Whole Cake Island.
"Hey, Katakuri, what are you looking at?"
Katakuri turned to see Perospero, the eldest son of the family and his older brother, speaking to him.
At this time, the Big Mom Pirates had not yet formed the so-called 'Three Sweet Commanders' structure.
As the eldest brother, Perospero was often responsible for helping Charlotte Linlin manage their younger siblings.
Including Katakuri, of course.
"The World Economic News... The so-called 'Warlords of the Sea' have really stirred up the New World lately."
"Hmph, just some petty squabbles between the Marines and other pirates," Perospero took the newspaper and skimmed through it.
"What? Don't tell me you're interested too? As the second-highest bounty in the crew after Mother, are you eyeing a Warlord position?"
Katakuri shook his head.
"No, just curious." His massive scarf, shaped like petals, covered the lower half of his face.
"By the way, why do you have time to come see me? Shouldn't you be preparing snacks for Mother's tea party?"
"Oh, that? It's already done," Perospero continued flipping through the paper without looking up.
"Ever since the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates set up that neutral trade zone on Fishman Island, it's become much easier to buy Fishman Island's specialty sweets."
Hearing this, Katakuri didn't press further.
As long as their Mother's cravings were satisfied, that was all that mattered.
Over the years, their Mother's appetite had grown increasingly voracious, much to their collective suffering.
"But speaking of Fishman Island... I'm very curious about that Marine Vice Admiral, Michael."
"Just an ordinary Vice Admiral not those logia monsters .... Aside from them, who in the Marines could even compare to you, little brother?"
As the two brothers chatted under the rising sun, an urgent voice suddenly rang out nearby.
"Brother Perospero! Brother Katakuri!"
"There's a strange warship near the Island!"
"It's completely ignoring the ocean currents, heading straight for Whole Cake Island!"
The voice belonged to Charlotte Praline, the twenty-first daughter of the Charlotte Family and a hammerhead shark mermaid.
Having just celebrated her eleventh birthday, she had been swimming freely in the waters near Whole Cake Island.
But unexpectedly, at the edge of the safe zone, she spotted a warship moving slowly yet showing no intention of stopping.
Unsure of what to do, she could only seek out the two brothers whose words carried the most weight in the entire Charlotte Family.
Perospero and Katakuri exchanged glances, both seeing the confusion and shock in each other's eyes.
A ship that ignored the currents of the New world and could reach Whole Cake Island without using the "secret route"?
And a warship, no less?
These conditions combined in their minds, instantly leading them to a conclusion that made them break out in a cold sweat...
Was the Marine planning a surprise attack on Whole Cake Island?!
But just a second later, they both shook their heads violently, dismissing the absurd thought.
Impossible!
Had the Marine gone mad? Why would they attack Whole Cake Island for no reason?
Though the residents of Whole Cake Island had to surrender one month of their lifespan every six months to Big Mom as the price for living here, everyone accepted it willingly, never feeling coerced.
After all, the Charlotte Family and their subordinate Big Mom Pirates genuinely protected the residents of "Whole Cake Island."
In fact, within the New World, Whole Cake Island could be considered one of the most peaceful and happiest places.
Though the residents lived relatively shorter lives, in Whole Cake Island, someone who might have lived to 100 would instead live to 85.
But in other parts of the New World, surviving safely to middle age was far from guaranteed.
This trade-off was actually quite a good deal.
Not to mention, Big Mom, who hadn't yet descended into a monstrous rage due to her hunger pangs, even had a somewhat paternalistic affection for her people.
Even if the Marine were to launch a full-scale offensive against pirates, by any measure, the Big Mom Pirates would be the lowest priority.
"Are you sure, Praline?"
"I'm sure! Absolutely sure! Are you doubting a mermaid's eyesight underwater, Brother Perospero?"
"Sorry, sorry. We'll report this to Mama right away... You hurry back too! No more fooling around in the sea!"
After giving a few quick instructions, Perospero and Katakuri rushed toward the Charlotte Family's castle.
This news had to be delivered to their mother immediately.
Whatever the intruders' purpose might be...
It certainly wasn't anything good.
*****
"Holy crap, is this entire island really made of sweets?" Michael muttered with slight distaste as he walked across Cake Island.
"So we're just... strolling right onto Charlotte Linlin's Cake Island like this?" Crocodile's lips twitched.
"You do realize that, in a way, she's a monster on par with that old geezer Whitebeard, right?"
"We're not exactly swaggering around. I parked the Seraphim Ship quite a distance from the shoreline," Michael said, pointing behind him. "But even though she's a monster, she's still no match for Whitebeard."
Of course, Michael wasn't looking down on Charlotte Linlin.
On the contrary, he believed the current Charlotte Linlin was probably much stronger than the Big Mom who would become one of the 'Four Emperors' over a decade later.
At this time, her "hunger pangs" hadn't yet caused her too much trouble.
She was likely still in a period where she could keep them under control.
But according to intelligence reports, Charlotte Linlin's terrifying appetite was already beginning to show, and the frequency of her tea parties was starting to increase.
"Anyway... whatever," Enel said, drooling as he looked at the house made entirely of cake next to them.
"I could die here and never move again."
"That's about all the ambition you've got."
Michael curled his lips and continued moving through the forest.
"Someone's coming!" Stella, who had been guiding them from above as a cloud, suddenly spoke up.
"A large group is already waiting in formation at the forest's outermost edge."
"Hmm? Have we been exposed?" Michael frowned. "Could it be that Katakuri got bored and activated his Observation Haki, foreseeing our arrival on the island?"
"While sailing earlier, my Mantra picked up the presence of a mermaid, but I didn't pay it much mind... Now that I think about it, that must have been their scout..."
"...Damn you, Enel! Next time you withhold information, I'll execute you on behalf of the organization and the people!"