The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly as Who's-Who and Sasaki watched the scene unfold, their eyes lighting up with sudden interest. It was a rare opportunity, and neither of them intended to let it slip by. Sasaki was the first to react, stepping forward with a determined grin to address his captain.
"Big Brother Kaido, I'll follow your lead on this one," Sasaki declared, his voice booming with confidence. "I'm more than willing to marry one of Big Mom's daughters!"
Not wanting to be left behind, Who's-Who immediately stepped up to express his own stance. "Count me in as well. I have no objections to the arrangement."
"Worororo! Very good!" Kaido's laughter thundered through the hall, a deep and resonant sound that showed his clear satisfaction. He turned his gaze toward Pudding, who stood nearby. "Pudding, go and tell your mother about my intentions. We already have an alliance in place, so I don't think she'll have any reason to refuse a marriage to strengthen our ties. I'm leaving the details of this union between our two pirate groups entirely to you. I trust you to find the right partners for your brothers and sisters."
Pudding beamed, her smile radiating pure joy. "Yes, Lord Kaido! Leave it to me. I'll make sure everything is perfect for my mother and my two new brothers!"
The bond between the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates was growing tighter by the day, cemented by these political marriages. Within that room, no one looked happier about the news than Pudding.
In the sprawling sea area of Totto Land in the New World, the sun shone down on Cake Island. It was clear that without the constant pressure of external threats, Charlotte Linlin was more than happy to indulge in a life of luxury. After spending the first few days personally training several of her children, she had quickly slipped back into her usual routine of grand feasts and endless singing about gourmet food.
Despite the brief nature of the lessons, the progress made by her children was undeniable. Under the leadership of Katakuri, several of them had shown tremendous growth. Even without their mother's direct guidance, the Sweet Four Generals continued their rigorous training on the island, pushing their limits.
However, their routine was interrupted today by a sudden, formal summons from Big Mom herself. Fearing they had done something to draw her ire, the generals did not delay and rushed back to Cake Island immediately. They arrived with a sense of trepidation, expecting a storm, but were instead met with a surprising sight. Big Mom was dancing and singing happily, her mood unusually bright. The tension evaporated, replaced by a wave of curiosity.
"Big Brother, do you know what's going on?" Katakuri asked, turning to Perospero. The other three generals leaned in, waiting for an answer.
Perospero licked his candy wand and offered a wide, knowing smile. "It's excellent news. Pudding sent word that Kaido wants to form a formal marriage alliance with the Big Mom Pirates."
"A marriage alliance?" the group echoed in surprise. Katakuri narrowed his eyes, his mind already working through the implications. "Who are the grooms?"
"It's Who's-Who and Sasaki," Perospero replied. "Those two are among Kaido's top favorites, which is exactly why Mama is in such high spirits. It's a sign of great respect."
"Then who has Mama chosen from our side?" Katakuri asked.
As soon as the question left his lips, Smoothie visibly stiffened. As a woman of high rank, the idea of being traded away in a marriage was a chilling prospect. Perospero noticed her discomfort and offered a comforting pat on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, Smoothie. Mama wouldn't dream of sending you away. You're far too valuable to the crew's strength. If a man wants to marry you, he'd have to leave his own crew and join the Big Mom Pirates."
Smoothie let out a long breath of relief. She had no interest in being married off to a stranger, especially one from a rival crew. With her own safety confirmed, her curiosity took over. She wondered which of her sisters would be the ones to travel to the Beasts Pirates' territory.
Perospero didn't keep them in suspense. "The choices are Sinamon and Galette."
The realization settled over the group. Cracker, however, couldn't hide his annoyance. "Those bastards from the Beasts Pirates certainly have an eye for beauty, don't they?"
It was a sentiment they all shared. Among Big Mom's many daughters, Sinamon and Galette were renowned for their looks. Katakuri, however, remained silent, his brow furrowed in deep thought. He couldn't shake the feeling that Kaido was playing a much longer game. Between Pudding's position and these new marriages, it felt as though the Beasts Pirates were slowly weaving themselves into the fabric of their own organization.
"It seems we are the ones sending people over," Katakuri noted tentatively. "What about the other way around? Is the Beasts side offering anyone?"
Perospero understood the concern but didn't seem particularly worried. "Mama did bring that up with Kaido. But as of right now, there are only three women in the Tobi Roppo. One is Pudding, and the other two are far too young for marriage. Kaido suggested that Mama could choose someone from the Oni Squad if she didn't mind, but she turned him down."
The siblings understood immediately. Big Mom had little interest in the captains of the Oni Squad; in her eyes, they simply weren't of a high enough caliber to join her family.
Nearby, Charlotte Linlin finally finished her song. She sat down with a heavy thud, picking up a massive wine glass and looking over at Perospero with a wide, toothy grin. "Perospero! I'm putting you in charge of the wedding arrangements for Sinamon and Galette. I want this to be the most extravagant celebration this sea has ever seen!"
"Consider it done, Mama!" Perospero bowed. "The construction of the Voka Kingdom is moving along very quickly as well. Perhaps this wedding will serve as a lucky omen for the birth of our new nation."
"Mamamama!!!" Big Mom's laughter echoed across the palace.
Once the laughter died down, Perospero's expression turned serious. "Mama, we've also received word regarding the Marines. It seems they have finally decided on their new Fleet Admiral."
"Oh? And who managed to claw their way to the top?" she asked, her eyes glinting.
"The reports say it's Sakazuki," Perospero answered.
A cruel, jagged smile spread across Big Mom's face. "I see. So that little magma brat actually made it. I never would have guessed he'd become the Fleet Admiral one day."
"Yes, but it came at a high price," Perospero continued. "The battle with Kuzan left both of them severely weakened. It was a brutal fight that lasted for days. My sources say Kuzan lost a leg, and Sakazuki suffered horrific frostbite across his entire body. The Marines and the World Government won't want to put him in front of a camera looking like that, so they'll likely keep him hidden until he recovers. That gives us a bit of a window."
"Is that so? How perfect," Big Mom chuckled. "I'm looking forward to seeing how the world changes once he takes the reins."
Meanwhile, at Marineford, the air was heavy with the scent of antiseptic. Three days had passed since the conclusion of the duel that had raged for ten days and ten nights, shaking the very foundations of the island where it took place.
In a high-security VIP ward within the Marine Headquarters, Sakazuki lay in a hospital bed. The man who was now the victor was nearly unrecognizable, his body wrapped tightly in thick layers of bandages. Doctors and nurses moved around him with practiced hushed tones, carefully changing his dressings and monitoring his vitals. When they finished, they bowed and hurried out of the room, clearly intimidated by the man's presence even in his weakened state.
A moment later, the sound of heavy, rhythmic footsteps echoed in the hallway. Sakazuki turned his head slightly, his voice raspy but respectful as the visitor entered. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Sengoku raised a hand, signaling for him to remain still. "Stay down. How is your recovery coming along?"
"I'm healing," Sakazuki replied, his voice muffled by the bandages. "I should be back on my feet in a few days."
Sengoku sighed, the weight of the past week visible in the lines on his face. He had a million things he wanted to say—reproaches about how the battle should never have turned into a fight to the death between former comrades. But looking at Sakazuki, he knew that the man's iron-clad conviction would make any such lecture pointless. They had both been obsessed with the position, and this was the result.
Sakazuki noticed the older man's hesitation and frowned. "What about Kuzan? How is he?"
Sengoku looked away, shaking his head slowly. "I haven't gone to see him yet. You're the one about to take over as Fleet Admiral, and there are things we need to discuss. This position carries a burden that is not easily carried, Sakazuki."
Before he could continue, a sharp, terrified cry pierced the silence of the hospital wing. A nurse ran into the room, her face pale and her eyes wide with sheer panic. She was trembling so hard she could barely speak.
"No... this is terrible! Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Admiral Akainu! It's Admiral Aokiji... he's... he's gone!"
"What did you say?!" Sengoku shouted, his eyes widening in shock.
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