"They're here!"
"It's the Endgame's flag!"
"The rumors are true, it's really Lord Shano!"
The crowd suddenly buzzed with excitement.
"Everyone, be ready." Katakuri narrowed his eyes and raised his hand to signal behind him.
The audience cheered and waved their small flags, while Charlotte's children, already prepared, took out various instruments and began to accompany.
Who are they accompanying?
Of course, it's the street lamps infused with souls!
The Homiz cleared their throats, swayed their bodies, and started singing sweet tunes:
"Candy gates gently open~♪"
"Cream stairs weave into the sea~♪"
"Welcome, noble Sword Master"
"Totto Land opens its heart to you!"
~
"Mama's laughter is like honey♪"
"Lord Katakuri stands as a wall♪"
"All because you cleaved through lava and light♪"
"Even Kizaru retreated in flight!"
~
"Bo-yo Bo-yo~ start dancing♪"
"Cookie soldiers line up in rows♪"
"If you like this sweet country♪"
"Why not stay forever, stay!"
...
On the deck.
Listening to this booming chant, Shano had a vein pop out on his forehead.
In his memory, the Cake Island arc was indeed quite dreamlike and fairy tale-like, often bursting into song and dance, but witnessing this scene personally, he still found it somewhat hard to accept.
The pomp and circumstance were just too much!
Thousands of people lined up to welcome him; he nearly thought he was the sun of Totto Land.
He glanced back.
Smoker, Robin, Kuma, Kuina, and others all wore similar expressions, each holding their heads in their hands, overwhelmed by the spectacle, as none of them were accustomed to such settings.
But Bonney's eyes sparkled, she was the first to dash off the ship, circling around the singing Homiz, touching them left and right:
"Wow! They move! Kuma, come see, they all move! Can I eat them? No matter, I'll take a bite first!"
A Homiz let out a piercing scream.
Had it been a normal day, Nami would have followed with cheers down the ship to join Bonney, but she had just been fished out of the sea, soaking wet, furiously wringing the water out while glaring at Shano.
Shano ignored her; once Jack anchored and steadied the ship, he led the crew ashore.
Katakuri was already striding forward to greet them, slightly bowing, extending a hand: "Long time no see, Lord Shano, welcome to Cake Island."
"Long time no see."
Shano nodded, casting his gaze around at those curious and eager eyes, finally resting back on Katakuri with a smile:
"Isn't this arrangement a bit over the top?"
"You're joking."
Katakuri shook his head, "In the eyes of the world, you are nearly on par with the Four Emperors themselves, willing to attend our family's tea party, no amount of welcome would be excessive."
"The song is a bit too blunt."
This time, Katakuri could not help but show an embarrassed expression, coughing lightly: "The lyrics were written by my sister Purin; she's only thirteen or fourteen, not very worldly-wise... please don't take it to heart."
"The tea party will officially commence the day after tomorrow, but tonight, the castle will host a small welcome banquet to cleanse the dust for you and your crew."
He turned slightly, gesturing the way, "Cake Island is large; we are still quite a distance from Cake Castle, everyone, follow me."
Finishing his words.
Katakuri led them down the red carpet avenue, residents continuously offering various gifts along the way.
Mostly candies and pastries, Shano managed to hold on initially, but later the stack piled into a mountain, forcing Kuma and Jack to help carry these gifts.
Upon reaching the end of the red carpet, there were already dozens of Totto Land's unique pig carts waiting there.
"There are many seats available, everyone please choose freely."
Katakuri turned around with a smile: "For those gifts you just received, just place them in the last carriage... huh?"
He widened his eyes.
How strange, just a moment ago he saw these two big fellows under Shano, hands full of stacked items, yet suddenly they were nowhere to be seen?
"I ate them all!"
Bonney was rubbing her round belly, blissfully burping, "But I'm still far from full, hey, Uncle with the scarf, when can the banquet start?"
"Anytime."
Katakuri's eye twitched.
Where did this little girl pop out from, at such a young age, yet with this appetite?
Just as Mama has always been good with children, perhaps the two of them can hit it off...
Once everyone settled in.
The pig carts set off, racing through fields and forests towards the distant towering castle.
Katakuri squinted, watching the fading trail of dust gradually dissipate, then turned back and solemnly asked:
"What's the situation, Cracker?"
"Ugh, no progress at all."
The burly Cookie Soldier came forward, sighed:
"I followed on Custard's ship observing for half a day, not only her, Smoothie, Garrett... the sisters are trying hard, but that guy is completely unperturbed, not even slightly moved."
"Cute, seductive, so many beauties actively surrounding him, yet he's still so indifferent."
The Cookie Soldier sneaked closer and whispered, "Hey, Katakuri, do you think there is a possibility that this World's No.1 Sword Master is actually..."
"Don't talk nonsense."
Katakuri interrupted, somewhat annoyed, his brother was not young anymore, why talk so out of line.
"Hm?" He suddenly noticed something, frowning, "Cracker, are you sure this armor is your true form?"
"Of course." The Cookie Soldier was puzzled, "Why? What are you mentioning, is there somewhere that doesn't resemble the other Cookie Soldiers?"
"The appearance is no different."
Katakuri shook his head, "But you forgot to strap on your sword; this lets outsiders instantly identify your true form, aren't you most cautious about revealing your core?"
Sword?
Katakuri is speaking nonsense, isn't he? I'm clearly carrying mine.
The Cookie Soldier suspiciously extended his right hand, reaching behind...
"Eh!!"
Cracker's eyes bulged, "No, where's my Salted Bun!"
Salted Bun was the name of this Commander's beloved sword, the Cookie Soldiers created were modeled after Salted Bun's form.
Other Cookie Soldiers, if they lost their weapons, could simply use their ability to create more, but the one missing this time is the Salted Bun's actual form!
A thief?
Katakuri's eyes narrowed sharply, instantly scanning around, and just at this moment, on either side of the distant red carpet, Charlotte's children receiving the guests suddenly stirred up—
"Eh, my pocket watch is gone!"
"Hat! Where's my hat?!"
"Brothers and sisters, did anyone see my gemstone brooch?!"
Amidst the waves of surprised cries, Katakuri's eyes showed displeasure, unfolding his powerful Observation Haki that instantly enveloped the entire scene.
Who is it?
With a cold gaze, he scanned among the crowd, finally targeting the rest of the guests.
The tea party's invitees were always a mixed bag, many invited from underground forces, among their subordinates naturally were those fond of sneaky and deceitful tricks.
Normally, the Charlotte family would turn a blind eye, the family was big, and they couldn't be bothered.
But today...
With Lord Shano arriving on such an important day, when he personally came out to greet, someone still dared to harbor thieving intentions, stealthily taking away so many personal items right under their noses!
If even Endgame's people are stolen from, or worse, they daringly detail Lord Shano himself, what then?
The consequences could be unimaginable... potentially ruining Mama's marriage plans!
Thorough investigation!
With a chilling complexion, Katakuri decided not to show leniency this time; today's issue necessitated an investigation! Starting with these varied underground guests!