Seeing Yamato hugging Leno already had Ulti stunned; noticing the shackles on Yamato's wrists were gone made her downright speechless.
Given Yamato's temperament, without those restraints Onigashima probably couldn't keep her. That thought left Ulti rattled.
'If Lord Kaido returns and finds the Young Master missing, the consequences would be imaginable.'
"Oh, Ulti, I've already boarded Leno's ship. I'll be going to sea with them," Yamato waved and greeted her with a bright smile.
"Going to sea—going out to the sea? Young Master Yamato, if you leave, then… what about Lord Kaido—"
"Kaido? He can't bind me anymore! I'm definitely going out to the sea."
"But—"
"No buts!"
Her cold tone cut Ulti off. After finally winning her freedom, there was no way Yamato would submit to Kaido again.
Ulti stared at Yamato, her big round eyes wide and puffy with anger. 'So you'll just leave irresponsibly to be 'free', leaving my brother and I to clean up your mess?'
'Is Lord Kaido's wrath so easy to bear? You selfish jerk, only caring about your own happiness and completely disregarding the lives of others.'
"For everyone else's sake, before we sail I'll have Yamato leave a letter—clearly stating she chose to come with me, and no one else is responsible," Leno said after a beat, thinking through the Beasts Pirates' situation.
Ulti could only sigh and nod. With the restraints gone and the officers away, they had no confidence in keeping Yamato anyway.
Leno then introduced everyone. After hearing Yamato's story, Nami, Robin, and the others felt for her; in no time the girls were chatting warmly.
Leno asked Nojiko and Robin to teach Yamato the basics. Locked on Onigashima for years, she knew nothing of the outside world—the girl didn't even sort out the difference between men and women.
Nami's tales of their adventures set Yamato's eyes ablaze. She looked ready to cast off now.
At Carmen's suggestion, they held a welcome banquet for Yamato.
Leno lifted his cup, gaze circling the group before pausing on Yamato.
"Let's welcome our new crewmate—Yamato aboard! Drink up—cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Cups clinked. Laughter rolled. The crew celebrated Yamato's joining.
"Whoa—what's this? It's so good!"
Yamato puffed her cheeks and rolled her tongue, diving from one dish to the next.
"Sugee—who knew you could make such a dish like this? Carmen, you're amazing!"
"Oohohoho… as long as you like it, Yamato. There's plenty more!"
Carmen was also in a happy mood watching Yamato heartily enjoy the food she had made.
"We should've grabbed one of those giant Koi off the waterfall," Leno mused.
"Oh right, it could be made into many dishes like steamed, braised, or sliced," hearing Leno's suggestion, Carmen began to list several ways to cook the giant fish.
Halfway through the banquet, Leno noticed Ulti quietly eating the delicious food. An idea struck him, and he blurted out.
"Hey, Ulti, you see, we've all gotten along very happily these past few days. Would you like to join us adventurers too?"
"Yeah, Ulti—let's circle the world together!"
"Come on, Ulti, join us!"
"Ulti~"
The girls looked at her expectantly, waiting for an answer.
The sudden invite threw Ulti; then Nami, Chopper, and Nojiko each chimed in—warm and earnest. Touched and flustered, she didn't know what to say.
Sensing her conflict, no one pushed. They gave her time.
"Ulti, there's no need to answer right away. We'll be leaving in a while. We'll look forward to your answer then."
"Mhm~."
Just as Leno and his crew were happily holding their banquet.
New World, Totto Land — Whole Cake Island.
"Bang!"
A teacup was smashed on the ground in front of the three kneeling Smoothie sisters. At this moment, the three sisters all looked disheveled.
Especially the eldest, Smoothie, whose face was pale. The bandages wrapped around her body were still seeping blood, and she was kneeling on the ground, trembling.
"So, you're trying to tell me that you were defeated by some nobodies who crawled out of a random corner of the seas, and it was a crushing defeat?!" Big Mom glared fiercely at the three sisters kneeling before her, her voice cold with disbelief.
"Y-yes, Mama. W-we were defeated by members from the 'Adventurer' out of the East Blue."
"'Adventurer'? What—"
"Mama, that's the one who killed Golden Lion and fought against Garp," Katakuri stepped forward to add, seeing the fleeting confusion in his mother's eyes.
"Ma-ma Ma-ma… so it was that brat. Then you were defeated by him?"
"Mama, w-we were defeated by his crewmates…"
"Vmm—" Abyssal Conqueror's Haki poured down. All three reeled; Smoothie, already grievously injured, coughed blood and fainted on the spot.
"Useless trash~, all of you, get out!"
Her two sisters scrambled to lift Smoothie and retreat. Katakuri took a step, glanced at his mother, then drew back—swallowing what he'd meant to say.
Seeing the pathetic state of her three daughters, Big Mom's anger flared even higher.
"Mama, based on my intel, this 'Adventurer' should not be underestimated," Katakuri continued evenly.
"The captain, Leno, is at least admiral-class. His two female swordsmen are also formidable—both are Mythical Zoan fruit users."
He glanced up at his mother. Seeing her expression had softened somewhat, he continued.
"In addition to that, his crew also includes one Logia and one Paramecia user. Taken together, their overall strength is far beyond ordinary pirate crews."
"Ma-ma Ma-ma… I see. Where is this 'Adventurer' now?"
"Mama, according to Citron's report, they're in the Beasts Pirates' territory. Previously, Ulti, one of the Beasts Pirates' 'Tobiroppo', appeared on the adventurer's ship."
"Furthermore, Ulti also attacked Cinnamon, and later they sailed towards the stronghold of the Beasts Pirates."
At the mention of his sister's injury, killing intent flashed in Katakuri's eyes.
"Ma-ma Ma-ma… dear little brother—even the small fries under your command dare to carelessly touch the authority of my Big Mom Pirates?"
A cunning and cruel glint flashed in Big Mom's huge eyes as she laughed maniacally.
"I remember Kaido is currently at war with that Red-Haired brat over territory, right?"
"Yes, Mama."
"Ma-ma Ma-ma… Katakuri, take a fleet to Wano. Bring me the culprits."
Her hand bringing a pastry to her mouth paused slightly, and she continued.
"Also, this is a good opportunity. We are also in great need of Wano Country's Seastone."
"Yes, Mama. I will assemble the fleet and depart immediately."
T/n:
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