"Killed a Celestial Dragon?"
The Red-Haired Pirates, preparing to leave the East Blue.
Shanks looked at the newspaper, his pupils contracting sharply. "Kuke's getting more and more reckless."
"Hahaha, that's Kuke for you, always daring to do what others wouldn't."
"Gotta respect that."
Yasopp and the others gave a thumbs-up.
"Shanks, what are you worried about?" Benn Beckman asked, seeing the pensive look on Red-Haired Shanks' face.
"I already warned Kuke that it'd be best to lay low, so why's he still doing this? Is he afraid the World Government will forget about him? Killing a Celestial Dragon... it's obvious how furious the World Government and Navy will be. And if they catch him... what about Makino?"
Benn Beckman was speechless.
The usually carefree Shanks suddenly stood up. "No, I have to go back."
"Go back for what? Get beaten up again? Wasn't last time enough?"
The crew members teased Shanks.
With a constipated expression, Shanks sat back down.
"Sigh, why didn't Makino choose me?" Shanks muttered, unable to understand.
Staring at the newspaper, Shanks grew more serious. "If you can't protect Makino, Kuke, I'll take her away from you—even if it means becoming your enemy."
...
In the New World.
On Whole Cake Island.
Today was a lively day as Big Mom was hosting a tea party.
The Big Mom Pirates gathered, and even the emperors of the underworld had arrived early.
The festive atmosphere should have been cheerful, but it felt stifled. Everyone was on edge.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma... where's my lovely Stussy? Why didn't she come?" Big Mom Charlotte Linlin let out her iconic laugh, and everyone bowed their heads in fear.
No one dared to meet the gaze of the angry Big Mom.
For the first time, someone had refused Big Mom's tea party.
"Where is Stussy?" Charlotte Linlin demanded, her voice a roar, a terrifying aura pressing down on everyone's hearts.
"Stussy's already in the East Blue. She's joined the Sun and Moon Pirates," Morgans, the Emperor of the Underworld, said excitedly.
If not for the tea party, he would've loved to personally go to the East Blue to chase after Kuke's news.
"The Sun and Moon Pirates? The brazen Kuke? Ma-ma... Stussy turned down my tea party just to join the Sun and Moon Pirates?"
The sky immediately darkened.
A thick, terrifying aura weighed on everyone's hearts.
Big Mom was angry.
Being ignored and having someone join another pirate crew instead?
It was like saying that Big Mom couldn't compare to Kuke at all.
"Where are the Sun and Moon Pirates? Bring Stussy back to me immediately," Big Mom roared.
"Mama, the Sun and Moon Pirates are in the East Blue. Even the Navy can't find them," her eldest son said helplessly.
Katakuri, one of the few calm pirates present, added, "Mama, Kuke recently fought Shanks, and it was a draw. His strength is formidable—he's not someone to be taken lightly."
Unless you personally take action, Mama, there's no way to retrieve Stussy from the Sun and Moon Pirates.
"A brat who's just starting out, and you all fear him this much?"
Charlotte Linlin glared at her daughter. "Tell me everything about Kuke."
Her eldest son quickly explained everything about Kuke.
When he was finished, everyone watched Big Mom with confusion.
Why was she so quiet?
Charlotte Linlin stared blankly at the picture of Kuke her eldest son held up.
Her eyes gleamed.
"Almost nineteen, as strong as Shanks, and with that face..." Charlotte Linlin's eyes shone even brighter.
Katakuri and the others felt uneasy.
No way...
Mama wasn't interested in Kuke, was she?
"To be so strong at such a young age, he could compare to me, which means Kuke has a similar natural talent and physique," Big Mom's eyes filled with greed.
"With genes that powerful, I can't let him go. I have to get him and bring his genes into our family."
Big Mom looked at her daughters.
They were all taken aback.
Another arranged marriage?
Is it me?
Is it all of us?
Her daughters were dumbfounded.
"The more of these genes, the better, ma-ma."
...
...
In the East Blue, just outside the Goa Kingdom.
"Monkey D. Dragon!"
"Kuke!"
They exchanged their names.
These were famous figures on the seas.
They knew of each other, without a doubt.
Monkey D. Dragon invited Kuke to visit the Revolutionary Army's ship.
"Kuke, join us. We share the same ideals—overthrowing the corrupt rule of the Celestial Dragons."
Dragon spoke of his dreams and aspirations, unable to resist inviting Kuke.
From Kuke's series of actions, Dragon believed Kuke was a man with ambitions as great as his own.
Dragon looked at Kuke expectantly.
His comrades did the same.
"Mr. Kuke, we meet again," Bartholomew Kuma said, lifting his hood.
The Okama King stared at Kuke with curiosity. "Such a handsome treasure of a man! It would be wonderful if I could modify his body."
Kuke ignored Dragon's hopeful gaze.
His eyes shifted to Dragon's comrades.
Eventually, his gaze focused on one particular person.
Dragon wanted Kuke to join them.
And Kuke wanted to recruit someone from the Revolutionary Army.
...