"Big Mom is getting married again!"
This was the latest news every guest participating in Big Mom's tea party heard after arriving at Cake Island.
Huh?
Wasn't it supposed to be Big Mom's daughter marrying Naruto Uzumaki?
Could it be that now it had changed to her marrying Naruto Uzumaki?
This was really... oh no, it was with another male of a new race.
Never mind then.
A group of "underground forces" with reputations in the New World whispered about Big Mom's marriage like village gossips.
Sea transport kings, loan shark kings, underground arms dealers. Truly a gathering of "distinguished figures."
"Big news, big news..."
Morgans arrived at Cake Island quite quickly, probably the first underground king to reach Cake Island after Naruto.
Beside him, "Loan Shark King" Du Feld also looked gossipy, quietly asking:
"Morgans, wasn't it supposed to be a marriage alliance between the Big Mom Pirates and Naruto Uzumaki? How did it suddenly change?"
Besides Naruto himself, it could be said that all attendees had received similar news shortly after receiving their tea party invitations.
The sources varied. Some had inquired with Big Mom's messengers; others had their own informants in Totto Land.
"I'm not too clear on this either."
Hearing Du Feld's inquiry, the excited expression on Morgans' face suddenly disappeared, and then he answered nonchalantly.
What else could be the reason?
The person involved, Naruto, didn't agree.
Such a question could even be asked. Really didn't know how Du Feld's brain had managed to build such a business empire.
Umit, known as the "Sea Transport King," now also came over to interject:
"Hey, Morgans, about that previous news regarding the Celestial Dragons..."
"It's true."
Morgans knew why Umit was asking just from hearing his question.
The reason was simple.
The previously published World Economic News had been "debunked" under "indescribable" forces, and related information had all been blocked.
Anyone could guess who had interfered.
The "survival time" of this big news even exceeded Morgans' expectations. They actually only applied pressure over a day after the incident occurred. Combined with the time spent reprinting "debunking" newspapers, it had dragged on for two whole days.
Two days was enough time for those who should know to be aware of this news.
Of course, most citizens of member nations still didn't know.
Or even after knowing, they still chose to believe the "debunking" content.
None of that mattered anymore.
To divert attention afterwards, the Celestial Dragons very ungraciously had Morgans focus reports on the "Marine Admiral Akainu," who had lost his hand.
One of the famous three Admirals.
The Navy's highest combat power.
Had actually been defeated single-handedly by a criminal and left disabled.
This caused tremendous damage to the Navy's prestige.
But Sengoku had no way to forcibly make Morgans pull down this news.
The World Government might not care about the Navy's image, but he couldn't not care.
Plus, the Navy had directly cut off the Sabaody Archipelago route from the first half of the Grand Line to the New World, forcing those pirates with certain strength to return to Paradise.
The final result was that pirate attack incidents in Navy-controlled areas skyrocketed, and even Revolutionary Army activities became more intensive.
The first half of the Grand Line became lively for a while.
Conversely, on the New World side, perhaps already familiar with the World Government's nature, the reaction wasn't as big.
In a kitchen of Cake Castle, Orochimaru looked at himself in the mirror with some confusion.
Naruto was still decent. At least he didn't take away Orochimaru's name too.
Of course, in reality he was just too lazy to think of one. It was just a casual move anyway, purely on a whim.
In Orochimaru's memories, he had always lived on this Cake Island and should be very familiar with every plant and tree here.
But when actually seeing the outside scenery, he felt incredibly strange.
Those houses constructed from cake, cream, and chocolate made Orochimaru find it unbelievable.
This contradictory psychology, combined with his innate desire to explore the unknown, made Orochimaru begin carefully observing everything around him.
First was his "fiancée," Charlotte Linlin, known as a Sea Emperor.
An extremely oppressive woman, in every sense.
The reason for marrying him was purely because of his special "Snake-man" bloodline.
The half-snake, half-human appearance in the mirror was the best proof.
In the new memories Pudding created for Orochimaru, trust and obedience toward Big Mom were especially reinforced.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru seemed to inherently possess a character that despised authority, trusted no one, and could betray at any time. He just lacked the ability to make any transgressive moves due to his circumstances.
In terms of physique alone, any of Big Mom's sons could easily crush him.
Having lost his memories, he didn't even know what chakra was, let alone ninjutsu.
Instead, he began developing curiosity about "Devil Fruits" and "Haki."
When facing Big Mom, Orochimaru appeared very obedient.
Because of this, he successfully learned the information he wanted from her.
On the other side, Naruto didn't seem very concerned about Big Mom and Orochimaru's wedding.
Now that he knew all the information he needed, it was time to prepare for returning to the ninja world.
After attending this tea party and reaching a safe location, he'd begin then. No need to rush.
Carefully reviewing Orochimaru's memories again, Naruto mentally established Pain and Uchiha Madara as his hypothetical enemies.
Preparing for battle in advance.
Uchiha Madara. According to descriptions from Nine-Tails and his father, he possessed the ability to control tailed beasts.
Whether this guy was the real historical Uchiha Madara or not, he was highly suspicious.
Beat him up first, then ask questions.
At this time, on the route to Totto Land.
The warship carrying Garp and others was sailing at full speed.
Their latest notification was that Naruto Uzumaki had arrived at Totto Land's Cake Island and reached some kind of cooperation with Big Mom.
"Looks like there's going to be a tough battle ahead."
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at the darkening sky in the distance and couldn't help but sigh.
"Hahaha, little Tsuru, you just think too much!"
Beside her, Garp laughed loudly while eating senbei, completely breaking the ominous atmosphere.
The famous wage worker Admiral Kizaru had somehow produced a bowl of ramen from somewhere and was slurping it.
Looking at her two unreliable colleagues beside her, Vice Admiral Tsuru rolled her eyes irritably, then remembered another piece of news.
Reportedly, the World Government had also sent people over, so her side probably wouldn't be fighting alone.
This time, the World Government was determined to fight Naruto Uzumaki to the bitter end.