[OP Marine Officer Luffy] Chapter 481- 485

Chapter 481: Poaching Each Other

The towering spires of Whole Cake Island stretched into the cotton candy clouds as tension filled the air between two of the most feared pirates in the world. Charlotte Linlin, better known as Big Mom, sat with her massive frame perched upon an oversized chair specially constructed to support her weight. Across from her, the azure-skinned Beast, Kaido, his horns gleaming in the afternoon light, leaned forward with a calculating gaze.

Big Mom's massive frame trembled with barely contained rage as she glared at Kaido. This was the umpteenth time that bastard had tried to recruit her son since he arrived on Whole Cake Island. Her thoughts simmered with indignation as she observed their unwelcome guest.

Everyone present knew the situation all too well. Kaido, whose forces had recently suffered significant losses in Wano, had come to his former crewmate's territory under the pretense of an alliance. Yet here he was, once again attempting to poach one of Big Mom's most valuable children.

"Mamama..." Big Mom laughed darkly under her breath.

If her children weren't painfully aware they couldn't defeat Kaido in direct combat, they would have rushed forward and torn the bastard into pieces long ago. The tense atmosphere had Smoothie unconsciously gripping the hilt of her sword, while Cracker's fingers twitched near his biscuit armor. Even Perospero's candy cane staff twirled nervously between his fingers as he watched the exchange with narrowed eyes.

Even Charlotte Katakuri himself had become accustomed to being recruited again and again by the other party. His stoic face betrayed no emotion as he stood beside his mother, his scarf carefully hiding the donut-shaped mouth that had been the source of so much ridicule in his youth.

Almost as soon as Kaido finished speaking his proposition, Katakuri subconsciously refused:

"I'm sorry, Kaido-san, but I won't leave my mother and my brothers and sisters." His deep voice carried absolute conviction. "You'd better give up on this idea."

Kaido was not annoyed when he was rejected again. The corners of his mouth merely turned downward in disappointment as he murmured with regret:

"Damn it, I got rejected again." He took a long swig from his gourd of sake. "If I had known you were so capable, I should have snatched you away when you were a child."

The childhood that Kaido mentioned referred to the time when he and Big Mom were still in the Rocks Pirates together, sailing under the infamous captain Rocks D. Xebec.

At that time, when Kaido first joined the Rocks Pirates at the age of 15, he was protected by Charlotte Linlin, who had already made a name for herself as a fearsome pirate.

Back then, the 24-year-old Linlin had already given birth to several children. Among them were her firstborn Perospero and the triplets Katakuri, Daifuku, and Oven. The young Katakuri had given Kaido the impression of being just a naughty kid who loved eating donuts, constantly trying to hide his peculiar mouth from others after being mocked for it.

Who knew that he would change so much later on, not only becoming the backbone of Big Mom's pirate group but also developing his Observation Haki to such a degree that he could see slightly into the future. He had become very powerful and reliable, with a bounty exceeding one billion berries.

Linlin herself even called Katakuri the Charlotte family's greatest masterpiece, which was no small praise considering she had birthed over 80 children in her quest to build the perfect family.

Such a reliable and outstanding man naturally caught the eye of Kaido, who prided himself on gathering the strongest warriors under his banner. The Beast Pirates were known for their meritocracy—strength determined one's position, and Katakuri would certainly rank at the top.

Big Mom, who had been silently observing the exchange, saw that her most proud child decisively rejected Kaido. Her mood suddenly changed from gloomy to sunny, and she laughed her distinctive "Mamamama!" with glee.

"Well, well, well, you got rejected again, Kaido." Her massive body shook with each laugh. "If you want Katakuri so badly, you might as well exchange him for your subordinate King." Her eyes gleamed with desire. "If you give him to me, I would consider the trade."

"Oh, what a disgusting old hag." Kaido curled his lips in disgust. "It's because of your constant pestering that King has been hiding in his quarters and dares not come out." He thought of how his normally stoic right-hand man had become visibly uncomfortable because of Linlin's endless harassment.

Big Mom's dream since childhood had been to build her dream—Totto Land—where all races would live in harmony. So she had been collecting various races from all over the world for many years, bringing them to her territory and incorporating them into her family through strategic marriages or adoption.

Now, except for the Giants who had not joined the Big Mom Pirates due to the incident at Elbaf decades ago, her collection was nearly complete.

The Ten Thousand Nations were currently only missing representatives from two races. One of them was the Beast Pirates' King, a survivor of the Lunaria tribe known for their white hair, black wings, and ability to create fire. The other was the equally rare Buccaneer tribe, to which the future Shichibukai Bartholomew Kuma would belong.

However, Big Mom had encountered Kuma once during the legendary battle at God Valley years earlier. But she didn't recognize his race at the time, and still believed that the Buccaneer had become extinct. The only races she now longed to add to her collection were the Giants and the Lunarians.

Although the giants were not on good terms with her due to her actions at Elbaf, they were numerous, and she was willing to wait for an opportunity to reconcile. But now there was only King left from the Lunaria tribe, as far as anyone knew.

For the sake of her dream, if Kaido was really willing to exchange King for Katakuri, Big Mom would genuinely consider sending her son away. The thought of completing her collection made her salivate, causing nearby homies to tremble in fear of another hunger pang.

But Kaido was obviously not a fool. King and Katakuri were the highest officers on their respective crews, both irreplaceable in their own ways.

Let's not debate who might be stronger between them—discussing just loyalty, even if Big Mom offered ten Katakuris, King would not be an adequate replacement. King had been with Kaido since he rescued the Lunarian from a World Government research facility, and their bond ran deep.

Kaido just wanted to acquire Katakuri for free. If he could get him without giving anything up, that would be ideal, but if not, it wasn't a serious concern. What he absolutely refused to do was sacrifice his most capable subordinate, especially not to satisfy Big Mom's odd collecting habit.

The two Emperors soon started arguing loudly, each wanting to poach the other's capable men without giving up anything in return. Their voices echoed across Whole Cake Chateau, causing several of the homies to cower in fear. Perospero tried to mediate to little effect, while Katakuri simply stood silently, his eyes closed as he focused on maintaining his composure.

Meanwhile, the banquet venue was being set up in full swing amid the bickering between the two Yonko. Chess soldier homies scurried about, placing enormous platters of food on tables and arranging seating for the imposing figures of both crews.

During this period, all the members of the Beast Pirates who had accompanied Kaido to Whole Cake Island heard about the upcoming feast. Under the leadership of Queen the Plague, who never missed an opportunity for free food, the Beast Pirates were determined to attend the banquet.

"Ohhh, I hear that Big Mom's cooks are among the best in the New World!" Queen exclaimed, his massive body jiggling with excitement. "I'm not missing this chance to sample their cuisine, even if we have to put up with that crazy old hag!"

Also coming along was King, who was being dragged very reluctantly by Queen. The stoic man preferred to keep to himself, especially given Big Mom's unhealthy interest in his seed.

"Come on, King! Don't be such a stick in the mud," Queen taunted. "I promise I'll create a distraction if the old lady tries to kidnap you!" he added with his distinctive laugh.

When Big Mom spotted King entering the banquet hall, his black wings folded tightly against his back and his face hidden behind his leather mask, she immediately abandoned her argument with Kaido. Her eyes practically transformed into stars as she prepared to approach him, fingers twitching with the desire to add him to her collection.

It was not until she saw Kaido's thunderous expression, dark clouds literally beginning to form around him as his temper affected the weather itself, that Big Mom gave him some face and reluctantly gave up for the time being. She licked her lips and whispered to herself, "Soon, my collection will be complete..."

Soon, the banquet venue was fully prepared thanks to the diligent work of the chess soldier homies. The members of the Big Mom Pirates and the Beast Pirates were seated on opposite sides of the hall, clearly distancing themselves from each other as centuries of pirate distrust couldn't be overcome by a single alliance.

As the leaders of both sides, Big Mom and Kaido naturally sat at the same table in the middle, an enormous circular platform that elevated them above everyone else in a display of their status as Emperors.

In addition to the two Yonko, there were Perospero and Katakuri representing the Big Mom Pirates. Cracker, Smoothie, and Snack, who were also among the Sweet Commanders, were granted the honor of sitting at the same table with their mother.

As for the Beast Pirates, the All-Stars King and Queen naturally took their seats, with Queen already eyeing the massive spread of food with undisguised hunger. At the same time, Black Maria, Who's-Who, and Sasaki from the Flying Six were also qualified to sit at the same table with the two Yonko, a testament to their strength within Kaido's meritocracy.

Chapter 482: Kaido's Confession, Big Mom is Shocked

The massive banquet hall of Whole Cake Chateau hummed with tense energy as the two Yonko crews eyed each other warily across their tables. The sweet aroma of countless delicacies wafted through the air, mingling with the distinct scent of sake that followed Kaido wherever he went.

Kaido threw an empty barrel aside with casual disregard, wiping spilled sake from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. His yellow eyes narrowed as he surveyed his men seated around him—his diminished but still formidable crew.

The Beast Pirates' ranks had thinned considerably since the devastating events at Wano. Looking at his assembled officers, Kaido couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. These were the only senior officials of the Beast Pirates now.

The Page One and Ulti siblings, two of the future Flying Six, were still young at this time and had not been promoted to their eventual positions of power. And the original Flying Six—the ones before King had personally recruited the current roster—had all perished in the Marine's unexpected raid on Wano Country.

Big Mom glanced at the five cadres on Kaido's side, and couldn't help but curl her lips, feeling a mix of envy and contempt.

"Kaido is such a bastard," she thought to herself. "His homeland is occupied by the Marine, but he still has so many talented people under him."

She mentally cataloged her own forces. Besides the Sweet Commanders, there was Perospero, her firstborn and Minister of Candy. She also had other talented children such as Daifuku with his powerful genie, Oven with his heat abilities, and Amande with her sword skills.

"My high-end combat power is not inferior to Kaido at all," she reassured herself, "and even slightly surpasses the now downtrodden Beast Pirates."

Kaido didn't notice Big Mom's calculating thoughts. He was busy savoring the fine wine sent by Charlotte Zuccotto, the Minister of Liquor. The potent brew was one of the few things capable of giving the world's strongest creature even a slight buzz.

"Drink it! Good wine!" he bellowed, his voice carrying across the hall. "It feels so good to drink it in big gulps. Your son knows his business, Linlin!"

Looking at his now incomplete cadre group, Kaido's momentary good humor faded. His expression darkened as he addressed Big Mom with a gloomy face:

"Linlin, you know what?" The casual use of her name rather than her epithet showed their long history. "Because of that bastard Doflamingo, one of my most capable subordinates was killed by the Marine."

He clenched his massive fist, the veins bulging beneath his skin. "It was also because of his death that I personally led my forces to Dressrosa, wanting an explanation from Doflamingo."

Queen shifted uncomfortably at the mention of this incident, remembering how they had lost several promising officers in that ill-fated expedition.

"As a result, not only did I not gain any benefit," Kaido continued, his voice growing rougher with each word, "but Wano Country was also ambushed by that bastard Sengoku and his men while I was away."

King's posture stiffened almost imperceptibly at the mention of their homeland's fall, his black wings twitching beneath his leather coat.

"Not only did we lose most of our men, we also lost the entire base—the land I spent decades bringing under my control!" Kaido's voice had risen to a thunderous roar by the end.

As he spoke, a fierce aura rose from Kaido's body—his Conqueror’s Haki leaking out uncontrollably with his anger. The pressure frightened the nearby Charlotte family members and lower-ranking Beast Pirates into silence. Several of the homies in the vicinity cowered, their animated faces contorting in terror.

Suddenly, Kaido reached out and pressed his left shoulder. Through the tear in his clothing, everyone could clearly see a huge, ugly scar that ran from his shoulder almost to his heart—a wound that should have been impossible to inflict on someone with his legendary durability.

"Even I suffered a grievous injury when I attacked the Marine's G-2 branch in retaliation." His fingers traced the ragged edges of the scar. "I almost got my heart ripped out."

Kaido could hardly control his emotions as he spoke, and his domineering aura ran wild throughout the banquet hall. The pressure became so intense that ordinary cadres and crew members began to tremble, unable to bear it. Cold sweat poured down their faces like rain as they struggled to remain conscious under the weight of his will.

Only the senior officials sitting at the same table—those with powerful Haki of their own—appeared unaffected. King and Queen sat stoically, while Who's-Who leaned forward with interest. Smoothie and Cracker exchanged wary glances, while Katakuri's face remained impassive, though his eyes narrowed slightly.

Big Mom herself looked at Kaido with an expression that mixed amusement and mild respect. Despite their rivalry, she couldn't help but feel a grudging admiration for the beast. She was secretly pleased to see this usually unshakable man showing vulnerability, confirming that even he had limits.

However, after hearing Kaido claim he was nearly killed, her expression became slightly more serious. An injury that could threaten Kaido was no laughing matter, especially with the precarious balance of power in the New World.

"G-2 branch?" she questioned, tapping her massive fingers on the table. "Was it that old monster Garp? Or perhaps Aokiji and Kizaru together?"

She chuckled, her massive body jiggling with the sound. "But your accomplishment is already impressive enough—you were able to escape from the hands of two Admirals and Iron Fist Garp."

Her laughter boomed through the hall. "Even I would be envious of such a feat, MAMAMA~~!"

The members of the Big Mom Pirates around her also nodded in agreement. Although they felt it was shameful that Kaido had been defeated and lost his territory, one thing was certain: escaping from the combined might of two Admirals and Garp the Hero was a feat unseen since the days of Gol D. Roger himself.

This was also why no one had questioned his status as one of the Four Emperors despite losing his base of operations. His strength and reputation remained fearsome enough to maintain his position in the delicate balance of the New World.

"NO!" Kaido roared, slamming his fist down with such force that the massive table cracked. The impact interrupted everyone's speculation and Charlotte Linlin's boisterous laughter.

He clutched the scar on his left shoulder tightly, his mind filled with the image of the young Marine who had inflicted such damage—a wound that not even his accelerated dragon's healing could fully repair.

At that moment, Katakuri, who was sitting at the same table, suddenly showed an expression of astonishment on his normally impassive face. His eyes widened as his Observation Haki revealed to him what Kaido was about to say before the words even left the Emperor's mouth.

In the next second, Kaido gritted his teeth and said with venomous hatred:

"It wasn't that old fossil Garp. It wasn't Aokiji, and it wasn't that glinting bastard Kizaru either."

The room fell deathly silent as all eyes fixed on Kaido. Even the homies stopped chattering.

"The one who hurt me so badly—the one who carved this scar into my scales—was Garp's grandson, the new Vice Admiral Monkey D. Luffy, who now occupies MY Wano!"

The words hit like a thunderclap.

Kaido's revelation left all the members of the Big Mom Pirates dumbfounded. Even Perospero and the Sweet Commanders at the same table were frozen in shock, jaws hanging open.

Big Mom's jovial expression vanished, replaced by utter disbelief. The piece of meat she had been about to devour fell from her fingers as she stared at Kaido.

The air seemed to crystallize at that moment. Except for the members of the Beast Pirates who had already learned of this humiliation from their captain, everyone in the Charlotte family looked as if they had seen a ghost from the Florian Triangle itself.

"You... are you kidding me?" The frozen atmosphere was shattered by Big Mom's suddenly raised voice, which caused several of the weaker pirates to faint outright.

She looked at her former crewmate and current rival with absolute disbelief etched across her features. The two had known each other for decades—she was intimately familiar with Kaido's immense strength.

Plus, he possessed the power of the Azure Dragon Fruit, a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit that she herself had given him years ago. His physical defense might not be as absolute as her iron-balloon body, but it was definitely impossible for some upstart Marine who hadn't even been born when they sailed with Rocks to break through his dragon scales and leave such a grievous wound.

It simply couldn't be true.

At this moment, Katakuri, who had recovered from his shock earlier than his siblings thanks to his advanced Haki, suddenly spoke up:

"Mother," he interrupted, his deep voice cutting through the tension, "now that I think about it, there was indeed a report in Morgan's newspaper about Kaido-san being injured by that Marine."

Perospero's eyes widened in recognition. "That's right, perorin~ But at the time, we all dismissed it as just another exaggeration by the Marine's propaganda machine. We didn't take it seriously."

Chapter 483: Big Mom: I Want King to be My Son-in-Law!

A heavy silence hung over the banquet hall as the Charlotte family processed Kaido's shocking revelation. Perospero's candy cane stopped its perpetual twirling, and even the ever-composed Katakuri seemed unsettled. The homies that normally chattered incessantly throughout Whole Cake Chateau were eerily quiet, as if they too were contemplating the implications.

The Big Mom Pirates exchanged uneasy glances as they considered the newspaper reports they had previously dismissed. Perhaps the World Economic Journal hadn't been exaggerating after all. Maybe the Marines or World Government had deliberately tried to build momentum for this young sailor, grooming him to become the Marine's next star—a counter to the rising generation of pirates.

After hearing Katakuri's reminder about the newspaper report, Charlotte Linlin and other members of the Charlotte family thought about it carefully. It seemed that the newspaper had indeed reported that a rising star of the Marine had dealt a heavy blow to Kaido. But the protagonist of the story had been a teen at the time.

"It was impossible for anyone to believe that such a young, immature brat could accomplish such a feat," Big Mom thought to herself, her massive fingers drumming on the table with enough force to make the silverware jump. "We all assumed that bird-brain Morgans was exaggerating to sell papers and curry favor with the World Government."

But now, Kaido himself—one of the Four Emperors, supposedly the strongest creature alive—had admitted to being severely injured by Monkey D. Luffy. Something that Iron Fist Garp, Admiral Aokiji, and Kizaru together had not been able to do was accomplished by a young man who had supposedly graduated from the Marine Academy only two or three years prior.

And what Kaido had just described wasn't merely having his defenses breached—he claimed he was almost killed by having his heart nearly ripped out. This went far beyond simply being able to penetrate Kaido's legendary durability.

"What kind of monster possesses the strength comparable to a Yonko at his teen?" Smoothie whispered, her usually calm demeanor shaken.

Big Mom, Katakuri, and the others all shared the same disturbing thought. In their minds, they had elevated Luffy to a level of strength comparable to their own Yonko status. If he possessed that kind of power now, how terrifying would his future be?

At this moment, Big Mom couldn't help but think of her old captain—the man who had dominated the sea with an iron fist and harbored ambitions of becoming the king of the world: Rocks D. Xebec. The similarities were too uncomfortable to ignore. Another D. carrier with monstrous potential, but this time within the ranks of the Marines.

Suddenly, even Charlotte Linlin, who prided herself on being one of the Four Emperors and one of the most powerful beings in the world, felt a twinge of unease. Her expression darkened as she addressed Kaido with uncharacteristic seriousness.

"So what?" she demanded, her voice losing its usual singsong quality. "What do you mean by telling me these things? You didn't share this humiliating story just to entertain me, did you?"

Beneath her disapproving tone, Kaido detected the hidden caution—the same wariness he himself felt about this development. He couldn't help but grin, his fanged teeth gleaming in the candlelight.

"WORORORORO~" His distinctive laugh echoed through the hall. "That little brat is indeed formidable, but he is no match for me at my full strength."

He leaned forward, his massive frame casting a shadow over the table. "Linlin, I just need you to help me hold back Akainu and Kizaru while I return to Wano to deal with that upstart myself!"

As he spoke, his eyes gleamed with cold fury, and his tone carried a hint of both threat and warning. "Think about it, Linlin. That boy has terrifying potential. You don't want a monster like Rocks to appear within the Marine's ranks in the future, do you?"

Hearing this invocation of their former captain's name, Big Mom and the older members of the Charlotte family fell silent. Perospero, Mont-d'Or, and the other children who had heard the stories of Rocks visibly shuddered, expressions of fear and dread flickering across their faces.

As for the younger Charlotte siblings who had never seen or even heard detailed accounts of Rocks D. Xebec, they had more immediate concerns. After hearing Kaido's proposal to engage two Admirals in battle, they paled with shock and looked at their mother with pleading eyes, hoping she wouldn't agree to the madman's request.

"Asking us to deliberately provoke a fight with two Admirals? What's the difference between that and asking us to march to our deaths?" Cracker muttered under his breath, his biscuit armor creaking as he tensed.

Even with their mother's immense strength and Katakuri's advanced abilities, combat was unpredictable. What if they were caught in the crossfire of Akainu's magma or Kizaru's light beams and met an early end? The young masters and ladies of the Charlotte family had no desire to perish before their time!

Big Mom herself was hesitating, weighing her options carefully. Psychologically, she agreed with Kaido's assessment—it would be prudent to eliminate this potential threat before the seedling grew into something unmanageable. Moreover, if Kaido took the lead in this vendetta, the future retribution from the Marine, especially from Garp the Hero, would primarily focus on him rather than her.

At most, she would play a supporting role by holding back Akainu and Kizaru, which wouldn't require her to commit the full might of her forces. The risk-to-reward ratio seemed acceptable.

For a moment, it appeared that the Yonko was ready to agree to Kaido's proposal. Her children recognized the calculating look in her eyes—the same expression she wore when plotting a particularly advantageous alliance or acquisition.

But due to the inherent nature of pirates—particularly one as avaricious as Big Mom—her greed compelled her to reconsider. Why settle for an even exchange when she could extract additional benefits? Her lips curled into a sly smile as she saw an opportunity.

"MAMAMA~~" Her laughter filled the hall once more. "Are you truly so rattled because of one little upstart? A kid who hasn't even grown all his facial hair is worthy of being compared with Rocks?"

She leaned back in her reinforced chair, eyeing Kaido with mock disdain. "How the mighty have fallen! The great Kaido, trembling at the thought of a Marine brat!"

Looking at Linlin laughing and openly mocking him, Kaido showed neither anger nor urgency to defend himself. Again, they had known each other for so long—decades of rivalry, alliance, and shared history under Rocks—that they could read each other all too well.

As soon as Kaido observed the calculating gleam in her eyes, he knew exactly what she was plotting. Most likely, she felt that his initial proposition wasn't lucrative enough and wanted to extract additional concessions. Their relationship was like that of quarrelsome siblings, and Kaido could not hide from Charlotte Linlin's machinations any more than she could hide her thoughts from him.

But Big Mom had no intention of engaging in prolonged negotiations. After making her sarcastic remarks and laying the groundwork for her real demand, she immediately changed tack:

"If you truly wish to seek revenge on that brat," she declared, "then let's dispense with this nonsense. You can have my help if you agree to let your subordinate King marry one of my daughters."

Her eyes shifted to the masked Lunarian, who stiffened imperceptibly at the mention of his name. "I will help you hold off Akainu and Kizaru so that you can be free to go to Wano Country and vent your anger. A fair exchange, wouldn't you say?"

Kaido glanced at King beside him, noting how his most loyal officer's hand had drifted unconsciously toward his sword. The Emperor's face darkened like storm clouds gathering over the sea.

King was his longest-serving and most loyal subordinate—more than that, he was Kaido's brother in all but blood. No matter how desperately he wanted to kill the Marine brat who had humiliated him, he would never trade his brother for revenge.

"You overreach, Linlin," Kaido growled, his voice low and dangerous. "King is not a bargaining chip."

Big Mom's eyes narrowed, her gaze shifting between Kaido and King. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife as the two Yonko stared each other down, neither willing to back down.

"Perhaps I was unclear," Big Mom said after a moment, her tone deceptively sweet. "I'm not asking for King to be handed over as a prisoner or subordinate. I'm proposing a marriage alliance—something that would benefit us both."

She gestured grandly across the table. "King would become my son-in-law. He would retain his position on your crew while strengthening the bonds between our organizations. And most importantly..." her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper that nonetheless carried throughout the hall, "I would finally have a Lunarian in my collection."

The last words caused a visible reaction from King, whose wings bristled beneath his coat. Kaido's expression darkened further, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the edge of the table.

Chapter 484: Conqueror's Haki Clash, King's Decision

The tension in the banquet hall reached its breaking point as Kaido slammed his massive fist onto the table, sending cracks spiderwebbing through the sturdy surface.

"You stinking old hag!" he roared, his patience finally exhausted. "If you want a fight, just say so! I can still fly to Wano Country and slaughter that brat even without your help!"

Kaido stood up abruptly, his towering frame casting a long shadow across the hall. His Conqueror’s Haki—the rare Conqueror's Haki possessed by only one in several million—instantaneously erupted from his body in violent, invisible waves.

The weaker members of the Charlotte family were struck as if by physical blows to their heads. Their eyes rolled back, consciousness fleeing them as they collapsed onto the banquet tables or slumped to the floor, foam bubbling from their mouths.

Big Mom's expression twisted with fury. She immediately rose to her feet, her enormous bulk causing the reinforced floor beneath her to groan in protest. Her own Conqueror's Haki flared in response, clashing against Kaido's like ocean waves crashing against a cliff.

"Insolent bastard!" she bellowed, her voice shaking the very foundations of Whole Cake Chateau. "Don't forget that your Azure Dragon Fruit was given to you by ME!"

Her eyes blazed with indignation as she continued, spittle flying from her lips. "Who took you in after you were kicked out of your base by the Marines? Who protected you when you were nothing but a green cabin boy on the Rocks Pirates?"

The Yonko's massive fingers curled into fists as her rage intensified. "You promised my daughters would have their pick of husbands from your crew! If you won't honor your word and have a death wish instead, then take your pathetic mongrels and get out of my territory!"

As Big Mom's tirade continued, the clashing Conqueror's Haki of the two Emperors intensified. The collision of their wills manifested in the physical world, creating a vortex of pressure that radiated outward from their confrontation.

This time, it wasn't only the weaker Charlotte family members who succumbed—even the lower-ranking officers of the Beast Pirates were shocked into unconsciousness one by one, their bodies unable to withstand the overwhelming pressure.

The few who remained conscious were pale and trembling, sweat pouring down their faces as they struggled to keep their knees from buckling beneath them. Perospero's candy cane began to melt from his own nervous perspiration, while Smoothie unconsciously squeezed the moisture from the tablecloth, reducing it to a desiccated husk.

Not only did the clash affect those present, but the fierce confrontation between the two Emperors also began to alter the weather itself. The previously clear sky above Whole Cake Island responded to the power of the two Yonko as if nature itself feared their wrath.

Dark clouds gathered with unnatural speed, swirling into an ominous cyclone directly above the chateau. Flashes of lightning crackled within the churning mass, and thunder rumbled with increasing frequency. It seemed as though a catastrophic downpour would break over their heads at any moment.

Queen, the corpulent All-Star of the Beast Pirates, observed this terrifying scene with abject horror. The spectacle resembled nothing less than a natural disaster of apocalyptic proportions.

"Hey! Hey! Let's not fight! Let's not fight!" Queen shouted, his usually boisterous demeanor replaced by panic. His small eyes bulged behind his sunglasses as he turned desperately to his fellow All-Star. "King, you silent freak, say something! Just accept the wife for free!"

King's face remained hidden behind his leather mask, making it impossible to discern his expression. But from the only visible part of his face—his eyes—Katakuri could perceive a hint of inner conflict and struggle.

As an older brother adored by his younger siblings, Katakuri understood King's position all too well. He himself hated his mother's practice of using her children's marriages as political currency to achieve her own ambitions. The thought of subjecting one of his sisters to marriage with a man who wouldn't even show his face stirred deep resentment within him.

Dissatisfied with the direction of negotiations and protective of his siblings, Katakuri stood up with a grim expression. His scarf shifted slightly as he released his own Conqueror's Haki—less overwhelming than the two Emperors' but precise and targeted—directing it specifically at King as a warning.

Seeing his brother's actions, Perospero quickly followed suit. The eldest son of the Charlotte family rose to his feet, his candy cane reassembling into a hardened staff as he positioned himself beside Katakuri.

Observing that their brothers had taken a stand, Cracker, Smoothie, and Snack naturally stood as well, forming a united front of Sweet Commanders. They hadn't even lost consciousness under the oppressive Haki of the two Emperors—a testament to their own formidable strength.

Other powerful siblings such as Daifuku and Oven, who had been monitoring the situation closely, also rose to support their family, their hands hovering near their weapons.

The Beast Pirates were naturally unwilling to back down before such a display. Black Maria, Who's-Who, Sasaki, and the other Flying Six members immediately positioned themselves opposite the Charlotte siblings, their own killing intent rising to match the challenge.

Queen glanced anxiously from side to side, registering with growing alarm that both crews seemed genuinely on the verge of combat. His small eyes darted to King, filled with a mixture of panic and exasperation.

"Damn it, King, stop playing dead!" he hissed urgently. "Can't you see we're about to have an all-out war? Just nod your head, and we can all get out of this mess alive!"

King, already in a foul mood because of Big Mom's apparent obsession with adding him to her collection, now felt the weight of Katakuri's focused Haki pressing down on him like a physical burden. Hearing Queen's idiotic pleading only darkened his mood further.

Under his mask, King's expression grew even more severe as his inner monologue raged.

"Damn it all," he thought bitterly. "If Katakuri is so upset, why doesn't he confront his own mother instead of trying to intimidate me with his Haki? I'm obviously the victim in this situation!"

His resentment shifted to his fellow All-Star. "And Queen, that opportunistic bastard! You just want to see me humiliated, don't you? Fine—wait until we return to the ship. I'll make you regret this."

King, continuing his internal tirade, forced himself to take several deep breaths. He exhaled slowly, repeating this process multiple times until he managed to regain his composure.

The Lunarian had spent his entire life hiding, surviving, and adapting—first from the World Government that had exterminated his race, then as one of the few beings capable of withstanding Kaido's volatile temperament. This situation, while detestable, was simply another challenge to overcome.

When he finally spoke, his voice emerged slightly muffled through his mask but carried clearly enough for everyone present to hear.

"Ms. Linlin, Kaido-sama," he said with measured formality, "please retract your Haki. I... accept this proposal."

"King, you fool!" Kaido whirled around in astonishment, his concentration breaking enough that his Haki wavered momentarily.

No one knew King's character and past experiences better than Kaido. He had personally rescued the Lunarian from a World Government research facility, where scientists had been conducting horrific experiments on the last survivor of an ancient race. Since then, King had confided in Kaido that he never wanted offspring, fearing that any children would suffer the same persecution and experimentation he had endured.

Meeting Kaido's shocked gaze, King offered a subtle nod. His eyes—the only visible part of his face—communicated a calm resolve that belied the gravity of his decision.

"Don't concern yourself, Kaido-sama," he said reassuringly. "I've made this choice of my own volition. Perhaps... it is not yet time for the Lunaria tribe to fade from this world."

Listening to King's measured voice, Kaido gritted his teeth until they nearly cracked. He turned his furious glare toward Big Mom, who was already beginning to grin in triumph. His massive hand tightened around his kanabo club until his knuckles whitened.

But in the end, Kaido respected King's decision enough not to contradict it. Instead, he addressed Charlotte Linlin with a menacing growl:

"King is my finest subordinate and brother, you gluttonous hag," he snarled, his eyes promising violence. "You'd better present your most beautiful daughter for this arrangement. And if you fail to help me kill that Marine brat as promised, I swear by the seas that I will reduce your precious Cake Island to rubble before I'm done!"

By this point, Big Mom had ceased to care about Kaido's threats. Her dream of many years—adding a Lunarian to her collection of races—was finally within reach. She threw back her head and laughed with unrestrained joy, her massive body shaking with each guffaw.

"MAMAMA! Perfect, absolutely perfect!" she crowed, clapping her enormous hands together with childlike glee. "The precious Lunarian bloodline will join my family at last! We're only one step away from becoming the true Nation of Ten Thousand—my dream since childhood!"

Chapter 485: Change of Address, King Calls Big Mom "Mother"

Big Mom's boisterous laughter reverberated throughout Whole Cake Chateau as the tension in the banquet hall gradually dissipated. She cast a satisfied glance toward Katakuri, her most capable child, and felt a surge of maternal pride.

"Truly worthy of being the Charlotte family's greatest masterpiece," she thought smugly. "He knew exactly how to pressure our guest without requiring explicit instructions from me."

Her gaze shifted to Perospero, who stood rigidly beside his brother, candy cane staff at the ready. "And Perospero performed admirably as well—worthy of being my firstborn."

The thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant, and Big Mom immediately issued commands to her two most trusted children:

"Perospero," she called out, her voice carrying across the hall, "summon all your brothers and sisters immediately. And bring the portraits of all your unmarried sisters, my Minister of Candy."

Perospero glanced briefly at Katakuri's stony expression before bowing respectfully to his mother.

"Of course, Mama. I'll see to it right away," he replied, his long tongue flicking out nervously as he spoke. With a final lick of his candy cane, he strode from the hall, already mentally cataloging which of his many sisters might be suitable for this unexpected arrangement.

Big Mom then turned her attention to Katakuri, who had lowered his head slightly, his scarf hiding any expression that might betray his feelings about this development.

"Katakuri, my finest child," she cooed with uncharacteristic warmth, "please go and personally invite all our allies and business partners on your mother's behalf. Inform them that the tea party scheduled for next month has been canceled."

Her massive fingers drummed excitedly on the table. "Instead, they should bring appropriate gifts to attend your sister's wedding ceremony with King of the Beast Pirates. This union deserves the grandest celebration!"

"...Yes, Mama," Katakuri answered with clear reluctance in his deep voice.

Though he didn't vocalize his objections, Katakuri's displeasure was evident in his rigid posture. The Sweet Commander had witnessed too many of his sisters being married off as political pawns in his mother's endless schemes. Yet another sibling would now be sacrificed for the sake of Big Mom's obsession with building her collection of races.

But Big Mom paid no attention to her son's discomfort. She was already mentally arranging the details of the impending wedding—which daughter would be the most suitable match, how to make the ceremony more lavish than previous ones, what cake design would be most appropriate for such a momentous occasion.

The Yonko's mood had brightened considerably, and she began humming a cheerful tune—a melody that sent chills down the spines of those familiar with her mercurial temperament. When Big Mom was happy, her crew could breathe more easily, but such moments were often precursors to even more outlandish demands.

King, resigned to his fate, sighed inwardly. He had committed to this course of action and would see it through, but he still hoped to use this opportunity to secure additional advantages for Kaido and the Beast Pirates. After all, if he was to be a bargaining chip, the exchange should be worth his sacrifice.

"Ms. Linlin, you—" King began formally.

"No, no!" Big Mom interrupted with a saccharine smile that looked almost predatory on her massive face. "Such formality is no longer appropriate between us, my good son-in-law. You should address me more... familiarly now."

Hearing this not-so-subtle demand, King couldn't help but take a deep, steadying breath. The implications were clear—Big Mom expected him to call her "Mother" as her actual children did.

Queen's small eyes suddenly widened behind his sunglasses, practically sparkling with anticipation. He leaned forward eagerly, ears perked up to catch every syllable of what promised to be an unprecedented moment—the stoic, dignified King forced to use such an intimate form of address.

Kaido's expression darkened further at this humiliation of his right-hand man. If King found this demand too demeaning, Kaido was prepared to snatch him away and engage Big Mom in battle, even if it meant mutual destruction. Some lines shouldn't be crossed, even for the sake of revenge.

Everyone in the banquet hall—Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates alike—turned their attention to King, watching with intense curiosity.

The Beast Pirates were primarily fascinated to see if their typically taciturn and stern fellow officer would actually utter such uncharacteristic words. In all their years serving under Kaido, many had never heard King speak more than necessary, let alone use terms of endearment.

The Charlotte family members, meanwhile, scrutinized this masked stranger who didn't even dare show his face yet presumed to marry into their family. If he couldn't manage this simple change of address, he had no business becoming their brother-in-law.

Once again finding himself the center of unwanted attention, King felt a profound bitterness rising within him. The things he endured for Kaido's ambitions...

He opened his mouth several times to say those two simple words, but shame and dignity held his tongue. The word "mother" had not passed his lips since his childhood, before the World Government had slaughtered his people and turned him into an experimental subject.

Big Mom, however, displayed uncharacteristic patience, watching him with encouraging eyes that belied her usual temperament. For the sake of adding a Lunarian to her collection, she was willing to wait.

Finally, King bit down hard enough on his tongue to taste blood—physical pain to distract from the deeper wound to his pride.

"I apologize... Mother," he managed to stammer, his normally confident voice faltering on the familial term. "I'm still... adjusting to this arrangement."

"Damn it all," he thought bitterly. "I'm practically married to her daughter already. It's just a title—what difference does it make?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Queen reacted as though he'd witnessed a Sea King sprouting wings. The rotund pirate actually jumped from his seat, knocking his chair backward with a crash as his jaw dropped in disbelief.

"You—you—are you really the King I know?!" Queen sputtered, pointing a trembling finger at his fellow All-Star. "No, take off your mask immediately and let me see who you really are! You must be an impostor!"

King's visible eyes narrowed with such murderous intent that even hardened pirates felt a chill run down their spines. The killing aura emanating from him was so intense that an ordinary person would have collapsed on the spot.

Queen shivered visibly at that deadly glare. He quickly averted his gaze, no longer daring to meet King's eyes, and scrambled to right the chair he had overturned in his surprise. With exaggerated care, he lowered his substantial bulk back into the seat, suddenly finding the patterns on the tablecloth absolutely fascinating.

The other Beast Pirates who had been shocked by King's uncharacteristic behavior tactfully closed their mouths, lowering their heads to avoid drawing their comrade's wrath. Who's-Who and Sasaki exchanged subtle glances but knew better than to comment. Black Maria hid her smile behind a delicate hand, filing away this moment for future teasing when King was in a less murderous mood.

"MAMAMA! How wonderful! I'm so happy today!" Big Mom's face split into a broad grin as she laughed with genuine delight. "You've made the right choice, my dear son-in-law. For this, I shall grant you anything within my power."

Such preferential treatment was something that many members of the Charlotte family could only dream of receiving. Even Perospero, who had served his mother loyally for over fifty years, rarely received such open favoritism.

"I've finally, FINALLY added the Lunarian tribe to my collection!" Big Mom thought triumphantly. After decades of searching, her dream of creating the perfect nation with all races was one significant step closer to realization.

"Well, well, tell me, my dear child," she crooned, leaning forward with unnerving eagerness, "what do you desire as a wedding gift from your new mother?"

Big Mom made no effort to conceal her preference for King, treating him with a sugary sweetness usually reserved for her actual favorite children. For a moment, everyone present cast jealous or incredulous glances at the Lunarian, and even a few Beast Pirates couldn't help but reveal hints of envy at this special treatment from one of the world's most powerful pirates.

"No special gift is necessary," King replied with restored composure. "As long as you agree to Kaido-sama's request and assist us in delaying Admirals Akainu and Kizaru, that will be sufficient."

Having called Charlotte Linlin "Mother," King had made a conscious decision to avoid referring to Kaido as "Brother" as he normally would. Otherwise, one would be his brother while the other was his mother-in-law, placing Kaido at a psychological disadvantage in their hierarchy. The Beast Pirates had already suffered enough humiliation for one day; he absolutely could not allow Kaido to lose face again.

"Yes, yes, of course!" Big Mom agreed without hesitation, waving her massive hand dismissively. "Since I've promised, I won't go back on my word. A deal is a deal!"

She then turned to look at Kaido, her expression shifting to one of strategic calculation. "Now that we've settled our arrangement, do you have an actual plan for this venture? When do you intend to make your move against Wano? What precisely do you need from me and my forces?"