"If cloning technology really works… who would you clone?"
Big Mom leaned forward, curiosity lighting up her enormous frame.
"I've got Edward Newgate's hair. I'll clone Whitebeard, make him completely obedient, and use him to take revenge on Edward Newgate! The clone will fight the original!"
Stussy's eyes gleamed with a ruthless intensity.
"Evil woman!"
Big Mom shook her head, half in admiration, half in exasperation.
"Alright then, Stussy, what can I do to help?"
"Well, the big problem is funding. MADS doesn't have enough money for research… and the gap is huge!"
Worry creased Stussy's otherwise flawless face.
"No problem at all!"
Big Mom drank a huge gulp of her sweet soup, letting it drip slightly from her lips. She casually wiped it with her hand and said,
"I invited the underworld's 'Loan Shark King,' Lu Feld, to this tea party. I'll introduce you. If he invests, your MADS project will have all the money it needs. He's greedy, but if there's profit, he'll do anything."
"Really? Linlin, you're my true friend!"
Stussy hugged Big Mom's massive leg, gratitude shining in her eyes.
At that moment, a tall young man with a scarf covering his mouth burst in, urgency in every step:
"Mother, bad news! The Roger Pirates have intruded into the Whole Cake Territory!"
"What?! Katakuri, is that true?"
Big Mom's massive form trembled. A piece of strawberry cake fell to the floor with a plop, cream splattering on the expensive carpet.
"Yes, Mother. Perospero's ship was cut in half!"
Katakuri's voice was calm but tense. He knew Roger's crew was not to be underestimated.
"Damn you, Roger! How dare you mess with my territory!"
Big Mom slammed the empty soup bowl to the floor. Ceramic shattered sharply, echoing in the grand hall.
"Katakuri! Summon all the officers! We're going to deal with Roger personally!"
"Yes, Mother!"
Katakuri left running, his white cloak fluttering behind him.
"I'll go with you, Linlin!"
Stussy, ever loyal, quickly adjusted her dress, her eyes now glowing with battle intent.
Big Mom nodded and strode out of the room.
Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, Roger's crew was indulging in the massive feast. Crystal chandeliers reflected off piles of desserts and wine. All guards and servants had been knocked out by Haki, sprawled across the floor.
"Captain, why don't we just stay here? This food is amazing! Life at sea can't compare!" Petermoo patted his belly, looking blissfully satisfied.
"Uncle Petermoo, how can you say that? Sea adventures are exciting! This is just sweets!"
Buggy spoke, shoving a strawberry pie into his mouth. Red jam covered his cheeks, but he didn't care.
"I say, little Buggy, you're no better yourself!"
Bitam retorted, their playful banter echoing across the hall.
The rest of Roger's crew had no time for joking—they were eating as fast as they could. Rayleigh sipped wine elegantly, Gabandevoured cake greedily. The hall was full of cheerful chaos.
Shiro, however, was unimpressed. He didn't care much for sweets; sugar three times over made him queasy.
After the feast, Roger lazily tossed an empty wine jug aside. Suddenly, he slapped his forehead:
"Crap! We came for the Red Poneglyph! How could I forget?"
Rayleigh muttered, exasperated:
"Finally remembered… use Observation Haki. Charlotte Linlin is almost here!"
"What? Why didn't you say earlier?"
Roger sat up, frowning.
"Captain, you told everyone to eat freely!"
Shiro rolled his eyes, scolding the unreliable captain. Other crew members nodded.
"Uh… that's true, Gaban?"
Roger looked at Gaban, who nodded with a burp, cream still on his face.
"Roger, you bastard! How dare you ruin my tea party!"
Big Mom's voice thundered before she appeared.
Roger leapt to the door, confronting Big Mom:
"Sorry to barge in, Linlin!"
The hall was a disaster. Cake scraps and broken utensils littered the floor. Big Mom's blood pressure rose. She released her Conqueror's Haki. The air around her twisted; cups and plates shattered midair.
Roger naturally countered with his own Haki.
The two forces collided violently. Walls cracked, shockwaves rippled.
Bucky, previously squabbling with Bitam, was knocked out immediately.
After half a minute, the Haki pressure subsided. Big Mom staggered, dragging the heel of her shoe across the carpet.
Then, rapid footsteps approached. Katakuri and a group of siblings appeared behind her. His scarf flapped, and for once, worry showed on his usually calm face.
"Mother, are you okay?"
Katakuri rushed forward, steadying the nearly-falling Big Mom.
"I'm fine!"
Big Mom shook off his hands violently, anger blazing. She bellowed:
"Napoleon! Come here!"
"Yes, Mother!"
In an instant, the living homie Napoleon transformed into a majestic sword. Its hilt gleamed under the chandelier's light.
Big Mom raised the sword overhead, the blade reflecting light across her terrifying face. She shouted:
"Everyone, get out here!"
Instantly, countless Homies of all shapes and sizes poured out from every corner, surrounding Roger's crew. The hall filled with deadly intent.
T/N: If you would like to read up to 20 chapters ahead for all my works, check out my P@treon: patreon.com/GhidorahWriter
Thanks for reading! Be sure to collect and vote for more chapters! A Bonus Chapter will be released once we hit 50 Powerstones!