Night fell.
The Pleasure Quarter truly came alive as the streets buzzed with laughter and revelry under the neon glow, filled with the mingling voices of tourists and entertainers.
Due to damaged ship hulls requiring repairs, the Big Mom Pirates couldn't set sail immediately and were forced to linger in the Pleasure Quarter for a day.
Seizing the rare opportunity to unwind, Oven and his companions decided to relax. Wanting to avoid running into Gurd and his crew, they chose a bar near the harbor.
The group drank merrily.
"Mom will be overjoyed to see Caesar!"
"Yeah, she's been waiting for this for so long. But can something as fantastical as the Giant Drug really be developed?"
"Who knows?"
The ministers all considered the Giant Drug project a pipe dream. Even the World Government, with Vegapunk's genius, had failed. What could a mere Caesar accomplish?
But it was Mom's dream.
Totto Land now lacked only three remaining races, one of which was the Giants—Mom's most fervent desire.
However, due to Lola's runaway marriage incident, the Giants had become sworn enemies of Totto Land. Now, their only hope lay in the Giant Drug.
As her children, they had to exhaust every effort to fulfill Mom's wishes, for the very existence of Totto Land depended on her overwhelming strength.
"On our way back, let's scout for suitable targets. We should bring Mom some delicious sweets!"
"Agreed!"
Cold smiles spread across their faces.
Unlike the other Four Emperors, Mom had little interest in territorial expansion. Apart from a few nations renowned for their unique sweets, their domain consisted solely of Cake Island and the 34 surrounding isles guarding it.
Thus, nearly every island beyond was Totto Land's hunting ground. "Handpicked and seized by force" was their creed.
Countless nations had already fallen to sate Mom's insatiable appetite.
Ding-a-ling~
The bar door swung open.
The Beasts Pirates' three young executives, clad in black suits and sunglasses, made their entrance, instantly drawing all eyes.
They radiated menace.
Page One's gaze turned icy as he punched a massive hole in the wall beside the door, bellowing, "Beasts Pirates business here! All bystanders—clear out!"
"The Beasts?!"
After a stunned pause, the pleasure-seeking patrons erupted into panic, scrambling out of the bar alongside the entertainers.
Anyone in the New World knew of the Beasts Pirates—the most ruthless crew on the seas, bar none!
In the blink of an eye, the bar stood empty, leaving only Oven's bewildered group. Their expressions darkened as Gurd strode toward them.
They were the targets.
Oven shot to his feet, fury blazing.
They'd swallowed their pride during the day's incident, but now the Beasts were pushing further.
This was too much!!!
Since when had the Big Mom Pirates ever been bullied like this? Damn the Beasts Pirates—a crew that had only risen to prominence in recent years, their foundation nowhere near Totto Land's!
Flames of rage burned in Oven's eyes as he roared at the approaching Gurd, "Beasts! Are you declaring war on us?!"
"That's my line!"
Gurd's glare was sharp as a blade.
Kaido and Mom shared unresolved history, and in the future, they would form an alliance to pursue the One Piece together—but only under certain conditions.
The rapidly swelling pirate forces, the World Government's Seraphim, the upstart Worst Generation, the swiftly rising Blackbeard and Red Hair...
And most importantly, the throne of the Pirate King!
The two felt threatened, forcing them to form an alliance!
But at this stage, the Beasts and Totto Land remained bitter enemies who would clash on sight. Kaido and Big Mom would only fight—there was not the slightest possibility of an alliance, nor would other factions allow it.
So when facing the Big Mom Pirates, he needed to show enough dominance. Even if they truly allied in the future, the hierarchy had to be established.
The current show of strength would be the bargaining chip at the negotiation table!
Gurd spoke calmly.
"Hand over Caesar."
"Caesar?"
Oven was shocked.
Their operation was confidential—only Stussy, who had sold them the information, knew about it. How did the Beasts know Caesar was in their hands?
And why were the Beasts trying to take Caesar from them? Caesar had previously worked for the government and had no connection whatsoever to the Beasts!
Gurd turned to Mont-d'Or, the Book-Book Fruit user. Caesar was likely imprisoned inside his books right now.
"Hand over Caesar. I won't repeat myself a third time."
"Impossible!"
Oven refused without hesitation.
No matter the Beasts' motives, they couldn't hand Caesar over. That was Mama's order.
In this world, the person they feared most was Mama!
"Beasts, Caesar belongs to Ma—"
"Guh!"
Before he could finish, Oven's back arched violently as he spat a mouthful of blood. A fist was buried deep in his abdomen.
The next moment, his body was sent flying.
"Boom!"
The bar counter shattered into pieces.
"Brother Oven!"
Mont-d'Or and Galette's pupils trembled in horror. They hadn't expected the Beasts to actually attack. Shock quickly turned to fury.
This was a declaration of war!
"You damn Beasts!"
Books materialized around Mont-d'Or, while transparent butter oozed from Galette's hands. Both launched their attacks at Gurd.
"Your opponents are us!"
"Roooar!"
With a deafening roar, Ulti and Page One transformed into dinosaurs, charging at the two like freight trains.
"What the hell is that?!"
Mont-d'Or and Galette were seeing dinosaurs for the first time. Terrified, they tried to flee, but in the cramped space, there was nowhere to dodge!
"BOOM!!!"
Dust and debris filled the air.
Soon, the massive head of a Spinosaurus emerged from the smoke, its jaws clamped around the severely wounded Mont-d'Or. In terms of raw combat power, the two were completely outmatched.
On the other side, Galette and Ulti burst out of the smoke.
Galette was coated in transparent butter, shielding her from damage. Unlike the bureaucrat Mont-d'Or, her combat skills were far superior.
Ulti spat in disgust, furious.
"Ugh! Slimy and gross, it's disgusting!"
"Then stop biting me!"
Galette's expression was grave.
In the underworld, Totto Land's intelligence network was the best in the business. They knew the profiles of the other Four Emperors' top officers well.
Ulti of the Flying Six—one of the Beasts' core executives. Despite her youth, her strength was undeniable.
But what she feared most was that man!
Gurd, the Earth Calamity!
"Raaaaaah!!!"
A furious roar erupted from the wrecked bar, followed by a surge of flames. Bottles, tables, chairs—everything melted and burned under the intense heat.
"Brother Oven!"
Galette turned in relief.
Oven emerged from the flames, his entire body glowing like red-hot iron, radiating scorching heat.
"Beasts, I'll never forgive you!"
Oven clenched his scorching fists, the surrounding air turning into waves of heat as he charged furiously toward Gurd.
"Heat Wind Fist!"
"Boom!"
A searing iron fist capable of melting steel effortlessly, wreathed in scorching air, landed squarely on Gurd's chest, sending up sizzling smoke.
Oven grinned savagely, going all out.
"I'm gonna roast you alive, Earth Calamity Gurd!"
"With just this much heat?"
Gurd didn't even blink. His chest, already covered in a layer of rock armor, gradually heated up under the intense flames.
It felt like a massage.
Compared to the comforting warmth of the blazing iron fist, the sheer force behind the punch was what actually stung a little.
But that was it.
Gurd curled his lips, his body rapidly swelling into Beast Form as his thick, crimson-armored arms locked around Oven.
He loved close-quarters combat!
"Time to take off, Oven Bro!"
"What?!"
Oven struggled in horror—only for the world to spin violently the next instant.
"BOOM!!!"