Gion's face froze.
Seeing the smug smiles on Perospero and the others, she wished she could end it all right there.
But the heavy chains binding her left her powerless.
"Mamamama! Little girl, stop struggling. Just sit tight and enjoy the show!"
Big Mom laughed heartily, stuffing another slice of cake into her mouth.
"Doffy, didn't you say there's a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user hidden in Dressrosa who can monitor everything within a thousand kilometers? The perfect tracker?"
"With that guy, we won't have to worry about that brat slipping away under our noses."
"It's been two or three days since Snack left with your people. Any news?"
Sitting among the crowd, Doflamingo took a sip of wine and grinned cruelly.
"Relax, Charlotte Linlin. Dressrosa was my turf to begin with. Now it's within our 500-nautical-mile forbidden zone. Bringing someone back is as easy as reaching into a bag."
"Besides, our Four Emperors Alliance is at its peak. I doubt anyone's foolish enough to mess with us now."
After repeated setbacks, Doflamingo's former arrogance had been worn down.
But this alliance gave him the confidence to once again stand against that infuriating new admiral.
To ensure Luoyu's death, he had even revealed Viola's Glare-Glare Fruit ability.
It wasn't just about earning favor—it was about eliminating a nightmare.
"Heh, Doffy's right. I think so too," Perospero chimed in with a dry laugh.
As the eldest son of the Charlotte Family, he had always coveted the next Yonko seat.
With so many gathered here, he wasn't about to miss a chance to shine.
Glancing at the silent Katakuri, Perospero's eyes gleamed. He smiled and said:
"Katakuri, you're Mama's most trusted. You're not going to disagree with Doffy again, are you?"
All eyes turned to Katakuri.
After all, when the alliance was first proposed, he had been the only one to object.
Perospero's question was clearly a challenge.
Everyone wanted to know—would Katakuri still stand by his earlier doubts?
But just then—
His eyelid twitched. Again.
Arms crossed, eyes closed, Katakuri suddenly opened his eyes.
His right eyelid twitched violently.
Left twitch, good omen. Right twitch, bad omen.
It was exactly like three days ago.
But this time, the ominous feeling was even stronger.
The sudden movement stunned the room.
Big Mom's face darkened.
"Katakuri, what's wrong?"
"This is a critical meeting. Don't start spouting nonsense again!" Perospero snapped.
Katakuri ignored them.
His expression shifted dramatically as a vision flashed through his mind.
"Mama… Snack is dead."
His quiet words echoed through the hall.
The once-lively banquet fell into dead silence.
Just moments ago, Perospero and Doflamingo had been boasting.
Snack and Diamante's mission was supposed to be foolproof.
In their own territory, no less.
Now Katakuri was saying Snack was dead?
Impossible.
Sure, Snack was the weakest of the Sweet Commanders.
But with a 600 million bounty, no one believed he'd die without even sending a distress signal.
"Katakuri, what nonsense is this? You think a twitchy eyelid is proof?" Perospero snapped.
Doflamingo's face turned grim.
He had been the one to suggest using Viola.
If Snack was really dead, he'd be held responsible.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak—
BANG!
The grand doors burst open.
"Mama! Bad news!"
Charlotte Oven rushed in, face pale.
"Our informants in Dressrosa report that Snack and the Donquixote pirates encountered Marine Admiral Luoyu while pursuing the Riku royal family's ship."
"They were all wiped out in a single clash."
CRASH!
The sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the hall.
Even Big Mom crushed her wine jug in her hand.
Just moments ago, they had been boasting of their alliance's might.
Now—instant humiliation.
"Oven, what did you just say? Snack is dead? Killed by that new admiral?"
"Does he not fear the wrath of the Four Emperors Alliance? Is he not afraid of war?" Big Mom roared.
"Tell me—did Snack warn him?"
BOOM!
A terrifying aura erupted from her, sweeping through the palace like a hurricane.
Everyone felt as if they'd been plunged into an icy abyss.
Only a few could withstand the soul-crushing pressure.
Oven's face turned ghostly pale.
He knew—one wrong word, and even a son could die.
But he had no choice. Gritting his teeth, he said:
"Mama… according to the survivors, Snack did warn him repeatedly."
"But that arrogant bastard just said, 'Oh?'… and then—'Then die.'"