"Queen Mama Chanter... It really is the Big Mom Pirates!" Cross recognized the design of the pirate ship and the emblem on its sail: a lipstick-wearing, waving skull with pink curly hair, a top hat, and a feathered collar. It was indeed the Big Mom Pirates' mark.
"It's Captain Cross!"
"Alright, Captain Cross is here!"
"With Captain Cross here, there's no need to fear the Big Mom Pirates at all!"
"And with Marduk and Surtur, there's nothing to fear from the mere Big Mom Pirates!"
"..."
As Cross arrived, the Marines on the two warships cheered, raising their weapons, their morale visibly soaring.
"Big Mom Pirates, what are you doing here?"
Soon, Cross had Marduk descend, leveling with the Queen Mama Chanter's main mast. From above, he gazed down at the two Charlotte Family members on deck, asking in a deep voice.
These two, one tall and one short, had distinctive appearances, not much different from how they'd look over a decade later, allowing Cross to recognize them at a glance.
The taller one was a large, middle-aged warrior with a long beard, wearing black and white biscuit-shaped armor. He had a helmet adorned with pink vertical mane-like decorations and horns extending outwards. His belt bore the letters "BIS," and he wore a magenta cape. In his right hand, he held a long, giant double-edged sword resting on his right shoulder, while his left hand held a drooping biscuit-shaped square shield.
This person was clearly Charlotte Cracker, the tenth son of the Charlotte Family, also known as "Thousand Arms Cracker"! He was one of Totto Land Kingdom's 34 ministers, the "Biscuit Minister," and one of the Big Mom Pirates' "Three Sweet Commanders," a Paramecia-type Biscuit-Biscuit Fruit user.
However, Cross knew that his current appearance was merely a biscuit-made shell, with his true self hidden inside.
The slightly shorter person had a slender upper body and a stout lower body, with long, thin limbs. His golden hair fanned out like straw, and his face was pallid as if coated with something, featuring a long, pointed, reddish nose. He wore a black jumpsuit with white skeletal patterns on his limbs and ribs, and a large black top hat with light pink ribbons.
His name was Charlotte Mont-d'Or, nicknamed "Bookkeeper." He was the nineteenth son of the Charlotte Family, the Cheese Minister among Totto Land Kingdom's 34 ministers, and a Paramecia-type Book-Book Fruit user.
While his combat ability was average, he was skilled in strategy and adept at commanding battles, making him a formidable opponent.
At this moment, on the deck of the Queen Mama Chanter, Cracker and Mont-d'Or gazed at Cross in the sky, along with Marduk beneath him and Surtur behind him, their expressions quite serious.
"If I didn't know Mama was in Totto Land, I would've thought Zeus and Prometheus had arrived!" Mont-d'Or exclaimed in surprise.
"They do look very similar. I just wonder if their combat power is real or fake?" Cracker's eyes were shadowed as he lightly tapped the double-edged sword in his right hand against his shoulder.
"Let's complete Mama's task first!" Mont-d'Or softly told Cracker, then stepped forward and loudly addressed Cross in the air, "You are Amphitrite Cross, correct? Your appearance is indeed quite striking, no wonder Mama almost took a liking to you!"
"Eh—Big Mom took a liking to me?!"
Immediately, Cross's expression turned surprised and dumbfounded. "Wait, you're not suggesting that Big Mom plans to make me her husband, are you?!"
"Big Mom took a liking to Captain Cross?!" Simultaneously, the Marines on the two warships were dumbfounded, their eyes practically popping out.
Next, Cross thoughtfully rubbed his chin, saying in a flippant tone, "If Big Mom were in her younger days, I wouldn't mind. But as for now... I'll respectfully decline! Unless, you call me 'Papa,' then I might consider it!"
Upon hearing Cross's words, anger flashed across Cracker and Mont-d'Or's faces. Cracker even cursed directly, "You scoundrel! Watch your mouth, or I'll tear it apart!"
"Brat, Mama admires you and wants you to join the Big Mom Pirates, and she'll marry my sister, Charlotte Galette, to you!" Mont-d'Or suppressed his anger, speaking in a deep voice. "If you agree, we'll be family, and we can pretend we never heard what you just said!"
"Charlotte Galette..." At this moment, a tall, pink-haired woman immediately appeared in Cross's mind, and he couldn't help but mutter, "Getting a wife for free doesn't seem so bad, does it?"
If he remembered correctly, Charlotte Galette's figure and looks were quite good, and she wasn't much older than him now, so it seemed quite suitable.
Then, Mont-d'Or's face was as calm as water as he asked, "Well? What have you decided?"
"Slurp~" Cross quickly wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, then loudly and righteously declared, "I am a Marine, and you are pirates. This is merely a honey trap; don't even dream that I'd join you. Moreover, you're not even willing to call me 'Papa,' so clearly there's no sincerity!"
"Besides, I have many pretty young ladies in the Marines who are interested in me; I'd be loath to go to a monster's den!" At this moment, Cross's face was filled with righteousness, wearing an expression that said, "I won't fall for that!"
"That's the real reason, isn't it, Captain Cross!" The Marines on both warships raised their arms, roaring with bared teeth.
Hearing Cross's words, Cracker and Mont-d'Or on the Queen Mama Chanter's deck nearly died of anger, their faces turning ashen.
"You damned brat, you're asking for it!"
Cracker's eyes widened in fury, and a terrifyingly powerful presence erupted from him, almost causing hallucinations and unleashing a mighty, whistling pressure that swept across the sky and sea.
"Conqueror's Haki... No, it's just sheer personal intimidation!" In the sky, Cross's face changed slightly, his breathing involuntarily stopping for a second or two. Indeed, the Marines on the two warships, facing Cracker's intimidation, felt their legs weaken and fear rise in their hearts, their minds conjuring illusions of his form.
Boom—!
Immediately after, Cracker stomped the deck, the immense force cracking the sturdy deck floor and even causing the huge ship to tilt slightly forward and sink. The recoil propelled him skyward, and he swung his sword towards Cross.
"Roll Pretzel!!!" Cracker roared fiercely, his giant sword spinning at high speed, not only emitting a "humming" sound but also kicking up visible white air currents.
"So, we're fighting without further ado, then..."
Clang—!
Cross grinned, not hesitating to draw Shūsui from his waist. He leaped directly from Marduk's back. At the same time, gripping the katana with both hands, he raised it high above his head and unleashed a powerful slash.
"One Sword Style: Heavenly Fang!!!"
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