Chapter 251: Alliance Gathering on Cake Island

The news spread fast—Krell had already relayed it to every force under Karl’s command.

Right now the Rocks Family was at the height of its power. Out in the open, they boasted three admiral-level powerhouses. No one who got the message hesitated; they gathered their trusted men and set sail for Cake Island without delay.

Everyone got word at the same time. First to set out were Kano and Leo from Fishman Island. Alongside them, hundreds of Fishmen came to serve as guards, while Alo of the Whale Shark Tribe stayed behind to handle Halil’s family affairs.

Halil, after all, was a rising star among the Ancient Fishmen—a brilliant youth who’d suffered grave injuries and was now on the verge of death. No one knew if he’d make it, so Alo’s main priority was managing these crucial issues for the Ancient Fishmen.

Next up was Gan Fall from Skypiea. He led his people, traveling on their floating island towards Cake Island.

Gan Fall’s tasks were just as important. On one hand, he was overseeing the construction of Ark Maxim, prepping for a trip to the Moon to acquire their advanced technology.

On the other, he piloted the floating Skypiea out to the Four Seas, scouting out potential talents and those on the list Karl had given him. Gan Fall spent two-thirds of the year on the road, and this tea party gave him a rare chance to rest.

Compared to that, things in the Four Seas were pretty straightforward.

At the Pirate Hunters’ base—Rare Beast Island—

Johann and his son Yotia, being Pirate Hunters, couldn’t travel openly. Instead, they hitched a ride with the Batoia and Bartow Kuohai, heading to the New World by ship.

Hardy Elric, chairman of the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce in West Blue, set sail for the New World under the guise of doing trade.

Phil of the Capone Family, the Mafia, took his brother Stac and followed right behind Hardy, also en route to the New World.

In the South and North Blue, the Mafia families had been wiped out. Since Karl hadn’t sent anyone new to take over, chaos returned to those seas, and things would stay that way until a new king emerged.

Daren, head of the Assassin Organization Heaven’s Net, rushed off to the New World as soon as he heard the news.

In the North Blue, Tongbao Arsenal used the same approach as the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce in the West Blue, joining the fleet to the New World with the pretext of trade.

Wano had no one stationed there for now, but after Charlotte Linlin’s bloody measures, a new leader had been put in charge of all Wano’s affairs.

Oikawa—now known as the new Daimyo of Wano—had always belonged to a small, previously little-known family, Oikawa.

When the Fishmen pitched in for Wano’s rebuilding, he was the most proactive of them all. To set an example, Karl named him Wano’s new Daimyo, placing all affairs under his charge and leaving behind twenty thousand Fishmen to remain there.

It was part surveillance, part support to help him settle into his new role.

Meanwhile, Perospero started rounding up his siblings and began directing preparations all over Cake Island.

A Fishman guard hustled over to by Perospero’s side while he was giving orders. “Young Master Perospero, Lady Charlotte Linlin asks you to go see her. She’s waiting for you now in the main conference hall.”

Perospero’s eyes flickered. He silently cursed—being summoned at a time like this could only mean trouble with the banquet.

It looked like that reckless Krell hadn’t reported Karl’s instructions to Mama. The old crew from Dad’s generation all took their cues from Karl, so Krell must not have told Mama right after getting the news.

Perospero had gotten his siblings working on the event setup, thinking that Krell or Father Karl already let Mama know, so everyone went all out on the preparations.

Now he could only hope his good intentions didn’t lead to a disaster.

“Alright, got it—I’m on my way.”

With the answer delivered, the Fishman guard headed back toward Cake Castle, weapon in hand.

Watching the Fishman go, Perospero quickly called Katakuri over. “Stay here and keep directing everyone. Mama’s called me over.”

Though Katakuri wasn’t sure what was going on, he could tell his big brother seemed tense. He nodded. “Don’t worry, Big Bro. Leave it to me.”

“Setting up the venue is a small case—I’ll have it done in no time.”

He patted Katakuri on the shoulder and made his way to Cake Castle.

Knock, knock, knock!

“Mama, I’m here.” Perospero pushed open the door and saw his mother waiting in the hall.

“Mamamamama!”

“Perospero, what’s happening out there?”

“Why am I the last to know about this?”

Charlotte Linlin’s eyes widened, red threads flickering in her gaze—she was downright intimidating.

On Cake Island itself, there were still things happening outside her knowledge? Were they planning a coup?

“Here’s the situation, Mama. Father Karl sent word—he wants to hold a tea party here on Cake Island and summon all our allied forces. He specifically told Krell and me to handle the arrangements.”

“Mama, it’s just that you’re about to give birth, so Father entrusted us sons with the small stuff.”

Perospero’s mind was sharp—no wonder he’d been the strategist of the Big Mom Pirates. He’d found a believable excuse for the whole affair in a flash.

This way, he brushed aside any blame on Krell for not reporting to Linlin, as well as any accusation that Father Karl had been careless.

Even Perospero gave himself a silent pat on the back—and at the same time, he watched Linlin’s expression with caution.

Just as expected, Linlin’s anger faded, replaced by a flicker of excitement that quickly disappeared.

As for what Charlotte Linlin was really thinking, that was anyone’s guess, but at least the immediate crisis had passed.

“Are all the summoned forces on our side only?”

Perospero explained what he knew. “For now, it looks like we’re only calling our own people.”

“From what Father Karl said, he wants to discuss something important.”

Charlotte Linlin sat and thought for a moment. “That’s not quite right.”

“Surely you know how much clout the Rocks Family holds these days.”

“A big movement like this would make us a target for the Navy. It’s not exactly subtle.”

“Send invitations to all the notable powers in the New World—let’s have them come too.”

Perospero licked his lollipop. “Brilliant move, Mama. This way we throw the Navy off our trail and put our Rocks Family’s strength on full display. You really are the best.”

He hadn’t thought of it at first, but after Mama’s analysis, he realized the flaw—even just calling all their own people together risked exposure. If the Navy found out, it’d be hard to stay hidden after this.