Whole Cake Island was decorated with lanterns and streamers, bursting with excitement.
Big Mom's Tea Party was once again being held, just as she wished. The guests, intimidated by her power, had no choice but to show their faces and attend.
Among them, the most famous were the four titans of the Underworld: the "Loan Shark King," Du Feld; the "Shipping King," Umit; the president of the World Economic Journal, Morgans; and the World Government's CP0 spy, the "Queen of the Pleasure District," Stussy. A few other New World pirate crews who had already submitted to Big Mom were also present.
In the past, Big Mom had invited Whitebeard and Kaido, but neither had ever bothered to show up. She had long since stopped trying. This party was, after all, simply a grand feast to satisfy her own appetites.
However, today's Tea Party had a... unique guest of honor. To prevent this particular guest from causing trouble, Katakuri was on high alert. The Sweet Commanders were all present early, awaiting his arrival.
Big Mom herself didn't seem to care, happily eating and drinking. Doflamingo was strong, yes, but she believed she was stronger.
On Whole Cake Island, guests milled about, tended to by the various Homies. It was all quite comfortable—as long as Big Mom didn't go on a rampage.
A flashy, flamingo-headed ship finally sailed into Whole Cake Island's territory. Katakuri, who had been watching the sea, noticed their arrival.
His subtle movement didn't escape Brulee's notice.
"Brother, what is it?" she asked.
"Nothing. The star of the show has arrived. Go tell Mama," Katakuri instructed.
"Oh, right! I'll go tell her!"
Katakuri paid her departure no mind, moving to greet Doflamingo personally.
Onboard the Flamingo, Baby 5 was vibrating with excitement, pointing everything out. Even the usually calm Law looked curious.
"Young Master, the trees, the grass, the flowers... they're all moving! It's so weird!" Baby 5 exclaimed, leaning over the rail.
"Those are Homies," Doflamingo explained, "created by Big Mom's fruit ability."
Seeing their interest, he elaborated. "She has the Soul-Soul Fruit. A Paramecia that allows her to control souls." He felt a flash of irritation. It was a fruit he wouldn't have minded having, but she'd eaten it long ago.
"Control souls? That's terrifying!" Baby 5 asked, suddenly afraid. "Young Master, she... she can't control our souls, can she?"
"She wants to control me? She isn't qualified," Doflamingo stated proudly, a sharp grin on his face. "With me here, what can Big Mom possibly do?"
"Yeah! With the Young Master here, Big Mom is nothing!" Baby 5 was immediately reassured.
"You're very confident, Doflamingo."
"Of course," Doflamingo replied, turning. "Katakuri. How's my family?"
Katakuri had appeared on the deck of the Flamingo as if from nowhere, standing before them.
"Relax. They're small-fry. We were only ever after you. You're here, and that's all that matters."
"Fuffuffu. Is that so? Looks like I really am the star of this show."
Doflamingo's crew glared at Katakuri, their hands on their weapons, every muscle tensed.
"Doflamingo, Mama thinks very highly of you," Katakuri said enigmatically, before vanishing from the deck and reappearing on the nearby dock, waiting for them.
"...Interesting."
"Young Master, could it be a trap?" Monet asked, her voice tight with worry.
"Doffy, we should be careful," Diamante added, gripping the hilt of his sword.
Doflamingo ignored them, turning his gaze to Law. "Law, what do you think?"
"We'll handle whatever they throw at us," Law replied coolly.
"Good," Doflamingo's grin widened. "Let's go meet Big Mom. See what kind of game she's playing."
They disembarked, and Katakuri led them toward the chateau. Doflamingo spotted a few familiar faces in the crowd: Cracker and Snack. He noted that Smoothie, the "Juicer," was absent. Countless other children of Big Mom were gathered at the feast, all waiting for him.
Stepping onto the main grounds, Baby 5 looked around at the enthusiastic Homies without a hint of tension, easily the most carefree of the group.
Da-da-da...
The sound of their footsteps approached. On the main throne, the enormous, fat woman finally lifted her eyes from her mountain of food, looking at Doflamingo.
Flanking her were the four Underworld Kings, all of them watching Doflamingo's group with calculating eyes.
Doflamingo spotted his old acquaintance, Morgans. A smile touched his lips, and he gave the bird-man a pointed look—a "greeting."
Morgans, receiving the "greeting," nearly jumped out of his feathers. He hadn't forgotten their last encounter... or the bomb still ticking away inside his chest.
His reaction didn't escape the notice of the other sharp operators at the table.
"Hey, Morgans, you know Doflamingo?" Stussy, the Queen of the Pleasure District, asked, giving him a sly wink. As a CP0 agent, she knew exactly who Doflamingo was.
"Ah! What are you saying, Stussy!" Morgans deflected, his voice squeaking. "I just... praised him in the paper once! He's probably just here to thank me!"
"Kekeke, is that so?" Stussy giggled. No one at the table believed him.
"Morgans, you'd better watch out," Umit warned. "Doflamingo isn't one to mess with."
"I just wonder if you can handle his 'gratitude'," Du Feld teased.
'I brought this on myself! Why did I have to provoke Doflamingo?!' Morgans lamented internally, his beak twisting in a grimace. He had a bitter complaint he couldn't possibly voice. The other three were happy to see him squirm; they were all "Kings," but a throne was always best with only one person on it.
Doflamingo watched them, amused. They were small-fry. He was only interested in one of them: Stussy. A heavyweight, a sharp knife for CP0. If he could get her under his control... now that would be a prize.
Big Mom looked Doflamingo over. She remembered him from a few days ago, the man who'd escaped from Whitebeard. She was interested.
"Mamamama! Doflamingo! You're finally here!" she boomed, stuffing another pastry into her mouth.
"Fuffuffu. Big Mom. I've come as promised," Doflamingo's voice was light and airy, his hands in his pockets. "Isn't it time you released my beloved family?"
"Doflamingo brat! Your strength is impressive. I think highly of you," Big Mom declared, ignoring his question completely. "Become my son-in-law!"
The hall fell silent.
Even Big Mom's daughters, who were in on the plan, looked at Doflamingo with undisguised interest. He was handsome, powerful... what a pity. This 'piece of meat' had already been designated for Smoothie. The other, less powerful daughters could only look on with envy.
Doflamingo's smile didn't twitch.
Inwardly, ten thousand "Grass-Mud Horses" stampeded through his mind.
'Fuck.'
Am I really the kind of man who has to sell his body?