"Mamamama! Morgans, you must be rolling in it these days!"
Big Mom's teasing remark drew the collective gaze of Stussy and the other underworld figures towards the news coo. They understood her meaning perfectly. With Leo's meteoric rise, Morgans had seized the initiative, near-monopolizing all the first-hand news about him. In just a few months, Morgans had left his former rivals in the dust.
Morgans just chuckled, not taking the bait. A bit of money? That's nothing. He'd struck a deal with Leo himself. The real opportunities for profit were just beginning. In fact, today might just yield a massive windfall. As he thought this, his eyes scanned the surroundings. He'd given Leo the information. Would the man actually show up?
As the powerful guests made small talk, a new group entered from the main gates. Their arrival instantly captured the attention of the six Underground Emperors and all the assembled nobility.
Morgans' eyes lit up. He immediately raised the camera hanging around his neck and began snapping pictures.
Leading the group was a tall, powerfully built man with half his face wrapped in a white scarf. An intimidating pressure radiated from him. His presence alone caused the previously lively chatter to die down momentarily.
"Sweet Commander Charlotte Katakuri! The strongest man in the Charlotte Family and Big Mom's most formidable son!" The Assassin King, Disco, couldn't help but swallow hard upon seeing him. Katakuri's name was enough to command respect across the entire underworld; he was a truly famous figure on the seas. His reputation stemmed not only from being Big Mom's most accomplished son but, more importantly, from his rock-solid strength. If one were to rank the world's fighters, Katakuri would comfortably sit among the top tier of second-class powerhouses.
The absolute top-tier were the Marine Admirals, the Emperors, and a few living legends. The first-class included pirates like Hancock, Yamato, and the former Warlord Bartholomew Kuma. Just below them was Katakuri's tier. While 'second-class' might sound modest, among the thousands upon thousands of pirates, only a few dozen could claim to be stronger. Such strength was more than enough to stand above the crowd.
"Hahahaha! All the Charlotte Family ministers are here! Looks like I'll make a tidy sum today too." Every little bit helped. Morgans laughed heartily, his shutter clicking furiously as he captured shots from every angle.
His lens captured more and more Charlotte Family officers making their entrance.
"Look! It's Sweet Commander Charlotte Smoothie! A long-legged beauty!"
"Those two are Katakuri's full brothers, Charlotte Daifuku and Charlotte Oven."
"Is that Sweet Commander Charlotte Cracker? Why does he look so... strange?"
"Next to Cracker must be the final Sweet Commander, Charlotte Snack. While not as famous as the other three, if he's a Commander, his strength shouldn't be underestimated."
"Is that the Minister of Butter, Charlotte Galette, in the red miniskirt? She's... incredibly sexy."
Gulp.
"No kidding, she's considered one of the family's beauties."
"I think Charlotte Flampe is quite cute too~"
"Charlotte Opera, Charlotte Counter, Charlotte Zuccotto, Charlotte Noisette, Charlotte Moscato... It's rare to see so many of the Charlotte Family's monsters gathered in one place."
The guests scanned the procession of officers, their faces showing keen interest. Ignoring the chatter, the Charlotte Family members, led by Katakuri, found their assigned seats and sat down.
The grand banquet was in full swing. More and more invited guests arrived. The pristine wedding chapel was soon packed to capacity. Each of these individuals had some form of business interest tied to the Big Mom Pirates. After presenting their gifts and offering congratulations, they took their seats.
Not long after, the Vinsmoke Family made their entrance, led by their king, Vinsmoke Judge. All eyes turned to them. While many might not have direct dealings with the Germa Kingdom, its power was undeniable. The name Vinsmoke Judge was legendary. This was the man who had once made headlines across the seas for conquering four North Blue nations in a single day. Furthermore, in his youth, Judge had worked alongside the world's greatest scientist, Dr. Vegapunk, and had used lineage factor science to create clone soldiers and enhanced humans. Regardless of his character, Judge's accomplishments put most people in the room to shame.
Judge walked confidently up to the main dais and took a seat beside Big Mom with an air of familiarity.
"Mamamama! Judge, I do hope you're pleased with today's arrangements?" Big Mom asked, beaming at him, showing none of an Emperor's usual imposing demeanor.
"Hahahaha! Big Mom, you're too kind," Judge laughed, a broad smile on his aged face. This supposedly brutal Emperor was far more accommodating than he had imagined. Once Sanji and Pudding were wed, combining Germa's technology with Big Mom's connections and resources would make reunifying the North Blue a certainty. He might even expand into the New World, carving out a greater empire.
"Mamamama..." As she watched Judge laugh heartily, a flicker of hidden malice passed through Big Mom's eyes. This brainless fool thinks he can unite the North Blue? And wants to use my resources? Hah! What a naive idiot! Once she had all of Germa's technology in her grasp, she would kick Judge to the curb. A person who had outlived their usefulness wasn't a person anymore—just trash. Let Judge enjoy his final moments of bliss.
The wedding reached its peak as a colossal, multi-tiered wedding cake was wheeled into the center of the chapel. The arrival of the bride and groom sent a wave of excitement through the crowd.
Under the gaze of thousands, Sanji Vinsmoke, dressed in a crisp white suit, walked forward. His face, however, was a mask of utter despair. He hated this pre-arranged life, even if his bride was beautiful. Beside him, Charlotte Pudding in her pristine white wedding dress clung affectionately to his arm, a picture of radiant happiness. No matter how Sanji tried to subtly pull away, her smile never wavered as she greeted the guests along the way.
Many looked at Sanji with envy. To them, Pudding was a stunning beauty. They were unaware of the third eye hidden beneath her golden bangs.
Watching the seemingly affectionate couple, the uninformed crowd applauded, offering their sincere blessings to the new pair.
At the Vinsmoke family's table, the mood was different.
"Good thing that failure is taking the fall. Otherwise, it might have been one of us," Niji remarked, casting a disdainful glance at Pudding. A three-eyed woman wasn't to his taste.
"Hah! We spent a fortune pulling him out of Impel Down and even secured this marriage for him. It's only right the failure contributes something to the Vinsmoke family," Ichiji, the eldest, sneered, crossing his legs with a look of schadenfreude.
"Hahaha! That failure should be grateful he gets to marry a daughter of Big Mom," Yonji added with a mocking laugh.
Hearing their cruel words, Reiju maintained a placid expression on the outside while sighing inwardly. She truly felt sorry for Sanji. Unwanted by the family since childhood, abandoned by Judge. He finally escaped, found his own crew... only to be thrown into the darkness of Impel Down. And now he was to be a sacrificial pawn. Luck seemed to perpetually pass Sanji by.
Feeling the mocking gazes of Judge and his brothers, Sanji clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, his spirit sinking further. Was this his fate? When he'd seen Judge in Impel Down, his heart had frozen. Judge had always seen him as a failure, a burden to the family, someone better off dead. There was no way his father would help him out of kindness. His suspicions were confirmed—Judge was still using him, squeezing out whatever meager value he had left. A person's nature truly never changed.
Luffy was dead. The rest of the Straw Hat crew, besides him, were imprisoned in Impel Down forever. The only reason he had endured until now was to get revenge on these cold-blooded bastards. He wouldn't let Judge succeed. Sanji knew he didn't have the strength to fight back, but he could decide his own fate. When the wedding reached its climax, he would end his own life. With so many guests present, his death would halt the ceremony and humiliate Big Mom. The consequence for the Vinsmoke family would be annihilation. Staring at the giant wedding cake, a look of absolute resolve hardened in Sanji's eyes.
High above Totto Land.
"Just in time," Leo murmured with a slight smile, his powerful Observation Haki feeding him a continuous stream of the scene below. He saw many familiar faces: Big Mom, Vinsmoke Judge, Morgans... And, of course, his targets for the day: Charlotte Galette, Charlotte Flampe, Vinsmoke Reiju, and Stussy. All four were present.
"Leo, does this Queen need to assist you?" Hancock asked, stroking her snake Salome's head, her expression serious. While she might not be a match for Big Mom herself, she could certainly help by dealing with the other officers.
"No need. All of you, wait here," Leo said, giving his eager crew a reassuring look. He then created a platform of cloud and began a swift descent.
Below, in the chapel.
All eyes were on Sanji and Pudding as they approached the monumental cake. Big Mom rose to her feet, addressing the crowd with a wide smile.
"Mamamama! Once again, I thank you all for traveling so far to attend this grand celebration. However—" Her kindly grandmotherly expression vanished, replaced by a cold, stern mask. "—before the ceremony officially begins, I must first... welcome an uninvited guest!"
The air in the chapel turned icy. The kindly old woman had transformed in an instant back into the ferocious and terrifying Empress.
Thousands of guests stared in shock and confusion.
"An uninvited guest? Who?"
"Someone here to make trouble? How laughable!"
"Who would be insane enough to cause trouble here?"
"Something feels off..."
The crowd buzzed with nervous speculation. The festive atmosphere evaporated, replaced by one of tense anticipation.
At the same moment, Big Mom and numerous Charlotte Family ministers suddenly looked up towards the sky. The guests followed their gaze.
When they saw the figure standing on a drifting island cloud, every pupil in the chapel constricted.
"L-LEO!!!"
Someone screamed the name, shattering the silence and triggering a wave of panicked shouts.
"It's Leo! Why is he here?!"
"My God! Is that the man they say rivals the legendary Rocks?"
"Leo's already in the New World?!"
"Damn it, what's he doing in Totto Land? Is he actually here to start something?!"
A mix of shock, fear, curiosity, and astonishment played across the faces of the assembled guests.
"He came! He actually came!!" Morgans' heart raced, his hands trembling with excitement as he lifted his camera and began capturing frame after frame. He hadn't truly expected Leo to show up today. Was he here to offer congratulations? Or to pick a fight? Had Leo already decided to wage war on an Emperor? If so, this was the story of the century! Morgans' plump bird-body quivered with barely contained glee.
"So, that's Leo?" Beside Morgans, Stussy examined the man on the cloud with keen interest. She, too, had heard the rumors. Comparable to Rocks? That's overstating it. She knew better than anyone just how formidable Rocks D. Xebec had been.
Hmm? Just as she was about to look away, Stussy's body stiffened. She had felt it clearly—Leo's gaze had lingered on her for a full second. Remembering his infamous reputation, she subconsciously swallowed. Don't tell me my luck's that bad?!
In contrast to her panic, Vinsmoke Reiju felt her heart flutter wildly upon seeing Leo. He's here. He's really here. Was heaven finally showing her mercy? She couldn't be sure, but it felt like Leo's gaze held a specific interest when it passed over her. Could he actually be here for me? At that thought, a blush crept onto Reiju's cheeks. This was an opportunity that wouldn't come twice. No matter what, she would seize this chance to break free from Vinsmoke Judge's control and leave this heartless family. Once she was part of Leo's crew, not even Judge would dare make a move against her.
"LEO! State your purpose for coming here!" Big Mom's voice cut through the chaos, growing colder by the second. She was interested in recruiting him, that was true. But for him to arrive unannounced on her territory suggested anything but friendly intentions.
The island cloud dissipated. Leo stepped onto the wedding grounds. Immediately, the four Sweet Commanders of the Charlotte Family surrounded him, their stances defensive and ready for combat.
Leo's eyes swept over Katakuri, Smoothie, Cracker, and Snack one by one, a mocking smirk on his lips. "If you don't want to die, I suggest you step aside. Now."
"HOW DARE YOU?!" Snack roared, his voice filled with outrage.
"Leo, we know you're powerful," Smoothie intoned, her hand resting on her giant sword's hilt. "But do you know where you are? Do you think you're invincible just because you came here alone?"
"Hohohoho! To show such disrespect to Mama... You've got guts, Leo!" Cracker's voice emanated from within his biscuit armor.
The atmosphere grew dangerously tense with their exchange. Thousands of guests swallowed nervously, many rising from their seats. Even though Leo had entered an Emperor's domain alone, no one dared underestimate him. At Marineford, he had fought Garp head-on and killed him. No one believed Leo would walk into a situation unprepared.
Of course, Big Mom was no pushover. She had maintained her position as an Emperor for decades through sheer, terrifying power. What the guests truly feared was being caught in the crossfire if a battle broke out. They were leaders in their fields, but in terms of combat strength, they were lacking. Even the aftershocks of a clash between top-tiers could kill them a hundred times over.
"LEO! ANSWER ME!" Big Mom's voice boomed, shaking the very cake structures around them. "WHY. ARE. YOU. HERE?!"
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T/N :
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