"Brother Katakuri, are you worried about something?"
At that moment, Brûlée, who was also seated in a corner, noticed the complicated look in Katakuri's eyes and immediately asked with curiosity.
Katakuri hesitated for three seconds before gently shaking his head and letting out a sigh.
"Perhaps… I'm just overthinking it."
The tea party of the Charlotte Family continued.
Aside from Katakuri, everyone else followed Big Mom's vision of a beautiful future—raising their cups, laughing loudly, and celebrating.
It was as if the future were already decided!
Having long occupied the highest ranks within a Yonko crew, Big Mom's children had never placed any pirate crew outside the Yonko in their eyes.
In their view, other than the remaining three Yonko crews, there was nothing in this world they couldn't obtain.
And as if to further ignite the joyous atmosphere, right in the middle of the banquet—
A Croissant Soldier messenger suddenly rushed in.
As a Homie, it encountered no obstruction at all. It ran straight to the center of the banquet and dropped to its knees with a thud.
"Mama! A telegram just arrived from the Vinsmoke Family! They will soon arrive at Whole Cake Island to present delicious North Blue fruits for Mama's tea party!!!"
"Mamamamama~"
"That stubborn fool finally came to his senses?!"
Big Mom instantly split into a wide grin, monstrous eyes gleaming with naked greed.
The scientific technology of the Germa 66 Kingdom was renowned across the world.
While it could not compare to top-tier forces like the Yonko crews, a nation that mastered cutting-edge technology was an irresistible prize to any power.
After all, technology—when backed by sufficient resources—could create miracles!
And Vinsmoke Judge had proven time and again just how astonishing his technology truly was.
"Oh right, I remember that old man Judge mentioning something before…"
As if recalling something amusing, Big Mom grinned even wider.
"He has a son who's in the Straw Hat Pirates, doesn't he? What a coincidence!!!"
"In that case, this tea party's theme will be—father and son reunion!!!"
"Mamamamama—"
With Big Mom's booming laughter, the entire castle grew even more festive.
A Homie choir that seemed to appear from nowhere began singing and dancing, composing a wordless melody about the Vinsmoke family's reunion and belting it out at full volume!
…
…
Somewhere along the Red Line.
Massive snails carrying strange buildings on their backs clung tightly to the thick rock wall with sticky mucus as they climbed upward.
These snails were none other than the unique territory of the Germa 66 Kingdom—Snail Ships!
Germa 66 was a maritime nation without fixed land. Normally, hundreds or even thousands of snail ships gathered together to form the nation itself.
Such a peculiar country naturally possessed equally peculiar "citizens."
There were no ordinary civilians in Germa 66.
Only scientists loyal to the Vinsmoke Family—and countless cloned, modified soldiers used to mobilize the kingdom.
At this moment, the entire Germa 66 Kingdom was using the unique properties of its snail ships to cross the Red Line, heading toward Whole Cake Island in the New World.
Inside the main snail ship's castle, the core members of the Vinsmoke Family were all gathered.
Seated upon the royal throne, Vinsmoke Judge wore a grim expression, fists clenched tightly as if something enraging weighed heavily on his mind.
Standing beside him, Reiju, the only one who still possessed human emotions, showed a conflicted look as if she wanted to speak—but ultimately said nothing.
As much as she hated to admit it, before long, the Vinsmoke Family might lose its sovereignty.
No one could say whether Judge's decision this time was right or wrong.
In truth, Big Mom's "hospitality" had not begun recently.
Years ago, Judge had already received invitations from the Big Mom Pirates, asking Germa 66 to join their ranks and plot great undertakings together.
But at that time, Judge was arrogant, armed with several successful bio-engineered soldiers, and obsessed solely with researching his "Lineage Factor Blueprint." He had looked down on a mere Yonko like Big Mom.
Moreover, Big Mom's reputation had never been good.
There were rumors that any man who joined the Big Mom Pirates might become a candidate to father her children—so Judge had always ignored her invitations.
But now, the Sanji who had gradually gained worldwide fame felt like a clown mask slapped directly onto Judge's face.
One major incident after another had nailed that mask firmly in place.
The so-called "failure" he had abandoned had now reached heights even the entire Vinsmoke Family could not touch—leaving Judge furious and utterly confused.
This shouldn't be happening… it shouldn't…
And yet… why…
Judge could not understand it.
Under the tormenting thought that perhaps he himself was the true failure, Judge finally made a decision that went against his ancestors—
He accepted the Big Mom Pirates' invitation and agreed to cooperate with them!
Anyone with eyes could see that "cooperation" with a Yonko was just a polite way of saying submission—but this was Judge's last shred of stubborn pride.
…
…
Time slowly passed.
In the blink of an eye, the day of the tea party arrived.
With the meticulous preparations of all of Whole Cake Island, a grand banquet spanning the entire Totto Land sea region arrived as scheduled.
The Germa 66 Kingdom, composed of hundreds of snail ships, successfully passed Totto Land's microwave surveillance and arrived at Whole Cake Island, anchoring in the nearby waters.
Soon after, a single snail ship detached from the main territory, carrying the key members of the Vinsmoke Family to the island.
"So this is a Yonko's territory!? I never imagined it could be this dreamlike…"
After docking at the port, a carriage pulled by a massive, round-faced cat crossed a bridge and entered the interior of Whole Cake Island.
Strange clock chimes rang out, accompanied by eerie laughter from the smiling face atop the giant clock.
Sunflower-lined paths stretched in all directions. Each sunflower bore a cheerful smile and softly sang, as if warming up for the tea party.
From time to time, Homies carrying all kinds of delicacies could be seen bustling about in the distance.
Sunlight bathed the bizarre island, draping Whole Cake Island in a veil of fairy-tale illusion.
Gazing at the scene, even Reiju—who carried the least worries among them—couldn't help but sigh softly.
With the Straw Hat Pirates' current worldwide notoriety even beginning to surpass that of the old Yonko, Big Mom naturally intended to make this tea party—meant to subjugate the Straw Hats—as grand as possible to reaffirm her authority!
Besides the Vinsmoke Family, the guests attending Big Mom's tea party included the world-famous loan shark king Lu Feld, the Shipping King Umit, and the Queen of the Pleasure District, Stussy!
Morgans, who was also on the invitation list, had recently exposed information about Imu and was now fleeing pursuit worldwide—so he politely declined Big Mom's invitation.
Given Morgans' situation, Big Mom expressed her understanding.
After all, even she had only just learned that above the Five Elders existed a "King of the World."
Information about Imu was no small matter to truly ambitious figures.
At this point, their goal was no longer overthrowing the World Government or replacing the Five Elders—but toppling Imu's rule and becoming the new "Imu" themselves!
Big Mom's frequent tea parties and networking were clearly meant to draw more partners into her camp.
The cat carriage continued forward.
Soon, the Vinsmoke group arrived before a massive castle—the main venue of the tea party.
But what they never expected was…
They would encounter a completely unexpected group here.
…
…
"Sa… Sanji!?"
"Why are you here!?"
At the castle gates, Judge stared in shock at the Straw Hat Pirates, who had arrived slightly later than them.
Even if he were beaten to death, Judge would never have imagined that the figure haunting his sleepless nights would reappear before him—here, and now.
Hearing the shout, the Straw Hat crew—who had been preparing to enter the castle with Big Mom's people—looked up curiously.
"Hey, pervy cook, those guys are calling your name. You know them?" Zoro twisted his waist slightly and tapped Sanji's backside with the flat of his blade.
Hearing that voice from his nightmares again, Sanji's thoughts froze.
Only after Zoro's tap did he snap back, his brows darkening.
"They're… the Vinsmoke Family."
"The one calling me is my father—Vinsmoke Judge."
"What!?"
The Straw Hats' expressions immediately turned complicated.
Though they rarely discussed their pasts and sufferings—
Because of Red, everyone knew Sanji's origins and his tragic childhood.
"So that's the Vinsmoke Family Red mentioned? They don't look that impressive," Usopp said, craning his neck to observe them.
Red had said the Vinsmoke Family's two greatest assets were—
Judge's lineage factor technology, and the special raid suits they wore.
Knowing about the raid suits was precisely why Usopp had designed his own Green Goblin armor that way.
Yet now, seeing the real thing, the knockoff maker strangely felt that the original wasn't all that special.
"Franky, can you tell anything from them?" Usopp asked.
Franky stroked his now much thicker chin.
"The outer layer of those suits looks like their proprietary memory metal. And those protrusions under their feet should be hover and acceleration devices…"
"Using memory alloys like this is definitely a genius idea."
"But—" Franky grinned.
"It's just a concealed external flight and acceleration system with basic defensive functions."
"Stuff like this? It's already obsolete on our side!"
"Who says nobody wants it?"
At that moment, Red cut in, pointing at Luffy at the front.
"Look at those guys—they're practically drooling over the Vinsmoke raid suits!"
"Whoa! Raid suits! Real raid suits!"
"Cheap Usopp never lets me play with his green armor. I wonder if they'll let me borrow their suits to play with!?"
"Don't even think about it, Luffy!"
As Luffy started stepping forward, Red quickly grabbed his arm.
"Don't forget why we're here today!"
"And besides, that level of raid suit is completely useless to you now."
"Finish our plan first—then we'll have Franky build you a giant robot to play with!"
"A robot!?"
Luffy lit up instantly.
Usopp and Chopper behind him wore the exact same expression.
All three turned sparkling eyes toward Franky.
"Can you really do it, Franky!?"
"Uh… well…"
Caught completely off guard—and not yet having learned robot tech from Karakuri Island—Franky scratched his head awkwardly.
Just then, the Big Mom Pirates personnel responsible for reception finally emerged from the castle.
…
…
Judge and Reiju, still reeling from Sanji's appearance, suddenly heard a near-roaring shout:
"Hey! Are you joining the tea party or not!?"
Judge turned sharply to see Big Mom's fourth son, Charlotte Oven, with a bounty of 300 million Beli, glaring at them impatiently.
Oven frowned irritably. "Do I have to repeat myself!?"
"Big Mom's tea party forbids weapons. You must remove your raid suits before entering."
"Idiot! Who do you think we are!?"
Prince Niji, always arrogant, instantly darkened in expression.
Blue lightning burst from his fist, dazzling and fierce.
Oven, however, merely scoffed.
"Kid, are you sure you want to gamble your entire family's fate by defying Mama's will?"
"That's enough, Niji!"
Though displeased himself, Judge stepped in to stop him.
They were here to cooperate—not to die.
At that moment, Yonji, equally dissatisfied, suddenly pointed toward the Straw Hat Pirates.
"Then why are they allowed to bring weapons!?"
"That's Roronoa Zoro, the pirate with a bounty of 2.08 billion Beli!"
"Letting him enter armed—does that really follow the rules!?"
Yonji argued heatedly.
But instead of embarrassment, Oven simply clicked his tongue.
"Tch."
"You know his bounty's over two billion, right?"
"The Straw Hat crew are the primary invitees of this tea party—the real reason it's being held."
"Of course they get certain privileges!"
"What!? Privileges!? For that group—with Sanji in it!?"
Ichiji, the eldest, shouted in disbelief.
The humiliation was unbearable.
Sanji—whom they had scorned—had special treatment, while the proud Vinsmoke Family did not.
Their already arrogant tempers ignited instantly.
And then—something even more infuriating happened.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Clear yet chaotic footsteps approached.
The Straw Hats, already cleared for entry, did not enter the castle. Instead, they walked straight toward them.
At the front, Red spoke first.
"Excuse me… need some help?"
"If you want to bring your raid suits inside, we might be able to help—out of respect for Sanji~"
Red smiled calmly.
At that moment, he looked like nothing more than a kind-hearted passerby stepping in to stop a disturbance.
But despite the warmth of his smile—
Paired with his words, it made Judge and the Vinsmokes feel…
Utterly nauseated!!!
(End of Chapter)