There was still one day left before the tea party officially began. Big Mom's tea party wasn't a long-term event, but it also required several days of preparation time.
Mainly to give those coming to attend sufficient time to prepare gifts and travel.
At first glance, the tea party was a lavish banquet hosted by the giant, Big Mom, playing house with her guests.
However, in truth, it was a strategic display of strength by the Four Emperor to dominate her subordinates and gather tribute.
Every time a tea party was held, all invited personnel needed to prepare sufficient "gifts" as tribute for Big Mom, or they'd face having their lifespan extracted by the Soul-Soul Fruit.
Did they really think a Four Emperor's protection was free?
At least Big Mom's wasn't.
Take this time, for example. Besides the regular tea party gifts, they also had to present another gift for Big Mom and Orochimaru's wedding.
Two gifts for one banquet.
Surely no one would have any objections.
Anyway, Naruto had no objections. He didn't have to give any.
That previous Pudding Fruit was payment for requesting Big Mom's daughter Pudding's help, and later he'd even given Big Mom a "Snake-man" husband for free. She should be thanking him.
"Delicious... truly delicious..."
Naruto was currently in Cake Castle's enormous kitchen, enjoying the cooking skills of head chef "Streusen."
This former member of the Rocks Pirates, the chef known as the "Gourmet Knight," wasn't exactly a good person.
But at the same time, he possessed the qualities every qualified chef should have.
At least in the process of making food for Naruto, this Chef Streusen had genuinely displayed all the culinary skills he'd mastered over ninety years to their fullest.
As a chef, he could see that Naruto was someone who truly enjoyed good food, not like Linlin who simply craved sweets.
Therefore, Streusen didn't use his "Cook-Cook Fruit" ability but genuinely used his hands to create dish after dish.
From roasted meat to seafood, from desserts to rich soups. Meat and vegetables and cuisine from various culinary schools were all present.
This head chef was even more comprehensive than that boss, Zeff.
There was almost nothing he couldn't make that Naruto wanted to eat.
"Really delicious, old man, one more serving."
Carefully chewing the conch meat wrapped in caviar in his mouth, this time Naruto didn't gulp it all down like a pig eating bran.
Chef Streusen was one of the top few chefs in the pirate world. Opportunities to taste his cooking would definitely be rare.
Especially after this banquet.
Naruto handed over his plate, lowering his eyelids.
He had already anticipated that the upcoming banquet definitely wouldn't be peaceful.
"Hmph, of course! My skills aren't just for show."
Though his mouth was quite tsundere, Streusen's body was honest as he began making new food for Naruto.
Just then, two figures suddenly appeared outside the kitchen door. It was Orochimaru and Katakuri, who had been summoned by Big Mom.
"Naruto-kun."
Orochimaru's characteristic cold, sticky voice rang out.
Actually, when he noticed the other approaching, Naruto had already frowned slightly.
But since Streusen was still helping him cook food, he chose not to leave.
Seeing this, Katakuri wanted to say something, but thinking that Orochimaru was just going to say a few words, he didn't stop him.
Generally, as long as this guy didn't plan to do anything outrageous, he basically turned a blind eye.
"Yo, Orochimaru, at this time you should be cooperating with wedding preparations, right?"
Hearing Naruto's words, Orochimaru's face showed no displeasure, as if he didn't mind his impending marriage to Big Mom at all.
Instead, when sizing up Naruto, the interested expression on Orochimaru's face was much more intense.
"Naruto-kun, I'm also very interested in that ability you possess called 'ninjutsu'..."
It could only be said that Orochimaru was indeed Orochimaru.
Even with his memory wiped clean as a slate, he had almost instinctively found the power he craved.
Although Orochimaru had been researching Devil Fruits and Haki during this time, he was obviously more interested in the ninjutsu Naruto had inadvertently displayed.
He always felt he could also master this ability.
"Ah, you want to learn? Next time, definitely next time."
After casually brushing him off with a couple of sentences, Naruto continued appreciating the food, seemingly not planning to have much contact with this "new" Orochimaru of the pirate world.
He felt this guy wouldn't stay quiet here either.
But what did that have to do with him, Naruto Uzumaki?
With Naruto's "comprehensive" understanding of Orochimaru, as long as this guy set foot on the path of pursuing power and knowledge, he would most likely repeat the mistake of "seeking immortality."
The unlucky ones would probably be the Celestial Dragons who possessed information about the so-called "immortality" surgery.
During the time he wouldn't be in the pirate world, he looked forward to this guy creating some surprises.
"Orochimaru..."
Katakuri naturally also saw that his friend was unwilling to communicate much with Orochimaru, so he spoke up.
"Hehe, then let's look forward to our next meeting."
Not knowing he actually already possessed the ability to use ninjutsu, Orochimaru lightly licked his lips with his forked snake tongue, still choosing to obediently follow Katakuri away from here.
At the dock.
A large pirate ship decorated like a flamingo had already moored.
Doflamingo, known as the "Heavenly Yaksha" and "Joker," stepped ashore with several top executives of the Donquixote Family.
Big Mom's eldest son, Perospero, a man with a distinctive and formidable presence, was there to greet him.
Although not the strongest Sweet Commander under Big Mom, Perospero's position in the Big Mom Pirates wasn't comparable to ordinary people.
The reason for having him receive Doflamingo wasn't because of the other's strength, but because of his status as an underground arms dealer and his relationship with Kaido.
Of course, most importantly, it was about the "human gigantification" research to be conducted with this guy.
That was one of Mama's heartaches.
If successful, Totto Land could have its own Giant race.
"Fufufu... quite an impressive display."
Doflamingo walked with his signature arrogant gait behind Perospero while looking around.
Most of the guests present were familiar faces.
As a famous figure in the underworld, Doflamingo had cooperated with many of these people.
Three had come with him: Diamante, one of the family's top executives, and Baby-5 in a maid outfit and Señor Pink in baby clothes.
It could only be said that among the four of them, Baby-5 was the only one dressed like a normal person.
As for Trebol, he remained in Dressrosa guarding the Hobby-Hobby Fruit user "Sugar."
This concerned the Donquixote Family's lifeline. No room for carelessness.
If conflict erupted here and affected Sugar, causing her ability to fail, he would most likely lose everything he currently had.
The Navy, pirates, the Revolutionary Army, and even Celestial Dragons would all consider him an enemy.
At the same time, at another separate dock used to receive "ordinary guests," two ordinary-looking pirate ships also docked.
Disembarking were several figures who had disguised themselves but still retained very distinctive personal characteristics.
These were the four high-level combat forces dispatched by the Navy: Garp, Kizaru, Momousagi, and Vice Admiral Tsuru.