Whole Cake Island: Big Mom's Price

The next morning, Perospero was waiting in the side hall, leaning on his Candy Cane: "Mother is waiting for you in the garden."

Kaido put down the meat in his hand. "A garden? I thought there would be another banquet."

"Today's special." Perospero licked his lips. "Let's go."

The garden was even more extravagant than the Castle's interior. Cream roses grew from icing soil, their petals so soft they seemed to gleam with oil. Sugar lilies swayed gently in the breeze, their stamens like golden hard candy. Chocolate vines hung from the trellis, their ends dripping a dark brown sap that solidified into small spheres upon landing. Several little cream cakes perched beneath the vines, catching the sap with their tongues and eating it. When they saw someone approaching, they didn't run away, but simply tilted their heads and watched.

The Big Mom sat on the candy swing in the middle of the garden. The base of the swing was a giant caramel pudding, and the chain was a curled candy cane. She wore a purplish-red long dress, her long pink hair fell over her shoulders, and she held a cup of coffee in her hand. She was in her early thirties, tall and voluptuous, with fair skin, delicate features, and several gemstone rings on her fingers.

"Alright... kids, sit down."

Several icing chairs were placed in the garden; they were hard as ice, but wouldn't break if you sat on them. Lin Yuan sat on one, Kaido sat next to him. The chair creaked—the edge was slightly dented, but it wasn't cracked. Jin and Huijin stood a little further away, not sitting down.

The Big Mom took a sip of coffee, put down her cup, and said, "I can make a rubbing of the Road Poneglyphs for you. But I have conditions."

"Um."

"First, Seastone. Whole Cake Island needs a fixed amount of Seastone every year. Hachinosu will supply it at 70% of the market price. Payment will be made annually, no delays. I'm looking for a long-term partnership, not a one-off deal." The Big Mom held up a second finger. "Second, The Final Island —I want to go too. I need nine spots. We'll discuss who goes later."

Kaido frowned. "Nine? You have nine slots for your Whole Cake Island?"

"Well—I have more people." The Big Mom glanced at Kaido. "That's the Final Island."

Kaido remained silent. He recalled the years he spent on Rocks' ship and Big Mom's rapid expansion—once she arrived at a new island, she would first build a cake shop, then Homies factory, and then the entire island would become her territory. She certainly had a large population, more than she could use.

Lin Yuan was silent for a moment. "The Seastone Contract is acceptable. I'll give you nine spots in the Final Island. But I have conditions."

"Explain."

"First, your men cannot cause trouble on my ship. Second, once we reach our Final Island, you must not destroy anything. Third, I will not be responsible for any accidents that occur along the way."

"If anything happens to my people, I'll take responsibility." The Big Mom put down her coffee cup. "You've certainly thought things through."

"When discussing a deal, it's best to clarify the terms first."

"Well... are there any other conditions?"

"Your spot is non-transferable. It can only be used by your people. If you change people midway, I need to know. Also—the people you send cannot lay a hand on me. What happens after we reach the Final Island is none of my business."

The Big Mom stared at him for a few seconds. "Well—are you afraid my men will take action on the boat?"

"I'm not afraid, but I'd rather avoid trouble."

The Big Mom laughed, "Alright. A verbal agreement, witnessed by the Homies. Anyone who goes back on their word will be remembered by all the Homies on the island."

She raised her hand, and the little cream cake jumped down from under the vines, hopped to the swing, and squatted on the grass.

"Cake Boy, remember what he said. He mentioned the Seastone Contract: nine slots, no trouble, no damage, and no violence."

Cake Boy nodded, then turned and skipped away. He stopped at the garden gate, turned back and glanced at Lin Yuan —those little sugar-frosted eyes held an indescribable meaning.

Kaido whispered, "It will spread your words throughout the entire Whole Cake Island."

"Oh, that's really interesting," Lin Yuan said. "It saves us from having to renege on our debts."

The negotiations ended. The Big Mom leaned back on the swing, not immediately asking Perospero to lead her to the basement. She looked at Lin Yuan as if he were appraising something she was about to offer a price for.

"Roger also came to see me," she suddenly said, "Wanting to see this piece of mine. I didn't give it to him."

Kaido: "He didn't make a move?"

He didn't do anything. He said, "Come again next time," and left.

Lin Yuan: "He hasn't collected them all yet?"

"Not all of them. We're missing one piece." The Big Mom tilted her head. "What are you planning to do?"

I will go and talk to him.

What should we talk about?

"Haha, that's my story with him."

The Big Mom raised an eyebrow. "You're planning to sell the route?"

"It's not for sale. It's giving those who want to go a chance. But the chance isn't free."

Who are you planning to invite?

"Roger, Whitebeard, and others who want to go. Whoever can afford the price is eligible to go."

"For example?"

"Rocks. Golden Lion. And—" Lin Yuan paused, "... the others."

The Big Mom was silent for a moment, then laughed, "Well... that's interesting."

"So what do you think Roger will come up with?"

Lin Yuan thought for a moment, "He doesn't lack money. What he lacks is direction. He might trade intelligence, or combat power, or even Devil Fruit —who knows?"

Where's Whitebeard?

"Whitebeard is more shrewd Roger. He'll first consider whether it's worth it."

"So what do you plan to ask him to contribute?"

"Let him name his price. If he's interested, he'll come to me."

Kaido had been listening the whole time, interjected, "If they also want to go, won't you guys end up fighting on the way?"

Lin Yuan didn't answer. The Big Mom spoke first, "Well—it's normal for them to fight. I'm looking forward to it too."

Perospero led the way to the Castle's underground. The stairs spiraled downwards, and the walls changed from icing to stone. The lower they went, the colder it became, and the sweet aroma in the air was replaced by a dry, papery smell mixed with dust. Occasionally, murals could be seen on the walls—paintings of ancient script and symbols, much like the patterns on the Road Poneglyphs.

Perospero walked ahead, his steps light. "This staircase leads to the Castle's underground library, it's been there for thirty years. Mother's collection is all here."

"The collection?" Kaido asked.

"Poneglyph. Ancient documents. And—" Perospero pushed open the iron door, "This one."

The basement door was made of Seastone, and a silver lock hung on it. Perospero inserted the key, and the lock clicked open. "Mother said you have three hours."

Lin Yuan pushed open the door and went inside. The basement wasn't large; wooden shelves lined the four walls, holding old books and scrolls, some yellowed and curled at the edges, the paper edges curled like withered leaves. In the center of the room was a stone table, on which sat a Seastone box. The lid was tightly closed, its edges polished smooth and gleaming coldly. Lin Yuan walked to the stone table and lifted the lid. A red stone slab lay quietly inside. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, engraved with Ancient Script, the writing clear, though the edges showed signs of wear.

"The font is slightly different from the one on Fish-Man Island," Huijin, standing behind him, "But the structure is similar."

"The same writing system, but different carving techniques from different periods," Jin said.

Lin Yuan didn't reply. He took out rubbing paper and a charcoal pencil and began to make rubbings. With a swipe of the paper on the stone slab, the characters were imprinted. His movements were practiced and fluid. Kaido leaned against the door, watching Lin Yuan make the rubbings. "This thing... can it really point to the Final Island?"

"Yes. You can do it by putting all four pieces together."

When are you leaving?

"Wait until Ginny finishes translating, then go find someone to discuss the deal."

Who should we contact first?

Roger.

Kaido: "What do you plan to talk to him about?"

"He provides the combat power, I provide the routes. Or he provides the intelligence, I provide the routes. He doesn't lose out."

What if he doesn't agree?

"Haha, that's One Piece!"

Kaido didn't ask any more questions. The rubbing was complete. Lin Yuan folded the rubbing paper, put it in his pocket, closed the box, and turned to walk out of the basement.

Perospero leaned against the wall in the corridor, saw Lin Yuan come out, glanced at the time. "There's still a quarter of an hour left. Aren't you going to finish reading the rest?"

"We're done watching. Let's go."

The Void was docked at the port.

Perospero and Katakuri stood on the pier. The wind blew from the sea, and Perospero's Candy Cane gleamed in the sunlight. Katakuri had his hands in his pockets, and his scarf covered half of his face, revealing only his eyes.

As Lin Yuan walked past him, Katakuri spoke up, "Are you going to the Final Island?"

"Soon."

What is in the Final Island?

You'll only know once you go.

Katakuri was silent for a moment. "Who are you planning to take?"

"It's not decided yet."

"Do I count?"

"You have nine spots available. She'll decide who goes."

Katakuri didn't reply. The wind blew again, rippling the sea with tiny waves. He stood there, like someone who hadn't yet decided what to say.

Lin Yuan jumped onto the bow. "Untie the mooring ropes."

Kaido released the mooring ropes, and the Void slowly sailed away from the port.

The outline of Whole Cake Island grew smaller and smaller, and the stern of the ship carved a white trail across the creamy sea. The figures on the harbor became tiny dots and then disappeared.

Kaido leaned against the ship's railing. "You really intend to sell the route?"

"It's not selling. It's exchanging."

"What about Roger? Does he also have to offer something in exchange?"

"Yes. He wants the route, but he has to trade something for it. Devil Fruits, intelligence, combat power—anything will do."

"Then the Whitebeard one too?"

"Same."

Kaido was silent for a moment. "Your trip isn't just to the Final Island. You're recruiting people."

"Whether it's recruiting people or exchanging items, the gate to the Final Island has opened. Whoever goes in bids. It's that simple."

Ginny's voice came through the Den Den Mushi: "Got it?"

"Got it. All four pieces are complete."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the Den Den Mushi. When Ginny's voice came through again, it was clear she was suppressing her emotions. "... All four are complete?"

"Everything's ready. Go back and translate. Then we'll go discuss the deal."

What kind of deal are we talking about?

"The roadmap to the Final Island. Whoever wants it, makes the offer."

Ginny was silent for a moment. "... We'll talk about it when you come back."

The Void cut through the sea and headed towards Hachinosu.

(End of Chapter 95)