"Welcome, everyone, from far and wide! Ma-ma-ma-ma!"
Big Mom leapt down from the steps, her massive frame hitting the floor with a tremor that rattled the fine china. She stood before the crowd, looking immensely pleased with herself.
"Today, everyone eat your fill, drink your fill, and enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"
She spread her thick arms, beaming at the guests. However, behind that festive smile lurked a chilling intent. This wasn't merely a Tea Party; it was a Banquet of Betrayal. Within the hour, the legendary technology of the Vinsmoke Family would be seized, and the Big Mom Pirates would reign supreme over the North Blue.
Soon, Big Mom was swamped by old friends and underworld associates. Gifts began to pile up like a small mountain. During the commotion, a framed photograph was placed on the table directly opposite her. It was the "Mother" she respected most, a detail the guests took in stride as part of her usual eccentricities.
Gift-Giving and Social Graces
"Katakuri, I didn't bring a gift. Is that a breach of etiquette?" Yamato asked, glancing at the stoic Sweet Commander. Katakuri sat with his arms crossed, his usual aura of cold detachment firmly in place.
"It's fine," Katakuri replied, barely looking at her. "You aren't an old acquaintance of Mama's, and you're technically of the younger generation. Since I was the one who invited you, the responsibility is mine. Just be polite if she acknowledges you. If she doesn't, even better."
Yamato breathed a sigh of relief. She had been so focused on the prospect of the feast that she had completely forgotten about the formalities.
"Haruko, it seems you were a bit derelict in your duties this time," Yamato said, turning to her guard with a mischievous grin.
Haruko bowed her head slightly. "It was indeed an oversight on my part, Young Master."
"Don't let it happen again," Yamato joked, feeling quite pleased with herself. Both Haruko and Katakuri found her sudden shift into 'authoritative leader' mode somewhat amusing.
"So, where are those siblings you promised to introduce?" Yamato asked.
Katakuri frowned, his gaze shifting toward the clusters of Charlotte children. "They're currently occupied with other guests. They'll make their way over eventually."
In truth, they were simply intimidated. Without Big Mom's explicit permission to fraternize with the daughter of Kaido, most of them were too cautious to approach. Yamato shrugged it off; she wasn't here for the politics, she was here for the food.
The Butterfly and the Flowers
"Sweet Commander Katakuri-sama! It is such an honor!"
A group of high-society women approached the table, blushing as they greeted the legendary commander. Katakuri gave them a curt nod, but even that minimal effort sent them into a flurry of excitement.
"The 'cool and mysterious' type, huh?" Yamato muttered, a hint of playful jealousy in her voice. "Watch this. Beautiful ladies, would you like to get to know me instead?"
Haruko and Katakuri nearly faceplanted into their drinks.
"Excuse me? Who might you be, my lady?" the women asked. They didn't recognize Yamato, but her seating arrangement spoke volumes of her status.
"I'm Yamato. Why don't you sit down and chat with me for a bit?" she said, offering a bright, disarming smile.
Before long, Yamato was the center of attention, laughing and chatting with the women as if they were old friends. Haruko watched from the side, her expression complicated. Her Young Master had a natural, magnetic charisma that drew people in—almost like a butterfly among flowers.
"Is she always like this?" Katakuri whispered to Haruko. As a man who had seen it all, he sensed a temperament in Yamato that was strikingly similar to his own—a raw, masculine energy packaged in a feminine form.
"Always," Haruko replied.
"I see," Katakuri nodded. "Then your job must be very demanding." He finally understood why Yamato felt so familiar; she was more of a 'man' than most of the pirates he dealt with daily.
The Vows of Deception
As the Tea Party progressed, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively. The quietest table in the room had suddenly become the most popular. Haruko played the part of the gracious host, keeping the conversation flowing while keeping a sharp eye on the time.
Eventually, Katakuri stood up. "Make yourselves at home. The ceremony is about to begin." He walked over to the main table, taking his place beside Big Mom and Vinsmoke Judge.
Yamato's eyes sharpened. "Here we go, Haruko. The real show is starting. Stay alert; things are about to get loud."
Haruko nodded, tensing her muscles. She knew Yamato's intuition was rarely wrong. Who would be crazy enough to crash this party? she wondered.
DONG!
The twelve o'clock bell chimed, accompanied by orchestral music and the boom of ceremonial cannons.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" a masked announcer shouted. "The highlight of our day! The wedding of Charlotte Pudding and Vinsmoke Sanji begins now!"
Fireworks erupted as the lights centered on a pastry platform. A young man and woman in brilliant white wedding attire appeared, drawing thunderous applause. Simultaneously, the legendary Head Chef Streusen emerged, leading a troupe of dancers as a massive, multi-story wedding cake rose from the floor.
"That's Streusen," Yamato noted. "He's been with Big Mom since the beginning. He's a veteran of the Rocks Pirates and a $Paramecia-type\ Kuku\ Kuku\ no\ Mi$ user. He can turn anything into food, though I hear it tastes like cardboard."
A sentient cloud—Zeus—carried the couple toward the top of the cake. Yamato watched them with a mouthful of tart. "The Banquet of Betrayal is in session."
"You don't want a wedding dress like that, Haruko?" Yamato asked suddenly.
"Not in the slightest," Haruko replied.
"I don't believe you. Every woman wants to look that beautiful," Yamato pouted. "Personally, I want to try both. I bet I'd look incredibly cool in a suit and stunning in a dress. We should do a photoshoot when we get back. I'll wear the suit, you and Black Maria can wear the dresses. Then we'll swap!"
Haruko tried to suppress the image of Yamato in a suit, but her heart skipped a beat regardless. "Sure, Young Master. Whatever makes you happy."
Chaos Emerges
BANG!
A gunshot rang out from the top of the cake, followed by a second. The music stopped instantly.
"What was that?"
"Did the priest just get shot?"
Chaos erupted among the guests. Big Mom's face contorted with rage. "Katakuri! What is going on? Why didn't Pudding fire?"
Katakuri gripped his spear, Mogura, his eyes wide with shock. "Mama, something went wrong. Even my foresight couldn't account for this!"
BOOM!
The massive wedding cake began to tilt, its foundations crumbling. As the cream and sponge gushed outward, dozens of identical figures erupted from the center of the cake.
"BIG MOM!" a voice screamed.
"What the—?!" Big Mom's children stared in disbelief at the sea of clones.
"Hahaha! They actually did it!" Yamato roared with laughter, slapping the table. "That is one hell of an entrance!"
"That's... Straw Hat Luffy," Haruko said, her eyes narrowing as she identified the central figure. "The rookie from Dressrosa. He's really here."
Haruko's mind raced. Luffy couldn't have pulled this off alone. There has to be an inside man, she thought, her gaze scanning the high-ranking officers for any sign of betrayal.
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