Makoto noticed that Katakuri and the other Charlotte Family's members were standing in the distance, silently watching everything.
Their faces showed sorrow, fear, confusion… but no one dared approach.
"Come join us for a meal," Makoto called out to them.
Perospero and the others were surprised.
But they didn't dare refuse Makoto and could only reluctantly agree.
Katakuri could sense that Makoto had no killing intent toward them, so he wasn't too worried either.
Night fell.
A party began on Whole Cake Island.
Though Big Mom's castle was mostly destroyed, the party hall remained intact.
Long tables were lined up, laden with food and drink.
Itsuki, the little foodie, ate to her heart's content.
She held a roasted chicken leg in one hand, a chocolate cake in the other, cream puffs stuffed in her mouth, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster.
Nino, sitting beside her, couldn't resist reaching over to pinch her little belly.
"Have you gained weight again?"
Itsuki froze.
She looked down at her stomach, then at the cake in her hand, and suddenly the food in her mouth didn't taste so good anymore.
She suddenly felt that, compared to the bizarre Devil Fruits her sisters ate, she wanted a 'never gain weight' fruit ability more.
Night.
Ace and Katakuri, who had fought during the day, sat at the edge of Whole Cake Island, the brilliant starry sky overhead.
"What are you planning to do next?" Ace asked.
Katakuri was silent for a moment, then said, "I just asked Nishikawa-sama. He said he's not interested in Totto Land."
"So you're planning to stay here?"
"Yes."
Katakuri nodded.
"I plan to stay here with my siblings and continue guarding this territory. Even though Mama is gone, we're confident we can protect this place."
Katakuri continued explaining.
"The situation in the New World now is that Overlord Ishigami Yu defers to Nishikawa-sama. Since Nishikawa-sama isn't interested in Totto Land, Ishigami Yu naturally won't make a move.
"As for the other three Emperors, Whitebeard, Red Hair, and Kaido… the first two don't have much ambition for territory and probably won't attack us."
"And as everyone knows, Kaido is practically Nishikawa-sama's lackey. Without Nishikawa-sama's approval, Kaido won't act rashly either."
"So even with Mama gone, we don't need to worry for the time being."
Ace nodded but then thought of something.
"What about the World Government?"
Katakuri fell silent.
That was the problem.
Without Big Mom, it was impossible for them to hold onto such a vast territory.
The World Government wouldn't let such a large area remain in the hands of pirates.
"Join Nishikawa-sama's command," Ace advised.
"The Commander will protect you."
Katakuri was silent for a long time, then nodded.
Ace and Katakuri found Makoto together to report the matter.
Makoto leaned back in his chair and, under Katakuri's nervous gaze, finally nodded.
After Ace and Katakuri left, Robin seized the opportunity to approach Makoto and offer a toast.
"Commander, a toast."
She raised her glass gracefully.
Makoto clinked glasses with her and took a sip.
"A little surprising," Makoto said. "I didn't expect you to join Ishigami's crew."
Robin was a bit surprised and asked, "Commander, have you already discovered my identity?"
"If you mean your [Devil Child] identity, then yes, I do know it," Makoto said.
Robin was startled, then smiled with relief.
"I didn't expect Commander to already know. I thought I was hiding it pretty well."
Though she had been with Yu's crew for twenty years, she had always gone by 'Robin' alone, never revealing her surname 'Nico'.
"Hiding your surname isn't necessary," Makoto said casually. "Do you think we're afraid of the World Government?"
Robin laughed despite herself.
"It wasn't until I met the Commander that I truly understood the saying 'there's always a sky above another sky'."
Having witnessed the Ohara disaster firsthand, Robin had always viewed the World Government as an immovable giant.
During her years under Yu, she could see that he held no reverence for the World Government, which had already surprised her.
But Makoto was even more extreme.
Though he had yet to fully demonstrate his power, Robin could tell from his confident demeanor that in Makoto's eyes, the World Government was no different from a grasshopper by the roadside… something he could crush whenever he wanted.
Robin then asked, "Commander, is there something troubling you lately?"
Makoto looked at Robin with some surprise.
Robin explained, "I've noticed that Commander occasionally shows a troubled expression recently. So I wondered if something was bothering you. If you're willing to share, perhaps I might think of a solution..."
Robin had her own calculations.
She was confident in her appearance and felt that as long as she obediently served Makoto, he probably wouldn't mind setting an extra place at the table for her.
But Robin wanted more. Though it might be greedy, seeing how easily Makoto dismissed the World Government, she hoped he might, as a favor, destroy the World Government that had destroyed her homeland and killed her mother.
For that, Robin needed to prove her value.
Makoto glanced at Robin, the brains of the Straw Hat Pirates in the original work.
After thinking it over, he spoke his mind.
"I originally wanted to orchestrate a large-scale war between one of the Four Emperors and Marine Headquarters."
"I thought about capturing one of Whitebeard's sons and handing him over to the Marine to trigger a war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marine."
"But because of certain circumstances, Whitebeard and I have a decent relationship, and I can't quite bring myself to do it."
"Now Big Mom is dead, and Kaido is practically my subordinate, so that only leaves the Red Hair Pirates."
He looked at Robin.
"Do you think this war can still happen?"
Hearing this, Robin raised an eyebrow.
She didn't understand why Makoto wanted to orchestrate such a war.
'Was it to reap the benefits from a conflict?'
'But that seemed unlikely.'
'With Commander's power, he could easily wipe out the World Government or any Emperor crew himself. Why take such a roundabout way?'
Still, Robin didn't dwell on it. Since the boss wanted to do it, she would offer her advice.
With that thought, Robin propped her chin on one hand, radiating an intellectual beauty.
After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Commander, does it have to be an Emperor crew? Or can it be any force capable of triggering a war with Marine Headquarters?"
Makoto raised an eyebrow. "Either works."
Robin thought for a while longer, then had a sudden inspiration.
"Commander, you seem to have overlooked a powerful force fully capable of contending Marine Headquarters. It is in no way inferior to an Emperor crew."
Makoto became interested.
Robin didn't keep him in suspense and spoke three words.
"The Revolutionary Army."
Makoto's eyes lit up.
Robin continued, "You could capture the Revolutionary Army's number two, Yukinoshita Yukino, and hand her over to the Marine. I believe that should trigger a war between the Revolutionary Army and Marine Headquarters."