Tragic (A 4,000-Word Chapter, Maybe) (Continued)

Over the past few years, the Charlotte Family had lost quite a few members.

Smoothie's death in particular had cost the family a powerful fighter for the future.

Big Mom had given birth to enough children to fill an entire pirate crew, but very few of them were gifted.

When choosing partners, she had never cared about strength. She sought out strange and unusual races, rather like an obsessive collector.

Smoothie had been one of the best of her children. If she had lived until now, Snack might never have become a Sweet Commander.

At the thought, his gaze darkened. "It was all because of that Marine, White Hou. He killed both Oven and Smoothie, and he cut off one of Katakuri's arms."

"White Hou?"

Wariness flashed through Snack's eyes. "We'd better not provoke him. I heard something happened at the base he's responsible for, though. I wonder what unlucky fool went looking for trouble with him."

He sounded a little gleeful. They had been busy preparing for Mom's wedding lately,

but he still caught scraps of intelligence now and then. The incident was too recent, though, and he didn't know the details yet.

"Whoever it was, we shouldn't provoke the Marines for now. If Mom hadn't formed an alliance with Kaido, the Marines might have come after us already."

Cracker's warning had barely left his mouth.

BOOM—!!!

A deafening crash suddenly rang out overhead.

"Hey, hey, hey! What is that?!"

Both men looked up instinctively. Dazzling flames filled their vision.

A blazing giant over a hundred meters tall was descending from the sky. Veins like molten lava ran across his body, and waves of heat roasted all of Whole Cake Island. Buildings made of cream and cake visibly melted.

The flame giant—Surtur!!

Cracker stood dazed. As the giant drew