"..."
Nao froze for a moment, then sighed and shrugged helplessly. "That's irrelevant. Why go into so much detail?"
"How is it irrelevant? It has everything to do with you."
Stussy blinked mischievously. "You know, back then, Linlin wanted to kill you outright — to avenge the humiliation at the wedding. But after you defeated her three years ago, she seemed to… change her mind. Now she apparently wants to conquer you — in another sense — and make you one of her—"
"Stop. Enough nonsense."
Nao's face darkened as he shot her a glare. Stussy wasn't fazed at all; she just chuckled, raised her glass, and took a playful sip in his direction before draining it in one go.
Nao gave a perfunctory raise of his own glass, but just as he was about to set it down, he noticed several of the Underworld Emperors at the neighboring table watching them with interest.
"So, you're the samurai from Wano — Fujiwara?"
The Loan Shark King, Du Feld, grinned slyly, lifting his glass. "You're quite the famous one. Didn't expect Stussy to finally bring you to a Tea Party. What do you say — care to get acquainted? Maybe we can be friends."
The other Underworld Emperors followed his lead, smiling politely and raising their glasses.
But then—
"Not interested."
No one expected it. "Fujiwara" merely gave each of them a passing glance, then lazily withdrew his gaze and continued sipping his drink — completely disinterested, treating them as if they didn't even exist.
How dare this guy?
For a brief moment, Du Feld and the others looked stunned. Then the shock turned to fury, their faces darkening.
How many years had it been since anyone had dared show them such disdain?
Even the Emperor of the Sea herself — Big Mom — treated them with courtesy, sending personal invitations every year to ensure their attendance.
And now some hired thug — even if he was Stussy's top enforcer — dared to snub them like this?
Their expressions soured, though one figure didn't share their anger. Sitting directly across from Stussy, Morgans, president of the World Economic News Paper, frowned slightly at the sound of Nao's voice.
That voice… it sounds familiar.
He was sure he'd heard it before — more than once, even.
But that couldn't be right. He had never met this so-called samurai Fujiwara. So why did it sound so recognizable? Morgans' suspicion deepened. He raised a wing to stop Du Feld before he could lash out and was just about to question the man when—
A commotion suddenly erupted from the outer hall.
The half-open doors of the banquet hall were thrown wide.
Escorted by a small army of Charlotte children, a tall, elegant woman with flowing pink hair stepped gracefully onto the red carpet.
As she entered, the guests on both sides of the hall instantly stood at attention, bowing or raising their glasses nervously in greeting. Even the Underworld Emperor— though they didn't rise — smiled and toasted her arrival with visible respect.
There was no mistaking who she was.
The master of Whole Cake Island — Emperor of the Sea, Charlotte Linlin.
Her appearance has completely changed…Under the shadow of his white hood, Nao's eyes flickered — Stussy hadn't been exaggerating.
Big Mom now looked remarkably like her younger self — nearly eighty percent restored, he judged — with only the faint lines on her forehead betraying her true age.
"Mama mama! Everyone's already here so early! I hope I didn't keep you all waiting too long!"
Big Mom immediately noticed the odd tension among the underworld emperors' table, but didn't pay it much mind. Smiling warmly at Stussy and the others as she passed, she walked over to the pink sofa and sat down, laughing joyfully.
"Well then, since everyone's arrived…" she declared, raising her arms grandly.
"I hereby announce that this year's Tea Party — officially begins now!"
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall. Every guest immediately stopped what they were doing and began clapping enthusiastically — even the top VIPs seated at Big Mom's own table were no exception.
The Charlotte Family children, who had clearly been waiting for this cue, also joined in the celebration at their eldest brother Perospero's subtle signal, cheering and clapping to heighten the festive atmosphere of the Tea Party.
"Everyone! Let's begin! Please, enjoy the most delicious desserts to your heart's content!"
As elegant classical music began to play, the Homies stationed along the walls burst into laughter and song:
"Oh the Tea Party has begun!"
"Raise your glasses high, my friends!"
"Forget your troubles, forget your pain—there's no reason to be sad again!"
"Because~"
"This is Totto Land!"
"A land without oppression! A land without hunger! A land where all races live in harmony!"
"The land of sweets! The land of cakes! The land of chocolate and cream~!"
…
The lyrics were quite different from the ones he'd heard back at the port.
Under his white hood, Nao listened to the cheerful melody with a faint curl of mockery at his lips. He continued sipping his red wine calmly — the only figure in the hall who seemed oddly detached from the lively atmosphere.
As the song ended, the Tea Party's liveliness grew even more intense. Guests at every table began chatting warmly, voices overlapping in laughter and negotiation.
After all —
Aside from offering gifts and flattery to Big Mom, this was the real reason so many people made sure to attend the Tea Party each year.
For the Emperors of the Underworld, meeting other powerful figures was no easy feat under normal circumstances.
But here, at this event, they could forge alliances, trade favors, and quietly strike deals.
After countless Tea Parties, the entire underworld had become a vast, tangled web of interests — with the Charlotte Family at its core.
This was the true power behind a Sea Emperor.
Compared to it, Doflamingo's North Blue operations were nothing more than a child's game.
"When are you planning to make your move?"
Stussy's soft voice reached his ear.
"In a bit," Nao replied without turning his head. He swirled the wine in his glass, eyes fixed on the shifting red liquid. "It'd be a shame not to enjoy such a fine, high-society scene a little longer, don't you think?"
So calm… Stussy pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to ask just how confident he really was.
But before she could speak, the sharp click of approaching footsteps sounded behind them — tap, tap, tap.
Turning around, she saw a young woman with flowing white hair walking toward them.
The girl was striking — graceful features, sharp eyes brimming with confidence — but what drew the most attention were her impossibly long, elegant legs.
It was none other than Smoothie, who had returned from Impel Down a year ago and reclaimed her position as one of the Four Sweet Commanders.
At this moment, the white-haired woman carried two drinks of contrasting colors. She leaned forward gracefully, setting the two full crystal glasses before Stussy and Du Feld. Her smile was polite, her tone soft and pleasant:
"Here you are, Miss Stussy — a special drink prepared just for you, 'The Invaluable Young Lady.'"
It was a dazzling golden beverage, with faint crimson light swirling like ribbons through it.
Stussy's expression stiffened for just an instant before she quickly covered it with a polite smile. "Thank you," she said smoothly, taking the glass and sipping with practiced grace.
But as soon as Smoothie turned away —
Stussy immediately set the glass down again, picked up her napkin, and discreetly spit the golden liquid into it under the guise of dabbing her lips.
"As for you, Mr. Du Feld — please, try this one: 'The Miser Who Wouldn't Spare a Single Berry.'"
Smoothie's smile deepened slightly. "It was actually much harder to prepare than Miss Stussy's drink."
The liquid inside the glass was a deep, pure emerald green, though a thin, grayish film floated eerily on its surface.
"Hah! Thank you, Smoothie, you've really gone to the trouble for me!"
The Loan Shark King, Du Feld, laughed heartily and lifted the glass, gulping down more than half in a single drink. Then he leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, letting out a long, satisfied sigh.
"And now, it's your turn, Sir Fujiwara."
Smoothie turned toward the man in the white hood, smiling sweetly as she snapped her fingers.
"Big Brother Perospero specifically instructed me to treat you with the highest hospitality. So… would you like a drink as well?"
The figure beneath the hood didn't so much as lift his head. He simply continued swirling his glass of red wine in silence, as though he hadn't heard her at all.
"My, my, don't be shy," Smoothie said lightly, her tone still teasing. "Is it because this is your first time at the Tea Party and you can't decide what to order? Then how about I help you choose… hmm—'The Wandering Noble Swordsman'? How does that sound?"
At that, the "Samurai Fujiwara," who had remained utterly silent until now, finally let out a soft sigh — a faint note of weariness mixed with disappointment.
"You've changed a lot since back then. At least you didn't have such bad habits before. Looks like… letting the Marine release you was a foolish mistake."
Back then? The Marines?
What was he talking about?
Smoothie frowned slightly, her smile fading into irritation — and then her eyes suddenly widened in shock. Her entire body froze.
"…Long time no see,"
Nao finally lifted his head, removing the white hood to reveal his calm, striking face.
"Smoothie."
It's him!
Impossible!
Wasn't he in the East Blue not long ago?! How could he be here?!
A wave of disbelief and panic crashed through her. Smoothie staggered back in fright, bumping into the table behind her — the round table toppled over with a crash, glasses and plates shattering across the floor. Several women nearby screamed and jumped up in alarm.
The brief commotion instantly froze the entire ballroom. The lively chatter died in an instant, and every head turned toward the disturbance.
"What's going on, Smoothie?"
Big Mom, who had been laughing and chatting with her guests, furrowed her brow in annoyance and looked over.
"M–Mama…"
Smoothie scrambled to her feet, her face pale as a sheet, and pointed toward the man ahead. "It's him! That man — he's here!"
But she didn't even need to say it.
Because Nao was already standing, his face calm and composed as he fixed his gaze directly on Big Mom's pink sofa.
And when everyone finally got a clear look at his face — the entire hall fell silent for half a heartbeat.
Then came a collective gasp.
"M–My god… that's the White Dragon!"
"Am I seeing things?!"
"What the hell—why is he here?!"
The Tea Party erupted into chaos. The Homies froze mid-song, their voices dying in their throats. Around the table of the Underworld Emperors, faces went pale and eyes widened in sheer disbelief.
Damn it! It's really him!
Du Feld shuddered violently, a chill shooting up his spine. Thank heavens, he thought — thank heavens Morgans had stopped him earlier from losing his temper…
Big Mom's gaze locked on Nao. Her pupils narrowed slightly.
But a heartbeat later, her expression smoothed into a wide grin.
"Mama mama! Well, isn't this a surprise…"
She slowly rose from her pink sofa. Though the smile remained on her face, her voice grew cold — so cold it made the air itself shiver.
"I was just thinking I'd pay you a visit sometime soon… and you actually came here of your own accord. Alone, no less…"
Her eyes sharpened. Each word came out like a hammer blow.
"Tell. Me. Who. Gave. You. The. Courage?"
The killing intent bursting from her was suffocating.
Whummm—!
Her right hand clenched into a fist. Flames and lightning coiled together, dancing up her arm, merging into a terrifying force that cracked and roared with each pulse of power.
"Well?! Answer me, Natsuya Nao!"
Her roar shook the entire hall. Then her thunder-and-fire-wreathed fist shot forward, tearing the air apart as it came crashing down toward him, bringing with it a storm that seemed ready to devour everything in its path.
Stussy stood right in that line of fire. Her heart lurched — she stumbled backward, her eyes darting toward Nao in panic.
But instead of reacting, he just looked back at her calmly, almost amused.
That look said it all.
See? I told you — this lunatic still only wants to kill me, not "conquer" me like you claimed.
Draw your sword already! Stussy wanted to scream. Now's not the time for smug looks and inside jokes!
Big Mom's enormous fist came crashing closer — so close she could feel the heat — and finally, Nao's gaze shifted back.
"'Who gave me the courage?'"
He didn't even draw his sword. His right hand simply tightened into a fist, bright azure lightning sparking and crackling around it.
He stared directly into Big Mom's monstrous face and smirked coldly.
"Those are bold words coming from someone I've already defeated. Maybe…"
"…you should be asking yourself that question, Charlotte Linlin!"
A flash of killing intent — and Nao threw his punch.
BOOM!
Before the stunned crowd, two utterly mismatched fists collided head-on!
Light and heat exploded outward in a blinding storm — blue lightning and crimson fire twisting together, warping the very air around them. The shockwave engulfed the hall, swallowing everyone's vision.
Beneath their feet, the marble floor splintered like glass, spreading web-like cracks in every direction.
Less than a second later, the floor gave way entirely with a deafening crash — exposing the level beneath the Cake Castle.
"This…"
"They actually started fighting right here?!"
"Damn it—run!"
Guests stared in horror at the gaping crater, dozens of meters wide, before panic seized them. Sweat poured down their temples as they scrambled for the exits.
The smarter ones grabbed their companions and bolted down the spiral staircase without looking back, fleeing the castle as fast as their legs could carry them.
As for the Tea Party?
Forget the Tea Party!
Everyone knew full well about the grudge between Big Mom and the White Dragon — and the way things looked now, this was going to be a fight to the death.
And when beings of that level fought… anyone still nearby wouldn't just be watching.
They'd be collateral damage.