When Reid appeared at the wedding carrying the newborn Lati in his arms, the atmosphere across Whole Cake Island suddenly softened.
Charlotte Linlin was still enthusiastically stuffing cake into her mouth, but the moment her large eyes landed on Lati, her pupils contracted sharply.
"Mama mama!"
Her voice softened at once, turning unexpectedly sweet. "Whose little darling is this?"
Prometheus floated to her side and whispered, "Mama, this is Reid's niece, Gild Lati."
"Ohhh, little Lati."
Linlin bent down, her massive hands reaching toward the baby with astonishing care. Her voice was so gentle it hardly seemed real. "Let Auntie take a look."
Reid raised an eyebrow. The blood mist around him stirred quietly, ready to strike at a moment's notice. He was not entirely sure Linlin would not suddenly lose control. Of course, that would not be much of a problem. Reid could plunge Big Mom into endless fear and hallucination in an instant.
But to everyone's surprise, Linlin showed no hostility at all.
Instead, she gently brushed her fingertip across Lati's soft cheek, the way a mother would touch her own child.
"Yaa yaa."
Lati blinked her bright emerald eyes, flecked with golden specks, and smiled at Linlin.
"Mama mama mama! She likes me!"
Linlin clapped her hands excitedly, the impact making the entire island tremble twice.
The members of Crimson Dawn exchanged looks.
Tesoro lowered his voice. "Captain… what is happening?"
Moria smacked his lips. "Keh heh heh…?"
Enel snorted softly. If anything went wrong, the three of them would move instantly.
Katakuri, however, spoke calmly. "Do not worry. This is Mama's 'maternal mode.' It only appears occasionally, usually toward children under ten."
"Maternal mode?" Perona floated closer, curiosity written all over her face.
"She treats all children under ten like this," Perospero explained. "Especially infants. She becomes extremely gentle."
Reid narrowed his eyes. "Really?"
Katakuri nodded. "Really. When Pudding was little, Mama comforted her the same way."
Indeed, Linlin displayed no aggression at all. On the contrary, she behaved like a loving mother, ordering her subordinates to create all sorts of adorable dessert toys just to amuse Lati.
"Little Lati, do you want some cotton candy?"
Linlin pinched a cloudlike piece of marshmallow and carefully offered it to her.
Lati reached out with her tiny hand and grabbed it, staring at it with fascination.
"Mama mama mama! So cute!"
Linlin laughed, her eyes crinkling shut.
Crimson Dawn members: "…"
Reid stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So that is how it is."
What truly changed Reid's perception of Big Mom from the original One Piece was a single idea.
Even pirates needed mercy.
"Be quiet, Katakuri, Perospero."
Without turning her head, Linlin continued gazing at Lati, a rare, sincere smile on her face. "This little one reminds me of Lola when she was young."
The Crimson Dawn members exchanged looks again.
Perona drifted next to Tesoro and whispered, "Did someone replace her?"
Moria clicked his tongue. "Keh heh heh… the old witch actually has a side like this?"
Reid suddenly burst into laughter, blood mist swirling around his fingers. "Looks like our cooperation this time will go very smoothly."
Linlin lifted her head. Her eyes were still gentle, but her tone returned to its familiar dominance.
"Reid, leave the hundred-day banquet to me! Mama mama mama! I will make sure the entire New World knows this celebration is personally arranged by me, Charlotte Linlin!"
Reid shrugged. "Fine. You owe me a favor anyway."
Linlin's smile stiffened for a split second before returning. "Brat, do not push your luck."
Lati let out a timely "yaa," breaking the tension.
Linlin instantly slipped back into that strange, tender maternal mode. She even pulled out a beautifully wrapped candy and offered it to Lati.
"Here, little treasure. Want to taste it?"
Tesoro moved to intervene, but Reid raised a hand to stop him.
Lati curiously grabbed the candy, popped it into her mouth, and her eyes lit up as she waved her little hands happily.
"Mama mama mama! As long as you like it!"
Linlin laughed proudly, then turned and shouted at Perospero, "Go! Gather all the top pastry chefs! I will design the menu for the hundred-day banquet myself!"
Perospero paused. "…Yes, Mama."
Standing in the corner of the banquet hall, Perospero tapped his candy cane lightly against the floor, his gaze sweeping thoughtfully over the members of Crimson Dawn.
"Marriage…" he murmured, a sly smile curling at his lips.
The Big Mom Pirates had always strengthened their influence through marriage alliances. Crimson Dawn was now on the rise. If they could be tied together through marriage, it would be the ideal outcome. Reid and his crew were already highly influential.
He waved his hand. Several unmarried Charlotte daughters immediately understood. Carrying exquisite desserts, they approached the Crimson Dawn members with practiced elegance.
Beauty trap activated!
Reality, however, did not unfold as Perospero expected.
Enel leaned against a window, disdainfully eating grapes. He had no intention of acknowledging the women at all until
"Hmph!"
Lina puffed out her chipmunk-like cheeks and glared at him angrily.
Enel raised an eyebrow, about to retort, but his body suddenly flashed and appeared beside her with a sharp crack of lightning.
"…Do not stand so close to me, brat," he said arrogantly.
Lina stared at him. "Then why did you come over?!"
Enel paused. "…Just passing by."
Everyone: "…"
Moria was even more direct. The moment a Charlotte daughter approached him, he let out his eerie laugh.
"Keh heh heh… little girl, I am not interested in the living. Want to become a zombie instead? Eternal youth guaranteed."
The girl turned pale and fled.
Tesoro was already holding Stella in his arms, so there was nothing to worry about there. Everyone on the seas knew Stella was Tesoro's life.
Laboon was far too young and was ignored outright.
As for Reid
A stunning Charlotte daughter approached him with a glass of red wine, posture graceful, lips slightly parted.
"Lord Reid, do you enjoy sweet wine?"
Reid lazily lifted his gaze. Blood mist curled around his fingertips, a faint smile on his face.
"Sweet wine is fine. But compared to that "
He suddenly reached out and gripped her chin. His crimson eyes narrowed dangerously.
"I am more curious about who sent you."
The girl froze instantly, cold sweat streaming down her face.
Katakuri stood not far away, his brows tightly furrowed.
He understood the importance of marriage alliances. But seeing his sisters forcing smiles made anger rise within him.
"Enough."
His low voice cut through the hall. He strode forward and pulled the woman away.
"You are all too clumsy. Mr. Reid is not someone you can entertain. Step back. I will personally host Mr. Reid."
Perospero froze. "Katakuri…"
Katakuri shot him a cold glance. "Mama said to cooperate, not to sell our sisters."
Reid looked at him with interest, then laughed. "Katakuri, you are more interesting than I expected."
Katakuri did not respond. He simply turned to his sisters.
"Go do what you want. Do not force yourselves."
The girls visibly relaxed, all letting out quiet sighs.
Perospero clicked his tongue but did not push further.
Lina sneaked a glance at Enel and muttered under her breath, "Did not expect that expressionless guy to actually have a heart…"
Enel snorted. "It is not just him. That long-tongued guy feels guilty too."