Some of the named Charlotte daughters either lowered their heads shyly, like Custard, or boldly threw flirtatious glances at Shano, like Smoothie.
The other guests looked at each other with shock written all over their faces.
——Indeed, Ten Thousand Nations has expanded through arranged marriages.
But never before have we heard of offering outsiders such a free choice.
Especially not throwing so many daughters in one go!
BIGMOM is dead set on getting the world's greatest Sword Master onto her bandwagon!
"Mama!"
Katakuri glanced at his sisters, frowned, and spoke up, "I don't think this is appropriate for the tea party; perhaps this should be discussed privately..."
"Shut up, Katakuri!"
BIGMOM impatiently waved her hand to interrupt, turned her head to intensely gaze at Shano:
"Hey! How about it, Shano! I'll make it clear here, if you become my son-in-law, you will be the second-in-command of Ten Thousand Nations, and the resources of the entire Tutelan Sea Region's Thirty-Six Islands will be at your disposal from then on!"
"Commanders like Katakuri and Smoothie will all become your subordinates. Such an attractive offer, there won't be another like it, ma-ma-ma-ma!"
The vast tea party square was deathly silent.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for Shano's response.
Some young guests, full of envy and jealousy, thought bitterly, "Does this even need consideration? If I ever get even half... no, even a fifth of such treatment..."
"A very tempting proposal."
Under countless gazes, Shano replied leisurely:
"It's a sincere offer, and I must thank you for your kindness, but, well, this offer is really nothing special; not only is there a second one, but there's also a third."
"What do you mean?"
BIGMOM was taken aback.
"Your two old friends, Kaido and Whitebeard, have expressed similar intentions, haven't they?"
Shano put down his teacup and spoke with a faint smile: "It seems your intelligence isn't quite up to par... In any case, whether being a son-in-law or a son, marrying in or directly joining, it's essentially the same to me. I don't have any plans for marriage at the moment, nor do I have the habit of staying under someone else's thumb."
Robin and Kuina almost simultaneously squinted their eyes.
"Kaido! Newgate!"
BIGMOM widened her eyes, gritting her teeth in anger.
Shano had only entered the New World for three months, and she thought she was fast enough, but it turns out those two guys managed to snap ahead!
Whitebeard is understandable; that old man loves to recruit sons everywhere, she's long been used to it.
But what's Kaido up to?
He has been avoiding her for years; since when did he have a daughter? And now use her to recruit Shano?
Humph, it's laughable; with that punk's looks, anything he spawned would surely be ugly, how could they compare to her daughters!
"..."
Below, the guests watched with some panic and trepidation as BIGMOM's face became increasingly gloomy.
Is BIGMOM about to get angry?
Damn it!
If those two fight, won't the entire Cake Island be blown sky-high? How can we survive it!
Katakuri and others continued sipping red tea, their expressions calm.
These guests are worrying about nothing.
Mama, apart from her food rampages, has her intelligence online for a long time. Brutal and vicious, taking action to teach others without a word, that's used to intimidate those ignorant low-level pirates.
Especially those daredevil Super Rookie newcomers who shout about challenging the Four Emperors without understanding Haki.
Confronted with someone like Shano, naturally, there's a different logic.
Sure enough.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma!"
BIGMOM suddenly burst out in exaggerated laughter, her plump body shaking on the seat, causing the entire open-air square to tremble slightly.
"After all, being the world's greatest Sword Master, your bounty is about to catch up with us old monsters!"
She smiled at Shano, "If everyone's vying for you, it seems I really don't have much of an advantage!"
"Since you don't have such intentions, let's not bring up marriage! However, we are now barely friends, right?"
"Of course."
Shano tasted a sip of red tea and smiled gently, "Ten Thousand Nations is indeed a nice place; I wouldn't bear to disrupt its tranquility."
"..."
BIGMOM leaned slightly forward, hands resting on the table, squinting and staring at him for a moment.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma! Just having your words is enough!"
She suddenly sat back down, laughing heartily, "Now that the serious matters are done, next, it's time for pure enjoyment. So, I declare this tea party officially begins! Perospero, tell the kitchen to start serving desserts!"
"Yes, Mama!"
A respectful reply from the eldest son echoed from somewhere unknown.
In the next moment, the doors to the kitchen corridor opened simultaneously, with dozens of chefs pushing exquisite dining carts in orderly fashion.
The carts were piled high with various shaped desserts, chocolate cakes, puddings, cream puffs... Known and unknown, totaling hundreds, dazzling to the eyes.
Bonney was dumbfounded.
Huh?
She had thought the dozen sweet treats on the table when she arrived were all, but it turned out they were just appetizers?
Hundreds of desserts... wow, this place is Heaven, it really is Heaven!
Her mouth watered uncontrollably, and when the dining carts were pushed over, she immediately grabbed a puff and shoved it into her mouth, the rich cream burst open, and Bonney was so happy that she was about to cry, turning her head to the side: "Nami..."