While Yamato was busy sampling the local delicacies in a colorful confectionery shop, a subordinate burst through the door, looking pale and frantic. "Young Master! Terrible news from the outside world!"
"Something happened?" Yamato asked, her voice muffled by a mouthful of strawberry mochi. She didn't look particularly bothered. "Who's the unlucky soul this time?"
"Young Master, please look at this. It's the latest newspaper!" The subordinate slammed the paper onto the table. "Joker has been defeated!"
Haruko reached out, smoothing the paper in front of Yamato so she could read the headlines. Yamato took another bite of her pastry, her eyes scanning the front page. "So, Joker finally ran out of luck. I guess he didn't take my warning seriously. He was probably too busy counting his Berry to notice the storm clouds gathering."
"You were right on the mark, Young Master," Haruko noted, her tone calm as she processed the report. "The alliance between Straw Hat and Trafalgar Law successfully brought him down. Just as we analyzed, their next logical move will be to target our Beasts Pirates."
Even though they had predicted this, the reality of the situation was still striking. Two rookies had managed to topple Donquixote Doflamingo—a veteran of the Great Pirate Era, a Shichibukai, and a man with deep ties to the World Government. For him to lose everything on his own home turf of Dressrosa left the underworld in a state of shock.
"Those two brats actually pulled it off," Yamato said, finally setting down her pastry. "If Joker's been defeated, the Marines must have him in custody by now. Hey, did my Idiot Old Man send that simpleton Jack to try and bust him out?"
The thought made Yamato pause. She knew how her father operated; he wouldn't let a valuable business partner like Doflamingo go without a fight.
"I'll contact Lord King immediately to find out," Haruko said, retrieving a transponder snail. The call was answered almost instantly.
"Second Uncle," Yamato greeted as the snail's face took on King's stoic features. "It looks like Joker is in the hands of the law. Did the Old Man send Jack to play hero?"
"We are aware of the situation," King's voice resonated through the snail. "Yes, the Governor-General dispatched Jack to intercept the Marine escort. Is there a reason you're asking?"
Yamato leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "Tell Jack to be careful. The Marines aren't going to leave a high-priority prisoner like Joker unguarded. They likely have an Admiral on board that ship. That's not a fight Jack can just muscle his way through."
"I see. I will relay the warning," King replied, acknowledging the logic in her words.
"Good. One more thing," Yamato added. "Since Joker's gone, the SMILE trade is dead. How's the Old Man taking it? I bet he's throwing a massive tantrum."
King's features twitched slightly on the snail's face. "Uh... let's just say the Governor-General went out a few days ago to 'personally' look for those rookies. He was not in a pleasant mood."
"I figured as much. Alright, stay safe, Second Uncle. I'm hanging up." Yamato clicked the snail off.
Haruko tucked the device away. "Young Master, do you really think Lord Jack will run into a Marine Admiral?"
"Think about it, Haruko," Yamato explained. "Joker isn't just a pirate; he's an ex-Celestial Dragon with enough secrets to bury the World Government. They won't take any chances. The news already mentioned Admiral Fujitora was in Dressrosa. He's a principled man; he'll likely be the one overseeing the transfer."
"Admiral Fujitora... real name Issho," Haruko mused. "His reputation is certainly unique. For a Marine Admiral to kneel before a king and apologize on behalf of the World Government is unheard of. It's quite the statement."
Yamato nodded. "He's a good man—one of the few in the Marines who actually looks at the people rather than the politics. His brand of justice is real, not just some empty slogan. If the Marines were full of people like him, the sea might actually be a safer place."
"But with Fleet Admiral Akainu in charge, that's unlikely," Haruko countered. "The Marines are becoming more aggressive, not more compassionate."
"Akainu isn't necessarily 'evil' in the traditional sense," Yamato said thoughtfully. "He's just a fanatic. He believes his version of 'Absolute Justice' justifies any atrocity. He doesn't care about the collateral damage as long as the goal is met. To him, the ends always justify the means."
She sighed, then turned the conversation back to their crewmate. "Anyway, what do you think? If Jack spots Fujitora's ship, will he actually try to fight?"
Haruko hesitated. "Given Lord Jack's temperament, the odds are high. Or at least, they used to be."
"I think a fight won't even happen," Yamato joked. "Fujitora will probably just sink Jack's ship before he even gets within range of a sword swing. He's a master-class swordsman, after all."
Yamato's eyes lit up with mischief. "Let's place a bet, Haruko. If Jack gets his ship sunk and ends up bobbing in the ocean again, I'm officially naming him the 'Ship-Ramer King.' But if he actually uses his head and retreats, we'll call him the 'Elephant Spirit' because he finally learned how to think."
Haruko wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. "Young Master, I don't think Lord Jack would appreciate either of those titles."
"I don't care if he likes them! I'm his superior; he has to accept whatever I give him," Yamato pouted playfully.
Two days later, at nine in the morning, a bizarrely shaped ship approached the docks of Vanilla Island. It was a vessel of Totto Land, manned by Homies—objects brought to life by Big Mom's Soul-Soul Fruit.
"We apologize for the delay, esteemed guests," a soldier who looked like a wooden doll bowed to Yamato and Haruko.
"Are you the ones Katakuri sent?" Yamato asked.
"Indeed. Please board. Mama's Tea Party begins tomorrow on Cake Island," the soldier replied.
As the ship sailed toward the heart of the Charlotte family's territory, Yamato relaxed in a deck chair. "Soldier, why didn't Katakuri come himself?"
"Lord Katakuri is overseeing the final preparations for the wedding and the banquet," the soldier explained. "He deeply regrets he could not escort you personally, but he will meet you at the docks of Cake Island."
"A wedding?" Yamato's ears perked up. "Who's the lucky couple?"
"It is a union between Charlotte Pudding and the third son of the Vinsmoke family, Sanji," the soldier answered with a grin.
Yamato's eyes narrowed slightly. "Interesting. So the Straw Hats' cook is getting married into a Yonko's family? This sounds like a political trap if I've ever heard one. Katakuri must be out of his mind to invite me to a conspiracy like this."
"The Vinsmoke family... Germa 66," Haruko whispered to Yamato once the soldier was out of earshot. "If they join forces with Big Mom, her military strength will skyrocket. But why would Sanji leave his crew for this?"
"The Straw Hats are clashing with two Yonko at the same time," Yamato laughed. "Luffy really is a madman. He wants to take down the entire old guard."
"To become the Pirate King, he has to," Haruko said, though her voice carried a hint of skepticism. "But the throne has been empty since Roger died. Even Whitebeard couldn't take it. Does a rookie really think he has the destiny for it?"
"I don't care about the treasure or the title," Yamato said, looking at the horizon. "I admire the romance of it. The idea that someone is willing to fight the whole world just for a dream of freedom... that's something worth watching."
Haruko smiled. "You're a romantic at heart, Young Master."
"Hey! Watch it! I have an image to maintain," Yamato joked, though she couldn't hide her grin.
The next morning, the ship arrived at the North Coast of Cake Island. Waiting on the shore, sitting atop a large, decorative stone, was a tall man with short purple hair and a scarf covering the lower half of his face. The atmosphere seemed to freeze in his presence.
Charlotte Katakuri.
As the ship docked, Katakuri stood up, his gaze fixing on the deck.
"Yo, Katakuri!" Yamato yelled, waving both arms frantically. "Long time no see, my greatest disciple! Did you miss me?"
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