"Grandpa, I wish we could live in Totto Land too."
On a small, dilapidated boat drifting across calm waters, a little boy cast his net alongside his uncle, gazing longingly at the colorful island in the distance.
It was said that on that island, milk rain and chocolate mudslides fell year-round, and no one ever went hungry.
"Don't dream about it, kid. That's not a place for poor folk like us."
The uncle kept throwing his net, not daring to even glance at the distant island.
"But Grandpa," the boy insisted, eyes sparkling, "I heard there are so many food islands there! Candy Island, Cheese Island, Biscuit Island, even Ice Cream Island!"
Saliva glistened on the corner of his mouth as he spoke.
The uncle chuckled softly, straightening his back and massaging his sore waist before gently patting the boy's head.
"Karl, it's time to work. Otherwise, we'll go hungry again tonight."
"But it's boring here!" Karl pouted. "Why can't we go there instead of fishing every day?"
The old man hesitated, looking at his grandson with a weary sigh.
"Maybe one day, you'll get the chance to go there…"
He didn't finish his sentence.
The fishing had been terrible lately. If things didn't improve soon, they would have no choice but to sell most of the children to the slave traders who supplied Totto Land.
Once, these waters were rich. But recently, the Fish-Men had driven most of the fish toward Totto Land—someone important had craved seafood.
Since then, the sea here had grown barren.
The old man sighed bitterly.
Perhaps if Karl were sold, the boy could at least live near the sweets he dreamed of.
---
"Uncle, is that Totto Land?"
A calm, almost amused voice descended from above.
Karl froze. Slowly, he looked up—
and saw a man standing in midair.
"Grandpa!" Karl shrieked, stumbling back behind his uncle. "He's floating!"
The old man's face went pale.
"Sir! Please forgive us—we're just ignorant commoners!"
He fell to his knees, trembling. Years of hardship had taught him one thing—people who could stand in the sky were not to be offended.
"Grandpa…" Karl tugged at him, his eyes welling up. He didn't want his grandfather to kneel.
"Karl! Kneel down! Quickly!" The old man hissed, dragging him by the arm.
"Heh," the man in the air chuckled lightly, descending to the small boat with effortless grace. "Relax, Uncle. I'm not a bad person—I just need directions."
He reached down to help the old man up.
"N-No, please…" The fisherman stumbled back, terrified his filthy clothes might offend the stranger.
Karl, however, blinked up at him in awe. For some reason, the man's presence felt warm, not threatening.
"You're not a bad guy? Then who are you?" Karl asked curiously.
"Karl, hush!" his grandfather scolded. "Forgive our ignorance, Sir!"
The man smiled faintly. "It's fine. I'm a pirate."
Karl gasped. The old man stiffened.
The man's tone was calm, but his eyes carried the sharpness of steel.
"Someone here thought it was smart to threaten my friends' families," he said. "I've come to... resolve it."
The old man's eyes widened. He understood the meaning behind those words—and the danger they carried.
"Sir… forgive me, but do you know who rules Totto Land?" the old man asked nervously.
The stranger smiled. "Of course. Charlotte Linlin."
"Hiss!"
The old man immediately looked around in terror, lowering his voice. "Never say her name out loud here! You must call her Mama!"
"Ah, I see. I'm new around here. Thanks for the warning, Uncle."
The man smiled sincerely, his tone polite. "You're kind to help a stranger."
The fisherman hesitated. "I can tell you're strong, Sir. But please—don't make trouble in this land. It's dangerous."
"Don't worry," the man said with an easy grin. "I'm just here to talk."
He reached into his pocket and flicked five golden Berries toward Karl.
"Consider this payment for your help."
Karl's eyes widened. "Gold! Grandpa, look—it's real gold!"
The boy held the coins up, grinning from ear to ear.
"Sir…" The old man lifted his head—
but the man was already gone.
Karl jumped excitedly. "Grandpa! We can buy food now!"
"Yes…" The old man's voice trembled, eyes glistening. "Now we can finally eat."
For the first time in days, hope filled their hearts.
---
Totland, Cake Island – Alarm Headquarters
"Alert! Alert! Intruder sighted!"
"The intruder has bypassed Cocoa Island, Cheese Island, and Nut Island! Now heading straight for Cake Island!"
Green lights flared across the walls as the singing alarms came alive, screaming in unison:
"Warning! Warning~!"
"Silence."
A low voice echoed through the building, chilling and sharp. Instantly, all alarms froze, mouths snapping shut.
"An intruder?"
Charlotte Katakuri—Minister of Flour and one of Big Mom's Sweet Commanders—lowered the massive dumbbell he was lifting. His expression hardened.
"It's been a while since anyone dared invade Totto Land. Another fool seeking fame by challenging a Yonko?"
He snorted and picked up the dumbbell again. "Let them be crushed like the rest."
Suddenly, the alarms blared again—this time flashing red.
"Danger level critical! Identity confirmed: Vice Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, The Plunderer, Shirogai Yamikuro! Mama has ordered all Commanders to gather at Cake Island!"
Katakuri froze.
The dumbbell slipped from his hand and smashed into the ground with a thunderous boom.
"Shirogai? That man?"
His brows furrowed beneath his scarf. "Mama hasn't even sent him a tea party invitation yet…"
He strode out of the training hall, his voice calm but cold. "Prepare the ship. We're going to Cake Island."
"Yes, Commander Katakuri!"
As his ship cut through the waves, Katakuri's gaze hardened toward the horizon.
"Mama will be delighted," he muttered, "that the man the World Government calls 'potential Emperor material'… has come straight to her doorstep."
Yet deep within his chest, an uneasy feeling refused to fade.
---