Although the rules for the one-on-one duels had been set, Sherwin and the others didn't start fighting immediately...
Whitebeard and Red Hair hadn't arrived yet!
If they were really going to fight, it would have to wait until after the tea party ended, right?
Moreover, this tea party was not only to discuss the alliance, but also an external probe...
To see how many factions would brave the pressure from the World Government to attend the tea party.
Although their attendance didn't mean they would take this side—they would most likely maintain a neutral, spectating attitude—for Dragon and the Revolutionary Army, it was already enough.
When the time came, they would have Morgans publish another news report, depicting a scene where major factions all held an unfavorable view of the World Government, which could further shake their rule.
Therefore, the actual alignment of those factions was not important, and it didn't even matter if some of them were secretly controlled by the World Government. That was the charm of journalism.
In addition, the scene of the Five Emperors gathering could also apply pressure to the Marine and the World Government, whose situations were already not looking good.
If they could provoke Im and the Five Elders into acting rashly, sending "Uranus" over in an impulsive attempt to wipe Sherwin and the others out all at once, that would be even better.
Klee Meow "Little Girl" and the Cat Princess cat canned food were already eager and waiting!
After tentatively settling on the initial cooperation plan, Sherwin did not stay long in the main hall. After greeting BIG MOM, he went to the side hall to meet up with the Felynes, leaving Dragon there to continue wrangling with them...
It couldn't be helped Kaido seemed very resentful about the battle of Wano, constantly glaring at him from time to time, or staring at Klee Meow on Sherwin shoulder with greedy eyes.
Sherwin really had no interest in playing mind games with glares there, so he simply took the Felynes and left early.
"Sherwin! You're here too! You were right! The food here is so delicious! Oh right, where my dad?"
As soon as he entered the side hall, Luffy, whose two cheeks were stuffed like a hamster, greeted him indistinctly while spraying food crumbs, and quite true to his nature, placed food before his own father.
"Go ahead and eat. Dragon is still discussing the details with BIG MOM and the others, so don't worry about him."
Sherwin waved his hand and uttered a redundant sentence.
This was because Luffy had absolutely no intention of worrying. After greeting him, he had already buried his head back into the food in front of him.
Across from him was little Bonney, who was also buried in her food, eating fiercely. It looked like the two of them were having a big eater competition.
Well, it certainly fit their personalities.
Sherwin shook his head, walked over to sit beside his own cats, and while stroking Shermie Meow who squeezed into his arms, he casually chatted with Sabo and Kuma.
After a while longer, Ace and other members of the Whitebeard Pirates, as well as Yasopp and other members of the Red Hair Pirates, also appeared in the side hall.
As for Shanks and Whitebeard, they were obviously invited to the main hall, just like Sherwin had been earlier.
"D-Dad!"
Usopp was incredibly excited to see his father, his entire body freezing up right there.
"Yahahaha! Usopp! You've grown up!"
Although he had been mocked by Sherwin and the cats before, which prompted Yasopp to start sending letters home, this was still his first time meeting his son since leaving the East Blue. He rushed forward in a few steps and gave Usopp a big hug.
Then, he turned around and patted Luffy on the back, laughing loudly, "I didn't expect my son would end up going out to sea with you, Luffy. I still remember how you used to cry and scream about wanting to go out to sea with us when you were a kid... This really is a wondrous twist of fate!"
"I didn't cry!!!"
Luffy, his mouth stuffed with food, continued to retort indistinctly.
Sabo and Lucky Roux quickly sat down next to Luffy, joining the competitive eating contest.
"I've long heard that BIG MOM has gathered the best chefs from all over the world, but it a pity I never had the chance to come and experience it. I didn't expect to fulfill this wish just like this this time, wahahaha!"
The big fat man, Lucky Roux, lamented while stuffing food into his mouth.
Sherwin silently watched these competitive eaters and some of the other greedy pirates eat until their bellies were round and swollen, and only then did he sluggishly and "kindly" remind them,
"Since you're eating so much now, will you still be able to eat when the tea party officially starts later? You should know that BIG MOM best things are only brought out during the tea party."
"Ah—!!!"
Luffy, who was holding his stomach with a look of satisfaction, paled with fright. "Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
"I only just remembered."
Sherwin stroked the cat in his arms and continued to explain unhurriedly.
"Wow! Brother Sherwin is so wicked! It one thing for Luffy, that idiot! But you actually didn't remind me either!"
Little Bonney, who understood Sherwin mischievous personality much better, was very furious. With her round little belly, she rolled off her chair, brandished her small fists, and threw a barrage of wild punches at him.
However, Sherwin still underestimated the digestive capabilities of these competitive eaters. Before the tea party officially started, the bellies of those few had already returned to their original shape...
Oh, Lucky Roux didn't count his belly was originally round anyway.
And just as these competitive eaters had mostly finished digesting, Perospero appeared in the side hall once again.
"Everyone, please follow me, the tea party is about to start, lick."
Under his leadership, everyone arrived at the very top floor of the Whole Cake Chateau. Sherwin saw many old acquaintances here basically, everyone who had attended the last tea party was present, and there were also quite a few new faces.
Obviously, even though the "island-destroying weapon" had already been exposed by Morgans, the World Government deterrent power was still far inferior to what it used to be.
Who told them to keep putting the Celestial Dragons on a "divine throne"? The slaughter that Sherwin and the Felynes carried out back in Mariejois had caused an impact that was even more far-reaching than he had imagined.
However, among these "new faces," Sherwin actually discovered a few "old acquaintances."
"Ah! It Big Sister Reiju, long time no see, meow~"
(=＞＜=)
Klee Meow happily greeted Reiju.
Meanwhile, Luffy also pointed at Ichiji and the others, saying foolishly, "Sanji, look! Their eyebrows are just like yours!"
At this moment, Sherwin suddenly remembered that when Kaido and BIG MOM attacked Egghead for the second time, they seemed to have used some kind of cloaking device to evade the Marine sight.
Back then, he had thought it was technology left behind by Queen, but looking at it now, Germa had thrown their lot in with BIG MOM ahead of time...
However, who was the one getting married to BIG MOM family this time?
Sherwin scanned the area around Reiju and the others but didn't see anyone from the Charlotte Family. Could they have died on Egghead?
Just as he was wondering, Charlotte Linlin, who was sitting in the main seat, spoke up, "Is it someone you know, Judge?"
"Oh, he is the failure I mentioned to you before, my former third son. It looks like he has also become a pirate."
Judge indifferently glanced at Sanji, whose face was grim, and then quickly turned his head back to look at BIG MOM amidst Reiju hard-to-describe expression.
And during this process, the coldness in Judge eyes rapidly melted away, becoming ardent and full of love, "...He is no one important, there is no need to pay him any mind, my dear Linlin."
Sanji: ???!!!
Sherwin: ???!!!