Chapter 208: Fight, You Two Emperors! Fight!
The small sound was enough to capture the attention of everyone in the room. In the next moment, the grand doors swung wide open.
A handsome, dark-haired young man in a black coat strode in, followed closely by a cold-eyed, ponytailed swordswoman, the mountainous figures of Kuma and Jack, and the rest of his officers. The young man's gaze swept calmly across the room. All the guests, including the emperors of the underworld, instinctively tightened their grip on their glasses and forced a smile. The lesser guests didn't even dare to breathe until the group had passed their tables.
What terrifying pressure... one of them thought, wiping the cold sweat from his brow. He didn't know if it was just the man's reputation, but a single glance from the World's Greatest Swordsman had been enough to drench his back in sweat.
"Mamamamama!" Big Mom's laughter boomed. "You're finally here, Shane! Come, take your seat! Everyone's been waiting for you!"
"Sorry we're late," Shane said with a casual smile. He didn't stand on ceremony, immediately taking the large, ornate seat that had been reserved for him and crossing his legs. He sized up Big Mom. He'd met two of the Four Emperors already, but this was his first time seeing the Queen of Totto Land. He already knew what to expect in terms of her appearance, so he was more interested in her sheer size. At 8.8 meters tall, she was an imposing figure even when seated, the tallest known human in the world. It was the pinnacle of human potential. A full-power brawl with a monster like this... would be exhilarating.
But... from the look of her warm, sincere welcome, he wouldn't be getting that chance today.
Kuina and the others took their seats as well. Whether by coincidence or by design, the seating arrangement was a perfect mirror. Shane and Big Mom sat at opposite ends of the long table, with their top officers facing each other down the sides.
Kuina sat opposite Katakuri.
Kuma sat opposite Smoothie.
Jack sat opposite Cracker.
Smoker sat opposite... an empty chair. The last Sweet Commander, Snack, was away on a mission.
The Three Calamities versus the Three Sweet Commanders?
The only other people at this table were the emperors of the underworld. They exchanged subtle, meaningful glances. Big Mom's respect for the Curtain Call crew was even greater than they had imagined. This seating arrangement clearly placed Shane on a level equal to her own, and the mirroring of their top officers was a tacit acknowledgment that his crew was a true Emperor-level force, a rival to her own.
"By the way, Katakuri," Kuina said, accepting a cup of tea from a server. "I meant to say this at the docks yesterday. After the Tea Party is over, how about a sparring match?"
"I don't believe you are my opponent..." Katakuri said, a bit surprised, "but you are our guest. I will accept your challenge."
"How arrogant," Kuina sneered.
Smoothie looked up at Kuma, an interested glint in her eyes. "Hey, big guy, you hear that? Those two have no sense of occasion. It's making my hands itch. How about we have a go, too?"
"There is no need to fight," Kuma said, shaking his head.
Right, who needs to fight when there's food? Bonney thought, nodding vigorously as she snatched the mousse cake from in front of him and devoured it in one bite.
"Tch. No fun," Smoothie pouted, her gaze drifting back to Shane. Now there's a man... It's a shame his standards are so high. He doesn't even appreciate a super-model like me.
Cracker, meanwhile, glared at the eager-looking Jack. "Don't look at me. I lost my sword yesterday. I'm not in the mood."
"Mamamamama! Such youthful energy!" Big Mom clapped her hands. "But today is a happy Tea Party! We're all friends here! Fighting is so unfriendly! Save it for another day!" She turned to Shane. "Speaking of which, Shane, the main reason I invited you here, besides wanting to meet the new star of the seas and introduce you to some old friends, is to discuss a very important matter..."
The banquet hall fell silent. All the guests leaned in. The main event was about to begin.
"Oh?" Shane's expression didn't change as he took a sip of his tea. "What's that?"
"A marriage alliance, of course! Do I really have to spell it out for you? You young people these days..." Big Mom beamed. "Look, Shane! My daughters! Smoothie, Galette, Custard... each one is a one-in-a-million beauty! Just say the word, and you can have your pick! If you like them all, you can marry more than one! With your bloodline, your babies will be the future pillars of Totto Land! The more, the better! Mamamamama!"
The named daughters either blushed and looked down, like Custard, or shot Shane a bold, flirtatious glance, like Smoothie. The other guests were stunned. They all knew Big Mom used marriage to expand her power, but they had never heard of her offering such a wide selection. And so many of her daughters at once! She was dead set on getting the World's Greatest Swordsman on her side.
"Mama!" Katakuri frowned. "I don't think this is the proper venue for such a discussion. Perhaps in private..."
"Quiet, Katakuri!" Big Mom waved him off, her eyes fixed on Shane. "Well? What do you say, Shane?! I'll make you an offer right here, right now. Become my son-in-law, and you'll be the second-in-command of Totto Land! All the resources of our thirty-six islands will be at your disposal! Katakuri, Smoothie, and the other Commanders will all be under your command! An offer this good... you won't find it anywhere else! Mamamamama!"
You could have heard a pin drop. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Shane's response. The younger guests were green with envy. He has to think about it?! If I had even a fraction of that offer...
"A very tempting offer," Shane said, his voice calm amidst the silent anticipation. "And a very sincere one. I must thank you for your kindness. But... it's not the only offer I've had. In fact, it's the third."
"What do you mean?" Big Mom blinked.
"Your two old friends, Kaido and Whitebeard, have made similar offers," Shane said with a smirk. "It seems your intelligence network isn't as good as you think... In any case, whether I'm a son-in-law or an adopted son, whether it's a marriage alliance or just joining a crew, it's all the same to me. I have no plans to get married, and I'm not in the habit of serving under anyone."
Robin and Kuina both narrowed their eyes at the same time.
"Kaido! Newgate!" Big Mom's eyes widened, and she gritted her teeth. Shane had only been in the New World for three months. She thought she'd been the first to make a move. And Whitebeard... that old fool was always adopting sons. But Kaido? He'd been avoiding her for years. When did he have a daughter? And what kind of ugly beast would that brat produce? There was no way she could compete with her beautiful daughters!
The guests were terrified. Was Big Mom about to go on a rampage? If these two fought, the whole island would be destroyed!
But Katakuri and the other senior officers were calm. Their mother wasn't a mindless brute. She only lost control during her hunger pangs. With an existence on Shane's level, she would be much more... diplomatic.
Sure enough, Big Mom suddenly burst out laughing. "Mamamamama! Of course! The World's Greatest Swordsman, with a bounty that's almost as high as ours! Of course everyone would be fighting over you! I guess I don't really have much of an advantage, do I?! Since you're not interested, we'll drop the subject of marriage! But... we can still be friends, right?"
"Of course," Shane said with a smile. "Totto Land is a nice place. I would hate to have to destroy it."
"..." Big Mom leaned forward, her eyes narrowed. Then she laughed again. "Mamamamama! That's good enough for me! Business is over, now it's time to have fun! I hereby declare the Tea Party officially open! Perospero, bring out the desserts!"
"Yes, Mama!"
Dozens of chefs emerged from the kitchens, pushing carts laden with hundreds of different kinds of sweets. Bonney's eyes went wide. This is heaven! It has to be! She grabbed a cream puff, and her eyes filled with tears of joy. "Nami..."
"I know, Bonney, I know," Nami said, her own mouth full. "It's so good! Damn it, I wish Grandpa Zeff would make this many desserts for every meal!"
"What did you say, you little brat?!" Zeff roared. "There's only one of me! There are a hundred chefs in that kitchen!"
Zeff... Big Mom's eyes drifted to the old cook. She remembered him. The captain of the Cook Pirates. She'd even considered having him kidnapped to be her sous chef, but he'd disappeared from the Grand Line... and now he was with the Curtain Call Pirates. A shame.
Just then, her eyes lit up. "Ooh! That old man Streusen... I told him he didn't have to make it for me, but he did anyway!" A massive, seven-meter-tall strawberry wedding cake was being wheeled out. It was her favorite. "Mamamamama! I can't wait! Bring it here! This one is all mine! No one else gets a bite!"
"Hey! No fair!" Bonney stood up on her chair. "Don't be so stingy, Linlin! I'm just a little girl! Just give me one bite!"
"Don't be rude, Bonney," Kuma chided.
"It's alright, Mr. Kuma," Smoothie said lazily. "For some reason... Mama has always been very lenient with children under ten."
Sure enough, Big Mom just laughed. "Don't worry, little one! This strawberry cake is mine, but it's not the only one! There's another one coming just for you!" She called to the kitchen, "Hey! Perospero! Is Mr. Streusen making a second one?!"
"Are you trying to kill this old man, Linlin?!" a reedy voice yelled back, followed by a sigh. "Fine, since you're in such a good mood, I'll do it."
"See, little Bonney? Yours is on the way!" Big Mom giggled. "Now, I'm going to have mine..."
Yes, that's it. Eat it. Eat it all. From the corner of her eye, Stussy watched, a small smile playing on her lips. Before the party, she had snuck into the kitchen and injected the giant strawberry cake with a special drug: a "super-flavor enhancer" developed by the Marine science unit. It would make the cake taste so unbelievably good that Big Mom's craving would be insatiable. But the second cake wouldn't have the drug. The result? A guaranteed, unstoppable hunger pang. Whole Cake Island would be destroyed, and the Curtain Call Pirates would be caught in the crossfire. An alliance between two Emperors? Not on her watch. Fight! Fight!
"Delicious!" a happy voice cried out.
Hm? That's not Linlin...
Stussy looked over. Big Mom's fork was frozen in mid-air. Bonney had somehow climbed onto the cart and was face-deep in the cake, stuffing it into her mouth.
"Bonney!" Kuma's face went white.
But it was too late.
"Buuurp!" Bonney let out a loud, satisfied burp and lay down on the now-empty cart, patting her round belly. "Delicious! Super delicious! Thanks, Linlin! That was the best cake I've ever had in my whole life!!!"
A lightning bolt seemed to strike Stussy. Her beautiful face twisted into a mask of pure rage. That little brat! You've ruined everything!
"Eh? My... my cake..." Big Mom stared at the empty cart. Katakuri and the others tensed.
"It's alright, Linlin! Don't worry! There's still one in the kitchen! I'll go check on it!" Stussy quickly stood up and patted Big Mom's shoulder reassuringly before hurrying toward the kitchen. Calm down, Stussy, you still have a chance! She had two more doses of the drug in her purse.
Hm? Hmmmm???!!!!
Stussy stopped, her hand frozen in her purse. She pulled it out and turned it upside down. It was completely empty.
Hey, where the hell is my drug?!!!!
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