Chapter 355: The Sugar-Coated Trap!
Totto Land · Whole Cake Island Harbor
The Germa battleship slowly glided into the port. Its massive steel hull looked utterly out of place against a coastline composed of whipped cream and thick syrup. The air was heavy with a cloying, sugary scent so thick it made one's chest feel tight, as if every breath was being glued shut by molasses.
At the bow, Sanji stood tall, his gaze fixed on the bizarre island before him. Whole Cake Island rose in tiers, appearing as if it were constructed from countless giant mille-feuille cakes, with cream and chocolate shimmering under the sun.
Reiju stepped quietly to his side, her pink hair dancing in the sea breeze. Her eyes were filled with conflict.
"Actually... you didn't have to come," she said softly, her voice carrying a slight tremor. "There's no need to trap yourself here just for a Marine order..."
Sanji raised a hand to cut her off. His eyes didn't waver from the eerie "Sweet Kingdom."
"I didn't come because of an order."
Reiju blinked. "Then why—?"
Sanji slowly turned his head, a confident smirk playing on his lips, his gaze as resolute as a burning flame. "I came because I believe in the Marines."
He paused, his voice low but unshakable. "I believe in him!"
Those words struck Reiju like a bolt of lightning. In the cold, ruthless environment of the Germa, the word "trust" had long been extinct. But now, looking at the unwavering conviction in her brother's eyes, a strange, warm emotion welled up in her heart.
"Sanji... you've changed a lot."
She gave a small smile, her eyes reflecting a mix of relief and pride. Behind them, Judge remained silent, watching Sanji's back, a flicker of complex emotion appearing in his eyes for the first time.
—Right at that moment.
Thump... Thump...
The sound of a cane tapping against the wood echoed across the pier.
A figure approached slowly—tall and slender, with heavy makeup on a pointed face and a long tongue licking the corner of his lips. Light blue hair swayed in the wind, and his top hat was adorned with lollipops. A pale yellow coat fluttered behind him.
"Kukukuku~"
Charlotte Perospero, the "Candy Minister" of the Big Mom Pirates. His twisted laughter sounded exceptionally viscous in the humid air.
"Welcome to—Totto Land!!!"
He tapped his candy cane against the ground, instantly creating a puddle of thick syrup that shimmered with a sweet, sickly luster. His gaze swept over Sanji and Reiju before settling on Judge, his lips curling into a sinister arc.
"My, my~ So this is the King of Germa? You don't look like you're in very good shape."
Judge's face turned ashen, his fists clenching tight, but he didn't say a word.
Perospero flicked his tongue, a wet, sticky laugh escaping him. "Mama has been waiting for you at the Tea Party for a long time..."
"Follow me, guests."
He turned to lead the way, his candy cane dragging across the ground and leaving a trail of glistening syrup behind.
The scenery along the path was more akin to a "Candy Hell":
Trees were made of crispy chocolate bars; leaves were mint wafers.
Rivers flowed with liquid caramel over beds of colorful candy pearls.
The residents wore eerie, fixed smiles, their movements stiff like puppets controlled by invisible strings.
"Hiss—!"
High up in the distance, Usopp watched through his sniper scope, his face turning pale. "This... this place is like a fairy tale version of Hell!!!"
Through the communicator, Ace's hushed voice came through: "Calm down, Long-nose! We've already slipped onto the island!"
Law's voice followed, calm and serious: "Remember, Big Mom's Soru Soru no Mi (Soul-Soul Fruit) can grant souls to objects... those candy buildings are likely all alive."
Enel's lazy chuckle carried a hint of excitement: "Well~ this is much more interesting than Skypiea~"
Whole Cake Island · Tea Party Grand Hall
The massive banquet hall was a nightmare stitched together from sweets. From the ceiling, syrup chandeliers dripped viscous liquid that looked like cloying blood. The walls were layers of mille-feuille that constantly seeped cream. The chocolate carpet beneath their feet let out "giggles" when stepped on, sending shivers down the spine.
The air was so sweet it was nauseating, thick enough to stifle one's breathing. This was both a feast and a cage.
"Mama, I've brought the Germa~"
Perospero bowed, his tongue licking his lips.
On the main seat, Big Mom's massive frame was sunk into a throne made of marshmallows and biscuits. Her jagged teeth glinted under her crimson lips. Her ear-shattering laughter boomed like thunder, causing cake crumbs to shake loose from the ceiling.
"MAMAMAMA~ Welcome to the Tea Party!!!"
On either side, the children of the Charlotte family sat in rows, their smiles cold and stiff. Katakuri stood with his arms crossed, his aura as deep as an abyss. Smoothie lightly tapped her wine glass, the longsword at her side ready to be drawn at any moment; the chilling aura of the Shizu Shizu no Mi permeated the room.
The atmosphere was oppressive to the extreme.
Just then, a soft, gentle voice broke through the tension.
"Sanji-san..."
Sanji looked toward the source of the voice and froze.
Long, wavy light-brown hair fell gracefully over her shoulders, and her skirt flared out like a blooming petal. A young girl held a plate of chocolate cookies in her arms. Her presence seemed to cast a ray of gentle light into this sugary hell.
—Charlotte Pudding.
She lifted her gaze timidly, her brown eyes full of shyness and unease. "It must have been a long journey... Sanji-san."
Sanji's heart skipped a beat, and he nearly dropped his cigarette.
"S-So cute..."
Pudding blushed, offering the cookies with slightly trembling fingers. "I made these myself... I hope you'll try them."
Sanji hurried to take the plate, speaking solemnly: "Beautiful lady... you are as radiant as the stars in the night sky!"
Pudding's cheeks flushed a deep red as she lowered her head, seemingly hiding her bashfulness. But amidst her fallen locks of hair, a cold, mocking sneer flashed for a split second.
(Hmph... stupid man. He's already hooked.)
She continued softly, her voice carrying a sob: "Actually... I never wanted to marry a stranger. But I cannot defy Mama's orders..."
Sanji's fists trembled slightly, a protective fire burning in his eyes. "Another political marriage... exactly like those bastards in the Germa!"
He looked up and stared directly at Big Mom, his voice steady and resolute: "Pudding-chan, don't worry! As long as I am here... no one will force you to do anything you don't want to do!"
Pudding covered her mouth in "gratitude," her eyes shimmering with tears. "Sanji-san... you really are such a kind person..."
(Stupid... soon you'll learn what 'kindness' truly means!)
Pudding lowered her head again, her long eyelashes concealing the sinister glint in her eyes.
In the hall, the cloying scent of sugar intertwined with a hidden killing intent. The Tea Party had already woven its web.
♧♧♧
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
♧♧♧
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais
(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you