"Every island in Totto Land is themed after a different delicious dessert."
Under the fearful gazes of everyone on board, Reiju began explaining the basics of Totto Land.
"The buildings on each island are made from the corresponding sweets. For example, on Biscuit Island, the structures are made of biscuits, and on Chocolate Island, everything is built from chocolate~"
"There are also islands themed after cheese, nuts, donuts, ice cream, and more..."
"Wow~~~! This is paradise!"
Luffy and Chopper were already drooling waterfalls, their eyes sparkling with golden light.
"I could eat an entire island!"
"Giggle~"
Reiju covered her mouth with a small laugh.
"In fact, near many of the islands, you can even encounter a phenomenon known as Sweet Weather."
"Sweet Weather?!"
Luffy and Chopper's eyes lit up even brighter as they stared at Reiju.
"That sounds delicious! What is it?!"
"Hmm, let's see~"
Reiju smiled warmly. Just then, with a clatter, a dizzy skeleton tumbled out from under the table…
"For instance, in the waters around some islands, the sea itself could be made of black tea... or cola… and it might even snow fluffy cotton candy."
As Reiju explained, Luffy and Chopper were nearly fainting from excitement. Meanwhile, Nami, ever the navigator, was busy taking detailed notes, recording every bit of this precious intelligence.
"How peculiar... How could such terrain possibly form? Islands entirely made of food?"
Nami frowned, unable to comprehend. Reiju explained:
"The thirty-four outer islands are each managed by a minister—every one of them is one of Big Mom's children.
"In truth, Totto Land itself is Big Mom's family.
"And most of these ministers are Devil Fruit users. Their powers are usually related to food or cooking in some way."
"But Totto Land has an even more... extraordinary feature."
Reiju's expression turned serious. Seeing this, everyone else straightened up as well; after all, the intel Reiju was providing could very well save their lives.
"Within Totto Land's domain, every island's inhabitants are under the protection of the Big Mom Pirates."
"But that protection comes at a price—not just normal taxes or labor.
"They must pay something far more... unusual to stay in Totto Land."
"A price? What is it? Berries? Goods? Food, maybe?"
Everyone was curious. What could be so special?
"No... it's not any of those."
Reiju fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly:
"It's lifespan."
"Haah?!"
Reiju continued, as everyone listened in stunned silence, revealing the truth behind the seemingly utopian, but brutally harsh Totto Land:
"According to the laws of Totto Land, every resident must offer up one month's worth of lifespan every six months."
"Every half a year, Big Mom's 'Incarnations'—beings created from fragments of her own soul—will ask every resident one question:
"'Life or Leave?'"
"Those who wish to stay must choose 'Life.' In doing so, an Incarnation will extract one month's worth of their lifespan—their very soul—as payment for Big Mom's protection."
"The soul... their lifespan?!"
Chopper was trembling uncontrollably. "Then... wouldn't people there all die young?!"
"Indeed. Every six years, they lose an entire year of life."
Reiju said gravely:
"But many willingly accept this.
"After all, in the chaotic New World, to live in a dreamlike paradise such as Totto Land..."
"For most people, even losing a sixth of their life is a small price to pay for a happiness they couldn't even dream of elsewhere."
"..."
Everyone fell silent.
The New World was just that cruel—commonfolk rarely lived long enough to die of old age, often falling victim to pirates, disasters, or disease.
In that light, many people's choice to stay became somewhat understandable.
"Big Mom possesses the powers of the Soul-Soul Fruit—a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows her to manipulate souls freely."
Seeing the crew fall silent, Reiju smiled slightly and went on:
"She takes the collected souls and scatters them across Totto Land, embedding fragments into objects and animals, imbuing them with life—what you might call 'personification.'"
"This ability cannot be used directly on humans or corpses, but even so, Big Mom has succeeded in creating..."
"A near-complete 'World of Living Things'—Totto Land."
"..."
The crew couldn't help but recall Big Mom's singing pirate ship, and all of them shivered simultaneously.
"That ability... it's terrifying."
Robin wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
"If that's the case... then even an ordinary tree—or a random flower—could be Big Mom's eyes and ears?"
"You're sharp, Nico Robin."
Reiju nodded approvingly.
"Exactly. Big Mom's soul creations are called Homies. The ones infused directly with Big Mom's own soul fragments are the highest grade, and all Homies absolutely obey Big Mom's commands."
"As a result, throughout Totto Land—from the army's primary forces, the 'Chess Soldiers,' to the roadside flowers and grasses, even rocks and mountain peaks—any of them could be Big Mom's spies or defensive units."
"Big Mom's intelligence network largely depends on the Homies for information gathering."
"If we hadn't received an invitation bearing Big Mom's soul imprint, the moment we entered Totto Land's waters, we would have been immediately surrounded by her security forces and ministers."
Reiju pointed at the invitation letter lying on the table and smiled:
"With the invitation, a special soul resonance will alert Totto Land to send an escort.
"We'll be taken along a designated route straight to Big Mom's location—Whole Cake Island.
"Still, don't you find it odd?"
Reiju paused, shaking her head slightly, as if finding the next part almost unbelievable.
"Big Mom issuing an invitation to someone she was ready to fight?"
"Now that you mention it..."
Nami frowned.
"Baron Tamago and Pekoms hinted that Big Mom intended to win us over, but..."
"Like hell!"
Luffy jumped to his feet, furious.
"I'm gonna be King of the Pirates! No way I'd serve anyone!"
Zoro pulled him back down effortlessly:
"She's just analyzing the situation. It's not like we're actually gonna submit."
"The Tea Party—also called the 'Tea Party from Hell'..."
Reiju's words made even the boisterous Luffy fall quiet.
"Hell? Why's that?"
"During the Tea Party, Big Mom feasts on the most luxurious and delicious desserts, made from ingredients gathered through plunder."
"But the Tea Party isn't just a celebration to woo underground bosses—it's also a terrifying show of force."
"Those who receive invitations... some are guests.
"But others..."
Reiju's smile turned mysterious.
"Others are sacrifices offered to the devil."
"The Big Mom Pirates believe in blood ties above all.
"To recruit a pirate crew into their fold, they have a rule that must not be violated—"
"Marriage."
"HAAAH?!"
The five who had collapsed under the table instantly snapped awake.
"Marriage?!"
"Yes. If Big Mom wants to recruit a pirate crew, she will arrange a marriage:
"Either a son marries a high-ranking woman from the target crew, or a daughter is married off to a high-ranking man."
Reiju's gaze turned playful as she sized up the utterly bewildered Luffy.
"Maybe... Big Mom intends to marry off one of her daughters to you, Luffy~"
"HAAAH?!?!"
—————————
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/JuanPiece [remove the parentheses ( )]
Note: This fanfic has been completely translated and is available on my Patreon.