After the pirate conference ended, most crews didn't leave.
Not because they were truly enticed by the free food and lodging on Whole Cake Island.
But because their ships were still frozen in the waters near Banana Island by Aokiji's Ice Age.
The ice created by Aokiji's abilities was far less heat-resistant than naturally formed ice.
Given the current scorching weather, it wouldn't be long before the already fractured ice melted.
Only then would they be able to depart.
Since the Beast God Pirates had already dispatched their subordinates to guard the frozen ships overnight, the crews relaxed and indulged in Whole Cake Island's hospitality.
Meanwhile, nearly 30% of the pirate crews expressed to Katakuri their desire to join the Beast God Pirates.
What surprised Katakuri was the return of the Fire Tank Pirates, who had recently defected.
Now, the mafia don Capone Bege sat nervously across from Katakuri with his wife, child, and a few subordinates.
"Bege, Chiffon," Katakuri said coolly. "Weren't you the ones who betrayed us? Why do you want to join the Beast God Pirates now? You know the consequences of betraying family."
Katakuri sat with his legs crossed, leaning back on the sofa opposite Bege, his expression cold as he regarded the group before him.
Chiffon was visibly nervous, clutching her son tightly in her arms, barely daring to meet Katakuri's gaze.
Brulee, standing behind Katakuri, seemed hesitant, wanting to plead for Chiffon's sake but too afraid to speak up.
Bege remained silent for a long while before finally speaking in a heavy tone.
"Katakuri, I'll be blunt—I hope you won't take offense."
Katakuri said nothing, offering no response.
Bege took another drag from his cigar before sighing deeply.
"I joined you back then because of Chiffon. During the two years I spent with the Big Mom Pirates, I worked diligently, opening up several sea trade routes for you."
"The reason I betrayed you wasn't because I got too ambitious or thought I could stand on my own. It was because..."
Bege raised his head, locking eyes with Katakuri's icy stare.
"Because at the time, Mama gave me no hope for further growth."
A terrifying aura erupted from Katakuri, filling the entire hall and suffocating everyone present.
Behind him, Brulee's face instantly paled.
Beside Bege, Chiffon's plump frame trembled like a leaf in the wind, while her son, little Bege, blinked his round eyes curiously, seemingly unaffected by Katakuri's oppressive presence.
Vito, seated next to Bege, was drenched in sweat from fear, terrified that the increasingly unfathomable Katakuri might obliterate them on the spot.
"Go on," Katakuri said coldly, his tone brooking no argument.
Bege licked his lips, gritted his teeth, and steeled himself before voicing his thoughts.
As it turned out, Bege had betrayed the Big Mom Pirates out of disappointment in Linlin.
Though Totto Land was powerful, and Katakuri and the others were exceptional, Linlin—as the leader of this colossal force—had, in Bege's eyes, been utterly unfit to lead.
Bege had no aspirations of becoming the Pirate King, but he had wanted to expand his North Blue underworld operations into the New World.
During his two years in Totto Land, he had fought tirelessly, amassing wealth and connections, intending to realize his ambitions.
Yet, the Big Mom Pirates had interfered at every turn, rendering all his efforts futile as they seized control of everything he had built.
"If you had been the captain of the Big Mom Pirates back then, I would never have betrayed you," Bege admitted.
"But back then, you were all too complacent—content to lounge in a greenhouse, stagnant. Totto Land may have seemed vast, but among the Four Emperors, it was the weakest. Even the newly ascended Blackbeard surpassed you in just two years!"
Bege's emotions ran high.
Truthfully, speaking so boldly in front of the current Katakuri was a testament to Bege's courage.
After all, the Katakuri before them was not the same man who had been defeated by Straw Hat Luffy months ago.
This was the War God of the Beast God Pirates, the heir to this immense force, the son of that unprecedented monster—Beast God Caesar!
A top-tier figure who had defeated the Navy Admiral Kizaru.
Katakuri listened to Bege's disparaging remarks about the Big Mom Pirates without showing any signs of anger.
On the contrary, the chilling aura brewing around him gradually dissipated.
"And now? Why do you want to rejoin us? Think carefully, Bege. This time, betrayal won't be an option. Alive, you'll be a member of the Beast God Pirates. Dead, you'll be a ghost of the Beast God Pirates."
Bege took a deep breath and looked at Katakuri with utmost seriousness.
"With Caesar-sama's return, I've seen the hope of the Beast God Pirates' rise. Only under such a leader can I fully utilize my abilities. Katakuri, I sincerely request you—let my Fire Tank Pirates join you once more. This time, there will be no betrayal!"
Katakuri straightened his posture, looking down at Bege.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Chiffon's nervous expression and Brulee, who seemed to want to speak but hesitated.
After a long silence—just as Bege felt suffocated, his forehead drenched in cold sweat—Katakuri finally spoke.
"Very well. I'll give you one more chance."
Bege instantly exhaled in relief, feeling as if he were about to collapse.
As expected of the man who defeated Kizaru, he thought to himself.
Katakuri's presence grows more imposing by the day, truly embodying the dignity and bearing of a successor to a major power.
"Thank you! I'll give it my all!" Bege hurriedly pledged.
However, Katakuri raised a hand to stop him and continued, "But you'll need to prove your worth. You know this—we don't just take in any worthless trash these days. Bege, you've seen it yourself. Just today, over thirty pirate crews have joined us. Among them, more than a dozen have bounties exceeding yours. And many are stronger than you."
Bege stiffened, the ease on his face vanishing.
Before he could ask, Katakuri laid out the conditions.
"I don't need your combat strength, Bege—you can rest easy on that. You have a knack for underworld dealings. I want you to secure at least two arms trade routes in the New World within a month. If you fail, not only will you be barred from joining the Beast God Pirates, but you'll also face punishment for your past betrayal."
With that, Katakuri strode out of the hall, leaving Bege, Chiffon, and the others weighed down by heavy hearts.
"Bege…" Chiffon called softly.
Bege slowly rose to his feet, as if carrying a mountain on his back, the pressure crashing over him like a tidal wave.
He turned to Brulee and forced a smile.
"Sister, I hope you can look after Chiffon and my son for this month. I'll be giving it everything I've got!"
"Don't worry. Leave Chiffon and the little one to me. You must do your best! If you succeed, we'll be family again. Caesar-sama is truly remarkable—Totto Land is on the rise!"
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