A few seconds later.

The ice sculpture of Oven began to thaw as his body temperature slowly rose, vapor forming and melting the icy layer.

He was free again.

“Pfft…” Exhausted, Oven struggled to shatter the remaining ice with sheer willpower.

Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as his steps faltered.

Though he had regained his freedom, the outcome of the battle was already clear.

No one objected.

Even Big Mom, her veins bulging in fury and her expression dark, didn’t try to argue otherwise.

She gritted her teeth.

Her venomous gaze locked onto the defeated Oven.

Oven bowed his head. “Mama, I’m sorry, I—”

“Get out of my sight.”

Big Mom’s voice was laced with impatience and anger.

Oven silently retreated to stand beside Katakuri.

Katakuri patted his shoulder in consolation.

With Big Mom seething in rage, no one else dared to speak.

“You lost.”

But that didn’t include Kuke.

Big Mom’s sinister eyes fixed on Kuke.

Her fists clenched, cracking audibly.

“I understand.”

In the end, Big Mom swallowed her anger and suppressed her fury.

“Galette, from now on, you’re no longer part of the family. You belong to the Sun and Moon Pirates.” Big Mom cast a cold, emotionless glance at Galette.

Galette pressed her lips together tightly.

She looked at Big Mom—her own mother.

“Leave.”

Big Mom, consumed by rage, refused to say another word. She didn’t even glance at Galette again, as seeing her only reminded her of her failure and humiliation.

Galette remained silent.

Step by step, she walked toward Kuke.

Each step felt agonizing.

After nearly two decades with her family, how could she not feel attached?

She kept looking back at her mother.

But her mother’s expression never changed. Not once did she look at Galette, not even a trace of reluctance in her eyes.

Galette’s heart sank.

She finally understood.

Her mother wasn’t angry because she had lost Galette, but because the defeat was humiliating, and they failed to acquire the Road Poneglyph.

She turned her gaze to her siblings.

Some looked reluctant to see her go.

Others ignored her entirely.

But not a single person spoke up to stop her.

Galette’s pace quickened slightly as she left.

Finally, she reached the Sun and Moon Pirates.

“The welcome ceremony can wait. For now, just stand by my side,” Kuke said, giving Galette a warm look.

Galette forced a smile.

Gion and the others also expressed their welcome.

The warmth they exuded gradually began to thaw Galette’s frozen heart.

Big Mom was furious.

Naturally, her wrath was directed at Yamato, who had caused her defeat. Her malicious gaze bore into Yamato.

Yamato lifted her head proudly, meeting Big Mom’s glare without a shred of fear.

This only worsened Big Mom’s mood.

She began to question herself. Am I really not intimidating anymore?

“Kaido, that useless fool! Even a daughter like this can be snatched away!” Big Mom vented, even blaming Kaido.

With a bitter edge, she sneered, “Kaido sure is generous, giving away a Mythical Zoan fruit so easily.”

Clearly displeased, Big Mom wasn’t about to let Kuke off lightly either.

Her words implied: Kaido has been so good to you, Yamato, even gifting you a rare Mythical Zoan fruit. Yet, you still betrayed him and willingly joined Kuke’s crew. Don’t you feel guilty toward your father?

Trying to sow discord.

“Ha! That old geezer isn’t generous at all. He’s as stingy as it gets. The fruit is something my captain gave to me,” Yamato said, her tone filled with disdain for Kaido, yet her expression beamed with joy as she glanced at Kuke.

Yamato had come to appreciate the power of her fruit and its rarity. Naturally, this deepened her gratitude and admiration for Kuke.

Big Mom’s attempt to plant doubts had backfired.

Seeing Yamato’s respect for Kuke only made Big Mom even more frustrated, leaving her at a loss for words.

“Captain, let me fight in the second round! Please?” Yamato looked at Kuke with pleading eyes.

“You’re not suited for that tone,” Kuke said, playfully miming a head smack from a distance.

Yamato quickly dropped the act and grinned as Kuke gave her the nod.

“Who’s next?” she declared, raising her spiked kanabo, pointing it menacingly at all the members of the Big Mom Pirates.

“Who’s your pick for the second round?” Big Mom asked, rather than immediately sending someone forward. Her gaze suggested she was more interested in the stakes.

Smoothie, Amande, and Custard listened intently, both anxious and curious.

“Smoothie,” Kuke said, naming his opponent.

Hearing her name, Smoothie felt a mix of anticipation and dread.

“Fine,” Big Mom agreed without hesitation.

Smoothie’s dread only deepened.

As a Sweet Commander, she had always believed she held a special place in her mother’s eyes.

But now, she realized that in Big Mom’s view, she was no different from anyone else. Just another pawn.

“If I win, what’s your wager?” Big Mom asked, staring directly at Kuke.

Galette instinctively clenched her fists. Am I going to be a bargaining chip again?

She braced herself for the inevitable, convinced that she would once again be treated as a token on the gambling table.

But before Kuke could respond, Big Mom spoke up.

“Just to be clear, Galette may have left my family and joined your crew, but she’s no longer a bargaining chip.”

Galette, prepared for the worst, was left stunned. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at her mother in disbelief. Am I really so insignificant?

Big Mom ignored her gaze, keeping her focus solely on Kuke.

It wasn’t that Big Mom didn’t want Galette back. It was simply that, in her eyes, the Road Poneglyph and Kuke were far more valuable than Galette. To put Galette back on the line would mean having to win an extra round, adding unnecessary risk.

Once her goals were achieved, Big Mom wouldn’t mind reclaiming Galette. But until then, Galette’s value was negligible.

Kuke met Big Mom’s stare. “That’s as it should be. Galette is my crewmate, my responsibility. I’d never gamble her away.”

Galette stared at Kuke, dumbfounded.

Her mother had discarded her without a second thought.

Yet, her captain of just one week treated her with respect and care.

Her emotions surged like a volcano.

Even Katakuri frowned at his mother, his dissatisfaction evident. Family should be more important than any treasure, shouldn’t it?

Hearing Kuke’s unwavering words, Katakuri couldn’t help but acknowledge that Kuke was a better captain than his mother.

“So, we’re truly losing Galette,” Katakuri sighed, watching as she gazed at Kuke with newfound admiration.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel relieved. “At least Galette has found a captain worthy of her loyalty.”

Suddenly, a radiant light surrounded Galette.

She had finally and wholeheartedly accepted her new life as a member of the Sun and Moon Pirates.

“Welcome,” Kuke said, extending his hand.

Without hesitation, Galette placed her delicate hand in his.

Eighteenth Crew Member: Charlotte Galette [Paramecia-Type—Butterfruit User, Bounty: 140 Million, Combat Power: 18,962].

As Kuke and Galette began to chat and laugh together, Big Mom’s rage reached a boiling point.

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DONT FORGET POWER STONE

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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up 40+ chapters at patreon.com/Emik01.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep