Night fell, and the stars encircled the moon.
A gentle breeze swept over the garden lawn, and silver light spilled across the swaying shadows of the trees.
Along the stone path leading to the gazebo at the heart of the garden, throngs of Homies hurried about, carrying tray after tray of food.
Judge led Reiju and the others into the garden and toward the gazebo.
Beneath it, a huge stone round table that could seat thirty was laden with a sumptuous spread of desserts.
Several people were already seated at one end of the table.
The Three Sweet Commanders: Katakuri, Smoothie, and Cracker, who had rarely revealed his true form.
Also present were the Charlotte Family's eldest son, the seven-hundred-million-berry-bounty Minister of Candy, Perospero,
Katakuri's two full-blooded younger brothers, Daifuku and Oven,
and Snack, once one of the Sweet Commanders, with a bounty of six hundred million berries and the title of Minister of Fried Food.
It was practically the Charlotte Family's full lineup of top fighters.
"Welcome to Whole Cake Island. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
Perospero stuck out his lewdly long tongue and licked the candy-cane staff in his hand. "Please, take a seat, everyone from the Vinsmoke Family."
Judge led Reiju and the others to the table and sat down. He looked around, but Sanji was nowhere to be seen. His voice turned stern.
"Where's Sanji? How could he miss such an important occasion?"
"Don't be in a hurry."
Perospero smiled without warmth. "Tomorrow is his wedding to Pudding. We should at least leave the young couple some time to enjoy each other's company."
"Is that so... It sounds like Sanji and his fiancée are getting along rather well."
Judge folded his arms and leaned back. "I expected him to object to this marriage. At