Even Setsuna himself found it unbelievable. This trip to Totto Land had gone far smoother than expected.
According to his initial plan, a clash with Big Mom was almost inevitable.
Yet the reality was, after tasting [EARTH], that notoriously unpredictable Emperor became surprisingly cooperative, even willing to change Totto Land's long-standing dessert policies.
During his stay in Totto Land, the Charlotte Family's children were even more enthusiastic towards him.
Katakuri expressed his gratitude personally. He no longer had to worry about his younger siblings being killed by Mother during one of her [Craving Rampages].
After leaving Totto Land, Setsuna's fleet sailed towards Whitebeard Pirates' territory.
He didn't hide his movements. This news was naturally spread across the seas by Morgans.
As the [Gluttony] and the [Moby Dick] drew closer, the atmosphere on the Whitebeard Pirates' ship grew extremely tense.
"I heard that [Gluttony King] who defeated Kaido is coming our way," A young crew member nervously swallowed.
"Is he here to declare war? The papers said he got along famously with Big Mom at the tea party. What if they teamed up..." Even the older crew members grew tense at this thought.
"Oyaji is still here. Everyone calm down," Marco stopped the crew's discussions, though his own brow furrowed involuntarily.
While the other likely just came for a visit, he had to consider the worst-case scenario.
As the 1st Division Commander, he understood better than anyone what facing two Emperors simultaneously meant.
The atmosphere on the deck grew increasingly tense.
"He's here!" A crew member on the lookout suddenly shouted. All eyes turned towards the horizon.
A massive ship, comparable to an island, was being pulled through the waves by a ferocious giant serpent.
Yet, to everyone's surprise, the colossal battleship stopped a distance away from the Moby Dick. Only a small boat continued approaching.
Setsuna stood at the bow, holding aloft an enormous, exquisitely crafted wooden chest.
"What's this act about?" Jozu scratched his head in confusion. He thought the other came with overwhelming force to intimidate them, but now it seemed so... low-key.
"Welcome Captain Setsuna!"
Amidst the pirates' welcoming lines, Setsuna nimbly leaped onto the deck, walking forward calmly.
"Tsk. The man famed for his overwhelming presence is this casual? I specifically sent all the rookies below deck. You're making me feel a bit awkward," Marco stood loosely, showing no trace of a powerhouse's aura.
"It's basic manners. Am I the kind of person who unleashes Conqueror's Haki as soon as I board?" Setsuna smiled, subtly shading Red Hair.
Although in the original work, Red Hair sought out Whitebeard three years later, given his personality, it obviously wasn't the first time he'd done something like that.
Marco also smiled. He naturally knew who Setsuna was referring to. "Yeah. That kind of ill-mannered behavior is as childish as a puppy marking its territory."
Whitebeard sat below the mast. Though not as aged as three years later, he already had IV tubes attached, clearly indicating poor health.
Beside him were beautiful nurses in leopard-print uniforms.
"Setsuna Brat," Whitebeard's deep voice rumbled like thunder. "Tell me, what business brings you to my territory?"
"Let's not rush that," Setsuna smiled, opening the wooden chest. A refreshing, fruity aroma instantly filled the air.
He took out an enormous wine bottle, which refracted a dreamlike rainbow under the sunlight. "I brought you the world's greatest wine."
This was a top-tier wine he brought from the Gourmet World. Master Jiro was a huge wine enthusiast, and this [Rainbow Fruit Wine] was something even Jiro praised highly.
Whitebeard initially wasn't too interested, but upon hearing Setsuna's claim, he couldn't help but gulp audibly.
He had read in the papers that the dessert Setsuna brought out even conquered that madwoman Big Mom.
'If it could conquer a monster born from appetite like Big Mom, how delicious must this 'world's greatest wine' be?'
"Gurararara! Little Setsuna, you're truly generous and enthusiastic," Whitebeard laughed heartily.
Setsuna chuckled inwardly, 'So I went from 'Setsuna brat' to 'Little Setsuna'?'
However, the nurses from the medical team whispered urgently, "Captain, your health condition... you mustn't drink anymore."
"Nonsense! Wine is the source of life! Not drinking is what ruins the body!" Whitebeard grabbed the wine bottle from Setsuna. "A guest specially brings fine wine, how could I not taste it? This is basic hospitality!"
Setsuna added appropriately, "Although this wine has an 85% alcohol content, it's actually a pure, natural fruit wine brewed from Rainbow Fruit. It's harmless, even beneficial to the body."
Hearing this, Whitebeard's eyes lit up. He eagerly pulled out the cork.
Instantly, an indescribably rich fragrance erupted, condensing into multicolored mist in the air. Everyone who smelled it couldn't help but swallow their saliva.
Whitebeard laughed heartily and, without another word, took a huge gulp.
Yet the moment the wine entered his throat, his massive body suddenly shuddered. He stood up abruptly from his seat.
Under everyone's horrified gazes, this Emperor hailed as the [World's Strongest Man] fell straight backward, crashing heavily onto the deck.
"Oyaji!!!"
"Damn it! The wine is poisoned!"
"Kill this bastard!"
Enraged crew members instantly surrounded Setsuna. The sounds of swords being drawn rose all around.
They completely disregarded that the other was a top-tier powerhouse on par with their Pops, only thinking of killing him to avenge their captain.
Just as violence was about to erupt, an ear-splitting roar suddenly rang out.
"Gurararara..." Whitebeard sat up sharply, his eyes shining with an unprecedented light. "So delicious! This is absolutely the best wine I've ever drunk in my life!"
After speaking, he picked up the wine bottle and gulped it down, gulp gulp gulp.
The deck fell into an eerie silence.
The crew members, murderous just a second ago, exchanged awkward glances and sheathed their weapons.
Some pretended to adjust their collars. Some suddenly started whistling at the sky. Others acted as if nothing happened, wiping their already-clean swords.
Everyone avoided Setsuna's gaze with tacit understanding, as if the earlier standoff had never occurred.
"Good wine! Truly good wine!" Whitebeard stood up unsteadily, then suddenly threw a punch at Setsuna without warning. "Come! Spar with me for a bit!"
Boom!
The power of the Gura Gura no Mi instantly erupted. The air cracked like a spiderweb.
To the Whitebeard Pirates' disbelief, Setsuna didn't dodge or evade, taking the hit head-on.
"This... this guy can withstand Oyaji's attack head-on?!" Jozu's eyes widened. The other crew members looked equally shocked.
Though they knew Setsuna was strong, Whitebeard's strength was the greatest even among the Emperors.
"He is the man who defeated Kaido. His body contains unimaginable power," Marco remarked.
"What a rush!" Whitebeard vented his pent-up energy heartily. Each punch and kick carried the force to split the world, yet the power was restrained perfectly, not completely destroying the ship.
Setsuna felt somewhat amused. He didn't end up fighting a [Craving Rampage] Big Mom, but instead brawled with a drunken Whitebeard.