Xiano was naturally unaware of the commotion at the docks.
At the moment, he was seated in the Pig Car, admiring the pastoral scenery outside the window.
His impressions from his past life hadn't been wrong.
Setting aside the cost of sacrificing one's soul and lifespan, one had to admit that Totto Land truly resembled a kingdom straight out of a fairy tale.
Beautiful scenery, prosperity, and stability—no worries about food shortages or Pirate invasions. All races lived together equally on this land.
Of course.
What was abundant wasn't just food, but also the wool provided by the Charlotte Family.
By now, his technique had reached a level of near perfection. Often, he didn't even need to lift a hand—just a few faint tendrils of flowing Haki, like ghostly little fingers, could pluck items off his targets.
He could walk through a field of red carpets without a single leaf clinging to him.
Unless there was a fighter of equal strength present and on high alert, it was nearly impossible to detect.
[You sacrificed Du Feld's lapel pin and gained 300 Points.]
[You sacrificed Issho's dice cup and gained 2800 Points.]
[You sacrificed Charlotte Cracker's sword "Pretzel" and gained 1500 Points.]
[You sacrificed Charlotte Custard's...]
As for those Charlotte children whose names he couldn't remember, he had actually already fleeced some of them when he first entered the New World.
But he couldn't recall which ones he'd already taken from and which ones he hadn't.
So he simply targeted them all, leaving none untouched. In the end, the miscellaneous items added up to a full 2000 Points.
Combined with Issho's and Cracker's contributions, he had now gained a total of 6600 Points, bringing his remaining Points to 64,200.
Once the Tea Party began, he could fleece Charlotte Linlin and the other underground emperors—breaking 70,000 Points was practically guaranteed.
Another satisfying shopping spree was on the horizon. Xiano closed the system panel with a light heart.
Meanwhile.
After a long journey, the Pig Car finally arrived at Whole Cake Castle without anyone noticing.
...
True to its name, Whole Cake Castle towered into the clouds, its entire structure built from pink cream and chocolate, resembling a massive multi-tiered birthday cake.
Was it really made of cake? Could it be eaten?
Bonney grew more and more tempted the longer she looked, drool pooling on the ground as she fantasized about devouring the entire castle.
Fortunately, the banquet was already prepared. Perospero, the eldest son of the Charlotte Family, stood waiting at the entrance. With a respectful but dignified bow, he led the guests inside.
...
The castle had many empty guest rooms.
However, not all attendees of the Tea Party were qualified to stay here.
Only the highest-tier VIPs were assigned accommodations within the castle.
Naturally, that included the underground emperors.
Most of them had already received word of Xiano's arrival and were waiting by the windows, discreetly observing the group stepping out of the Pig Car from behind the glass.
...
East side, fifth floor.
"We meet again, Xiano…"
Du Feld, the Loan Shark King, lit a cigar, his gaze distant. Suddenly, as if noticing something, his brows furrowed.
"Hey, Adele."
"Yes, Boss." The white-haired beauty responded.
"It seems the Curtain Closer crew is still the same group, and I don't see that blind swordsman either. Could it be that guy rejected the recruitment offer?"
"I don't see him either, Boss."
The white-haired beauty covered her mouth with a light chuckle. "But you're not quite right about that. In my opinion, it's more likely Lord Xiano tested that blind man's abilities and was so disappointed he gave up on recruiting him."
That day at the casino, she'd nearly faced disaster for failing to recognize Xiano. Still shaken by the close call, she'd made a point to study up on all the reports about the Curtain Closer.
She'd quickly become engrossed, growing more awed and reverent with each article, nearly turning into an ardent fan of Xiano and the Curtain Closer crew.
Of course, the Boss still came first.
"Hmm, your explanation does sound more plausible."
Du Feld nodded thoughtfully.
According to their investigation that day, the blind swordsman seemed like some gullible fool who enjoyed throwing money around, always helping those poor wretches. He actually had a decent reputation among common folk.
But in terms of combat ability? There were practically no noteworthy achievements to speak of.
What real use could someone like that be?
He personally had little interest in recruiting such a person, having only casually offered twenty million monthly salary—take it or leave it.
As for a monster like Xiano? No way he'd be impressed.
...
Ninth floor, west window.
"The Curtain Closer crew has arrived."
The Queen of Pleasure Stussy withdrew her gaze from below, speaking softly into her anti-eavesdropping Den Den Mushi:
"But Gernica, from what I observe, that Xiano doesn't seem to have agreed to the marriage alliance yet. Are you absolutely certain you want me to proceed?"
"This is a strategic necessity."
The CP0 agent's voice came through gravely. "The Tea Party hasn't officially begun. The Charlotte Family's charm offensive has only completed its first wave. Just because he hasn't agreed now doesn't mean he won't be swayed later."
"Mariejois intends to use the Curtain Closer to break this increasingly rigid New World structure. For this purpose, Science Defense God Saint Saturn personally intervened to mediate the conflict between the Curtain Closer and the Marines."
"Under these circumstances, allowing the Curtain Closer to maintain good relations with the Four Emperors—let alone form an alliance—is completely unacceptable. Do I make myself clear?"
"Understood."
Stussy pursed her lips, elegantly retrieving a syringe from her delicate handbag. "So... activate PLAN A first. Use this drug I brought to trigger Linlin's Food Craving Sickness, correct?"
"Correct. If the plan fails, Stussy, don't hesitate—immediately switch to PLAN B!"
"Relax, with me handling this, that won't be necessary."
Stussy studied the needle's tip with a faint smile:
"Also, don't use that commanding tone with me. Let's not forget, Gernica—I am the most accomplished intelligence operative among our ranks."
...
Meanwhile.
At the pier's edge, a group of hulking Biscuit Soldiers roughly seized several unlucky individuals, binding them tightly.
Among them, a red-nosed man in a suit—his face bruised and swollen from beating—struggled furiously, shouting in humiliated rage:
"Hey! Charlotte bastards! You've got the wrong guy! I'm an invited guest! Stealing? What would I steal? How could I possibly do something so low-class!"
"Shut your mouth and stay still!"
Cracker kicked out with a snort and said coldly:
"This is an order directly from my brother Katakuri. Anyone who was at the docks at the time and belongs to the underground forces is a suspect. You—your name is Masol, right?—are no exception!"
But I'm a Pirate, not part of the underground forces!
Buggy wanted to cry but had no tears. He opened his mouth but couldn't explain.
Not long ago, he had finally gotten his hands on another treasure map, only to find that the location it pointed to was Whole Cake Island.
In the past, he would have given up—after all, that was BIGMOM's territory. An outsider trying to dig for treasure there would be asking for death. Who in their right mind would provoke that crazy old hag?
But...
He had already backed down once because of the Curtain Closer's flag. If he gave up again this time, it would be too much of a loss.
Buggy couldn't bear it. Coincidentally, news of BIGMOM hosting a Tea Party began spreading across the seas.
This was a rare opportunity. So, in a stroke of inspiration, he led his crew to attack a small underground faction that had received an invitation, planning to impersonate this Masol and sneak into Totto Land.
After all, he didn't plan to show his face at the Tea Party. Once they arrived, he'd quietly dig up the treasure and slip away.
If they kept a low profile, they shouldn't be discovered.
But what happened?
Heaven knew who he had offended. Not long after landing, he was inexplicably arrested.
Apparently, there had been a commotion at the docks, and some legendary thief had infiltrated Totto Land, stealing many valuable things.
Damn that thief!!!
What was he supposed to do now? Could he only hope for those idiot crewmates who escaped to come rescue him?
"Report! Lord Cracker, we've captured this guy's subordinates! We found shovels, sacks, ropes, and other tools for theft on them!"
Buggy turned his head to look.
—Cabaji, his tactician, had been stripped naked and was curled up on the ground, shivering in humiliation.
"Report! Lord Cracker, we also found two empty treasure chests on another one of his subordinates, clearly meant for holding stolen goods!"
He turned back to look in the other direction.
—First Mate Mochi was being held in the grip of a Biscuit Soldier, his eyes rolled back, unconscious and possibly dead.
Are you two trying to get me killed on purpose... Tears burst from Buggy's eyes as he began sobbing loudly.
Boom!
A fist covered in Armament Haki suddenly smashed down.
Before Buggy could react, he was howling as he was pounded into the ground, foaming at the mouth, limbs twitching, with only his red nose sticking out.
"Seems there's nothing left to say."
Cracker retracted his fist, his expression grim. "It's pretty much confirmed—these idiots are the ones behind this. Good thing Lord Xiano wasn't affected, or I'd have killed this red-nosed freak on the spot..."
"Hey, Mondor! Lock this guy up in your Book Prison first. We'll interrogate him thoroughly after we're done with the Tea Party!"
"Yes, Brother Cracker!"
A pale-faced man with an equally red nose hurriedly complied.
His name was Charlotte Mondor, the 19th son, nicknamed "Document Officer," and a user of the Book-Book Fruit, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allowed him to pull others into his story world.
With a slight lift of his right hand, a giant book suddenly appeared. As it opened to a certain page, the iron bars of a prison came into view.
Buggy and the others, who had been beaten unconscious, were roughly tossed into the Book Prison by the Biscuit Soldiers...
————
Meanwhile, at Whole Cake Castle.
After feasting at the welcoming banquet, the crew of the Curtain Closer were given the finest rooms.
Exhausted from their long journey, everyone slept soundly through the night.
The night passed without incident.
By dawn the next morning, the open-air plaza atop Whole Cake Castle had been lavishly decorated.
Dozens of long tables draped in luxurious cloths were laden with all manner of desserts and drinks, while Homies cheerfully weaved between them, serving the arriving guests.
Amidst great anticipation, the long-prepared Tea Party officially began.
The Emperors of the Underworld finally made their entrance—Warehouse King Kiberson, News King Morgans, Transport King Umit, Loan Shark King Du Feld...
These powerful figures who controlled the lifeblood of various industries in the New World all inexplicably tempered their usual arrogance today.
After taking their seats, they first paid respects to BIGMOM, who sat regally upon her throne.
Then their gazes inadvertently drifted to the sole empty seat directly opposite the throne—the only one positioned at the same height as BIGMOM's.
These seasoned schemers all knew perfectly well who the true star of this Tea Party was.
They also understood that their so-called "Emperor of the Underworld" titles might intimidate ordinary folk, but meant nothing before a man even the Four Emperors treated with solemn respect.
Linlin was an old acquaintance they could interact with casually, maintaining an air of familiarity.
But this would be their first formal interaction with him—they needed to show proper deference.
"Mamamama! What a complete gathering of old friends this time! Welcome, welcome everyone! Let's start with a toast!"
BIGMOM laughed heartily as she raised her wine glass, her massive frame nearly overflowing the throne.
Clad in a frilly pink dress with thick makeup failing to conceal the wrinkles on her face, the sight was rather unsightly.
Some first-time Tea Party guests couldn't help but lament privately.
It was hard to imagine...
This repulsive old hag had once been peerlessly beautiful two or three decades ago—one of the most famous beauties and powerhouses on the seas.
Yet the passage of time and the growth of her appetite had erased all traces of that past glory.
Though such thoughts crossed their minds, none dared show it outwardly. All the guests and seated Charlotte Family members raised their glasses with smiles.
Just then—
Creak~
The banquet hall's grand doors slowly swung open, pushed by a single hand.
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