Evening fell. The sun sank in the west, and the bright moon gradually rose.
No matter how turbulent the undercurrents were behind the scenes, Cake Island had grown quiet on the surface, as still as the night.
Garen had also finished his afternoon performance and returned to the luxurious villa Big Mom had specially arranged for him to rest.
"I deliberately let those Homies see me. Big Mom should have noticed by now, right?"
Garen leaned leisurely against the balcony railing, his face full of ease.
What he had used was an open scheme, one that simply could not be broken.
No matter what he and Shiryu had discussed, and no matter whether Shiryu noticed something wrong and went to explain himself to Big Mom, Big Mom, who had already feared and guarded against Shiryu's group, would grow suspicious of them. Shiryu could never erase that suspicion.
The rift between Big Mom and Shiryu would only deepen.
"Still, I wonder whether that bit of suspicion, together with the Ryugu Jade Box, will be enough to make them completely fall out."
"If only I could find another opportunity to give things a little push."
Garen muttered to himself.
Just as he was sighing, faint shouting drifted over from the road not far away.
The first voice was that of a vicious, overbearing adult man.
"Pudding, pay attention!"
"This is a task Mother assigned to you!"
"You have to take good care of that man, understand?"
"Yes, Brother..."
A pitiful young woman's voice, tinged with tears, followed.
"No crying!"
"Try shedding even one tear in front of that guest!"
The man's voice became even more aggressive.
"Mm... mm..."
The girl's voice carried a tiny tremor as she suppressed her grievance.
At last, after this series of exchanges set the stage, the female