"Hmm, if the plan fails, Stussy, don't hesitate, immediately activate PLAN B!"
"Don't worry, I'll personally take action, there's no possibility of failure."
Stussy gazed at the tip of the needle and smiled slightly:
"Also, don't use such commanding tone with me. Don't forget, Gernika, I'm the most outstanding intelligence agent among us."
...
Meanwhile.
At the edge of the dock, a group of burly Cookie Soldiers roughly grabbed a few unlucky souls and tied them up tightly.
Among them, a man with a red nose wearing a suit had been beaten black and blue, struggling angrily:
"Hey! You Charlotte guys must be mistaken! I, your lordship, am a guest with an invitation! Theft? What did I steal? I wouldn't stoop to such lowly acts!"
"Shut up and behave!"
Cracker kicked him and snorted coldly:
"This is an order personally given by Brother Katakuri. Anyone present at the dock who belongs to the Underworld forces is a suspect. You're called Masoer, right? Of course, you can't be an exception!"
But I'm a pirate, not part of the Underworld!
Buggy was about to cry. He opened his mouth but couldn't explain.
Recently, he managed to get a treasure map, which pointed to Cake Island.
If it were before, he would have given up. That was BIGMOM's territory, and outsiders looking for treasure there would be pure folly. Who would dare provoke that crazy old hag?
But...
Last time, he was scared off by the Endgame's flag, and giving up again would be too much of a loss.
Buggy was not willing to accept this. Coincidentally, BIGMOM's tea party news was spreading across the sea.
This was a rare opportunity. So, he had a flash of inspiration and, along with his crew, attacked an invited small Underworld force, intending to impersonate Masoer and infiltrate Ten Thousand Nations.
He wasn't planning to show up at the tea party, just wanted to quietly find the treasure and slip away after arriving.
A little low-key action probably wouldn't be discovered.
And the result?
Who knows whom he offended. He was inexplicably caught right after arriving ashore.
He heard there was chaos at the dock, with a notorious thief sneaking into Ten Thousand Nations and stealing many valuable items.
Damn thief!!!
What should he do now? Can he only hope for his silly crew who escaped to rescue him?
"Report! Lord Cracker, we caught this man's subordinates, and found shovels, burlap sacks, ropes, and other incriminating tools on them!"
Buggy turned his head to look.
—Chief of Staff Kabaji had been stripped of his clothes and was huddled on the ground, shivering with discomfort.
"Report! Lord Cracker, we also found two empty treasure chests on another of this man's subordinates, clearly intended to hold stolen goods!"
He turned back again to look over there.
—Deputy Captain Moqi had rolled his eyes and was held by a Cookie Soldier, his life uncertain.
You two are trying to kill me... Buggy's tears overflowed, and he cried out loud.
Boom!
A punch covered in Armament from a Cookie Soldier suddenly slammed down.
Buggy hadn't reacted yet and was screaming as he was hammered into the ground, foaming at the mouth, limbs twitching, with only his red nose exposed.
"Seems like there's nothing more to say."
Cracker withdrew his fist with a sinister expression, "It can be confirmed that it's these idiots' doing. Luckily, Lord Shano wasn't affected, otherwise I'd kill this red-nosed fool on the spot..."
"Hey, Mont-d'Or! Lock this guy in your book prison first, and after we're done with the tea party, we'll interrogate him severely!"
"Yes, Brother Cracker!"
A white-faced man with a red nose hastily agreed.
His name was Charlotte Mont-d'Or, the nineteenth son, nicknamed "Document Officer," a Paramecia-type Book-Book Fruit Ability User, who could pull others into his story world.
With a slight raise of his hand, a giant book appeared suddenly, opened to a certain page, with a prison's iron bars right before the eyes.
The unconscious Buggy and others were thus roughly thrown into the book prison by Cookie Soldiers...
————
Elsewhere, in Cake Castle.
After a hearty welcome feast, the Endgame's crew were arranged in the best rooms.
After several days of travel, everyone was quite exhausted, sleeping soundly.
A night without words.
The next morning, the open-air plaza at the top of Cake Castle was already arranged splendidly.
Dozens of long tables were covered with luxurious tablecloths, filled with various desserts and drinks. Homiz happily shuttled among them, serving the guests who arrived one after another.
In the spotlight, the long-prepared tea party officially began.
The emperors of the Underworld finally entered—Warehouse King Jiberson, News King Morgans, Transportation King Umit, Loan King Du·Feld...
These big figures who control the lifeblood of New World's various industries, all coincidentally restrained their usual arrogance.
After sitting down, they first bowed in greeting to BIGMOM sitting on the throne.
Then their eyes inadvertently swept over the empty seat opposite the throne, the only one at the same height as BIGMOM's throne.
These old sly ones knew very well who the real protagonist of this tea party was.
They also understood that their so-called "Underworld Emperors" titles could intimidate ordinary people, but in front of the man whom even the Four Emperors treat seriously, they are nothing.
Lingling and they were old acquaintances, and could act more casually, appearing friendly.
But this was the first official interaction with this individual, and they had to maintain enough respect.
"Mama mama mama! This time, the old friends are really here; welcome! Welcome to you all! Let's have a toast first!"
BIGMOM laughed loudly and raised a glass, her massive body occupying almost the whole throne.
Adding a pink puff dress and a heavily made-up face with visible wrinkles, it was quite unsightly.
Causing some first-time guests to the tea party to secretly feel regret.
It's hard to imagine...
This revolting old fat woman was, twenty or thirty years ago, once a famous beauty and strong woman on the sea.
However, the passage of time and the growth of appetite ultimately made everything no longer exist.
Thinking in their hearts, but no one dared to show it outwardly; all guests and eligible members of the Charlotte family smiled and raised their glasses.
And just then.
Squeak~
The door of the top-floor banquet hall was slowly opened by a hand.