Build The Strongest Family in the Prirate World

"Hehehe, has that guy Piecro not shown up yet?"

"Really, making a lady wait like this is just rude!"

Stussy laughed lightly behind her hand, though a hint of doubt crossed her eyes. Normally, Piecro should have already arrived at Whole Cake Island.

"Who even cares about the funeral director?"

"Honestly, it might be better if he just didn't show up!"

Feld, the King of Loan Sharks, remarked greedily. Among all the underworld bosses gathered, he was one of the wealthiest. His vast fortune came from ruthless lending practices, profiting off the misery of countless people.

But his power had limits. His influence came from squeezing weaker merchants or citizens who borrowed from him. His lack of strong fighters left him vulnerable; powerful pirates and major forces saw no need to repay what they owed him.

Feld dreamed of joining the killer trade, gaining control over elite assassins to secure his financial empire.

If Piecro was in trouble with Big Mom for being late, perhaps this would be Feld's chance to rise within the underworld's deadliest circles.

"This is big news!"

"It would be quite the loss if he doesn't show!"

Morgans, the president of the World Economic Journal, was scanning the area, snapping pictures, and searching for any sign of the Gangplank Pirates.

"This isn't important news in the underworld."

"Not worth the effort."

"But Piecro should be on my ship, at least."

Umit, the Shipping King, said impatiently. "Deep ocean currents don't get delayed."

The alliance between the Big Mom Pirates and the Gangplank Pirates wasn't exactly a well-kept secret in the underworld. Giberson, the Storage King and another underworld boss, simply drank quietly without any complaints. As one of the oldest figures in the underworld, Giberson knew the power of keeping a low profile, drinking more, speaking less, and avoiding unnecessary entanglements.

Piecro's absence at the port was beginning to sour Charlotte Perospero's mood. As the Minister of Candy and head of the reception, he knew well that Big Mom despised lateness. Even someone with Piecro's status would face consequences for missing her tea party.

But as Charlotte Perospero's face darkened, he suddenly broke into a wide smile. In the distance, Piecro's ship had finally appeared.

Before Charlotte Perospero could step forward to greet him, he noticed something that made him freeze in shock. Emerging from the ship, unexpected figures caused Charlotte Perospero, Stussy, and the others to widen their eyes in disbelief.

"Big news! Big news! Hahaha, this is truly huge!"

Morgans snapped picture after picture. The presence of Z disembarking from Piecro's ship signaled a major shift in the underworld's killer world.

Stussy kept a composed smile, hiding her surprise and wary thoughts about Z and his companions. She spoke softly to him,

"If you ever need information, you know where to find me."

"I guarantee you the best deals."

For her, the funeral arrangements were over. Building a strong relationship with Shadow Stream might give her access to even more crucial information. Both Stussy and the World Government were intensely curious—just how strong were Shadow Stream and the Figarland Family?

"Are you the new king? Seems like today is turning out to be quite special!" 

Shipping King Umit glanced over at Warehouse King Giberson, subtly signaling his support to Z. Umit had no interest in the killer trade of the underworld. Instead, he had long wanted to absorb all of Giberson's storage terminals. If Umit could combine his deep-sea shipping routes with secret docks and Giberson's vast network of warehouses, it would create a world-spanning operation. 

Unfortunately, Umit had never found the right opportunity to make that move.

Meanwhile, Giberson, the Warehouse King, just smiled lazily at Z before taking another swig of his drink. For him, showing support too soon was pointless. The one who survives to the end is the true king. Giberson was a patient player.

On the other hand, the Loan Shark King, Lu Feld, had a different plan. Greed flashed in his eyes as he saw Piecro's death as the perfect opening to step into the world of assassins. First, he needed to weaken or eliminate Shadow Stream's rising influence.

"Hey, they weren't on the guest list," Feld sneered. "They killed a guest invited by the host and then dared to come to the banquet? The master may not take kindly to this!"

Feld's words were a deliberate attempt to incite trouble between Z and the Big Mom Pirates—or at least ensure that Shadow Stream was not welcomed at the tea party. 

Big Mom's tea parties were grand affairs, attracting powerful figures from across the New World. Attending could be risky, but the rewards were immense—access to influential connections and recognition from major forces in the region. For a killer organization, such alliances were invaluable.

But Charlotte Perospero, the eldest son of Big Mom and the Minister of Candy, didn't show any hostility toward Z and his companions. Instead, with a wide, welcoming smile, he greeted the arrivals from Piecro's ship.

"If Mama hears you've come to her tea party, she'll be thrilled!"

Charlotte Perospero was not interested in the people themselves but in the power and influence Z represented as the king of assassins in the underworld.

"We are deeply honored to attend the tea party of the great Emperor Big Mom," Z said, his voice low and unreadable behind his mask. 

The other underworld rulers present exchanged knowing smiles, even the Pleasure District Queen, who had once plotted against Shadow Stream with the Funeral Home. 

This gathering was destined to make history.

Just then, at the edge of the sea, a massive and fearsome pirate ship appeared, breaking through the horizon. It was followed by a vast armada of battle-worn vessels, spreading across the sea like a wave.

Leading this formidable fleet was the legendary pirate, Ocean Calamity Gangplank, whose bounty stood at 1.85 billion berries. With a fleet of over 5,000 strong, his presence alone dominated the scene. 

In the pirate world, might and reputation attracted loyal followers. 

"Hehehehe, what a magnificent fleet," Charlotte Perospero said, licking his lollipop cane with his long tongue. "If we gain his allegiance, Mama could become the Pirate King!"

The Big Mom Pirates, already discussing a merger with Gangplank's forces, had no reason to see him as a threat—especially not on Cake Island, their stronghold. No fleet of merely 5,000 pirates could hope to challenge Big Mom's tens of thousands of Homies and powerful commanders here.