As one of the two protagonists the whole world was watching,
Aus—after some travel time—found his previously stormy emotions had settled down a bit.
The phantom Oro Jackson completely bypassed Totto Land's perimeter patrol ships, totally oblivious that they were meant to welcome them, and docked directly outside Cake Island.
Aus's three-person crew walked silently across Totto Land's territory.
"This place is loud as ever."
Scattered songs and chatter filled the air. Aus casually plucked a small flower—
and could actually see a pained expression on its center, constantly screaming in agony.
Mihawk and Crocodile, seeing this shit for the first time, looked around with fascination.
The flowers, grass, and trees swaying in the wind—even the ground and rocks—all seemed obsessed with singing. Watching everything around them felt creepy as hell.
A surge of brutal black-red lightning ripped through the area. Every soul-bearing thing finally shut up, drooping with rolled-back eyes.
"They can actually pass out like people?"
Little Sand disgustedly kicked a blocking flower aside.
"That's Big Mom's Devil Fruit power."
The group walked forward, crossing candy bridges. Aus casually broke off a piece to chew. "She can give souls to anything lifeless—steal souls, grant souls."
"If you wanted, little hawk, your Yoru could probably come alive too."
"Big Mom's Napoleon is a sword with a soul."
"Something like that..."
Aus mentioned it offhandedly, but Mihawk actually looked intrigued.
In his mind, this might be a way to push his swordsmanship further—being completely in sync with his blade...
Little Sand wasn't particularly interested. What was she gonna do, make her hook come alive?
But Aus seemed pretty interested, stroking his chin with a thoughtful look as he stared at Little Sand and her right-hand hook.
"Hmm..."
"Hey!!! You bastard!!! What the hell were you just looking at?!!!"
Crocodile caught that stare, hash marks popping on her forehead, her sharp face ice-cold.
"Oh... nothing."
That face doesn't look like nothing!!!
If they weren't on someone else's turf right now—and here for a fight—Little Sand would've unleashed a sandstorm to show her rage.
News of Aus's crew appearing on Cake Island couldn't stay hidden long.
Countless Homies and the massive population had already spotted these three distinctive figures.
"Aus?!!!"
The subordinate's sudden report gave Big Mom a delightful surprise.
She quickly devoured the remaining sweets beside her and leaned down toward the guard:
"You absolutely sure? It's really Aus who came?"
Under that terrifying gaze, the guard stammered despite his fear:
"Yes, no mistake! We also spotted Hawkeye and Sand Crocodile with him!"
"Ma ma ma ma~"
Hearing this, Charlotte Linlin laughed with pure joy, her massive frame rising from the throne.
"Then... let's begin!!! The tea party welcoming Aus!!! Ma ma ma ma~ Don't forget the sweets and tea!"
"First time we've met since that mess with Roger~"
As orders cascaded down, almost every important child and officer of the Big Mom Pirates appeared at the tea party venue alongside Big Mom,
including the Sweet Commanders—obviously not at their peak yet—standing on both sides of the road.
Katakuri, who'd arrived early, stood arms crossed at the front of the formation, waiting for their distinguished guest alongside the tongue-wagging Perospero.
"Pero~ What a grand welcome ceremony. As expected of a legendary pirate, pero~"
Katakuri didn't say much, just revealed those cold, ruthless eyes.
"Hope everything goes smooth."
Moments later, with distant commotion approaching,
red light flashed in his eyes as Katakuri straightened up:
"They're coming!!!"
Seconds later, shadows approached from the road's end.
A formation of guards—like chess pieces, short Homies wielding weapons in perfect formation,
split into two groups, escorting three figures down the center path.
"We're not here to fight, so this atmosphere..."
Halfway there, when Aus first encountered these chess guards, he'd been ready to draw his blade and clear them out.
Who knew that before he could get close, they'd arrange themselves in neat formation and bow, requesting the three follow them.
"That's because... when you called Big Mom, you didn't flat-out refuse."
Little Sand saw right through it, her dead-inside expression unchanged by the atmosphere.
"They probably think you're here to seal the deal."
"What..."
Aus looked shocked and confused.
That obvious "You just wait and see!"
Plus hanging up—how could they not get his attitude?
Unless it meant,
"Wait for me in bed?"
Aus felt pretty bummed and was about to draw his blade when Mihawk's words stopped him.
"Since they think we come in peace, why not wait until Charlotte Linlin gives Yoru life, then fight?"
Little Hawk said calmly.
In other words,
Aus, just sacrifice your good looks a bit. We can flip the script after we get what we want.
Hearing this, Crocodile's face showed a rare smile. First time she'd seen Aus in a bind.
"A great captain like you surely wouldn't refuse such a tiny request, you lazy-ass Black Emperor."
Aus protested. His plan was to beat Big Mom into submission first, then have her give Yoru a soul. More importantly:
"I do work on the ship!"
"You just snap your fingers and use your Devil Fruit to slack off!!!"
"..."
Well shit.
Caught red-handed being a slacker.
Moments later, Aus accepted reality. Wouldn't kill him anyway—just put on a show.
Following the Homie soldiers, the three walked with swagger toward Cake Castle.
Passing that lineup of weirdly-shaped Big Mom kids, Aus could see from way off that massive 8.8-meter-tall figure.
Aus thought he was pretty damn tall—his 3.3-4 meter height was even a head taller than the three Admirals.
But standing before Big Mom, he realized just how vast this world really was.
He only came up to her thigh!
What a massive... ride...
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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