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Cake Island.
It's tea time.
"Mom, eat me!"
"Enjoy me!"
"Devour me!"
...
The Emperor of the Sea, Charlotte Linlin, was enjoying the various desserts presented by her ministers. Under the influence of her Soul-Soul Fruit powers, the mochi dumplings, anko cream cake, tea cups, knives, and forks all contained souls, and they were all speaking.
Her eldest son, Perospero, hesitated for a long moment but eventually walked forward cautiously, holding a newspaper with both hands. Even though they were related by blood, disturbing his mother during tea time was extremely dangerous. Offending the Sea Emperor could result in losing years of one's life or even dying.
But the news in this newspaper was so crucial that he couldn't afford to wait.
"Mom, the latest information..."
"Well?" Charlotte Linlin licked the cream off her fingers and took the newspaper, looking displeased.
After a few quick glances, her face turned dark.
"Daifuku was defeated?"
"Garros? Who does this upstart think he is? How dare he offend our BIGMOM pirates?"
Perospero shook his head and spoke gravely: "It's not good. Our people found Daifuku severely injured. Although they saved him from the Marines and treated him, his hands are disabled. He'll likely never fight again..."
"What!"
The echo of her shock and rage reverberated through the room. Her bloated, hill-like body quaked as she stood abruptly, the Soul-Soul Fruit's power activating unintentionally.
"Mom! No!"
"Ah!"
...
The cries of fear and despair filled the air as Charlotte Linlin's power drew out the souls around her. Cups, tables, chairs, cakes—countless Homies fell lifeless.
A kilometer-radius around her transformed into a death zone.
The surrounding ministers trembled, lowering their heads, too terrified to meet her gaze.
The Queen of Souls kicked the desk in front of her, fury vibrating in her voice. "Call the dessert army! I want this fool to understand the consequences of provoking the BIGMOM pirates!"
At that moment, the 35th child of the Charlotte family, Juice Minister Smoothie, walked down the steps, her long legs carrying her gracefully as she half-knelt before Linlin.
"Mom, please stay calm. A newbie with a bounty of 500 million beli isn't worth your anger. According to our intelligence from The Fish Men Island, that man is currently with the Blood Sail Pirates. They left The Fish Men Island today and seem to be heading toward Wanokuni. I heard he's also a swordsman. Let me handle this."
Charlotte Linlin nodded, her eyes glowing with a dangerous light. "To tie with Vista, this kid must be formidable. Smoothie! You and Snag take ten battleships and bring him back—alive but broken!"
"Yes, Mom."
...
The messenger birds of the World News Service flew around the globe, spreading newspapers everywhere.
Within days, the events at the Sabaody Archipelago became common knowledge. On every street, in every pub and dock, people were talking about the names Garros and Rayleigh.
Moby Dick.
"Dad! The latest news!"
Marco swiftly approached a huge throne, where a tall, muscular man over six meters tall sat shirtless. His crescent-shaped white beard identified him unmistakably—Edward Newgate, the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, dubbed the strongest man in the world.
Despite his peaceful enjoyment of a massage, his body was connected to an array of IV drips and medical apparatus. In his sixties, Whitebeard showed signs of aging, but his presence still exuded a faint, oppressive aura.
Whitebeard slowly opened his eyes, taking the newspaper from Marco, surprise flickering in his gaze.
"Rayleigh, after years of silence, is stirring again?"
"And this newcomer named Garros can compete with Vista?"
"Gu la la la! The seas are brimming with talent..."
Reflecting on his own condition, he knew time even brought the mighty to heel.
Whitebeard thoughtfully asked, "Is that boy Vista okay? Did he get away safely?"
"Yes," Marco nodded. "Marine sent Admiral Kizaru, Ghost Spider, and over 5,000 soldiers. But thanks to Rayleigh, they managed to break Marine's encirclement after fierce combat."
After a pause, Marco added, "By the way, Vista wanted me to tell you, Dad. Garros is very strong. Even in a brief clash, this guy's strength matched his perfectly!"
"He suggested we might invite Garros to join or even... fill the vacant second division captain's position."
Whitebeard's eyebrows rose, his expression turning serious. "Oh? Vista holds him in such high regard?"
Others on the deck exchanged surprised glances.
Jozu, the third division captain, crossed his arms, skepticism evident as he declared, "He's just a newcomer from the first half of the Grand Line. He doesn't qualify to be the second division captain of the Whitebeard Pirates..."
Marco shook his head, holding up the newspaper. "This guy is just in his twenties and not widely known, but he already has a 500 million beli bounty. Rayleigh himself is willing to teach him."
The deck fell silent, everyone speechless.
Teach, silently eating sakura peach pie aside, seemed intrigued. "Oh? Is this guy really that strong? Did he accept?"
Marco let out an amused sigh. "No, he refused Rayleigh outright, stole a great sword, and escaped with numerous auction items."
"In truth, without his intervention, Marine might have reacted too slowly, and Vista could have been in even graver danger."
"Gu la la la!" Whitebeard laughed, taking a swig from his wine bag. "Brave, cunning, and resourceful—interesting..."
"Since Vista trusts him so much, fine! When he arrives in the New World, we'll make contact!"
"We'll see if this kid has what it takes to become the second division captain!"