The past two years in the New World had been nothing short of turbulent.
With just a single sentence from Gol D. Roger, countless pirates surged into the New World, all vying for the throne of its ruler.
Yet, amidst this chaos, the two strongest pirate crews—Whitebeard's and Big Mom's—were not shaken. In fact, their forces only grew stronger amidst the storm.
Whitebeard, thanks to his personal charisma and the title of "Strongest Man in the World," drew many pirates to him. They willingly pledged themselves under his banner, calling him "Father."
As for Big Mom, her dominance and brutality became her greatest recruiting tools—vicious and unruly pirates flocked to her side, drawn by fear and awe.
That's how the world of pirates worked—sometimes, the more ruthless and tyrannical you were, the more others revered you.
Adding to that, Charlotte Linlin had established Tottoland, forming alliances with many powers through marriage, and thanks to her multitude of children, she became the most likely candidate to seize the title of Pirate King.
Because Whitebeard… had never cared for that title. He scorned it. What he sought was not the crown, but a family.
And today, in the territory of the Big Mom Pirates—the seas of tottoland—a most peculiar visitor arrived.
Alone, on a single small boat, this man crossed into tottoland's waters… and was immediately detected by the scouting ships.
"Who goes there?!" barked a Homies soldier on the scout ship.
Lately, too many pirates had dared to provoke tottoland, and the entire territory was on high alert.
"Me."
The man on the lone boat slowly looked up, meeting the Homies soldier's gaze with a calm, emotionless expression.
"Ka—Kata—Katakuri-sama?!" the Homies soldier gasped in disbelief.
Indeed, the lone man who had entered tottoland's waters—was none other than Charlotte Katakuri.
After making all the necessary preparations, Katakuri hadn't informed anyone. He had quietly descended from Skypiea by himself.
Then, he hijacked a ship, setting a direct course for tottoland.
"I want to see Mama," he said flatly.
"Y-yes, of course!" the Homies soldier stammered.
These Homies—anthropomorphic beings infused with soul fragments by Charlotte Linlin—were still patrolling for Katakuri across the seas. But since Linlin hadn't given a formal kill order, they dared not disrespect him.
And as soul-infused beings, they retained traces of human emotion—especially fear. Katakuri had once been the most powerful figure in the Charlotte family. Tales of his strength still echoed through tottoland.
As a Homies soldier, he was instinctively terrified of Linlin's children. Even more so… of her strongest son.
On Whole Cake Island…
"Mama! Katakuri's back! He's in tottoland's waters as we speak!" Perospero shouted excitedly into the Den Den Mushi.
"He dares come back?!" A hurricane of rage erupted from Charlotte Linlin as her aura flared wildly.
"Mama, I'm sure Katakuri must have had no choice. Now that he's returned, we must give him the chance to explain himself. If he's truly committed treason… then we can kill him after hearing him out," Perospero reasoned.
"Exactly, Mama! Big Brother Katakuri definitely had a reason!" the other siblings chimed in. Among the Charlotte children, Katakuri still held immense respect and affection.
"…Let him come." Linlin's eyes narrowed.
"Mamamama… If he dares to return, then surely he's brought good news. Or maybe he's found some divine new dessert… Mamamama. Let's hear what he has to offer," Big Mom said with a hungry grin.
At her words, Perospero and the others finally let out a breath of relief.
At Whole Cake Island's harbor…
Perospero waited at the dock, arms crossed, his long tongue flicking nervously.
Soon enough, a few scout ships came into view, escorting a small boat behind them.
"…He's here," Perospero muttered.
From a distance, he could already see Katakuri seated calmly on the small boat.
"Lord Perospero!" the Homies soldiers disembarked and greeted him respectfully.
Perospero ignored them, his gaze locked on the approaching figure.
"Long time no see, Peros-nii," Katakuri said, opening his eyes and speaking in a low, quiet voice.
"Katakuri… you shouldn't have come back," Perospero replied grimly, meeting his brother's eyes.
Even though Mama had agreed to give Katakuri a chance to explain, Perospero knew—this visit would end in disaster.
"Some things… need closure," Katakuri said.
"Tell me the truth, Katakuri. Did you… really join the Grey Kingdom? Did you betray Mama?" Perospero asked, his brows furrowed deeply.
"Does it matter now?" Katakuri replied. "Whether I joined or not—would it make any difference to Mama?"
"It does matter! If you've joined Rosinante's crew, then to Mama—and to all of us brothers and sisters—you've committed an unforgivable sin. But if you didn't… and had no choice, we could plead your case! Mama might just spare your life!" Perospero argued.
But deep down, he knew—even that was wishful thinking.
Best-case scenario: Mama might take decades off Katakuri's lifespan and lock him up somewhere on Whole Cake Island for eternity.
Worst-case scenario: She might take all of it.
That's why Perospero had said… Katakuri shouldn't have come back.
Unless—he had brought news that could make Mama leap for joy.
Otherwise, his fate was sealed.
"Peros-nii… these past two years, I have been with Rosinante… as a member of the Grey Kingdom Pirate Crew. And not just that—I've been serving as the vice-captain."
Katakuri's voice was calm. Honest.
Perospero's expression turned dark as thunderclouds.
"…Why? Why would you do that?" he growled.
Katakuri suddenly spoke in a low voice, "You know it too, don't you, Perospero? Two years ago, when Mama sent me to invite Rosinante to the tea party… you knew her true motive."
At those words, Perospero fell silent.
As Linlin's eldest son… how could he not have seen through her intent?
But under Big Mom's overwhelming tyranny, he hadn't dared speak out. He had stayed silent. Chosen to look away.
And Katakuri… had made his choice.