Whole Cake Island – Reception

“Katakuri, do you think Smoothie and the others can succeed?” Daifuku asked, crowding around Katakuri along with Oven and the others.

In recent days, they hadn’t participated in Smoothie and the others’ efforts to win over Kuke, but they had heard about it. Things had escalated, reaching a level where even they were left speechless.

It was absolutely crazy.

“I don’t know,” Katakuri admitted, unable to make a judgment.

“If it works out, it’d be incredible for us,” Owen said, already fantasizing about the scenario.

Katakuri’s eyes flickered. Even with his pride, he couldn’t help but dream a little. Every member of Big Mom’s family was dedicated to pushing their mother toward the vacant throne of the Pirate King, the singular ruler of all pirates.

But even the proud Katakuri didn’t have that much confidence. With the Beasts Pirates, Whitebeard Pirates, the Sun and Moon Pirates, and the Red-Haired Pirates all vying for the same title, it was impossible to say who would come out on top.

However, if they could arrange a marriage with the Sun and Moon Pirates, Katakuri believed that their mother’s chances of becoming the Pirate queen would increase to over fifty percent.

“If they’re married, Kuke wouldn’t still compete against Mom, would he? He’d be our ally, right?” Many members of the family held onto this fantasy.

Their hopeful gazes turned towards the long, bright red carpet that stretched several kilometers from the palace all the way to the port—rolled out solely for the arrival of the Sun and Moon Pirates.

The first to arrive were Smoothie and her group. They were family members and, at a time like this, couldn’t stay too close to the Sun and Moon Pirates. Apart from Amande, Smoothie and the other two women wore confident smiles.

A week of effort had not gone unnoticed by Kuke. Naturally, they believed that Kuke was interested in them. Though they knew Kuke’s interest might be broader, each of them was confident in becoming the ultimate victor.

“It looks like it worked,” Katakuri and the others couldn’t help but smile as they noticed Smoothie’s unabashedly happy expression. In their minds, the likelihood of a successful union had just increased again.

“Sister, did you succeed?” Cracker whispered to his twin sister, Charlotte Custard, as she walked up beside him.

As long as the marriage succeeded, it would be good for the family. But Cracker secretly hoped that it would be his sister who won Kuke’s favor.

The benefits were tantalizing—even for a Sweet Commander like Cracker. Just the thought of being able to tell others that his brother-in-law was Emperor Kuke was far more prestigious than simply being one of Big Mom’s many sons.

“Don’t worry, big brother,” Charlotte Custard gave Cracker a confident look.

Cracker’s breathing grew heavy. Did she actually succeed?

It was worth it. This past week, he had worked tirelessly, collecting everything Custard needed from the family. As a Sweet Commander, he had never lowered himself so much before. But now, hearing his sister’s confidence, Cracker thought it was all worth it.

Forget a week—even a year would be worth it.

“Sister, did it work?” Smoothie’s two twin sisters asked excitedly as they gazed at her.

They had also been working behind the scenes to help their sister secure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“If I join the Sun and Moon Pirates, what will happen to you two?” Smoothie asked instead of giving a direct answer.

“Us?” The twins, Charlotte Struen and Charlotte Strudel, looked at Smoothie, torn between excitement and reluctance.

They knew that if the marriage succeeded, there was no way Kuke or the Sun and Moon Pirates would integrate into the family. Whoever married Kuke would have to leave the family and join the Sun and Moon Pirates.

“We’re part of the family. We’ll stay with Mom,” they replied, knowing full well that they couldn’t simply follow their sister wherever she went.

“That’s fine. Even though I’ll be joining the Sun and Moon Pirates, the crew and the family will still be as close as one,” Smoothie said, respecting her sisters’ decision.

On the other hand, Galette looked rather lonely. She didn’t have a powerful brother like Cracker or the same strength as Smoothie.

“I can feel it—Kuke sees me differently,” Galette thought, placing all her hopes on Kuke.

Nearby, Amande was surrounded by several sisters she got along with well.

“Don’t look at me. I could never do something as outrageous as they did. I have no hope,” Amande told her sisters frankly. This past week, she had simply been an observer. And besides, Kuke didn’t seem to be into her particular brand of beauty, so she hadn’t held out any hope from the beginning.

“Really, Amande? That’s such a shame. This is Kuke we’re talking about!” her sisters lamented. “If you miss this chance, you’ll never find another man who compares to him.”

Amande, who hadn’t had any particular feelings about it, suddenly felt a pang of regret at her sisters’ words. She couldn’t deny it—Kuke was indeed one of a kind.

Reflecting on the past week, Amande remembered observing Kuke quietly. Even without openly displaying his power, the invisible charisma and aura that exuded from him were utterly captivating.

None of the men she had met—including her brother Katakuri, whom many in the family adored—could compare to Kuke.

The more she thought about it, the more she regretted her inaction. If only she had done something over the past week—anything—might she have had a chance?

But now, it was too late. She could only wallow in her silent sadness.

The Tea Party Venue – Silent Anticipation

The tea party had an eerie stillness about it, with everyone’s gaze fixed on the far end of the red carpet, waiting for the guests of honor.

Suddenly, the solemn atmosphere was broken by the antics of two little girls. They were three or four years old, running around and accidentally knocking over several chairs.

“Flampe, be quiet! Today is different from usual—come here,” Perospero scolded in a stern but affectionate tone, addressing a cute little girl of three. She was the darling little sister of the family, showered with affection.

“Why? I could always play here before,” Flampe pouted, continuing to run around.

“Flampe, today’s guest is different. He’s a truly distinguished guest—a genuinely powerful man of the sea. You cannot cause trouble today,” Perospero said seriously, his expression enough to make the little girl hesitate.

Flampe, with her innocent eyes wide open, seemed scared by Perospero’s stern face. She ran to Katakuri, hiding behind him and clutching his coat.

With her big, sparkling eyes full of admiration, she looked up at Katakuri and said, “Perospero is lying. Brother Katakuri is the strongest!”

“Flampe, are you that obsessed with Katakuri?” Daifuku and Oven teased her.

“Of course! Katakuri has never lost—he’s the strongest!” Flampe declared, her tiny fists waving as she spoke in her childish voice.

Katakuri ruffled Flampe’s hair affectionately, while on the other side of the venue, Perospero watched Flampe finally settle down. He sighed in relief.

But his gaze then fell on another little girl standing awkwardly in the center of the venue—a four-year-old with three eyes: Pudding.

Perospero’s expression changed to one of distaste. “Pudding, get out of here! This isn’t a place for you. Your disgusting three eyes will make the guests uncomfortable, and we won’t be able to forgive that.”

His tone was worlds apart from how he spoke to Flampe.

Pudding’s lips quivered, tears forming in her three eyes. She had grown used to this kind of treatment, but today, for some reason, the words hurt even more. After all, it was Flampe who had dragged her here.

Only a few members of the family looked at Pudding with sympathy, including Galette, who opened her mouth, about to say something.

“Pudding, go back!” Big Mom’s voice rang out, laced with unconcealed displeasure. Her overpowering aura was enough to make one’s hair stand on end.

Pudding froze in place, terrified. The four-year-old had no idea what she had done wrong. All she could do was cry—soft, fearful tears.

“Pudding, come here,” Galette said, forcing herself to ignore her mother’s overwhelming aura. She quickly pulled Pudding to the side.

Big Mom’s bloodshot eyes flicked toward Galette but ultimately refrained from getting angry.

“Quiet. The guest has arrived,”

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DONT FORGET POWER STONE

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep