As a peak figure renowned across the seas, every move Leno made drew intense attention.
Ever since news broke that he had accepted the identity of a Celestial Dragon, the upper echelons of the major powers in the New World were thrown into an uproar.
All kinds of opinions surfaced—contempt, envy, hatred, indifference—each louder than the last.
Totto Land Sea Region, Whole Cake Island, Central Castle.
From far outside, patrolling soldiers were nearly knocked off their feet by a sudden burst of terrifying laughter.
Visible waves of air rippled outward from the castle, spreading layer after layer.
Inside the castle, seated at the head, the mountain-like Charlotte Linlin held a newspaper in her hand and laughed wildly.
"Mama mama..."
Below her, Perospero, Daifuku, and the rest of her children strained to endure it, unable to understand why their mother was reacting so strongly.
Wasn't it just about that guy called the Thunder God siding with the Celestial Dragons? What was the big deal?
When they learned that Leno had entered the New World, their first reaction was that he had finally arrived. They immediately reported it.
But they hadn't expected their mother to be in such an unusually good mood after reading the paper—followed by endless laughter.
The laughter continued for a long time before gradually subsiding.
After devouring several mouthfuls of sweets, Charlotte Linlin turned her attention back to the newspaper in her hand.
When her eyes fell on Leno's photograph, a flash of disdain flickered in her bell-sized pupils.
"I once had some expectations for you. Never thought you'd turn out to be nothing more than a dog groveling beneath power!"
"How disappointing, Thunder God. So this is the extent of your ambition!"
With that, she casually tossed the newspaper aside and swept her gaze over her children below.
"Keep a close watch on the Thunder God's movements. The humiliation that bastard brought upon the Charlotte Family—this time we'll settle it all at once!"
"Mama mama..."
Based on Leno's past feats, she had once harbored the slightest bit of wariness. But now, it seemed the man was nothing special.
The moment he entered the New World, he rushed to cling to the World Government. Was he afraid of something?
"Yes, Mama!"
Several of her children immediately bowed to accept the order, itching to fight Leno at once.
In all these years, no one had ever made the BIG MOM Pirates suffer such a loss.
So what if he was now a Celestial Dragon? In the New World, strength mattered more than any title.
At that moment, heavy footsteps echoed from outside the hall. A tall figure strode in.
Wrapped in a white scarf and carrying a gleaming trident, it was none other than the strongest Sweet Commander—Katakuri.
He looked straight at Charlotte Linlin and spoke in a cold, resolute tone.
"Mother, leave that man to me. I will personally repay the humiliation from before."
"Oh? Katakuri, is it?"
Seeing her most outstanding son, Charlotte Linlin paused mid-bite.
After sizing him up from head to toe, she nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Your strength has improved again. I'll leave it to you."
She was quite pleased with Katakuri.
Ever since that defeat, he had withdrawn from worldly affairs and devoted himself entirely to training, pushing himself relentlessly.
Now, the aura around him was far more imposing than before—almost rivaling her own.
As for Leno, after defeating Shanks, he had vanished without a trace. And when he resurfaced, he had immediately pledged himself to the Celestial Dragons.
Given his past conduct, he must have been thoroughly corrupted by desire. Using him as a whetstone for her son would be perfect.
Still, she had to maintain her authority. Her massive eyes narrowed slightly as she added in a tone laced with warning:
"But this time, you'd better not disappoint me again."
"..."
After receiving her approval, Katakuri turned and left without hesitation. As for her final words, he paid them no mind.
This time, he would not lose again.
Behind him, Perospero, Daifuku, and the others watched their brother's departing figure, their eyes gleaming as they murmured:
"Katakuri..."
A man who never disappointed.
Now that his strength had surged, they felt even more reassured.
Once they captured the Thunder God, the BIG MOM Pirates could use the momentum to expand their territory further.
...
...
In an unfamiliar stretch of the New World, beneath a clear blue sky dotted with drifting clouds, seabirds cried as they soared freely overhead.
Upon the calm sea sailed a massive ship shaped like a whale.
On deck, the Whitebeard Pirates were holding their usual "father-and-sons bonding activity"—a grand banquet.
Crew members gathered in small groups, drinking, chatting, laughing loudly.
At the center, Whitebeard sat upon his massive sofa, the IV tube hanging silently from his arm.
Beside him, several beautiful figures in uniform moved busily before medical instruments, whispering softly from time to time.
Ever since Ace came aboard, the burden on his shoulders seemed to have lightened. The tension he once constantly carried had eased.
Yet at the same time, his physical condition had deteriorated. Old injuries from his youth began flaring up more frequently.
Now, even relying solely on Marco's ability was no longer enough to suppress the pain.
Left with no choice, they had hired a medical team specifically to care for Whitebeard's daily needs.
At this moment, several division commanders sat below him, waiting quietly as he finished reading the newspaper.
After a while, Whitebeard lowered the paper and looked at his sons across from him, a benevolent smile on his face.
"Gurararara..."
"It's not that big a deal. Why do you all look so worried?"
As he spoke, one hand instinctively reached for the jug of sake beside him—but before he could touch it, a sweet, persuasive voice sounded from nearby.
"Captain, you can't drink right now."
Marco's slightly helpless voice followed.
"Pops, at least be a little careful. You're still on an IV."
"(;′⌒`)"
Whitebeard's expression fell. He reluctantly withdrew his hand, muttering under his breath.
"A little shouldn't hurt..."
After a pause, he glanced around and asked, "Ace hasn't come back yet?"
Across from him, a man with a yellow scarf and a pompadour hairstyle—Thatch—raised his hand and replied:
"Pops, Ace and Jinbe are already on their way back. They should be here before long."
"Is that so? Then when they return, we'll hold a welcome banquet for them."
At the mention of Ace, the smile on Whitebeard's face widened noticeably, even the wrinkles seeming to soften.
He was deeply satisfied with the successor he had personally chosen.
Aside from still having a bit of youthful impulsiveness, Ace's talent and his way of dealing with people were both outstanding.
He was practically the destined heir of the Whitebeard Pirates. Who would have thought that Roger, even in death, would leave him such a gift?
Every extra day he lived now felt like a bonus. As long as he could wait until Ace matured and pass the burden on to him, his life would be complete.
"Welcome banquet? I think you're just craving sake again, Pops."
"Gurararara..."
...
...