The enormous cake Streusen had prepared in advance was wheeled into the center of the venue. The guests took their assigned seats, while the Charlotte Family's children stationed themselves around the room to provide security. The Tea Party officially began. Katakuri stood behind his mother, still caught up in what had happened moments earlier.
In all these years, it was the first time his mother had thanked him for his efforts. Before, she had only praised how capable he was. She had never acknowledged how he looked after his younger siblings, nor had she cared. All that mattered to her was whether he was useful.
Five chairs stood before the enormous cake at the center of the venue. Oak sat in the middle, with Shiki, Newgate, Linlin, and Kaido seated on either side of him.
"Everyone..."
Once the guests were seated, he took the lead despite being a guest himself, raising his glass to the crowd.
"I have an announcement to make today!"
His gaze swept across the guests, carrying an invisible pressure that silenced the room in an instant. No one dared speak.
He had anticipated this Tea Party long ago. He had even told Linlin to invite as many people as she could, so that what he was about to announce would spread across the world as quickly as possible.
In the hush, he spoke slowly.
"Starting today, I, Oak, will join forces with Newgate's Whitebeard Pirates, Shiki's Flying Pirates, Linlin's Big Mom Pirates, and Kaido's Beasts Pirates to form the Pirate Alliance!"
The entire room seemed to stop breathing. Oak's announcement had stunned everyone.
Three of the Four Emperors, a legendary pirate from Roger's era, and Oak, the most powerful pirate in the world today—those five forces were forming an alliance?
The news was staggering enough to