The news that Naruto was coming to participate in Big Mom's tea party had actually spread throughout Totto Land very early.
That was before he wreaked havoc in Mary Geoise.
Because of his big battle with Golden Lion, Naruto had shown his face again, and Big Mom had the idea of having him participate in the tea party and marry one of her daughters.
Of course, the invitation didn't go into detail about these matters, only saying it invited him to gather.
Naruto also felt the timing was perfect. He wanted to use Big Mom's daughter to obtain the memories in Orochimaru's head, so he readily agreed.
With Big Mom's invitation in hand, after arriving in Totto Land's territory, Naruto could pass through any island unobstructed.
During this time, many of Totto Land's residents and the "ministers" stationed on the islands also showed welcoming attitudes toward Naruto.
This made Naruto feel somewhat surprised.
These guys weren't so easy to talk to when they last met.
After all, he had forcibly used strength to stop their actions. Although they had held a banquet afterward, Naruto's Observation Haki could still distinguish how many people at the feast still harbored hostility toward him.
But this time, it seemed most of the ministers he encountered genuinely showed goodwill.
Big Mom's children under her command seem quite magnanimous too.
Thinking this way, Naruto wasn't in a hurry to go to Cake Island anymore. He simply went to taste local specialties on every gourmet island he passed.
He naturally didn't know that these ministers' respect and friendliness toward him was purely because Big Mom had already decided to have one of the Sweet Commanders, "Juice Minister" Charlotte Smoothie, marry him.
Plus, the news about the Celestial Dragons had already spread here, and his fierce reputation could also intimidate some overconfident fools.
Whether out of recognition of Naruto's strength or respect for Smoothie's status.
These ministers with lower positions in the Charlotte family all had to show appropriate attitudes.
They believed that after this tea party, with the addition of the great general Naruto Uzumaki, Mama would be one step closer to becoming the new Pirate King and dominating the entire ocean!
Liqueur Island, Gin Town.
"Liquor Minister" Charlotte Zuccotto, a short middle-aged man who liked wearing red hooded cloaks and had a raccoon tail.
Don't let his plain—some might even say ugly—appearance fool you; his wine-tasting skills are second to none.
At the same time, he was also one of the few among Big Mom's children, like Katakuri, who didn't harbor much malice toward Naruto.
Although he wasn't very prominent among the dozens of ministers.
At this time, Naruto was drinking competitively with Charlotte Zuccotto on the central arena stage in Gin Town.
Don't let the name Liqueur Island fool you. The variety of alcoholic beverages it could provide was quite comprehensive.
From Kano Country's special white liquor with over sixty percent alcohol content to pirates' favorite rum and whiskey, or wine and sake. They had it all.
This was also Naruto's first time drinking so many types of alcohol on one island, and his interest was greatly aroused.
"Drink! Drink! Drink!"
"Drink! Drink!"
The surrounding spectators all cheered loudly, while only Naruto and Zuccotto remained on stage.
The other contestants had either gotten drunk or vomited and been carried off the stage.
"Mm, this alcohol content is at least over seventy percent. Did you make this yourselves?"
Naruto poured a small jar of clear, transparent liquor into his mouth, smacked his lips a few times, then asked with some surprise.
Zuccotto on the opposite side wasn't to be outdone, also picking up an identical wine jug and pouring it into his mouth, while not forgetting to answer Naruto.
"This is liquor we made through double distillation. Theoretically we could... could make the alcohol content even higher, but Mama doesn't like it, and normal people would have difficulty enjoying it."
Saying this, he drank two more mouthfuls but finally succumbed to the alcohol, his forehead turning red as he collapsed to the ground.
And Naruto lived up to expectations, drinking the entire jug of special brew in one gulp amid everyone's cheers, winning the championship of this arena competition.
The prize was more alcohol.
Reaching out to help up the somewhat dizzy Charlotte Zuccotto, Naruto smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Very good brewing technique. Do you have more? I'd like to buy some for collection."
Hearing Naruto's praise for his abilities, Zuccotto's face showed a smile, then changed to an angry expression.
"What... buy... you can just... take it directly."
Saying this, he signaled his subordinates nearby to go to the warehouse and bring alcohol for Naruto.
Seeing how generous he was, Naruto also laughed heartily and reciprocated, taking out special deep-sea brew from Ryugu Palace from the sealed space in his skin and placing it in the other's arms.
The wine barrel that Naruto could lift with one hand required Zuccotto to embrace it with both arms.
Pulling out the cork, Charlotte Zuccotto took a deep breath of the special aroma emanating from inside, his face uncontrollably showing an intoxicated expression.
"Special brew from Fishman Island, ten thousand meters under the sea—how is it?"
Because Fishman Island was under the protection of the Whitebeard Pirates, ministers under Big Mom like him couldn't get close at all, so he had never had the chance to taste the specialty alcohol there.
"So fragrant! Naruto, you're really too polite."
Saying this, Zuccotto wanted to pat Naruto's shoulder, but due to height differences, he could only pat his calf instead.
Whoosh!
At this time, the sound of a sword rang out.
None of the other people present could react, and from not far away, a slash came chopping toward Naruto.
Seeing a guest being attacked on his territory, Zuccotto's expression changed drastically. Just as he was about to act, Naruto pressed him down with his hand.
He shook his head at Zuccotto, didn't draw any weapon, and simply flicked his finger lightly to send another slash from his hand. With the Munch-Munch Fruit, he could even skip the step of drawing his sword.
Every part of his body could become Musōkō's transparent sharp blade.
On the foundation of swordsmanship, he could now even add more martial arts.
At this time, far away in Arabasta, Mr. 1 sneezed hard.
Naruto's casual slash precisely canceled out the opposing slash, with such precise force control that not even a trace of aftershock appeared.
Of course, this strike was just Smoothie "greeting" Naruto, not even using Haki.
"Is this how Big Mom welcomes guests? I remember you. You're called Smoothie, right?"
Saying this, Naruto turned his gaze toward the "long-legged" beauty in the distance who was even taller than him, Charlotte Smoothie.
Zuccotto beside him, seeing that the visitor was actually one of the Sweet Commanders, could only feel angry but not dare speak.
"Lady Smoothie."
He didn't even have the qualification to call Smoothie "sister" and had to maintain respectful address.
Moreover, this Sweet Commander was the one who would form a marriage contract with Naruto next, so in every way he couldn't conveniently interrupt.
"Mama has been waiting for you for a long time. Don't continue wasting time here."
Smoothie didn't answer Naruto's question but examined him with those cool eyes.
Then she imperceptibly licked her lips, and what she was thinking was probably only clear to herself.
This man in front of me... is he the guy who will become my husband?