Setsuna, who was lying down, was the first to ask a question. She had never heard of a tea party before.
"A tea party is probably just a place where a bunch of people sit around drinking tea and chatting. Sounds very boring."
This was Olga's conclusion. A tea party had once been held on Alkemi Island, where a group of adults chatted the entire afternoon. Olga found it to be nothing but boring.
"That woman's tea party might be of some interest to you kids. We leave tomorrow. If you want to go, gather at the Hundred Beasts King. Also, tonight's training is canceled for now."
Kaidou had never attended Charlotte Linlin's tea party, but that didn't mean he knew nothing about it. Back on Rocks' ship, she had done something similar, though it was more like a game of house.
The pirates on Rocks' ship didn't like these refined gatherings. However, the various desserts made by the BIG MOM Pirates were quite famous in the New World, which is why Kaidou thought the kids might be interested.
There are off days from training, and this tea party counted as one of their breaks. However, Kaidou did call back Queen, who was about to sneak off.
"Queen, where are you going?"
"Going back to pack up. Big Brother Kaidou, didn't you say tonight's training is canceled?"
"I said the kids' training is canceled, not yours. Take a five-minute break. If you don't want to lie down and head over, it's best to put in some effort."
Kaidou pulled out his Wolf Fang Club from behind him, and the Haki imbued in it made Queen feel a dangerous vibe.
Though he spoke harshly, Kaidou was holding back today. At least this time he didn't aim for the face.
After the training, Queen dragged his exhausted body back to his lab and picked some fruit from a few other trees.
These were Berries, but these Berries weren't the trimmed versions; they were the full versions improved by Arceus. For those who've gained Pokemon Abilities, these Berries are natural potions.
The special effects of the Berries only fully manifest on Pokemon Ability Users, having minimal impact on ordinary people.
At this moment, the Berry Queen picked was a Sitrus Berry, a Berry that restores stamina.
The skin of this fruit is bitter and astringent, but the flesh is sweet and sour. Nearby were larger plantations of ordinary Sitrus Berries, which only retained the flavor and were among the items to be taken.
Additionally, there were Pecha Berries and Mago Berries, Berries that only retained sweetness with leaves having a unique sweet fragrance.
Due to its unique growth, the Pecha Berry has many distinct cavities inside, making its flesh scarcer but giving it a special texture.
Queen skillfully broke open a Sitrus Berry and put the flesh in his mouth, effectively healing his injuries. Ever since these Berries appeared, Kaidou increased his training intensity.
Under the influence of the Berries, the bodies of Pokemon Ability Users recover rapidly. Even injuries won't affect the subsequent training. As the first to experience this, Queen had plenty of authority on the matter.
After checking the items to be taken and ensuring no full versions of the Berries were mixed in, Queen personally carried them onto the Hundred Beasts King.
"Big Brother Kaidou, for BIG MOM's tea party, shouldn't we prepare a gift?"
"No need. We're not here as simple guests but as partners. We're here to establish new ties with those in the Underworld. Whether it's the fruit or the arms, they're only valuable when sold."
The Hundred Beasts don't need to prepare such things, but others do. Although people like Morgans are called kings of the Underworld, it doesn't mean they truly are kings.
Their existence isn't assured by absolute strength but by demand. This means they are replaceable, and many are eager to take over their business.
If someone can perform better after replacing them, others won't seek revenge for them. It's principle one of their dealings with the Great Pirates.
"President, the items you requested are ready."
In the World Economic News Agency, a staff member handed the packaged items to Morgans.
At Joy Street, Stussy also picked up a little treasure chest. The items inside were just passable in value. Charlotte Linlin enjoyed the thrill of opening boxes, as long as the contents weren't too outrageous, she accepted them.
BIG MOM was hosting a new tea party, which wasn't a secret in the Underworld. Those who received an invitation made sure to find time, while those who didn't were stirring, like the remnants of a group dealing in organ sales and assassinations.
Their headquarters were wiped out by the Hundred Beasts, but their armed organization, known as the product-catching department, was not yet destroyed, with some seeking revenge.
Moreover, members of BIG MOM are active on various islands, with flour, icing, honey, and fruit transported ship after ship to the central of the Tottland Kingdom, Cake Island.
The Underworld was in turmoil as the BIG MOM Pirates prepared for the tea party, while the Hundred Beasts Pirates seemed ready for an excursion.
Apart from Kaidou and Queen, the senior officers of the crew were all on the ship—Olga, Elizabeth, Setsuna, and Zeraora accompanying Setsuna.
Both the fake minors and the real minors couldn't resist their curiosity about the tea party and decided to see what BIG MOM's tea party was like.
Meanwhile, Arceus set off again on a new voyage, taking King with him, leaving the defense affairs of the Hundred Beasts Territory solely in Shaina's hands.
Aside from the naive newcomers to the New World, pirates in the New World wouldn't rashly declare war on Kaidou. Shaina's abilities were sufficient to handle most matters.
Because she was currently even stronger than King, she was left on the island.
...
Days later, the Hundred Beasts King arrived in the Tottland Sea Region, where the sea had turned into a Juice Sea. Had Olga not overcome her aversion to fruit in the past two years, this area would have been her nightmare.
"Zeraora, look over there, such a huge cream fruit pie."
Setsuna was hanging on the ship's railings. She wasn't yet tall enough to see over the railings otherwise. Other than the colorful Juice Sea below, the first thing she saw was a giant cream fruit pie floating on the Juice Sea.
The pie floating on the sea made no sense, but with BIG MOM's Pirate Flag on top, it made everything clear.