On Whole Cake Island, everyone was waiting for Doflamingo's answer, but none more so than Big Mom's daughters.
Monet, standing beside Doflamingo, shot a disgusted look at them. In her eyes, they were just common trollops. How could Doflamingo possibly be interested? But... there were a few pretty ones in the crowd, and Monet felt a pang of worry.
She clenched her hands so tightly her knuckles went white, her lips pressed into a thin, hard line. Her face was pale as she stared at Doflamingo, praying he wouldn't agree.
Diamante and Law, however, were thinking deeper. They were analyzing the meaning behind Big Mom's move, both waiting for Doflamingo's signal.
Baby 5's reaction was simpler. She was already at the table, stuffing her face with dessert.
The four Underworld Kings watched Doflamingo with keen interest, trying to read his expression.
"Big Mom, you want to marry your daughters to me?" Doflamingo finally spoke. He hadn't agreed, nor had he refused. He simply repeated the question.
"Mamamama! Of course, Doflamingo! You can marry any of my daughters you like. If one isn't enough, take two!" Big Mom, thinking he was interested, began to aggressively market her daughters. If she could get a super-powered ally in return, it was a massive win for her.
In stark contrast to Big Mom's excitement, Katakuri's brow was deeply furrowed. He doubted Doflamingo would agree. Besides, he didn't want his sisters marrying the same man. Doflamingo was strong, but several women serving one husband... that wasn't right.
After Big Mom spoke, the daughters who thought they'd been passed over suddenly grew excited. This was a man stronger than their brother Katakuri! He could be their husband! How could their hearts not race? Even with Smoothie as the front-runner, they wanted to compete. What if they were the one he chose?
Smoothie looked at her excited sisters, knowing exactly what they were thinking. After all, her own heart was pounding. This "Tea Party" was, in name, a gathering, but in reality, it was her wedding to Doflamingo. She had known this all along and was now furious with her mother's new offer. But she couldn't defy Mama. She could only act like an ostrich, burying her head in the sand.
But even an ostrich could fight back. She could at least extinguish her "good sisters'" hopes.
"Doflamingo, I am Smoothie, one of the Big Mom Pirates' Four Sweet Commanders."
Smoothie stepped forward boldly, promoting herself.
Seeing her move, the other sisters faltered, looking at her with some fear. But a few brave ones still stepped up to present themselves, like the stunningly beautiful Charlotte Galette. The others... weren't worth mentioning.
Doflamingo looked on with amusement at the long-legged "juicer" before him. Her strength wasn't bad, but he had zero interest. He wouldn't agree even if Big Mom offered him all her beautiful daughters. What a joke! I, the Heavenly Yaksha, Overlord of the North Blue, future Master of the World... would enter a marriage alliance with you?
"Mamamama! Well? Doflamingo? Marrying Smoothie certainly wouldn't disgrace you. Of course, Galette is an option too!" Big Mom chuckled, waiting for his decision.
Katakuri and the others watched Doflamingo, on guard.
The two daughters Big Mom had singled out stared at Doflamingo with their beautiful eyes. Looking at this prime candidate, they liked what they saw.
Monet was a bundle of nerves. She wanted to speak out but didn't dare. She could only stare at Doflamingo's back.
"Fuffuffu. If I agree, does that mean today's Tea Party... becomes my wedding?" Doflamingo laughed, completely unbothered by the strange, tense atmosphere.
"This was always meant to be your wedding! Doflamingo, have you decided? Which of my daughters will you marry? Or will you take both?" Big Mom said, delighted.
"When... did I say I would marry anyone?" Doflamingo tilted his head, toying with her. He didn't seem to notice the people whose faces had turned ashen at his words.
Monet was ecstatic. He really does care about me!
The instant Doflamingo finished speaking, Diamante and Law tensed. They could feel the killing intent flooding the air.
"Mamamama... Doflamingo... are you mocking me?" Big Mom's face darkened, her voice a low growl.
Katakuri and his siblings tensed, ready to fight. Smoothie and Galette just looked on, heartbroken and confused.
The venue was packed with Big Mom's crew and her allies. The air became overwhelmingly hostile.
Doflamingo remained perfectly calm, ignoring the suffocating bloodlust. He looked at Big Mom's massive face and said, "Big Mom, do you want to be the Pirate King?"
"Of course! Only I am worthy of being the Pirate King!" Big Mom declared resolutely.
The other guests were confused by the question, waiting to see where this was going.
"Tsk, tsk. A pity, Big Mom. You're just a frog in a well," Doflamingo said, shaking his head with an arrogant sneer. "What's more, you're old. The new era has no ship big enough to carry you. You should just exit the stage."
'My God! My God! The arrogance!' The crowd couldn't help but think. 'Doflamingo, you've got guts! You're the first person to ever speak to Big Mom like that!' But they didn't like his chances.
"DOFLAMINGO!" Big Mom roared, gritting her teeth.
"Angry?" Doflamingo just smiled, completely ignoring her fury.
"SKREEEEE—!"
Big Mom tilted her head back and unleashed a horrifying shriek, a soundwave so powerful it felt like it could tear eardrums and rupture organs, all of it directed at Doflamingo.
"Run! Mama's on a rampage!"
Those who knew her immediately clamped their hands over their ears, bracing themselves.
"So noisy," Doflamingo scoffed. "Big Mom. Shut up."
Before the stunned crowd could even blink, Doflamingo vanished. In the next instant, he reappeared directly in front of Big Mom.
He delivered a single, heavy kick straight to her face.
THWACK!
The kick slammed her jaw shut, cutting off the shriek instantly.
BOOM!
Big Mom's enormous, bloated body crashed to the ground, shaking the entire chateau.
Doflamingo calmly landed back in front of Monet and his crew. He brushed a speck of dust from his feather coat and said, "There. Much quieter."
"You bastard! You dared to hurt Mama?!" Cracker roared, his Biscuit Soldiers charging.
CLANG!
Diamante moved, his sword intercepting the attack.
"DO... FLA... MIN... GO..."
Big Mom's terrifying, enraged voice rose from the wreckage, drawing everyone's eyes.
Doflamingo stared at the mountain of a woman as she rose to her feet and issued his challenge.
"Big Mom... let's fight."
Nothing more needed to be said. They would fight first and talk later.