputation. He had to admit, she was cute. Just a bit on the older side, probably even a few years older than Belle-mère. Big Mom had 46 sons and 39 daughters, most of whom were... an acquired taste. For her to be able to pull out a few decent-looking ones to throw at him, she must be really desperate.
In any case, Shane wasn't interested. He had a certain respect for Katakuri, but he had no warm feelings for Big Mom herself. Holding off on attacking Totto Land was a strategic decision, not a sign of friendship. He had no intention of becoming Big Mom's son-in-law.
After the ship docked, he was the first to descend the gangplank.
Custard gathered her courage and approached, her cheeks slightly flushed as she curtsied. "Lord Shane, welcome to Biscuit Island. I am Charlotte Custard. I will be escorting you and your crew to Whole Cake Island."
"Thank you for your trouble," Shane nodded. "Do we need to register or be inspected?"
"Of course not!" Custard quickly waved her hands. "That's only for ordinary guests. You are Mama's most honored guest of honor! There's no need for such formalities..." She stole a glance at him, and her heart began to beat faster. He's even more handsome up close. Her smile became more genuine. "My lord, if you wish, I can take you directly to Whole Cake Island. Your accommodations have already been prepared. But... if you'd like to rest for a bit, I would be happy to be your guide and show you around Biscuit Island? J-Just the two of us..."
Nice one! Cracker, who was hiding inside the biscuit soldier, gave his sister a mental thumbs-up. That's it, Custard! Keep it up! Stay confident!
"A tour of Biscuit Island?" Shane was about to reply when he felt a stare on his back. He turned to see Smoothie, who had set down her drink and was now narrowing her eyes at them. Galette was glaring as if she wanted to eat Custard whole. And further away, Myukuru had even pulled out a compact mirror and was touching up her makeup...
Shane shook his head. What is this bizarre atmosphere? He had zero interest in any of these women, and he certainly hadn't given any of them a reason to think otherwise. Was this some kind of premature sisterly catfight?
"Well..." Custard also noticed her sisters' hostile glares. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead, but she pressed on. "It's still early, so we have plenty of time, right? Biscuit Island has the most biscuit soldiers in all of Totto Land, it's quite a sight..."
"No, thank you," Shane said flatly. "Let's just go directly to Whole Cake Island." He had no desire to get caught in the middle of their drama.
"Oh..." Custard blinked, a flash of disappointment on her face, but she quickly forced a sweet smile. "O-Of course, my lord. I'll lead the way..."
Whole Cake Island.
The heart of Totto Land and the location of Big Mom's chateau. With the Tea Party just around the corner, the entire island, from the port to the chateau, was decorated to the nines. A red carpet lined the main road, flanked by singing candy streetlights. The streets were packed with residents in festive attire, waving small flags bearing the Charlotte family crest.
And at the port entrance stood the grandest welcoming party in the history of Totto Land. More than twenty of the younger Charlotte children were lined up in two rows. At the very front stood Katakuri, his arms crossed, waiting in silence.
The other arriving guests couldn't help but stare and whisper.
"Hey, that's him, right? Katakuri, the head of the Sweet Commanders?"
"For him to be here in person to greet someone... Who could possibly deserve such an honor? When 'Big News' Morgans arrived yesterday, he was only greeted by a minister!"
"Idiot, keep your voice down... It's him. Haven't you heard the rumors?"
"What rumors?"
"That Lady Big Mom intends to recruit the 'World's Greatest Swordsman,' Shane! She's even willing to offer several of her daughters in marriage!" a man whispered conspiratorially. "They say this Tea Party is so grand specifically to set them up!"
"Huh? For real?!" another gasped. "But he's a monster with a bounty of over 2.8 billion! If they actually get married, Totto Land's power would be..."
The whispers died down. A ripple of excitement went through the crowd as a ship broke through the mist. The Curtain Call had arrived. The handsome figure on its deck instantly drew all eyes.
"He's here!"
"It's the flag of the Curtain Call Adventurers!"
"The rumors were true! It's really Lord Shane!"
The crowd began to stir.
"Get ready," Katakuri said, raising a hand.
The citizens cheered, waving their flags. The Charlotte children took up their instruments and began to play. They were the accompaniment for the real performers—the Homies.
The enchanted streetlights cleared their throats and began to sing in sweet, melodic voices:
The candy gates swing open wide
On creamy stairs, you'll softly glide
Welcome, oh great swordsman grand
To our sweet and happy Totto Land!
Mama's laughter's sweet as pie
Lord Katakuri stands nearby
For you have fought both light and fire
And made Admiral Kizaru retire!
Boing, boing, let's dance and sing
The biscuit soldiers stand in rings
If you like our sweet and happy nation
Why not stay for a permanent vacation!
...
On the deck, a vein throbbed on Shane's forehead. He remembered the Whole Cake Island arc being a bit... whimsical, with all the singing and dancing. But seeing it in person was something else. This was a bit much. A welcoming party of thousands... you'd think he was the Sun God of Totto Land.
He glanced behind him. Smoker, Robin, Kuma, and Kuina all had similar expressions of pained embarrassment. They were not the types who handled this kind of attention well.
Bonney, however, was in her element. She was the first one off the ship, running around the singing Homies, poking and prodding them. "Whoa! They're moving! Kuma, come look, they're all moving! Can you eat them? I'm gonna take a bite!" A nearby Homie let out a pained shriek.
Normally, Nami would have been right behind her, but she was still soaked from her little swim and was busy wringing out her clothes, glaring daggers at Shane.
Shane ignored her. Once Jack had dropped anchor, he led the rest of the crew ashore. Katakuri was already there to greet them. He bowed slightly and extended a hand. "It's been a while, Lord Shane. Welcome to Whole Cake Island."
"It has," Shane nodded. His gaze swept over the curious and adoring crowd before returning to Katakuri. "This is a bit over the top, don't you think?"
"Not at all," Katakuri said, shaking his head. "In the eyes of the world, you are now an existence on par with the Four Emperors themselves. For you to grace our family's Tea Party with your presence, no welcome could be too grand."
"The song was a bit on the nose, though."
Even Katakuri looked a little embarrassed. "My little sister Pudding wrote the lyrics. She's only thirteen... Please, don't pay it any mind. The Tea Party will officially begin in two days. But tonight, we are holding a small welcome banquet in your honor. The chateau is some distance from here. Please, follow me."
Katakuri led them down the red carpet. The adoring citizens showered them with gifts—mostly candy and sweets. At first, Shane could carry them all, but soon he was buried under a mountain of treats and had to enlist the help of Kuma and Jack.
At the end of the carpet, a dozen of Totto Land's unique "pig-carts" were waiting.
"There are plenty of seats. Please, choose whichever you like," Katakuri said, turning to them. "As for the gifts, you can put them in the last cart... huh?"
He stared. Just a moment ago, his two massive guests of honor had been loaded down with gifts. Now their hands were empty.
"I ate them all!" Bonney said, patting her round belly with a happy burp. "But I'm still hungry! Hey, Scarf-man! When does that banquet you mentioned start?"
"...Whenever you like," Katakuri said, a muscle in his cheek twitching. Where did this little girl come from? And how can she eat that much? Well, Mama had always had a soft spot for children. Maybe the two of them would get along...
Once everyone was seated, the pig-carts set off, racing through fields and forests toward the towering chateau in the distance.
Katakuri watched them go, then turned to the figure who had just appeared beside him. "What's the situation, Cracker?"
"Ugh, no progress at all," the giant biscuit soldier sighed. "I followed them on Custard's ship. It wasn't just her. Smoothie, Galette... all the sisters tried their best, but that kid is a brick wall. He didn't seem interested at all."
"Tch. Cute, sexy... all those beautiful women throwing themselves at him, and he's still so cold," the biscuit soldier whispered conspiratorially. "Hey, Katakuri, you don't think... the World's Greatest Swordsman is, you know..."
"Don't be an idiot," Katakuri cut him off. His brother was old enough to know better. "Hm?" He suddenly noticed something. "Cracker, that armor... that's your real body, right?"
"Of course," the biscuit soldier said, confused. "What's wrong?"
"You forgot your sword," Katakuri said. "Anyone could tell it's you. I thought you hated people knowing where your real body is."
My sword? What are you talking about? It's right on my...
The biscuit soldier reached back... and found nothing.
"EH?!!!" Cracker's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Hey, where's my Pretzel?!"
Pretzel was the name of his beloved sword. He modeled all his biscuit soldiers' swords after it. Losing a biscuit sword was no big deal, but this was the real thing!
A thief?
Katakuri's eyes went cold. He scanned the crowd. Just then, a commotion broke out among the Charlotte children who had been part of the welcoming party.
"Hey, my pocket watch is gone!"
"My hat! Where's my hat?!"
"Big brother, big sister, have you seen my jewel brooch?!"
As the cries of alarm grew, Katakuri's face darkened. His powerful Observation Haki swept over the entire area. He scanned the crowd, his gaze finally settling on the guests from the underworld. The Tea Party always attracted a shady bunch. Normally, the Charlotte family would turn a blind eye to a little petty theft. But today... on the day Lord Shane arrived, for someone to have the audacity to steal so many personal items, right under his nose... What if they had stolen from the Curtain Call crew? What if they had stolen from Lord Shane himself?! The consequences were unthinkable... It could ruin Mama's entire marriage plan!
An investigation! Katakuri's face was grim. This time, he would show no mercy. He would start with these lowlifes from the underworld and find the culprit, no matter what.
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