Ulti stuffed another forkful of delicate cake into her mouth, chewed twice… and immediately scowled.
"What is this?" she grumbled, glaring at the endless display of pastries. "When does the real banquet start? And why is it all sweets?! I want meat!"
A nearby member of the Charlotte Family hurried over, bowing politely.
"Miss Ulti, please be patient. The banquet will begin shortly."
Ulti clicked her tongue loudly in dissatisfaction.
At that moment, a small, doll-like girl seated not far away shot them a displeased look. Zack's booming laughter and Ulti's noisy complaints had clearly offended her delicate sensibilities.
"Hmph," she sniffed, crossing her arms. "How rude. Mama actually invited such vulgar pirates to this elegant banquet?"
The words landed like a slap.
Zack, Blenheim, Fossa, Ulti, and Page One all paused.
Ulti's temper ignited instantly.
She slammed her foot onto the table with a bang, pointing straight at the girl.
"Oi! And who exactly do you think you are?!"
Page One sighed and explained quietly, "Sis… that's Charlotte Flampe. Mama's thirty-sixth daughter."
Ulti's irritation only grew.
"Why are you calling that Old Hag 'Mama' too, Little Page?!"
Page One lifted his hands helplessly. "I don't really have a choice…"
Zack and Blenheim both glanced at Fossa.
Fossa rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Well… I married Smoothie. So her Mama is… my Mama now. That's just how it works."
Zack burst into laughter.
"Fair enough. I get it."
Meanwhile, Flampe stood up with exaggerated elegance, chin tilted arrogantly.
"Brother-in-law Page One. Brother-in-law Fossa. Since you are now members of the Big Mom Pirates, you should stop associating with such low-class, uncultured pirates."
The temperature at the table dropped.
Fossa's expression darkened instantly.
He slammed his palm onto the table, cracking the wood.
"Flampe. That's enough."
His voice carried restrained fury.
"Zack and Blenheim are my brothers. I may only be your brother-in-law, but today, I'll discipline you in place of your elder siblings."
Page One stepped forward as well, eyes sharp.
"That's right. If we don't teach you some respect, you'll never understand how big this sea really is."
The growing commotion drew attention from nearby guests.
Then a tall figure approached, scarf flowing slightly in the sea breeze.
Katakuri.
His presence alone silenced the surrounding whispers.
"Flampe," he said calmly—but there was steel in his voice. "Apologize. Now."
The moment she saw him, Flampe's expression changed instantly.
"Brother Katakuri—!"
Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
But Katakuri did not soften.
"I said apologize."
His tone was colder than winter.
Flampe froze.
This was the brother who always protected her… who indulged her.
Now he was scolding her—in front of everyone.
Her lower lip trembled.
"W-Waaah… Brother, you're so mean! You've never treated me like this before… waaah!"
Tears streamed down her face as she turned and ran off, sobbing loudly.
The surrounding Charlotte siblings, who had been ready to reprimand her themselves, fell into awkward silence.
Katakuri stepped forward and bowed slightly toward Fossa and the others.
"Fossa. Ulti. Everyone. I apologize on her behalf. We have been… too lenient. That will change."
Fossa's expression remained stern.
"That girl needs proper discipline."
Katakuri nodded without protest.
He understood Fossa's strength better than most.
When Fossa first arrived in Totto Land, Cracker had challenged him out of pride. But Fossa's Polar Bear Zoan power had shattered Cracker's biscuit soldiers like brittle glass. In the end, even a Sweet Commander had fallen beneath his overwhelming force.
And beyond strength—
Fossa was Smoothie's husband.
And behind him stood the entire Phoenix Pirates.
Even if he was not officially a Sweet Commander, his standing in Totto Land was anything but ordinary.
The tension gradually dissolved.
Music resumed.
Laughter returned.
The banquet preparations continued as though nothing had happened.
But in a distant corridor, Flampe wiped her tears.
Her sobbing slowly stopped.
Her eyes, still red, hardened.
A tiny seed of resentment had taken root.
And seeds, given time—Always grow.
Laughter and music filled the grand hall of Cake Island, wine glasses clinking beneath glittering chandeliers.
Then—
The massive doors at the far end of the hall swung open.
A towering shadow fell across the marble floor.
Charlotte Linlin had arrived.
"Mama…"
In an instant, every gaze in the hall turned toward her.
"Happy birthday, Mama!"
"Queen Linlin, happy birthday!"
The blessings rose like waves crashing against the shore.
Big Mom threw her arms wide, her enormous figure radiating overwhelming presence and delight.
"Mamama—mamamama! Everyone came just as promised! So many friends, so many family members here to celebrate with me!" She grinned broadly, eyes gleaming. "Today makes me very, very happy! Thank you all for coming!"
Charlotte Compote stepped forward, holding an extravagant birthday crown decorated with jewels and sugar sculptures.
"Mama," she said sweetly, "today you are the unquestioned star of this banquet."
"Mamamama! Of course I am!" Linlin laughed as she took the ornate crown and set it atop her head.
Compote raised her voice, assuming the role of master of ceremonies.
"Dear friends and beloved family! Today marks the sixty-seventh birthday of our mother, the Queen of Totto Land, one of the Four Emperors—Charlotte Linlin! Let us offer her our most heartfelt blessings!"
As one, the Charlotte Family roared:
"Happy Birthday, Mama!!!"
The shout thundered through the hall.
Big Mom's laughter echoed even louder.
"Mamama! Thank you! Thank you, my children!"
Music burst forth—the birthday song ringing across Cake Island. Homies danced. Fireworks exploded in candy-colored arcs outside the palace windows.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
The cake.
A towering masterpiece of sugar and cream, layered like a cathedral.
Big Mom's eyes gleamed with childlike anticipation.
"Finally… I can taste it."
Her voice trembled slightly with excitement.
But—
At that very instant, the Den Den Mushi hidden in Katakuri's coat began to ring.
He stiffened.
The sound was faint beneath the music, but to him it was deafening.
Katakuri quietly stepped away from the celebration, slipping into a shadowed corridor. He answered in a low voice.
"This is Katakuri."
The snail's face instantly twisted into one of terror.
"Katakuri-nii-sama! Something terrible has happened! The Marines— they've launched a full assault! We're under attack!"
Katakuri's expression changed in an instant.
The warmth in his eyes vanished.
His voice dropped.
"How many?"
"Too many to count! Warships everywhere! Admiral Ryokugyu is here in person! They're advancing toward the capital from all directions—we can't hold them much longer! You must— AHHHHH—!"
The scream was cut off violently.
The line went dead.
"Babarua."
Katakuri's jaw tightened.
For a moment, the hallway seemed unbearably quiet compared to the jubilant hall behind him.
He could still hear laughter.
Music.
His mother's delighted voice preparing to cut the cake.
And yet—The Marines had chosen this day.
Mama's birthday.
His face darkened like gathering storm clouds.
"They picked today… deliberately."
A Marine Admiral personally leading the assault.
This was not a probing attack.
This was extermination.
Katakuri understood instantly: this was beyond his ability to handle alone.
And worse—
When Mama learned of this…
The consequences would be catastrophic.
He turned back toward the banquet hall.
The celebration still roared with joy.
Unaware that war had already begun.
Realizing there was no time to hesitate, Katakuri made his decision.
Birthdays came every year.
A Marine invasion did not.
He stepped back into the hall just as Compote was carefully slicing the towering cake. Big Mom had already taken a massive piece in her hand, savoring it with blissful delight.
"Mamamama… delicious!"
"Katakuri, this one's yours," Compote said warmly, offering him a perfectly cut slice.
"Thank you."
He accepted it automatically—but his eyes weren't on the cake.
They swept across the hall.
Laughter. Music. Allies from across the New World raising glasses in celebration.
For a brief moment, he hesitated.
Then he looked directly at his mother.
"Mama," he said quietly, but firmly. "I have urgent news."
The tone alone made Charlotte Linlin pause mid-bite.
Katakuri never disturbed her during celebrations.
Not unless it was serious.
A faint shadow crossed her face.
"Has something happened?"
Katakuri did not lower his voice this time.
"It's confirmed. The Marines have invaded Totto Land. Our forces on the outer islands are likely already under attack."
The words fell like a thunderclap.
"What?!"
Linlin's pupils shrank instantly.
The joy vanished from her face.
Around them, conversations faltered. Guests exchanged confused glances.
But Big Mom forced a grin, her voice booming through the hall.
"Mamama! Don't mind it! Keep eating! Today is my birthday! Enjoy yourselves!"
The guests hesitated—then slowly resumed their celebrations, uncertain but unwilling to question a Yonko.
Once the attention shifted away, Big Mom's expression changed completely.
Her smile disappeared.
Her eyes darkened.
She gestured sharply.
"Katakuri. With me."
Katakuri quickly formed a massive mochi structure around them—walls rising in an instant, sealing off the sound from the banquet hall.
Inside the mochi chamber, the atmosphere turned icy.
Linlin's voice dropped, thick with menace.
"Explain. Now."
Katakuri spoke without embellishment.
"I received a call from Babarua. He reported that Admiral Ryokugyu is personally leading a massive fleet. Warships approaching from all directions."
He paused.
"When I pressed for details… I heard him scream. Then the line went dead."
Silence.
The kind that suffocates.
Linlin's face darkened visibly.
Katakuri continued.
"If he couldn't even finish his report, it means the scale of the attack exceeds our expectations. This is not a probing strike. It's a full-scale assault."
Today was not just any birthday.
It was her first grand celebration since the formation of the Three Emperors Alliance.
The New World's powers were present.
Kaido had sent representatives.
Marco had sent gifts.
And now—
The Marines dared to attack.
On her birthday.
A violent aura began leaking from Big Mom's body.
"Mamamama…"
But there was no humor in her laugh.
She issued orders immediately.
"Contact all islands. I want exact numbers. Mobilize every combat unit. Prepare for war."
Compote swallowed nervously.
"Mama… what about the banquet?"
Linlin turned her head slowly.
Her grin twisted into something monstrous.
"Cancel it."
Her voice was low. Dangerous.
"Evacuate the guests immediately. If anyone gets caught in this crossfire, I won't hear the end of it."
"Yes, Mama!"
But before anyone could move—
A deafening siren echoed across Cake Island.
"WUUUUUUUUUU—!"
The emergency alarm.
It roared through the capital like a warning from hell itself.
Guests froze.
Musicians stopped playing mid-note.
Even the sea outside seemed to tremble.
Linlin's face became terrifyingly ugly.
Her voice thundered across the mochi chamber:
"Who rang the alarm?!"
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