At the port of an unnamed island, more than a dozen burly sailors carried a large, half-human-sized box on their shoulders onto Luo Chen's ship.
Bang...
"Sir, is this alright?"
A short, unattractive-looking man rubbed his hands together and asked Monbuma with a smile.
"Okay, that's fine. Thank you so much for your hard work. Here's your reward!"
Monbuma glanced at the dozen or so large crates loaded with goods that they had all carried up, nodded, and then handed him a stack of banknotes.
"... Hehe, thank you so much, sir! If you ever need anything like this again, please don't hesitate to give the order. We roughnecks will definitely take care of it for you!"
Hefted the banknotes in his hand, and the foreman's face, which had initially shown some awe, broke into a wide smile as he excitedly told him.
"Well, if we have the chance to come again, we will definitely hire you all again. Alright, if there's nothing else, you may leave..."
After exchanging a few polite words with him, Monbuma began to see him off.
"Yes, yes, sir, please go about your business. We won't bother you any longer..."
Kids, let's go!
Having received the generous reward from Monbuma, the foreman didn't linger and told his waterworkers to leave.
After the group of strong men carried all the goods back and forth several times, they received instructions from the foreman that the task was completed. They immediately disembarked, and after receiving their due wages, they walked hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder happily towards the tavern in town.
"Captain, all the necessary supplies are ready, and we are set sail at any time!"
After informing Luo Chen, who was gazing into the distance from the bow of the ship, Monbuma moved the large box placed on the deck to the ship's storage room.
"Hmm, are you finally ready, George..."
"Yes, Captain, what are your instructions?"
"I wanted to ask if the island's magnetic reserves are ready?"
"Completely OK!!"
"Alright, everyone, let's... set off!!"
"Oh!!"
After spending a day on the island, and having stored up all the magnetic energy and supplies on the Log Pose, Luo Chen finally issued the order to set sail again.
With two canvases hanging down, the Isel slowly sailed off in the sea breeze, following its original course.
" Luo Chen, are you really determined to go to Whole Cake Island?"
Bathed in the setting sun, the Isel cruised smoothly across the sea, leaving two arc-shaped ripples on the blue surface.
quack...
Seagulls flew by in pairs. Luo Chen stood at the bow of the ship, gazing silently at the unknown island ahead. Then, Catherine, dressed in a white combat suit, walked toward him with a heroic air.
" Luo Chen..."
"Hmm?? What's wrong, Catherine? Is there something you're wondering about?"
"Hmm, I wanted to ask you, are you really determined to go to Four Emperors Cake Totto Land, where Big Mom is, to attend some kind of tea party?"
After standing beside him, Catherine asked him a question.
"Yes, I want to go there, and the compasses are all pointing to the Totto Land. Whether it's a coincidence or not, I have to go..."
Luo Chen nodded to her and said.
"But is it really necessary to do this? We've already offended her; if this were in the past, I'm afraid..."
Catherine looked worried. She couldn't help but feel apprehensive about the powerful ruler of the New World she was about to face. This apprehension stemmed from both her lack of confidence in her own abilities and her certainty about the ruler.
"Hey... I'm telling you, Catherine, do you know the real reason why we've traveled such a long way but your strength hasn't improved much?"
That means you're worrying too much and lack confidence. Look at Phil; he's not like you. He's never afraid of challenges, and even knowing how formidable the enemy may be, he never panics. His unwavering will and determination remain steadfast.
And you, Catherine, since I met you at headquarters and invited you aboard, your strength has remained at the level of a swordsman, unable to break through, and that's because of this!!
"If you can get rid of your worries and anxieties, your strength will improve by leaps and bounds; otherwise..."
Luo Chen didn't continue speaking to her, believing that with her intelligence, she would understand the meaning behind his words.
"..."
Provoked by Luo Chen's words, Catherine lowered her head and remained silent for a long time, seemingly reflecting on her attitude towards powerful and invincible enemies during this period.
Whew~
"I understand now. Thank you, Luo Chen. Thank you for enlightening me. Since boarding the ship, I've been like a frightened bird, worrying too much about everything I do. This is not the state a swordsman should be in."
I finally understand. Whatever decision you make from now on, I won't interfere too much. After all, this is a life-or-death journey, so why worry about such things?
After being awakened by Luo Chen, Catherine seemed to have shed a heavy burden that had been on her shoulders for a long time. She was much more refreshed and cheerful. In his accurate Observation Haki, he could sense that the aura within her body was slowly rising, as if she had broken free of her restraints and become a different person.
"Alright, let's head towards Totto Land Katakuri... I want to see what kind of welcome Katakuri will prepare for us!!"
After speaking, Luo Chen turned his gaze to the distance, as if he saw a worthy opponent, Katakuri, who was waiting for him in the Totto Land. His fighting spirit soared, and he couldn't wait to meet him.
Wow...
Above the sea where the Isel had passed, a blanket suddenly appeared in the bright blue sky. Asmodeus sat on it, clasped his hands in a fist and coldly addressed a Den Den Mushi in front of him.
"You were absolutely right, Mammon. These people are definitely not the peaceful, trouble-free type. They're heading to the Totto Land now. You'd better be prepared!!"
"Don't worry, I've already arranged an identity for me with CP0 member Stussy, who's currently the Queen of the Pleasure District, to infiltrate Totto Land and begin my schemes. If he dares to come, the most tragic consequences await him!!"
The Den Den Mushi changed its appearance, transforming into the expression of a cool, middle-aged man, who spoke calmly.
"Is that so? Then I'll just wait and see!"
Click...
After finishing the call, Asmodeus put away the Den Den Mushi, pressed one hand to the ground, and thought to himself.
"Magic Carpet... Simulation!!"
As soon as the sound was uttered, the flying blanket in the air gradually disappeared along with him, becoming undetectable even by Observation Haki. It only left a faint rustling sound in the air before vanishing into the distance.
"Brother, are you going to tell Mom about this mission now? Why don't we go together? That way, we can share some of the punishment!"
Once back on shore, Smoothie, Cracker, and the other two looked at Katakuri, who was facing away from them and preparing to head to the Whole Cake Chateau to take all the blame alone, with complicated expressions, and then made a suggestion to him.
"Don't talk nonsense. In the end, this is all my fault. If I hadn't been too confident and misjudged the strength of both sides, allowing them to escape our encirclement safely, none of this would have happened."
Just wait here patiently for my message. Don't worry, Mom won't scold me too much...
Katakuri shook his head, rejecting their offer, and continued walking towards the Whole Cake Chateau to receive Big Mom's punishment.