Big Mom's boisterous laughter reverberated throughout Whole Cake Chateau as the tension in the banquet hall gradually dissipated. She cast a satisfied glance toward Katakuri, her most capable child, and felt a surge of maternal pride.
"Truly worthy of being the Charlotte family's greatest masterpiece," she thought smugly. "He knew exactly how to pressure our guest without requiring explicit instructions from me."
Her gaze shifted to Perospero, who stood rigidly beside his brother, candy cane staff at the ready. "And Perospero performed admirably as well—worthy of being my firstborn."
The thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant, and Big Mom immediately issued commands to her two most trusted children:
"Perospero," she called out, her voice carrying across the hall, "summon all your brothers and sisters immediately. And bring the portraits of all your unmarried sisters, my Minister of Candy."
Perospero glanced briefly at Katakuri's stony expression before bowing respectfully to his mother.
"Of course, Mama. I'll see to it right away," he replied, his long tongue flicking out nervously as he spoke. With a final lick of his candy cane, he strode from the hall, already mentally cataloging which of his many sisters might be suitable for this unexpected arrangement.
Big Mom then turned her attention to Katakuri, who had lowered his head slightly, his scarf hiding any expression that might betray his feelings about this development.
"Katakuri, my finest child," she cooed with uncharacteristic warmth, "please go and personally invite all our allies and business partners on your mother's behalf. Inform them that the tea party scheduled for next month has been canceled."
Her massive fingers drummed excitedly on the table. "Instead, they should bring appropriate gifts to attend your sister's wedding ceremony with King of the Beast Pirates. This union deserves the grandest celebration!"
"...Yes, Mama," Katakuri answered with clear reluctance in his deep voice.
Though he didn't vocalize his objections, Katakuri's displeasure was evident in his rigid posture. The Sweet Commander had witnessed too many of his sisters being married off as political pawns in his mother's endless schemes. Yet another sibling would now be sacrificed for the sake of Big Mom's obsession with building her collection of races.
But Big Mom paid no attention to her son's discomfort. She was already mentally arranging the details of the impending wedding—which daughter would be the most suitable match, how to make the ceremony more lavish than previous ones, what cake design would be most appropriate for such a momentous occasion.
The Yonko's mood had brightened considerably, and she began humming a cheerful tune—a melody that sent chills down the spines of those familiar with her mercurial temperament. When Big Mom was happy, her crew could breathe more easily, but such moments were often precursors to even more outlandish demands.
King, resigned to his fate, sighed inwardly. He had committed to this course of action and would see it through, but he still hoped to use this opportunity to secure additional advantages for Kaido and the Beast Pirates. After all, if he was to be a bargaining chip, the exchange should be worth his sacrifice.
"Ms. Linlin, you—" King began formally.
"No, no!" Big Mom interrupted with a saccharine smile that looked almost predatory on her massive face. "Such formality is no longer appropriate between us, my good son-in-law. You should address me more... familiarly now."
Hearing this not-so-subtle demand, King couldn't help but take a deep, steadying breath. The implications were clear—Big Mom expected him to call her "Mother" as her actual children did.
Queen's small eyes suddenly widened behind his sunglasses, practically sparkling with anticipation. He leaned forward eagerly, ears perked up to catch every syllable of what promised to be an unprecedented moment—the stoic, dignified King forced to use such an intimate form of address.
Kaido's expression darkened further at this humiliation of his right-hand man. If King found this demand too demeaning, Kaido was prepared to snatch him away and engage Big Mom in battle, even if it meant mutual destruction. Some lines shouldn't be crossed, even for the sake of revenge.
Everyone in the banquet hall—Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates alike—turned their attention to King, watching with intense curiosity.
The Beast Pirates were primarily fascinated to see if their typically taciturn and stern fellow officer would actually utter such uncharacteristic words. In all their years serving under Kaido, many had never heard King speak more than necessary, let alone use terms of endearment.
The Charlotte family members, meanwhile, scrutinized this masked stranger who didn't even dare show his face yet presumed to marry into their family. If he couldn't manage this simple change of address, he had no business becoming their brother-in-law.
Once again finding himself the center of unwanted attention, King felt a profound bitterness rising within him. The things he endured for Kaido's ambitions...
He opened his mouth several times to say those two simple words, but shame and dignity held his tongue. The word "mother" had not passed his lips since his childhood, before the World Government had slaughtered his people and turned him into an experimental subject.
Big Mom, however, displayed uncharacteristic patience, watching him with encouraging eyes that belied her usual temperament. For the sake of adding a Lunarian to her collection, she was willing to wait.
Finally, King bit down hard enough on his tongue to taste blood—physical pain to distract from the deeper wound to his pride.
"I apologize... Mother," he managed to stammer, his normally confident voice faltering on the familial term. "I'm still... adjusting to this arrangement."
"Damn it all," he thought bitterly. "I'm practically married to her daughter already. It's just a title—what difference does it make?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Queen reacted as though he'd witnessed a Sea King sprouting wings. The rotund pirate actually jumped from his seat, knocking his chair backward with a crash as his jaw dropped in disbelief.
"You—you—are you really the King I know?!" Queen sputtered, pointing a trembling finger at his fellow All-Star. "No, take off your mask immediately and let me see who you really are! You must be an impostor!"
King's visible eyes narrowed with such murderous intent that even hardened pirates felt a chill run down their spines. The killing aura emanating from him was so intense that an ordinary person would have collapsed on the spot.
Queen shivered visibly at that deadly glare. He quickly averted his gaze, no longer daring to meet King's eyes, and scrambled to right the chair he had overturned in his surprise. With exaggerated care, he lowered his substantial bulk back into the seat, suddenly finding the patterns on the tablecloth absolutely fascinating.
The other Beast Pirates who had been shocked by King's uncharacteristic behavior tactfully closed their mouths, lowering their heads to avoid drawing their comrade's wrath. Who's-Who and Sasaki exchanged subtle glances but knew better than to comment. Black Maria hid her smile behind a delicate hand, filing away this moment for future teasing when King was in a less murderous mood.
"MAMAMA! How wonderful! I'm so happy today!" Big Mom's face split into a broad grin as she laughed with genuine delight. "You've made the right choice, my dear son-in-law. For this, I shall grant you anything within my power."
Such preferential treatment was something that many members of the Charlotte family could only dream of receiving. Even Perospero, who had served his mother loyally for over fifty years, rarely received such open favoritism.
"I've finally, FINALLY added the Lunarian tribe to my collection!" Big Mom thought triumphantly. After decades of searching, her dream of creating the perfect nation with all races was one significant step closer to realization.
"Well, well, tell me, my dear child," she crooned, leaning forward with unnerving eagerness, "what do you desire as a wedding gift from your new mother?"
Big Mom made no effort to conceal her preference for King, treating him with a sugary sweetness usually reserved for her actual favorite children. For a moment, everyone present cast jealous or incredulous glances at the Lunarian, and even a few Beast Pirates couldn't help but reveal hints of envy at this special treatment from one of the world's most powerful pirates.
"No special gift is necessary," King replied with restored composure. "As long as you agree to Kaido-sama's request and assist us in delaying Admirals Akainu and Kizaru, that will be sufficient."
Having called Charlotte Linlin "Mother," King had made a conscious decision to avoid referring to Kaido as "Brother" as he normally would. Otherwise, one would be his brother while the other was his mother-in-law, placing Kaido at a psychological disadvantage in their hierarchy. The Beast Pirates had already suffered enough humiliation for one day; he absolutely could not allow Kaido to lose face again.
"Yes, yes, of course!" Big Mom agreed without hesitation, waving her massive hand dismissively. "Since I've promised, I won't go back on my word. A deal is a deal!"
She then turned to look at Kaido, her expression shifting to one of strategic calculation. "Now that we've settled our arrangement, do you have an actual plan for this venture? When do you intend to make your move against Wano? What precisely do you need from me and my forces?"