BIG MOM

Pekoms had someone bring over the Den Den Mushi and place it in front of them. The two of them dialed the Den Den Mushi without any hesitation.

Soon, the Den Den Mushi connected.

"Egg, Pekoms, you're looking for me because you've received the sweets you ordered from Fish-Man Island, right?"

Upon seeing the Den Den Mushi Baron Tamago and Pekoms immediately recognized that it was their mother herself, not a subordinate, who was delivering the Den Den Mushi. They swallowed nervously, their prepared explanations almost forgotten. Baron Tamago forced a reply, "Mother... listen to me, Fish-Man Island is now under the control of the Shichibukai!"

"Who... stole my territory?!" Big Mom's voice sounded angry.

Baron Tamago broke out in a cold sweat. "It's... Buggy the Star Clown..."

"So it's that man who made a name for himself in the previous war. So you've arrived at Fish-Man Island and met him, haven't you?!"

"Yes, we've seen him... He's right beside us, Mom. Since he arrived first, there's no need for us to make a big fuss..."

Before he could finish speaking, Big Mom angrily interrupted him, "You bastard, what nonsense are you spouting! What kind of pirate would humble himself like that?! Let him talk to me!!"

Baron Tamago looked at Buggy in front of him. "Buggy... Mommy wants to talk to you!"

Buggy stepped closer, didn't refuse, picked up the Den Den Mushi, and said, "I am Buggy."

"I heard you were quite impressive in the war against Whitebeard and the Navy... But don't be so arrogant as to think the ocean is so insignificant in your eyes! If you're willing to hand over Fish-Man Island, I'll spare your life and even give you my daughter in marriage..."

Big Mom's voice turned sinister and eerie, "If you dare to defy me, I will slaughter all your friends, partners, and subordinates without exception!!"

She let out a chilling chuckle. "I'll give you a day to think it over. You should know what choice to make, right?"

"Not even a day..." Buggy said without the slightest hesitation, "I'll tell you the answer right now: I refuse... I've only ever had one captain, Gol D. Roger, and Shanks and I agree on that!"

"Hahaha... It's rare to see anyone defy me these days, Buggy. I'll remember you," Big Mom's voice was sinister. "Prepare to face the wrath of one of the Four Emperors!!"

He then said, "Egg, Pekoms, you two come back first... We don't need you to intervene for now."

Then, the Den Den Mushi hung up.

Buggy casually tossed the Den Den Mushi back. Baron Tamago and Pekoms caught the Den Den Mushi, and for a moment they were speechless, the atmosphere becoming somewhat stiff and awkward.

Neptune, assessing the situation and knowing that there was no immediate hostility between the two sides, tried his best to ease the tension towards Baron Tamago and his companion, saying, "Guests, why don't you resupply on the island first before returning to the New World, to avoid any mishaps along the way? These supplies will be provided free of charge by my Fish-Man Island."

Baron Tamago and Pekoms did not refuse. They originally thought that this trip to Fish-Man Island would surely bring it under Big Mom's control, so they did not bring much supplies with them. Little did they know that a Shichibukai would suddenly appear on the way. Although it was enemy territory, they did not feel uncomfortable at all because they could resupply.

Seeing that the two did not object, Neptune secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This meant that Big Mom was heading towards Buggy, rather than taking her anger out on Fish-Man Island. Although it was not fair to Buggy, as a king, his first thought would surely be for his people.

Buggy naturally wouldn't say anything. Although war had been declared, the intensity of the war still depended on the willingness of both sides and the depth of their enmity. Given the current rate of casualties, Big Mom would definitely not send all of his Sweet Commander out to fight him immediately.

If this pirate ship under Big Mom's command were to encounter any mishap or be completely destroyed, the ensuing war would unfold even faster.

War is unavoidable, but delaying it for a while is a good thing.

Baron Tamago and his pirate crew, led by Pekoms, stayed at a quiet port on the island, arranged by Neptune, instead of staying at the Ryugu Palace, to resupply before returning to Whole Cake Island.

Having finally met with Big Mom's envoy, Buggy and Neptune returned to the banquet in the Ryugu Palace.

The next day.

A whistling wind arose, and a blur streaked across the sky above Ryugu Palace, heading straight for the Hard-Shell Tower. It was Vander Decken IX who used his Mark-Mark Fruit ability to throw the black iron rod off the ship and then sat down on it.

He specially wore a black tuxedo and replaced his tattered white round hat with a black top hat that he had found somewhere. However, this carefully dressed-up outfit looked quite mismatched.

The thought of Princess Shirahoshi he had longed for, finally appearing before him made Vander Decken IX tremble with excitement.

Bang!

He jumped down, and the iron bar struck the hard doors of the Hard-Shell Tower with a crisp sound before crashing to the ground with a thud.

"Princess Shirahoshi, Vander Decken IX has come at your invitation," Vander Decken IX said, opening his mouth exaggeratedly to reveal two rows of sharp teeth. "I know you're inside. Open the door and welcome your future husband!"

"The door... is open, please... please come in!" A timid voice came from Hard-Shell Tower, seemingly tinged with a sob.

Vander Decken IX's mind went blank for a moment. The thought of possessing this beautiful and enormous mermaid princess made him so excited that he almost burst out laughing. He quickly took a deep breath to suppress his overwhelming joy, strode forward, and slowly pushed open the hard door.

The Hard-Shell Tower was dark, with only a sliver of light filtering through a crack in the door. Vander Decken IX, feigning composure, called out, "Princess Shirahoshi..."

Before he could finish speaking, a suffocating sense of crisis suddenly overwhelmed him. Almost instinctively, he ducked forward, and in the next instant, the air currents shredded half of his black top hat and a section of his hair away!

It's a trap! I've been scammed!!

Damn bastard! No, I have to get out of here!!

Panic overshadowed his astonishment. Vander Decken IX had never felt so angry or so afraid as he had today. He had thought that the soldiers of the Ryugu Palace, the royal family, or the pirates from the sea could not do anything to him, but now he realized that he was wrong.

Without a word, he turned and fled from the Hard-Shell Tower, hurriedly picked up the black iron bar he had just used, and threw it outwards, placing his feet on it at the same time—the movements were almost seamless.

The reason Vander Decken IX dared to come to the Ryugu Palace alone was because he had touched the crew members of the pirate crew before coming. He could simply throw weapons with the hand he had touched and then return to his own ship!

Once he was on the iron bar, he couldn't hold back his curses any longer, "Neptune, you old bastard, I'll remember this..."

Before he could finish speaking, his pupils suddenly shrank...