Chapter 166: Cracker: Protecting Mama is My Duty!
As Katakuri spoke, the Charlotte Family executives fell silent.
The Zodiac.
To this day, they felt the existence of this organization was like a strange dream.
Initially, this obscure organization seemed just a "foolish organization with some strength acting recklessly" to them.
Although their brother, one of the Four Sweet Commanders Snack, died at the hands of Nezumi (Rat) of The Zodiac, leading the Big Mom Pirates to hunt Nezumi frantically.
That was all.
As mentioned before—the Charlotte Family is a pirate family; Big Mom's 85 children come from 45 fathers.
Bloodline is their bond, but only that.
Most of them didn't have deep feelings for Snack. Hunting Nezumi was merely because he offended the flag of the "Big Mom Pirates".
They still didn't care much about The Zodiac.
But as time passed, things changed.
More Zodiac members appeared, each terrifyingly strong.
Especially after the Marines released The Zodiac's bounties recently.
Even as executives under an Emperor, they had to admit.
The organization named "The Zodiac" was now a behemoth on the sea.
Although not enough to make an Emperor fear, it was undoubtedly an opponent worth dreading, definitely not a "small fry to be destroyed at will".
"Brother Katakuri, I know you don't support war with The Zodiac... but this is Mama's decision, we can't disobey."
A woman with extremely long legs spoke softly.
She was the second-ranked Sweet Commander—Charlotte Smoothie.
What she said was a fact known to everyone present.
At this Tea Party, Big Mom would announce to the world via live broadcast throughout Totto Land—she would declare war on The Zodiac and definitely obtain "Neverland".
Regarding this decision, there were different voices within the Big Mom Pirates.
Calmer executives like Perospero, Katakuri, and Smoothie didn't think it was a good choice.
Especially Katakuri.
To him, Snack's death was worth avenging, and he did lead teams to chase Nezumi for a long time.
But precisely because of this, he knew how strange Nezumi's ability was and how mysterious The Zodiac was.
He didn't think his mother declaring war on such an enemy with such fanfare was rational.
After all, this was just another willful decision by Big Mom.
Katakuri could almost "See" the harm his cherished siblings and family would suffer in this war.
But...
"I never thought of disobeying Mama, Smoothie."
Katakuri said calmly.
As the second-in-command of the Big Mom Pirates, he was used to his mother's willfulness and recklessness.
He knew he couldn't stop Mama's decision—or rather, long ago, he tried to stop her, but the result was nearly getting killed.
Big Mom's decision was absolute.
So, his true purpose in raising the topic of The Zodiac was...
"Three days until the Tea Party. Guests will enter Totto Land in large numbers starting the day after tomorrow—among them, we need to guard against The Zodiac members' movements."
He scanned the surroundings, speaking deeply.
This was his goal.
He couldn't change Mama's mind, but he could try his best to protect his siblings.
"Brother Katakuri, you think... The Zodiac dares to attack us first!?"
Short Dosmarche said deeply, "Impossible, right? We are the 'Big Mom Pirates'..."
"They aren't an organization that cares about such things."
Katakuri looked at his brother. "My suggestion is to activate 'Maximum Sugar Alert'."
Hearing this, the Charlotte executives widened their eyes.
"Max... Maximum Sugar?" (xN)
"Katakuri, is it necessary?"
Perospero, the only one older than Katakuri, frowned deeply.
He knew Maximum Sugar Alert meant even during the Tea Party, Charlotte Family members must maintain full war readiness.
Waters near Totto Land would be under martial law; all Homies in Totto Land activated; all warships docked at ports, ready to sail anytime.
"Brother Perospero..."
Katakuri looked at Perospero. "This is my 'Premonition'."
"..."
Perospero fell silent.
He knew his brother's ability.
Due to excessive Observation Haki training, he could even "See the Future" for a short time.
Besides that, his intuition and premonition outside combat became extremely accurate—like a beast sensing invisible danger in the air.
So he had to respect Katakuri's "Premonition".
Just then...
"I agree with Brother Katakuri's proposal—guarding against The Zodiac is necessary!"
A voice came from the crowd.
"Cracker?"
Perospero looked over, stunned.
The speaker was one of the Three Sweet Commanders, Charlotte Cracker.
"Brother Perospero, I think Brother Katakuri is right."
Cracker spoke righteously. "The Zodiac is indeed a dangerous and powerful group... Mama's Tea Party cannot be disturbed. Let's work harder."
After speaking, he volunteered.
"Now that Lola left, Cacao Island as the guest reception island needs strong guards most. I think Brother Katakuri and Smoothie stationed there is suitable."
"'Major Undertaker' arrives tomorrow—according to the agreement, he brings Nezumi's corpse as Mama's 'Declaration of War' against The Zodiac. So I'll be stationed on Whole Cake Island to handle the handover with him."
"If enemies attack, my Biscuit Soldiers on Whole Cake Island can react in time."
Perospero nodded instinctively.
Katakuri frowned.
Honestly, he didn't think 'Major Undertaker' could really deliver Nezumi's corpse.
But since the other party dared to come to Whole Cake Island, and Nezumi indeed stopped taking missions recently...
Katakuri wondered if he underestimated the King of Assassins.
Of course, putting this aside.
Katakuri had to admit Cracker's arrangement was correct.
If The Zodiac entered Totto Land during the Tea Party, the most noteworthy places were indeed "Cacao Island" and "Whole Cake Island".
Cacao Island, as the reception island, was where guests gathered, the most chaotic place.
Whole Cake Island was naturally a key point too.
Cracker, as the Biscuit Minister and Sweet Commander, naturally guarded Whole Cake Island with his Biscuit Soldiers.
It was fitting to leave Whole Cake Island's defense to him.
"But your injury..."
Perospero looked at Cracker hesitantly.
He knew Cracker's injury from fighting "Hananafuda" (Lizard King) hadn't healed yet; even his Biscuit Soldiers were relatively fragile.
"It's okay."
Cracker said righteously. "My injury is almost healed—Protecting Mama is my duty!"
"Besides, I don't think The Zodiac will really attack Whole Cake Island. After all, not just Mama, but even 'Pirate Guru' is on that island."
"And Whole Cake Island is in the core area of Totto Land. If they appear there... you can reinforce immediately, right?"
He glanced around. "Moreover, I didn't say I'd guard Whole Cake Island alone. Brother Oven, Brother Daifuku, Brother Mont-d'Or..."
He named a few. "I think they can guard Whole Cake Island with me."
Hearing Cracker's precise and detailed arrangement, Perospero was stunned.
Since when was my brother this strategic?
Did he study hard while injured?
But he had to admit Cracker made sense.
Plus, the people Cracker named were the most hawkish "War Faction" members in the Big Mom Pirates, advocating war against The Zodiac and possessing strong power.
"Katakuri?"
Perospero looked at Katakuri.
Katakuri, still tossing the jelly bean, narrowed his eyes in thought.
Then...
"Let's arrange it like this."
He nodded slowly, agreeing with Cracker.
"In that case—Brûlée, send us with your ability. We leave for Whole Cake Island tonight."
Cracker said immediately.
"No problem, Brother Cracker!"
Charlotte Brûlée nodded.
Thus, the security arrangement for the Tea Party seemed to have a "Perfect Conclusion".
Charlotte executives discussed their assigned islands.
But now...
"Brother Perospero."
Katakuri whispered to Perospero beside him.
"Hm?"
"How is the situation with that photo?"
Katakuri asked in a low voice.
"Kukukuku, very safe of course."
Perospero whispered. "Deepest part of the treasury, patrolled by Homies daily. Only taken out on the Tea Party day. Otherwise, even we only have the right to view, not take out, or the highest alarm triggers... don't worry."
He knew the photo Katakuri mentioned.
It was their mother, Big Mom's only weakness.
"Mm, that's good."
Hearing this, Katakuri nodded.
But...
"..."
His hand still held the jelly bean.
Bang!
Until the black jelly bean in his hand crumbled, he didn't let go.
He still felt strange.
No, he had felt this for a long time.
Since some time ago, he felt a subtle dissonance in Totto Land's atmosphere.
But even his ultimate Observation Haki couldn't determine where the problem was.
"Mm..."
Katakuri looked at his siblings in the room.
"Must be my illusion."
He muttered internally.
Not long after.
"Arrived, Brother Cracker... this is the mirror leading to Whole Cake Island."
Mirror World.
Charlotte Brûlée brought Cracker to a huge mirror, smiling.
"Mm... a mirror specially made for this Tea Party?"
Cracker looked at the huge mirror, patting Brûlée's shoulder.
"Yes, big and sturdy—to ensure smooth movement between islands."
Speaking of this, Brûlée raised her head proudly.
As the Mirror-Mirror Fruit user, her ability allowing free travel through mirrors was crucial for intel gathering, strategic transfer, and supply transport.
"Yes... must ensure smooth movement."
Then, Brûlée heard "Baking Minister" Oven speak behind her.
"But this went unexpectedly smoothly. This way, most opponents are dispersed to various islands."
The hot-tempered strong man spoke very softly now.
"...Huh?"
Brûlée froze. "Brother Oven, what are you..."
She turned instinctively, doubting her ears.
But the next moment...
"Yes... after all, the opponent is that Big Mom. Although prepared, ensuring she is alone without helpers is still important."
Beside Oven, "Bean Minister" Daifuku spoke too.
"Y... You..."
Realizing something, Brûlée had no time to say more.
Next moment, she felt something furry hit the back of her head.
Then, she fell.
"Mm, as expected—my Mirror World is a bit distorted, need to modify it with that... Oh, done!"
Groggy, Brûlée felt she was tied up.
But with her remaining vision, she could still see.
A figure stood before her.
Behind the figure, a huge tail swayed and fell, transforming into... another "Her".
And on the figure's head, he wore a...
Dog Mask.
"Who... are you?"
Brûlée asked hoarsely and weakly.
"Me?"
The figure asked back with a smile.
As he spoke, Oven, Daifuku, and Cracker spoke simultaneously.
"I am Cracker."
"I am Oven."
"I am Daifuku."
"I am Mont-d'Or."
They emitted different voices.
But in the end, the different voices overlapped, converging into the same answer.
"We are The Zodiac..."
"We are—Inu (Dog)."
☆☆☆
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