In the end, Naruto only drank a dozen or so glasses of specially squeezed juice before stopping.
It wasn't because he couldn't drink anymore.
It was simply because Smoothie had already squeezed everything on the ship dry.
If they kept going, they'd have to start using the crew as ingredients.
Smoothie herself didn't mind, but Naruto's tastes hadn't evolved to that point yet, so he politely declined.
Liqueur Island wasn't too far from Whole Cake Island. They set off at noon and arrived at the main island of this kingdom by evening.
This was also Naruto's first time visiting the stronghold of another Emperor.
He had been to Whitebeard's hometown, Sphinx Island… a simple, secluded little island far from the world's affairs.
It wasn't a member of the World Government, and with Whitebeard still alive, neither pirates nor Marines would pass through there.
In Naruto's words, it was the perfect place for Whitebeard to retire.
In fact, even Whitebeard himself had entertained similar thoughts, but in the end, he couldn't bear to leave his 'sons' behind, so he never went through with it.
Whole Cake Island, however, was a completely different style.
With Big Mom's tea party about to begin, many of the ministers from the edges of Totto Land had already arrived.
Their ships were lined up neatly, filling the entire harbor to the brim.
Though dusk was approaching, the island was still bustling with chefs running around busily.
Alongside them were many objects that seemed to have been given life.
Naruto knew these were new lifeforms created by Big Mom's Soru Soru no Mi's abilities… Homies, or something like that. (T/N: Soul-Soul Fruit.)
As he observed the island, which seemed to be literally made of cake, with great interest, Smoothie's ship finally approached the harbor.
Without needing any prompting, Homies assigned to guiding ships immediately stepped forward, docking the ship at another spacious harbor reserved for Sweet Commanders and distinguished guests.
Among Big Mom's children, status varied greatly.
Take Zuccotto's attitude toward Smoothie earlier, for example.
With over 80 children, Big Mom simply didn't care about the ones at the bottom.
For these children, Big Mom maintained an attitude of 'no management, no care'. Only the exceptional Sweet Commanders and ministers could actually speak up in front of her.
At the same time, if any of her sons or daughters made a mistake, or worse, brought shame to Big Mom, she wouldn't hesitate to end their lives herself.
To put it simply:
Charlotte Linlin spent her whole life chasing after the idea of family, an obsession even stronger than Whitebeard's. Yet, she didn't spare a single shred of love for her own children.
Perhaps, in Big Mom's eyes, those children were nothing more than useful subordinates or bargaining chips for political marriages.
Well… except for the little ones under ten years old.
When it came to small children, she occasionally showed a gentler, more merciful side.
Once the ship was fully docked, Naruto disembarked alongside Smoothie.
Within sight, a tall man stood quietly at the pier, seemingly waiting specifically to greet him.
Charlotte Katakuri, the man known as Big Mom's [Masterpiece].
"Hey, long time no see, Katakuri."
Naruto grinned and reached up to pat the man's shoulder.
Yeah... up.
Because Katakuri was nearly five meters tall, and Naruto had to raise his hand just to reach his shoulder.
"It hasn't been that long. Wasn't our last meeting just over a month ago?"
"Ahaha, was it?"
Naruto suddenly remembered.
After intercepting the Big Mom Pirates last time, only about a month had passed in this world. He'd gotten too used to the time flow in the Ninja World.
But it wasn't a big deal. He laughed it off and moved on.
Katakuri's mouth, hidden beneath his scarf, curled into a smile. He genuinely respected Naruto as a powerhouse of the seas.
The two had indeed formed a friendship after that banquet.
"Let's hurry. Mama is probably getting impatient by now."
Glancing at his sister Smoothie, Katakuri finally remembered his original duty and quickly led the way.
Soon, the group arrived at a train.
…
Normally, Katakuri would either use his Devil Fruit powers to create a mochi pathway for travel or simply walk at a leisurely pace to maintain the dignity befitting a high-ranking member of the family.
But since they were entertaining a guest, and one that Big Mom valued highly, at that, proper etiquette had to be observed.
Watching his sister and Naruto sitting side by side on the train seats, occasionally exchanging a word or two, Katakuri, as the 'prospective brother-in-law', felt that this marriage alliance was practically secured.
He had no idea that Smoothie, due to her own reservations, hadn't fully conveyed Big Mom's intentions to Naruto. So, in his eyes, the two were already in the process of building a relationship.
A beautiful misunderstanding.
The train was spacious and fast.
After all, it was usually used to transport delicacies for Big Mom or to ferry high-ranking family members.
Just look at Katakuri's stature… the train's interior had clearly been enlarged to accommodate such figures.
Soon, the towering form of Whole Cake Chateau came into view, and Naruto followed Smoothie and the others into the castle.
"Mamamamama-!! Brat, you've finally arrived!"
"You really kept me waiting!"
The moment they stepped into the hall, Big Mom's booming voice greeted them.
"Haha, I got held up by a little something on the way. Nothing major."
Naruto replied casually, plopping himself down right in front of Big Mom's dining table without hesitation. He even boldly grabbed a piece of cake from the table and tossed it into his mouth.
'—Hmm. Way too sweet.' After just one bite, Naruto had no intention of eating any more.
"I've heard all about it. Even that baldy Shiki died by your hands. Truly impressive."
"Nah, nah, the old man just went easy on me, that's all."
'He went easy on you… with his life?'
Big Mom naturally couldn't be bothered to voice that thought. Instead, she picked up the massive strawberry cream cake in front of her and shoved it into her bottomless maw.
After devouring it in a few bites, she got straight to the point.
"So, since you accepted my invitation to the tea party, I assume you've made your decision?"
"Huh?"
Naruto responded with a look of utter confusion.
"Brat, what's the meaning of this?"
Big Mom's expression darkened with displeasure.
"N-no, no…" Naruto waved a hand in front of his face, realizing there must have been some misunderstanding. He cautiously added, "I'm not sure what you're talking about… but I just came because you invited me for a meal. Also, I wanted to ask your daughter for a favor-"
Before Naruto could finish, Big Mom yanked the hat off her head and gripped it tightly.
Katakuri, who was standing nearby, immediately tensed up, his face paling as if he had glimpsed a disastrous future.
In an instant, the sentient hat Homie, Napoleon, transformed into a massive pirate cutlass under Big Mom's will, wreathed in an overwhelming surge of Conqueror's Haki as it swung straight for Naruto's head.
"Are you mocking me, you little brat?!"