"Mamamama~"
"Thank you all for coming such a long way—truly, it's been far too long since we last met, everyone!"
Cake Island Castle, the main venue of the Tea Party.
After a thunderous tremor that shook the ground and rattled the air, a massive wooden door high up on the castle walls suddenly swung open.
Brilliant candlelight poured down like stage spotlights, instantly illuminating the colossal silhouette of an enormous old woman, placing her squarely before everyone's eyes.
The woman who now stood center stage was none other than the captain of the BIG MOM Pirates—Charlotte Linlin, one of the Four Emperors, hailed as the strongest woman in the world.
Despite being sixty-six years old, Linlin looked as childlike as ever. She hopped down the towering staircase with unrestrained enthusiasm.
As she moved, she activated the power of her Devil Fruit, awakening the flower Homies around her.
In an instant, the entire venue filled with song, dance, and the overwhelming presence of Linlin herself—an enormous mass of flesh bouncing with joy.
Dessert Homies and animated tableware swayed rhythmically through the air.
Biscuits bent midair, neatly landing on plates in perfect order.
Flying teapots swept over the guests' heads, pouring out fragrant cocoa custard, which was caught seamlessly by elegant silver cups and set upon the grand banquet table.
Bouncing cakes, dancing flames, smiling guests…
At last, all of it converged upon the elevated platform—distinct from the common Tea Party below—forming a dreamlike banquet spectacle.
"Welcome, everyone, to my Tea Party!!!"
As the music ended, Big Mom landed flawlessly on the final step of her dance, planting herself in the seat of honor at the round table as if she had rehearsed it countless times.
The table held fewer than twenty seats.
Every single one was reserved for the most distinguished guests present.
The first to take their seats were the underworld emperors—none of them strangers to the Tea Party.
Giberson the Concealer, Umit the Shipping King, Du Feld the Undertaker, Feld the Loan Shark King, and Stussy, Queen of the Pleasure District.
These five were openly the highest-ranking figures at the Tea Party.
They were also Big Mom's partners in the criminal underworld.
At that moment, Vinsmoke Judge, who had followed the Straw Hat Pirates into the venue with a dazed expression, scanned his surroundings with complicated emotions.
He had once thought himself an important figure—but standing among these titans, he now felt no better than a lackey.
Fortunately, a neatly dressed attendant with a trimmed mustache suddenly approached him, bowed respectfully, and said:
"You must be Lord Judge, head of the Vinsmoke Family. Please come this way. You are a specially invited guest of Mama herself and are qualified to sit at the upper table."
"As for your companions, they are welcome to enjoy themselves freely in the main hall below."
"Big Mom invited me!?"
Judge froze, then the dullness in his eyes lit up once more.
He knew it!
He knew it!!!
How could the fearsome Germa 66 Kingdom of the North Blue—ruled by the mighty Vinsmoke Family—possibly be treated with such disregard!?
True, compared to the kings of the New World, his influence was limited.
But he was a genuine scientist—one who had mastered the cutting-edge research of Lineage Factors!
Science was priceless!!!
"As expected of a Yonko crew… far beyond common riffraff~"
Chuckling inwardly, Judge felt refreshed—his back no longer ached, his legs no longer weak.
Even the liver pain Sanji had caused earlier seemed to vanish.
He waved casually at Reiju and the others behind him.
"Stay here for a while."
"I'll go speak with Charlotte Linlin about our future cooperation."
"Yes, Father!"
Bound by bloodline conditioning, Ichiji and the others obeyed without hesitation, retreating to a corner to enjoy the feast.
Only Reiju paused, glancing thoughtfully at Sanji before following her brothers.
Guided by the attendant, Judge was soon seated near the main table—though in a decidedly unimportant position.
Had this been before arriving on Cake Island, Judge might have protested.
But after the emotional roller coaster at the entrance, he now calmly accepted his own insignificance.
Besides…
Weren't those New World kings seated near the edges too!?
Then who exactly were the seats beside Big Mom reserved for?
After exchanging polite nods with the underworld emperors nearby, Judge sat down, maintaining a composed exterior.
Yet his eyes never left Big Mom across the table, as though waiting for her to reveal the answer.
Especially when he noticed that not a single Straw Hat had been invited to the main table—
An inexplicable irritation welled up inside him.
...
...
"Mamamama~"
"Is everyone seated!?"
As the venue quieted, Big Mom stood on the platform, a pure yet unsettling smile spreading across her face.
"Mamamama… I haven't been this happy in ages!"
"Thank you all for coming to my Tea Party. And now—it's time to welcome the true stars of today!"
Excited, Big Mom spread her arms wide.
She recalled the phone call from a few days earlier…
A pirate crew that had accidentally made waves across the world, now hunted by the World Government, crossing paths with her—and promptly bowing their heads in allegiance!
Though suspicious, Big Mom didn't bother questioning it.
Just as Kaido could recruit Supernovas he'd defeated mere moments earlier…
To veterans like Big Mom and Kaido, the world's hierarchy had long since solidified.
The final summit was never meant for unripe sprouts.
Arrogant? Perhaps.
But decades of experience had proven—they earned that arrogance.
So when Red told her the Straw Hats wished to join her crew, Big Mom accepted without hesitation, even handing them the spotlight of this Tea Party.
Clang—clang—clang—clang!
Spotlights suddenly descended upon the empty seats beside Big Mom.
Only now did everyone understand why those seats had remained vacant.
At the edge of the light, Judge stared at them—and when he recalled the Straw Hats' disappearance after entering the inner hall, his face went pale.
Big Mom raised her glass and laughed as if declaring to the world:
"Let us welcome the newest members of Totto Land…"
"The Straw Hat Pirates!!!"
"Bounty: 160,000,000 Beli—Soul King Brook!!!"
Clang!
A beam of light snapped into focus.
A tall skeleton appeared, bowing politely.
"Yohohoho~ Good morning, everyone~"
Brook tipped his hat.
Seeing Brook seated far above him, Judge's heart sank into utter despair.
What followed was exactly as he feared.
Big Mom announced the Straw Hats one by one, from lowest to highest bounty.
Amid thunderous cheers, the Straw Hat crew appeared around the table.
Monkey D. Luffy and Red, the captain and vice-captain, sat directly at Big Mom's sides.
This was not how first meetings looked.
Their presence shocked the entire hall.
After all—that was the so-called Fifth Emperor!
People had been speculating which Yonko the Straw Hats would challenge next—
Never expecting them to join Big Mom instead!
Opportunists began to waver.
After all, their creed was simple:
Whoever wins, we support them.
The hall erupted in hushed speculation.
Big Mom's grin stretched wider.
Across the table, the underworld emperors' expressions shifted rapidly.
But one thing was certain—
With the Straw Hat Pirates' support, the BIG MOM Pirates were now one of the strongest contenders for ONE PIECE.
"So the legendary Straw Hat Pirates really are here…"
Stussy licked her lips, eyes darting between Big Mom and the Straw Hats.
The others quickly raised their glasses in toast.
All celebrated Big Mom's gain of formidable allies—
All except Judge.
Frowning slightly, his gaze swept over the Straw Hats.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
They didn't look like people joining another power.
Ignoring Luffy—who was already devouring sweets like a vacuum—
The others showed neither submission nor joy.
Only calm disdain.
As if none of this mattered.
As if they were waiting.
Waiting for what…?
A bold thought crossed Judge's mind—but he dared not believe it.
The Tea Party continued smoothly.
Everything seemed peaceful.
Even Judge wondered if Sanji had rattled his sanity.
Then—a sudden incident occurred.
The dishes served at the main table were the world's rarest delicacies.
And the turning point came with a plate of chocolate croissants.
"So good! This is AMAZING!!!"
Luffy, possessing a stomach like a pocket dimension, forgot entirely why they were here and vacuumed up desserts indiscriminately.
Even Sanji couldn't replicate flavors born of legendary ingredients.
Luffy, tasting such luxury for the first time, showed no restraint.
Then—
Luffy's rubber arm suddenly stretched out, grabbing the last croissant.
At the same time, Big Mom's massive hand clamped onto the other side.
Both froze.
After a moment, Big Mom grinned.
"Brat! This croissant is made from cocoa erupted from the volcano at the heart of Cocoa Island. You might only eat this once a year. The last piece is mine."
"Why!? I touched it first!" Luffy snapped back—completely unconcerned with whose table he was at.
Silence fell over the table.
Judge's eyes widened.
As expected.
The Straw Hats were not here to submit!
What subordinate would speak like that!?
"Hmm?"
Big Mom frowned slightly.
"Why?"
A monstrous aura surged from her like a tidal wave.
A massive soul-shaped phantom manifested behind her.
Her Devil Fruit—the Soul-Soul Fruit—allowed her to steal the lifespan of the fearful and grant souls to objects.
Luffy's casual defiance had crossed her bottom line.
She bore down on him with terrifying pressure and asked her infamous question:
"Life… or death!?"
(End of Chapter)