Three days passed, and it was time for the Tea Party!
Cake Island was bursting with decorations.
Everywhere you looked - the flowers, the trees, even the benches and street lamps - had human faces, all singing happy tunes to greet the arriving guests.
Here in Totto Land, they were called Homies.
"This place is amazing!"
Yamato, eyes wide with wonder, leaned against the carriage window, watching the Homies bustling in the streets.
Of all the places she'd seen, Totto Land was easily one of the most unique. Delicious treats were everywhere, and strange creatures roamed freely.
It felt like stepping into a fairy tale.
"It certainly is interesting," Roya agreed, nodding.
Nowhere else in the world was quite like Totto Land, and it was all made by hand.
The Homies, a product of Big Mom's powers, were an excellent workforce. And the island's unique environment? That was likely the result of someone's awakened powers.
Maybe, long ago, a group of powerful, food-obsessed pirates joined forces to create this dreamlike place, Roya thought.
The carriage stopped in front of Cake Castle. The Tea Party was being held on the very top of the castle, on the rooftop.
Normally, only invited guests could attend the Tea Party. Their escorts would be taken to a separate waiting area.
But...
"Can we come with you?" Yamato asked, her voice full of hope.
"Of course," Roya said, looking at Yamato and Uta with a smile. "You two are far more important than those Underground Emperors."
These so-called Emperors were just big shots in the underworld, nothing special individually, and many of them weren't even as strong as the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
The Four Emperors, on the other hand, were the true rulers of the underworld!
As the daughters of a Four Emperor, Yamato and Uta were far more prestigious than those other Emperors.
At the entrance to Cake Castle, First Son Perospero had been waiting patiently. When he saw the Underground Emperors arrive, he greeted them with a wide smile.
"Welcome, welcome, Emperors of the Underworld! If you don't mind, I'll show you the way."
Perospero waved his Candy Cane, and shimmering syrup shot upwards, instantly hardening into a beautiful Candy Escalator.
"Please, use this Candy Escalator."
The candy escalator sparkled under the sunlight, a true work of art.
"Amazing!"
"Truly wonderful!"
"It's a masterpiece, no matter how many times I see it!"
The Underground Emperors showered him with praise.
Perospero smiled humbly. "You flatter me. Please, go right ahead; Mama hates tardiness the most."
"Yes, yes."
Organ Merchant Jigra eagerly stepped forward, ready to ride the Candy Escalator, when suddenly blood splattered from his back, and he collapsed.
"Hmm?!"
The unexpected sight shocked Perospero and the Underground Emperors.
"Who did that?!"
"It was me."
Roya stepped forward, with Yamato and Uta close behind, twirling a sleek Electromagnetic Handgun in his hand. It looked less like a traditional pistol and more like something from the future.
The Underground Emperors fell silent.
"Bang!"
Roya kicked Jigra's body aside, grabbed Yamato and Uta, and led them onto the Candy Escalator.
"Get out of my way," he said coldly.
"..."
The Underground Emperors were stunned.
They'd assumed Black Hair had a grudge against Jigra, but it seemed he just wanted to go first. If that was the case, they could have been attacked too if they'd tried to get ahead!
So arrogant!
Perospero's face darkened, but he forced a smile. "Everyone, please board the Candy Escalator. If you take too long, it might melt."
"Understood."
Morgans and Stussy quickly stepped forward.
Seeing this, the other Underground Emperors suppressed their anger and followed Morgans and Stussy.
He didn't freak out? Roya wondered, glancing down.
Killing someone on Totto Land was disrespectful, but Perospero hadn't said a word.
His patience was greater than he'd thought. Roya had never been treated so well, no matter how strong his opponents were.
Looks like having connections really does get you ahead!
At the top of Cake Island...
"Please, come in!"
The door with a human face opened automatically, and a wave of chatter rushed out.
At the entrance, Smoothie, one of the Sweet Four Generals, sat at a drink table, greeting everyone with a smile. "Welcome, guests! Would you like a welcome drink?"
"Today's specials include ice from the Arctic, two-nosed elephant extract, and a hint of female pirate."
The drinks were certainly... unusual.
But the Underground Emperors weren't surprised. They'd seen it all before. They glanced nervously at Roya, and when they saw he wasn't ordering anything, they cautiously approached the table.
They were truly afraid of this guy!
Yamato took a sip of the Arctic ice water and shivered, as if she'd been rolling around in the glaciers of the Arctic Sea.
She clearly loved it.
"Roya, this is delicious!"
"Please, another cup for her," Roya said to Smoothie with a smile.
"Okay."
Smoothie grabbed a chunk of ice and squeezed out another cup for Yamato. Then she turned to Roya. "And what will you have, Roya?"
"Me?"
Roya glanced at the three drinks, unimpressed. His eyes drifted to Smoothie's shapely legs.
If I'm going to drink, I'll drink the most special thing here.
I wonder what Smoothie tastes like?
Smoothie noticed Roya's gaze and her face froze. This damn Marine was actually eyeing her!
Thankfully, the castle door opened just then.
Big Mom had arrived!
Roya looked away from Smoothie and focused on Big Mom. "Smoothie-san, you owe me a drink," he said.
"Hmph," Smoothie snorted, turning her attention to Mama.
"Mama~ Mama~~"
Big Mom entered the room, arms outstretched, a wide smile on her face.
"Welcome, everyone, who has traveled far! Look around you! All around you are delicious snacks! Eat and drink to your heart's content!"
"Everyone, be sure to enjoy yourselves!"
"Enjoy everything that happens today!"
The Tea Party had begun!
"Let's find our seats," Roya said, leading Yamato and Uta to the main table. They took three seats directly across from Big Mom.
"Mama~ Mama!"
Big Mom stared intently at Roya.
"You're the Black Hair Kid, right?"
"That's me."
Roya smiled, showing no fear.
"Let's get along today!"
In the skies above Totto Land, near the edge of the sea...
Thousands of feet in the air, a giant Azure Dragon twisted through the clouds, heading towards Cake Island.
In less than half an hour, it would arrive.
The Azure Dragon's eyes blazed with fury.
Old Woman, that kid is mine!
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[T/N:
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]