Tuttelan Sea Region, Ten Thousand Nations.
It's been five whole days since Shano's declaration of war call, and this nation has long been enveloped in a tense war-preparation atmosphere.
The great enemy approaches!
The opponent is the man who stands alongside mama as a Sea Emperor!
—with a bounty of over four billion Belly, known as the World's No.1 Sword Master, Shano!
Since the establishment of Ten Thousand Nations, the BIGMOM Pirates' outward expansion has somewhat slowed.
This also means that the Charlotte family has not fought a full-scale war of this magnitude for quite some time.
Some of the younger children inevitably feel a bit nervous in such grand occasions.
At this moment.
Cake Castle Terrace.
"Katakuri brother, is that Shano really that scary?"
Charlotte Purin, who is only eleven years old, pinches the hem of her skirt and asks softly.
Originally, she had been buried in researching chocolate recipes, dreaming of opening her own coffee dessert shop when she grew up a bit more.
But starting a few days ago.
The atmosphere inexplicably began to change, and her siblings of similar age would gather all day long, heatedly debating who would win this war.
Having heard so much, Purin couldn't help feeling uneasy.
She doesn't really like mama, because of the third eye on her forehead, she's always been disliked by mama since childhood, and even forced to use bangs to cover that eye.
If it wasn't for Katakuri brother intervening last time at the tea party, mama even planned to send her, only ten years old, as a marriage alliance with Shano.
But...
Even at her young age, she knows one thing clearly, which is that all of Ten Thousand Nations' glory and safety hinges on mama alone.
If mama loses to that Shano, then Ten Thousand Nations...
In such a case, could her coffee shop still be opened?
Katakuri remains silent, arms crossed, standing at the edge of the wall, gazing into the distant horizon.
"Yes, indeed a very scary guy."
After a long while, he murmurs.
Really, really scary.
This was confirmed by him when the opponent first entered the New World.
Precisely because of this.
Katakuri always advocated maintaining a friendly relationship with that man, allowing Endgame to participate in last year's tea party was facilitated by him, even sparing no effort to be their sparring partner for a week.
To protect the family's future, he has done his best.
However.
But mama, oh...
Is it worth destroying this hard-won harmonious relationship to pursue an illusory fantasy not meant to hold?
Katakuri suddenly feels inexplicably weary.
Nonetheless.
No matter how chaotic the thoughts in his mind, he should not display them in front of his sister.
Thus, when he turns around, his expression is as normal as ever, ruffling Purin's head, smiling warmly:
"But don't worry, Purin, besides mama, aren't your brothers here? No matter what, no one can hurt you."
"Katakuri brother..."
Being gently comforted like this, a warm surge flows through Purin's heart.
She shyly turns her head, about to say something.
Bloop Bloop, Bloop Bloop—!!
The special model wall-mounted Radio Snail on the wall suddenly emits a piercing alarm.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! The Sea Slugs deployed at the periphery have signaled, about the seven o'clock direction, a large fleet has been spotted!"
"Expected to arrive at the Tuttelan Sea Region in 90 minutes!"
It's Endgame!
The alarm signal isn't just confined to Cake Island; it's simultaneously being transmitted to over thirty other islands.
Charlotte's children, as well as the other officers within the BIGMOM Pirates, regardless of what they were doing, all stop what they're doing, looking up towards the signal's origin, their faces grim.
Even though preparations have been ongoing for this moment, it's really here now!
"It's time to set off!"
Katakuri takes a deep breath, glances one last time at Purin's pale face, and calmly speaks:
"Purin, you just focus on your chocolate making, since the appointed time hasn't arrived yet, right? I'll come back and savor it properly after defeating the foreign invader."
Having said that.
His body suddenly leaps, landing at the highest point of Cake Castle in an instant, then stepping on Moonwalk, he shoots towards Cake Island's pier.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Soon, he becomes a small black dot in the view.
"..."
Purin feels the warmth on her head, looking towards the direction where Katakuri disappeared, her small fists clenched tightly.
No matter who the opponent is, I believe in you!
This time, you must win.
The undefeated Katakuri brother!
——————
"The enemy's coming fast, already appearing in sight, and soon will be upon us!"
On the outskirts of Tuttelan Sea Region, the azure sea surface is suddenly shrouded by a massive shadow.
That is an enormous, suffocating pink ship, resembling a floating sea castle, blocking the fleet's path, completely sealing off the route to Ten Thousand Nations.
Queen Mother's Chant!
BIGMOM Pirates' flagship, one of the most fearsome ships on the ocean!
Its design is incredibly flamboyant, the hull covered in bright pink paint, with cream-like carvings embellishing the deck edges and a flag bearing a lipstick-wearing skull hung from the mast.
The most eye-catching part is the figurehead.
It's a giant singing and talking human-like face, its eyes rolling, scrutinizing the Endgame Fleet approaching ahead.
The warning sounds just now were from it —
"Here they come, mama! Getting closer and closer!"
And nearby, over sixty Pirate Ships are already assembled, most of them shaped like a two-layer Egg Tart.
Densely packed in formation, guarding the central ship of BIGMOM!
"All hands, maximum alert!"
On the deck of the Queen Mother's Chant, Katakuri's cold, sharp voice spread through the entire fleet with the sea breeze.
He stood at the highest point of the ship's bow, a red scarf fluttering in the wind, holding the Trident Earth Dragon firmly in his hand.
"The battle of the Commanders and core officers is of utmost importance. Everyone, give it your best! The rest, take your positions according to the planned formation, and prepare to engage the enemy!"
"Yes! Lord Katakuri!"
The pirates responded in unison, making final preparations; some adjusted the angle of the cannons, while others began to turn the rudder.
Dozens of Egg Tart Battleships quickly completed the formation adjustments, creating a crescent-shaped encirclement on the vast sea to confront the forefront of the Endgame Fleet.
As for the Commanders, they gradually emerged from the cabins, all coming to the forefront of the deck.
"The opponent is that 'Four Calamities.' If we, the Four Commanders, take them on, then it should just about be right."
From the piles of Cookie Soldiers, Cracker's peculiar laughter could be heard:
"Hey, Katakuri brother, let's follow the plan from the operational meeting, each of us picking an opponent, and you take on that mysterious swordsman called Issho?"
"Star Fall" Issho, with a bounty of over two billion Belly.
In the Four Emperors Team, only Red Hair's deputy captain could match it, already surpassing King and Marco,
Although before the Shampodi event, no one had heard of such a person, the bounty is blatantly there, quite intimidating.
"Kukukukuku, if it's Katakuri, you can do it, right?"
Perospero licked his chin with his long tongue, smiling:
"We are fighting on our home turf, in terms of both number and quality of officers, we are crushing them. The only variable is this Issho..."
"Of course I have this confidence, Perospero brother."
Katakuri looked into the distance, "However, from the current situation, we've been calculating in vain. It seems that Issho is not here at all."
From that approaching fleet, the strong auras he could sense were familiar ones.
Without exception, all had appeared at the last tea party!
"Eh?"
Cracker was taken aback, poking his head out from the Cookie Soldier pile, "That fat guy didn't come? Doesn't that mean..."
"We've been underestimated."
Smoothie hugged her longsword, coldly sneered, "Not surprising from a man I once admired, but daring to attack us without bringing his top officers, that's truly arrogant to the extreme."
"Mamamamama! Isn't that just perfect!"
From inside the Queen Mother's Chant, a deafening laugh suddenly erupted.
Thud, thud.
With heavy footsteps, BIGMOM's enormous figure appeared on the deck, striding towards the bow.
"Mama!"
The Charlotte's Children quickly backed away to the sides like a tidal wave, making room.
"Hey."
One Charlotte sibling quietly observed for a moment, then whispered to his twin brother, "How strange, it's been a few days, and Mama still hasn't used that Bonney girl's ability to become younger."
"It's probably because Mama, you see, values the so-called pirate's code of honor."
The brother whispered back, "But I heard that lately she's been getting more irritable. If this war drags on for another two days, that little girl might end up being eaten by Mama."
Their conversation went unnoticed by BIGMOM.
"Mamamamama, is it fear of reprisal from the Navy or World Government, so he needs to keep his strongest forces to defend his base?"
She grinned, eyes flickering with a fierce light:
"That must be it... quite easy to guess. Given the existing number disadvantage, if they can't move out entirely, then they can only expect to have no return!"
"Hey, Katakuri, pass the order, all fleet wings, move forward and fire. Let these rookies of the Endgame Fleet first taste our firepower!"
To outsiders, these Egg Tart Ships appear pastel and harmless.
However, the firepower they contain is among the most powerful on this sea!
"Yes, Mama."
Katakuri replied in a deep voice.
He took out the Radio Snail, began coordinating and commanding as time ticked by, and the vanguard of the Endgame Fleet had entered the firing range.
"Fire!"
With Katakuri's command, the cannons of dozens of Egg Tart Battleships simultaneously ignited with light!
Boom, boom, boom!!!
Dense cannonballs rained down like a storm, tracing hundreds of scorched paths through the air, casting a shadow over almost all the Endgame's ships.
"Even if Whitebeard's old man's massive fleet came here, they wouldn't be able to handle it!"
BIGMOM laughed heartily, "Brat, with just these broken ships, you're still far behind!"
Katakuri remained silent, a red gleam flickered in his eyes as he muttered, "This level doesn't even require me to personally act?"
"Mama!" He suddenly changed his expression, "They're all coming back!"
"What?" BIGMOM turned her head in surprise.
Almost in the next instant!
Buzz!
Two nearly transparent giant Bear Claws suddenly expanded in front of the Endgame Fleet, growing rapidly with the wind.
In just one or two seconds, they swelled to a size that could cover the entire fleet!
"Bear's Impact!"
With a low rumbling voice, Kuma's figure appeared on the foremost deck of the fleet.
He pressed his palms together and then swiftly thrust them outwards.
BAM!
The enormous Bear Claw barriers burst with dazzling light, deflecting all incoming cannonballs back towards the Charlotte Family fleet!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The fastest among the deflected cannonballs detonated directly within the Charlotte Fleet, setting the forefront Egg Tart Ships ablaze, with panicked pirates trying to extinguish the fires.
As for the remaining barrage of cannonballs...
"You've got guts, Kuma!"
Rage ignited in BIGMOM's eyes, her massive body leaped high from the deck, shouting:
"Hera!"
——————
PS: These past two days of travel have been exhausting, so there's been less updates. Please understand. Honestly, not missing an update is an improvement for me (scratches head).
Tomorrow, I'll make it up with extra content, promise!