บท 162: Chapter 162: The Start Of The Battle
"Captain, it's time for us to leave."
Kuke glanced at the time.
It was time to go; they had stayed long enough.
He stretched lazily and got up.
Nearby, Hancock habitually reached for Kuke's coat.
But her hand grasped only air.
She saw that Charlotte Galette was already holding Kuke's coat with both hands, waiting beside him. During the brief respite after lunch, she had even taken the time to iron it.
Attention to detail—full marks.
"Are the Big Mom Pirates always this enthusiastic? It's nothing like those old guys' crews," Yamato stared, wide-eyed.
Shakky just smiled, not telling Yamato the truth.
Linlin's children enthusiastic?
Only for some people.
Kuke donned his coat, Galette helping him with careful hands.
"Allow me to lead the way," Charlotte Galette stepped ahead, pushing open the door to guide them out.
Kuke looked at her elegant back.
"Seems like convincing Big Mom will be easy if her daughters are like this."
As for how to convince her, well, there were many ways.
Charlotte Galette didn't board the Radiant Eclipse; instead, she led the way with her own pirate ship, staying ahead of the Radiant Eclipse.
Two ships sailed together.
They had just left Yellow Butter Town when another pirate ship approached from ahead.
"Looks like we've got some interesting opponents. Are they here to pick a fight?" Yamato said excitedly, hefting her club, ready for a brawl.
She had wanted to fight since earlier, but seeing how friendly that woman had been to their captain made her suppress her fighting instincts.
"I don't think Linlin would dare stop us from reaching Whole Cake Island," Shakky took a drag on her cigarette, her eyes surveying the three women standing on the approaching ship.
Their presence was powerful.
But Shakky doubted Linlin would be foolish enough to send just them to stand in the way.
"Are we that lucky? Everyone we want just shows up?" Kuke said in surprise, looking at Smoothie and her crew.
The member of the Big Mom Pirates that he wanted the most was, of course, Smoothie, one of the Sweet Commanders. She ranked among the top female powerhouses of the original story.
On the ship ahead, Charlotte Galette spoke up. "Lord Kuke, let me handle this. I won't let them bother you."
With Kuke's nod of approval, Galette ordered her crew to speed up, heading straight toward Smoothie's ship.
Even before the ships drew near, Galette's voice rang out, filled with dissatisfaction: "Sister Smoothie, are you trying to stop Lord Kuke? They are Mama's honored guests, and you mustn't disturb Lord Kuke."
Smoothie and the others frowned at Galette's maneuver.
"How cunning," Charlotte Amande remarked with amusement. "Galette got ahead of us and has already defined our motives to paint us in a bad light."
She seemed the least perturbed among them, her interest not as deeply invested. She had mainly come along to observe.
"What now, Smoothie?" Amande asked, watching the other two. She saw through their intentions clearly.
Galette admired Kuke's strength and courage, her fascination growing deeper the more she learned.
Smoothie, on the other hand, had confidence—confidence that she alone among her family was worthy of someone as important as Kuke.
Custard, meanwhile, held a mixture of feelings. There was admiration, but also fear—fear of the Sun and Moon Pirates' power and a desire to prevent a conflict between her family and them. She wanted to be the bridge that connected both sides.
Amande understood each of them very well. As for herself, she held little desire, only curiosity to see which of them would succeed and if Kuke was as strong as the rumors claimed.
Unlike Amande, Smoothie and Custard glared at Galette, clearly unamused.
"So they are here to cause trouble after all," Yamato grinned, her eyes brightening. "Leave it to me."
A powerful burst of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Yamato, her broad kimono fluttering in the wind.
The once-calm sea now churned wildly.
"Such power..."
Smoothie and the others barely had time to react before they felt the force of Yamato's aura, immediately turning their wary gazes toward her.
"Conqueror's Haki? Is she the Empress of the Sun and Moon Pirates?"
"Who is she?"
Yamato's reputation across the sea wasn't that widespread yet. She had been virtually unknown until recently, when news broke that Kaido's mysterious daughter had joined the Sun and Moon Pirates, going by the name Yamato.
But as for pictures, only her silhouette had been seen in the newspapers.
"Hybrid form? This isn't a regular Zoan—it's a Mythical Zoan. And Conqueror's Haki too? The Sun and Moon Pirates have another powerhouse like this?" Smoothie and the others were taken aback.
Had it been someone well-known like Gion, Stussy, or Shakky, they wouldn't have been so shocked. But this was someone unfamiliar—yet clearly strong enough that even Smoothie doubted her chances in a direct fight.
The mysterious strength of the Sun and Moon Pirates grew even more daunting in their minds.
"We barely know how many powerhouses the Sun and Moon Pirates have," Custard said gravely. "If our family fought them, who knows how many of us would die."
They were all family—she didn't want to see anyone sacrificed.
"For my family, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prevent a battle," Custard resolved firmly.
This sentiment wasn't unique to Custard; many members of the Big Mom Pirates shared it.
They didn't agree with Linlin's approach, nor did they want a needless clash with the Sun and Moon Pirates. Unlike Linlin, they lacked her misplaced confidence.
But there wasn't much they could do about it—except for Custard, who had an idea.
Marriage!
It was the only way to change the outcome.
"Even one of their members is so strong," Smoothie's pride was shattered.
In such a short time, Kuke had gathered so many powerful followers. What kind of person must Kuke be?
Smoothie felt a sense of inferiority. But when she looked at her sisters, she regained her confidence.
The fire in their eyes met, lightning crackling in their gazes.
"This should make them even more driven," Amande sighed, shaking her head. She looked curiously toward the Radiant Eclipse, peering at Kuke from afar.
This was the first time she had seen Smoothie and the others—normally so proud—acting like this.
"Let's see who wins," Amande thought, deciding to remain a spectator.
"Lord Kuke, we mean no harm. We are here to escort you to Whole Cake Island," Smoothie's voice carried over to the Radiant Eclipse, signaling her intentions.
Though her maneuver had failed, Galette smiled brightly and said, "Sister Smoothie, you're too late. Lord Kuke has already invited me to join his crew."
"Really?" Smoothie stared at Galette in disbelief.
Had she succeeded already?
A sense of regret gnawed at her. Had she missed her chance by a hair?
"Has Lord Kuke agreed to marry into our family, and you're the chosen one, Galette?" Custard eyed her suspiciously.
Would someone like Kuke decide so easily, without even meeting Mama to discuss terms?
Galette looked a bit uneasy.
"So, it's not settled yet. Even if it is, until Lord Kuke meets Mama, nothing is certain. The person can still change," Smoothie understood.
If that was the case, then there was no reason to back down.
"You all..." Galette glared at Smoothie and the others, frustrated that they still wouldn't give up.
"The final choice is Lord Kuke's," Custard declared, her eyes blazing with determination.
She didn't think she was inferior to anyone.
"Exactly."
Smoothie shared her sentiment.
They still had several days before reaching Whole Cake Island, which provided a perfect opportunity to decide who would win.
"I won't lose."
Each of them believed firmly that they would be the one to emerge victorious.
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DONT FORGET POWER STONE
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