As one of the two protagonists the entire world was watching,
Orin's once turbulent emotions had finally calmed a little after some time on the road.
The elusive Oro Jackson had slipped past the patrol ships surrounding Totto Land completely unnoticed—those patrols meant to greet them—before coming to a halt just outside Whole Cake Island.
Orin and the other two walked silently upon the land of Totto Land.
"It's still as noisy as ever here."
Laughter and joyful chatter echoed sporadically all around. Orin casually plucked a small flower.
From the expression on its stamen, one could see pain—so much so that it even seemed to be crying out in agony.
This bizarre scene was a first for both Mihawk and Crocodile, who curiously scanned their surroundings.
The flowers, grass, trees swaying in the wind, even the rocks on the ground all seemed to enjoy singing. They stared at passersby with a faintly eerie aura.
Suddenly, a surge of black-and-red lightning swept across everything. All the soul-infused entities finally fell silent, rolling their eyes back as if fainting.
"They can actually pass out like people?"
Little Croc kicked aside a flower that was blocking her path with a look of disgust.
"This is Big Mom's Devil Fruit ability."
As they walked on and passed over the Candy Bridge, Orin casually broke off a piece, chewing as he walked.
"She can imbue souls into anything inanimate, stealing and bestowing souls at will."
"If you wanted to, Little Hawk, maybe even Yoru could be brought to life."
"Big Mom's Napoleon is a saber that has a soul."
"That kind of thing..."
Orin spoke casually, but Mihawk, upon hearing it, showed a hint of genuine interest.
To him, this could be a way to push his swordsmanship to the next level—connecting with his blade on a spiritual level...
Little Croc wasn't particularly interested. No way she'd want her hook to come alive.
But Orin looked rather intrigued. Stroking his chin, he stared at Little Croc and her hooked right hand with a thoughtful expression.
"Roar..."
"Hey!!! You bastard!! What were you just staring at!?"
Crocodile noticed the look in his eyes. A few cross-shaped veins popped on her forehead, and her sharp face was filled with cold fury.
"Oh... it's nothing."
That face says it's definitely not nothing!!!
If they weren't on someone else's turf right now—and here for a diplomatic fight at that—Little Croc would've summoned a sandstorm to express her rage.
The news that Orin's group had arrived on Whole Cake Island didn't stay hidden for long.
Numerous Homies and the many local residents had already noticed the three very distinctive figures.
"Orin?!"
The sudden report from a subordinate actually surprised Big Mom.
In just a few bites, she devoured the remaining desserts at her side, then leaned down toward the guard.
"Are you absolutely sure? Is it really Orin?"
Despite the fear in the guard's eyes under her terrifying glare, he still trembled as he replied:
"Yes, absolutely. There's no mistake. We also spotted Hawk Eyes and Sand Crocodile with him!"
"Ma ma ma ma~"
Hearing this, Charlotte Linlin burst into gleeful laughter. Her towering figure rose from the throne.
"Then... let's begin!!! Orin's tea party!!! Ma ma ma ma~ Don't forget the sweets and black tea!"
"It's our first meeting since that little friction with Roger last time~"
With her orders quickly relayed, almost all of the Big Mom Pirates' key children and officers arrived at the tea party location with her.
Even the not-yet-peaked Sweet Commanders stood silently on either side of the road.
Katakuri, who had arrived long ago, stood at the very front with arms folded, alongside the tongue-wagging Perospero, awaiting the arrival of their honored guest.
"Perorin~ What a grand welcome. Guess that's what you'd expect from a legendary pirate, perorin~"
Katakuri said nothing more, only revealing a pair of cold, ruthless eyes.
"Let's hope this all goes smoothly."
...
Moments later, a wave of commotion came from the distance.
A flash of red light surged through Katakuri's eyes. His expression sharpened.
"They're here!!!"
Seconds later, a group of shadows appeared at the end of the road.
A squad of guards made entirely of Homies marched forward like chess pieces. Though short in stature, they wielded swords and spears in well-organized ranks.
Two lines flanked the path, escorting three figures walking calmly down the center.
"Aren't we here for a fight? This atmosphere..."
Orin had already been prepared to unsheathe his blade and mow through these chess guards when they first appeared.
Who could've guessed, before they even got close, the Homies formed neat rows, bowed, and motioned for the three of them to follow.
"That's because… you never explicitly rejected Big Mom during your Den Den Mushi call."
Little Croc hit the nail on the head, her world-weary expression unmoved by the warm welcome.
"They probably think you've come to fulfill the promise."
"Nani..."
Orin's eyes filled with confusion.
Wasn't that clearly a "Just you wait!"?
And hanging up the call—how could that not signal his attitude?
Surely she didn't take it as—
"Just you wait in bed"?
Orin looked disgruntled, reaching for his blade—only to be stopped by Mihawk's words.
"If they think we're here in good faith, then let Charlotte Linlin give Yoru a soul first. We can strike afterward."
Little Hawk spoke calmly.
In other words:
Orin, just sacrifice your looks for the team. Once it's done, then flip the table.
Hearing this, Crocodile actually showed a rare smile. It was her first time seeing Orin take an L.
"A great captain like you can't even handle a small request like this?"
Orin refused to back down. His original plan was to defeat Big Mom first, then have her grant Yoru a soul. More importantly—
"I pull my weight on the ship too!"
"You just snap your fingers and use your fruit powers to slack off!!!"
"..."
Well then—
Caught red-handed, slacker mode deactivated.
A moment later, Orin accepted the reality. It's not like it would cost him anything... might as well play along.
Led by the Homie guards, the three of them strode with great presence toward the Cake Castle.
They passed rows of Big Mom's bizarre children, and Orin spotted it from afar—that massive, 8.8-meter-tall figure.
Orin had always thought he was tall—at 3.3 to 3.4 meters, he stood a full head above the three Admirals.
But standing before Big Mom, he finally understood how vast this world truly was.
He barely reached her thigh!!!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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