A Call from the Big Mom Pirates
The Den Den Mushi didn't wait for a response.
A rough voice on the other end immediately barked,
"This is the BIG MOM Pirates! Listen up, get those snacks ready on Fish-Man Island immediately!"
There was a hint of urgency in the speaker's tone, as if time was of the essence.
King Neptune took a deep breath, about to reply, when a calm voice cut in.
"Let me handle this."
Vice Admiral Stolo Berry stepped forward, his stern expression unchanging as he took the receiver.
"This island is now Marine territory," he stated coldly. "Are you declaring war, BIG MOM Pirates?"
For a moment, there was silence on the other end.
Stolo Berry wasn't just any Vice Admiral—he was one of the five Vice Admirals who had participated in the Buster Call on Enies Lobby, a Marine officer with a reputation for unwavering resolve.
He had no intention of negotiating with pirates.
Onboard one of Big Mom's ships, a tall figure carrying a massive longblade frowned deeply.
"…What now?" muttered Charlotte Snag, a member of Big Mom's Four Sweet Commanders.
Standing next to him, Baron Tamago, the egg-headed strategist of the crew, looked just as displeased.
"Zut alors…! So Fish-Man Island has become a Marine base?" he said, adjusting his monocle. "This complicates things, mon ami…"
The Big Mom Pirates were undoubtedly one of the Four Emperors' crews, but a direct war with the Marines wasn't something to take lightly.
However, Snag gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
"We don't have a choice!" he growled. "Mama's craving is acting up! If we don't bring her what she wants…!"
He shuddered at the thought.
Between going to war with the Marines and facing Big Mom's hunger rage, the latter seemed far more terrifying.
Besides, it wasn't like the Marines would go all-out against the Big Mom Pirates just over Fish-Man Island.
Back in Ryugu Palace, the Den Den Mushi's eyes sharpened as Snag's voice returned.
"Listen up, Marines! We only want the snacks from Fish-Man Island! But if you insist on stopping us—" Snag's voice turned into a growl. "Then we'll go to war!"
The Threat of the Four Emperors
The room fell dead silent.
The Big Mom Pirates were no small-time crew.
The Four Emperors had ruled the New World for decades, with each of them being a force capable of matching the full strength of the Marines.
Even Whitebeard, the only Emperor Marine HQ had managed to kill, had only fallen due to Blackbeard's betrayal, Ace's capture, and his own severe injuries.
A fully prepared Emperor's crew was a different story altogether.
Big Mom and her fleet had dominated Whole Cake Island and the surrounding seas for years. Defeating them wasn't as simple as taking down a rogue warlord.
Even if the Marines wanted to challenge her, it wouldn't be an easy battle.
For a moment, Stolo Berry remained silent, contemplating the implications.
Just then, a hand landed on his shoulder.
"Brother, let me handle this."
It was Carl.
Stolo Berry glanced at him, then slowly nodded.
Carl took the receiver and leaned in casually.
"Alright, who am I talking to?" he asked lazily.
The Den Den Mushi blinked in confusion before responding,
"We are the Big Mom Pirates—"
Carl cut him off immediately.
"Yeah, yeah, I know you're the Big Mom Pirates," he said impatiently. "I meant, who the hell are you?"
There was a pause.
Then the voice on the other end answered with pride:
"I am Charlotte Snag! One of the Four Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates!"
Carl raised an eyebrow, thinking for a moment.
Charlotte Snag…
One of Big Mom's elite fighters, a position comparable to the Whitebeard Pirates' division commanders.
However…
Carl smirked slightly.
Of all the Sweet Commanders, Snag was the weakest.
This was the guy who had been defeated by Supernova rookies and later stripped of his rank.
Compared to Cracker, Smoothie, or Katakuri, Snag was a complete joke.
"Oh… so you're a commander?" Carl nodded as if he had just remembered.
"That's right!" Snag's voice boomed with arrogance. "I alone am more than enough!"
Carl yawned.
"Alright then," he said casually—before hanging up the call.
The entire room went silent again.
Even Neptune was stunned.
"L-Locked the door—" the Fish-Man King stammered, trying to process what had just happened. "Vice Admiral Carl, should we still prepare the snacks?"
Carl waved his hand dismissively.
"What? Hell no," he scoffed.
Did they really think he was going to entertain a washed-up Sweet Commander?
The only thing Carl was ever concerned about was an Emperor themselves.
A discarded commander like Snag?
Not even worth the time.
He wasn't about to let someone like that think they could order him around.
Let's see if Snag has the guts to call back.
And if he really wanted those snacks so badly…
He'd have to make Big Mom come get them herself.
Marine Intelligence: Keeping Watch on the Emperors
If Charlotte Linlin really wanted to barge into the first half of the Grand Line, she would have to bypass several Marine bases spread across the New World—an impossible feat without being noticed.
The Four Emperors' every movement was closely monitored by Marine HQ and the CP organizations.
The moment that old hag left Totto Land, the entire Marine intelligence network would be on high alert.
So, Carl had no concerns about her pulling any surprises.
On the Other Side of the Den Den Mushi…
Onboard the Big Mom Pirates' ship, Charlotte Snag furrowed his brows in confusion.
"That Marine… what does he mean?" he muttered.
Standing beside him, Baron Tamago adjusted his monocle, just as puzzled.
"He told us to 'hurry up'… does that mean he's compromising?" Tamago pondered.
"Maybe…" Snag stroked his chin uncertainly.
"If there was going to be a war, he wouldn't be acting this casual. His tone wasn't one of someone preparing for a fight…"
Snag's expression hardened.
"But we don't have time to waste. Mama won't wait much longer."
He turned to the crew and shouted,
"All hands—full speed ahead!"
The Big Mom Pirates' ship surged forward, cutting through the sea at full speed.
In Ryugu Palace
Back at Ryugu Palace, the atmosphere was tense.
Carl remained composed, but the others weren't as calm.
Even Vice Admiral Stolo Berry's face darkened—his usual tough demeanor showing hints of concern.
After all, they were dealing with a Yonko.
Opposing them so openly wasn't a small matter.
"Carl Vice Admiral… are you certain?" Neptune asked hesitantly.
"That's one of the Four Emperors… This could bring disaster to Fish-Man Island…"
Carl waved his hand nonchalantly.
"No need to overthink it," he said.
Before Neptune could protest further, Stolo Berry stepped in.
"I support Carl in this decision," he said firmly.
"The Marines don't negotiate with pirates."
Without hesitation, Stolo Berry pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed Marine Headquarters.
The receiver clicked, and a lazy voice answered,
"Ohhh~? You're calling me all of a sudden, Stolo Berry?"
The Den Den Mushi's expression morphed into a smug, sluggish face—the unmistakable likeness of Admiral Kizaru.
"Polusalino Admiral, it's me," Stolo Berry said calmly. "I have something important to report."
"Ohh~? What is it now~?" Kizaru's tone was as nonchalant as ever. "Didn't you head to Fish-Man Island with Carl~?"
"Yes, and about that…" Stolo Berry explained the situation succinctly.
After a moment, Kizaru sighed lazily.
"I see, I see~" he muttered.
"Well then, just follow Carl's lead."
Marineford: The Marshal's Office
In the Marshal's Office at Marineford, Kizaru hung up the Den Den Mushi.
"Man… why is that kid acting so tough all of a sudden~?" he muttered, scratching his cheek.
Across the room, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki let out a low chuckle.
"That brat, Solomon Carl, has the right mindset," he said with approval.
"Standing his ground even against a Yonko—that's exactly the kind of Marine we need."
Sakazuki glanced at Kizaru.
"It's a damn waste having him under you."
If he weren't busy as Fleet Admiral, he would have transferred Carl under his direct command already.
Kizaru, however, simply shrugged.
"Ara~? A waste? I disagree~" he said with his usual smirk.
"After all… he's my successor."
Back at Fish-Man Island…
A massive pirate ship pierced through the protective outer bubble and crashed onto the island's surface.
Snag and Baron Tamago stepped onto Fish-Man Island's soil, unharmed by the impact.
"Finally… we're here," Tamago sighed in relief.
Snag, stretching his arms, shouted back at the crew,
"Oi, you lot! Get moving! We're here for the snacks—start loading them up!"
"Yes, Captain Snag!" the pirates cheered as they jumped down one after another.
There was no sign of hesitation—they weren't expecting a fight at all.
In their minds, this was just a routine snack collection mission.
However…
Just as Snag took his first step toward Ryugu Palace, a calm yet commanding voice stopped him in his tracks.
"You guys… are the Big Mom Pirates, right?"
Snag froze, his eyes narrowing.
A young Marine stood before him, blocking their path.
His right eye glowed a deep crimson, a scarlet number etched into his iris.
Three long swords hung from his waist, their hilts gleaming under the island's light.
Baron Tamago's eyes widened in shock.
"Zut alors…! That's—"
"Solomon Carl?!"
Carl raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Oh? So you know me?"
He eyed Baron Tamago's odd top hat and curled mustache before smirking.
"Sorry, but I don't recognize you."
Tamago's expression darkened.
"Marine's recent rising star, leader of the new generation… and a man with terrifying strength…"
He clenched his fists.
"This is trouble."
But Snag simply scoffed, stepping forward.
"Doesn't matter," he said dismissively.
"We're already here. Where are the snacks?"
His face hardened.
"Big Mom's craving can't be delayed any longer."
"Just hand over the snacks and we'll leave."
Carl's expression turned strange.
"…Wait. Are you seriously here just to pick up snacks?"
Snag frowned.
"Yeah. What else?"
Carl let out a deep sigh before suddenly disappearing from sight.
"Then…"
BOOM!
Before Snag could react, Carl's fist slammed into his gut.
The force sent Snag flying backwards, crashing through a stone hill nearby—debris and dust exploding outward.
Baron Tamago's eyes bulged in shock.
"C-Captain Snag?!"
Carl cracked his knuckles, stepping forward with a calm smile.
"Yeah… no."
"You're not getting any snacks."
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