The news that Naruto would be attending Big Mom's tea party had actually spread throughout Totto Land long ago.
This was before his rampage in Mary Geoise.
After his fierce battle with Golden Lion Shiki, Naruto once again made headlines, which prompted Big Mom to consider inviting him to her tea party and arranging a marriage alliance with one of her daughters.
Of course, the invitation letter didn't go into such details… it simply extended an invitation for a gathering.
For Naruto, this was like receiving a pillow just as he was about to sleep. Coincidentally, he wanted to use Big Mom's daughter to extract the memories from Orochimaru's head, so he readily agreed.
With Big Mom's invitation in hand, Naruto encountered no obstacles as he passed through the islands of Totto Land.
During his journey, many of Totto Land's residents and the 'ministers' stationed on the islands expressed a welcoming attitude toward him.
This actually surprised Naruto.
These guys hadn't been so friendly the last time they met.
After all, he had forcefully stopped their actions with his strength. Even though they later held a banquet together, Naruto's Observation Haki could still discern how many people at the feast still held hostility toward him.
But this time, it seemed that most of the ministers he encountered genuinely showed goodwill.
'Big Mom's children and subordinates are surprisingly magnanimous, huh?'
Thinking this, Naruto wasn't in a hurry to reach Whole Cake Island. Instead, he took the opportunity to stop at each food-themed island along the way and sample the local specialties.
What he didn't realize was that the ministers' respect and friendliness stemmed entirely from Big Mom's decision to arrange a marriage alliance between him and one of the Sweet Commanders, the [Minister of Juice], Charlotte Smoothie.
Additionally, news of his actions against the Celestial Dragons had already reached Totto Land, and his fearsome reputation was enough to deter anyone who might have considered provoking him.
Whether out of recognition for Naruto's strength or respect for Smoothie's status, the lower-ranking ministers within the Charlotte Family had no choice but to display the appropriate attitude.
'After this tea party, with the addition of a powerhouse like Uzumaki Naruto, Mama would undoubtedly be one step closer to becoming the new Pirate King and dominating the entire sea!'
…
Liqueur Island, Gin Town.
[Minister of Alcohol], Charlotte Zuccotto is a short, middle-aged man with a red cloak and a raccoon tail.
Despite his plain, or even ugly appearance, his expertise in alcohol was unmatched by most.
At the same time, among Big Mom's children, he was also one of the few, like Katakuri, who didn't harbor much hostility toward Naruto.
Though, among the dozens of ministers, he wasn't particularly outstanding either.
At the moment, Naruto and Zuccotto were in the middle of a drinking contest on Gin Town's central stage.
Despite the island's name being Liqueur Island, it actually offered an impressively wide variety of alcoholic beverages.
From the 60-proof White Lightning specialty of the Flower Country, to pirates' favorites like rum and whiskey, as well as wine and sake… everything was available.
This was Naruto's first time encountering so many types of alcohol on a single island, and his excitement grew.
"Drink! Drink! Drink!"
"Drink! Drink!"
The surrounding crowd cheered loudly, but by now, only Naruto and Zuccotto remained on the stage.
The other contestants had either gotten drunk or were carried off the stage after vomiting.
"Hmm… this one's got to be over 70-proof. Did you guys make this yourselves?"
Naruto poured a small flask of clear, transparent liquor into his mouth and smacked his lips a few times before asking curiously.
Across from him, Zuccotto refused to be outdone. He downed an identical flask while replying,
"It's a distilled version of our own brew. Theoretically, we could… could make it even stronger, but Mama doesn't like it, and normal people can't handle it."
As he spoke, he took two more gulps before finally succumbing to the alcohol's potency, his face flushing red as he collapsed to the ground.
Naruto, as expected, didn't disappoint. Amid the cheers of the crowd, he downed the entire flask of specialty brew in one go, securing his victory in the drinking contest.
The prize is even more alcohol.
Reaching out, Naruto helped the now-dizzy Zuccotto to his feet, grinning as he patted the man on the shoulder.
"Impressive brewing technology. Do you have any more? I want to buy some for my collection."
Hearing Naruto praise his craft, Zuccotto's face lit up with a smile before shifting into mock anger.
"Buy-? Nonsense! Just… just take it!"
With that, he gestured for his subordinates to fetch more liquor from the warehouse for Naruto.
Touched by the man's generosity, Naruto laughed heartily and reciprocated by pulling out a special undersea brew from the Ryugu Palace, stored in his skin's sealing space, and placing it in Zuccotto's arms.
A barrel that Naruto could hold with one hand required Zuccotto to cradle it with both.
Pulling out the stopper, Zuccotto took a deep whiff of the unique aroma wafting from within, his face uncontrollably twisting into an expression of pure bliss.
"Specialty brew from Fish-Man Island, 10,000 meters under the sea. How is it?"
Since Fish-Man Island was under the protection of the Whitebeard Pirates, Zuccotto, who served under Big Mom, had never been able to get close enough to taste its famous liquors.
"So fragrant… Naruto, you're too kind."
As he spoke, Zuccotto tried to pat Naruto's shoulder, but due to their height difference, he could only manage a pat on the calf instead.
At that moment, the sharp sound of a blade cutting through the air rang out.
Before anyone else could react, a slash came flying toward Naruto from a distance.
Seeing his guest attacked on his own turf, Zuccotto's expression darkened, and he moved to intervene… only for Naruto to press a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
Shaking his head at Zuccotto, Naruto didn't even bother drawing a weapon. Instead, he simply flicked a finger, sending out a slash of his own to intercept the incoming attack.
Thanks to the powers of the Baku Baku no Mi, he no longer even needed to unsheathe his sword.
Every part of his body could now transform into the transparent, razor-sharp edge of Mushoukou.
On top of his swordsmanship, he could now incorporate even more hand-to-hand combat techniques.
—Meanwhile, far away in Alabasta, Mr. 1 sneezed violently for no apparent reason.
Naruto's casual slash precisely canceled out the incoming attack, the control so refined that not even a ripple of excess force remained.
Of course, this strike was just Smoothie's way of 'greeting' Naruto, as she hadn't even used Haki.
"Is this how Big Mom welcomes her guests? If I remember right… you're Smoothie, aren't you?"
Turning his gaze, Naruto looked at the towering, 'long-legged' beauty in the distance… Charlotte Smoothie.
Beside him, Zuccotto paled slightly upon realizing the attacker was one of the Sweet Commanders. He didn't dare voice his displeasure.
"Smoothie-sama."
He didn't even have the right to call her 'little sister'… he had to address her with respect.
Moreover, this Sweet Commander was the one slated to enter a marriage alliance with Naruto. For both personal and professional reasons, it wasn't his place to speak up.
"Mama has been waiting for you for a long time. Stop wasting time here."
Smoothie didn't answer Naruto's question. Instead, she studied him with a cool, appraising gaze.
Then, almost imperceptibly, her lips pressed together slightly… what she was thinking, only she knew.
'So this is the man who's going to become my husband?'