Chapter 211: The Banquet
The next morning, at dawn—
The first light of the sun crept over the horizon, bathing Whole Cake Island in golden warmth. A festive air filled the island as music echoed from the streets and homies danced to the rhythm of celebration.
Today was a momentous day for the Big Mom Pirates. Their long-awaited alliance through marriage with the Giants of Elbaf was finally about to take shape.
Not only were all of Charlotte Linlin's children and senior officers gathered, but even the great emperors of the underworld—those who secretly pulled the strings of the world—had arrived to attend the grand banquet.
Among them were six of the most powerful names in the underground:
"Big News" Morgans, President of the World Economy News Paper.
"The King of Loan Sharks" Lu Feld, known as the "Lucky God."
"The Sea Transport King" Umit, master of all sea routes.
"The Funeral Director" Drug Peclo, who controlled the death business.
"The Warehouse Mogul" Giberson, known as the "Concealment Master."
"The Queen of the Pleasure District" Stussy, ruler of Happy Street.
These six dominated the underworld and maintained close ties with Big Mom's empire. To greet them personally was Charlotte Perospero, the eldest son of the Charlotte Family and Minister of Candy.
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"Welcome, emperors of the underworld!"
Perospero performed an exaggerated gentleman's bow, his candy cane twirling theatrically. "It's a rare honor to have you all here together. The banquet is being held in the upper hall of Cake Castle. Please, allow me to escort you."
He waved his hand, and thick syrup flowed out like liquid glass, coalescing into a glittering, spiraling staircase.
"Sweet Elevator!"
The syrup staircase shimmered, its surface glistening under the morning light.
"Magnificent!" exclaimed Lu Feld, clapping enthusiastically.
"Indeed," Morgans added, snapping a photo with his camera-snail. "No matter how many times I see your candy creations, Perospero, I can't help but call them art!"
Perospero chuckled, waving a finger. "You flatter me! Now then, please, step aboard. Mama is expecting you upstairs. Oh, and as a friendly reminder—there might be… unexpected guests today."
"Unexpected guests?" Morgans' feathers ruffled with interest. "Now you've really piqued my curiosity!"
As the six underworld emperors stepped onto the sticky platform, the staircase began to rise on its own—smoothly and silently, like a moving escalator of sugar.
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"Welcome, distinguished guests! Would you like a drink before entering?"
Guarding the grand entrance to the ballroom stood Charlotte Smoothie, the tall and elegant Fourteenth Daughter of the Charlotte Family—one of the famed Three Sweet Commanders.
Beside her hung a bizarre assortment of creatures—an exotic bird, a horned beast, even something that resembled a giraffe—all dripping with juices of varying colors.
"Today's drink selection includes 'Lava from the Maori Volcano', 'The Beauty Who Slayed a Hundred Men', and 'The Giraffe's Song'," Smoothie announced with calm poise.
"I'll take a glass of the giraffe," said Morgans.
"I'll try the Maori lava," Lu Feld added.
"Then I'll have the 'Beauty Who Slayed a Hundred Men,'" said Peclo.
"Very well," Smoothie smiled faintly. Placing her hand on the giraffe-like creature, she squeezed gently—instantly extracting bright orange juice from its body, which poured into crystal glasses.
This was the power of the Shibo Shibo no Mi (Wring-Wring Fruit)—a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit allowing her to wring out liquid from anything she touched.
"Marvelous," Morgans said after taking a sip.
"Exquisite texture," added Umit.
"Hahaha! Simply divine!" laughed Lu Feld, his face flushed from the heat of the lava juice.
The guests praised the drinks as they entered the banquet hall.
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The hall itself was enormous—decked with candy chandeliers, cream-sugar pillars, and golden frosting draped across the ceiling. Hundreds of Charlotte children and high-ranking officers filled the room.
At the center of the commotion stood several giants from Elbaf, towering over the tables. But amid the familiar faces, a few unexpected ones drew everyone's attention.
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"Oh? Isn't that the former Chief Warden of Impel Down—Shiryu of the Rain?"
"And over there—Sir Crocodile, the former Warlord of the Sea!"
The underworld guests were stunned. Morgans' camera-snail clicked rapidly as he let out an excited squawk. "Kuwah! Now this is news! What are two infamous ex-convicts doing at Big Mom's banquet?!"
The implications were enormous. Both Shiryu and Crocodile were powerful men once aligned with different forces. Their sudden appearance at a Yonko's celebration hinted at shifting tides in the underworld—and potential alliances that could shake the seas.
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"Oh-ho-ho… so Perospero wasn't joking about unexpected guests."
A calm yet commanding voice rang from the entrance.
The crowd turned, and Portgas D. Ace, the Fire Emperor, stepped into the hall with his signature confident grin. His presence alone made the air feel warmer.
Walking through the crowd, Ace smiled toward the two infamous figures.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Crocodile… and Shiryu. It's been a while."
The murmurs exploded instantly.
"That's—Fire Emperor Ace!"
"The man who went to war with the World Government!"
"Why is he here?! Is this another alliance between emperors?!"
Even the Big Mom Pirates' senior members—unaware of Ace's arrival—showed visible shock.
After the Marineford War, Ace's power and influence had skyrocketed. His might rivaled the strongest in the New World, bolstered by the loyalty of the Spade Pirates, Whitebeard's remaining allies, and several new powerhouse crews.
No one on the seas could afford to take him lightly.
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"Well, well," Crocodile said with a faint smirk. "If it isn't the man himself—Fire Emperor Portgas D. Ace."
"Hey, don't give me that look," Shiryu added casually, exhaling smoke. "Back then, Teach and I were just working together temporarily. He's long dead now. You're not still holding a grudge, are you?"
Ace chuckled, resting an elbow on the table as he sat down.
"Relax. I was invited too. I'm not here to start a fight at someone else's party. Even I know better than to disrespect the host."
Then, turning his amber eyes toward Shiryu, Ace's smile sharpened.
"Still, there's something I want to ask you—after the banquet. Just the two of us."
He leaned back, his tone casual yet commanding.
"You won't refuse, right, Shiryu?"
"…Of course not." Shiryu exhaled through his cigar and gave a reluctant nod. Inwardly, he sighed.
If he'd known Ace would be attending, he never would have come. Now, he would have to seriously reconsider Big Mom's proposal.
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