Hearing Perospero's furious questioning, Morgans naturally knew the reason. His raised wing stiffened for a moment before he forced a laugh.
"On my way here, I happened to run into His Excellency Thunder God. He was also coming to attend the tea party, so we came together."
"You—!"
Perospero raised his candy cane and pointed it at Morgans, his face turning livid, nearly biting his own tongue in rage.
Attend the tea party? Did this bastard not know they had a grudge against adventurers?
And yet he just brought him in like that? What exactly was Morgans trying to do?
Met on the way? Who was he trying to fool? If they had just met by chance, how could they be riding the same vehicle?
After shooting Morgans a furious glare, Perospero turned his gaze to Leno, speaking viciously.
"Thunder God, what exactly are you here for? Are you trying to start a war?"
"To attend the tea party, obviously. What else would I be here for?"
Leno picked his nose with his little finger, looking at him as if he were an idiot, his tone casual.
His eyes wandered around, already deciding to sample Whole Cake Island's delicacies first.
Everyone knew BIG MOM never mistreated herself when it came to food. This was the perfect opportunity.
Seeing how unconcerned he looked, the veins on Perospero's forehead bulged, his eyes practically spitting fire.
"…We didn't invite you!"
"Hey, don't sweat the small stuff. A tea party's only lively when there are plenty of people."
Leno flicked his finger, his gaze sweeping across the emperors opposite him. A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes before he suddenly understood.
'So these must be the big shots of the Underworld. What a coincidence, running into them all at once.'
Hmm?
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a petite figure with a small shawl and a strikingly curvy body, and his gaze paused.
After a closer look, he confirmed it was Stussy.
She wore a beautiful floral hat, her short golden curls framing her face. A small lady's handbag rested in her hand, giving her the appearance of a refined noblewoman.
Leno clicked his tongue inwardly. Anyone who didn't know the truth might really be fooled by her innocent facade.
Though she was older, her skin looked flawless, and her sapphire-blue eyes seemed to speak, staring at him without blinking.
Across from him, Peclo balanced the scythe on his shoulder, curling his lips as he muttered in a low voice.
"So this is Thunder God? Just like the rumors say—can't even move when he sees a woman…"
"Oh my, are you saying I'm beautiful?"
Hearing the whisper behind her, Stussy covered her mouth with a light laugh, casting Leno a meaningful glance.
The other emperors also looked at Leno with faint contempt.
A man with such an obvious weakness—no matter how strong—was nothing to fear in their eyes.
By then, Leno had already withdrawn his gaze and waved at the three gluttons behind him.
"Let's go, you three. Stop eating. The food at the banquet's way better than this."
With that, he strode forward, not forgetting to remind them as he walked.
"Perospero, why are you still standing there like an idiot? Lead the way. We're here for the tea party."
"Pero-pero-pero…" With a cold sneer, Perospero turned and walked ahead, cane in hand, his threatening words drifting back.
"Since you're so eager to die, I won't stop you."
What an arrogant fool. Did he really think he was a god?
With Mother and so many brothers and sisters present, even if he truly were a god, he would die here.
Arriving before a tall building, Perospero used the power of his Lick-Lick Fruit to create a massive spiral candy elevator.
Looking at the crystal-like automatic lift before them, the crowd was filled with amazement.
Perospero's icy gaze swept across Leno and his group. He licked his tongue and said indifferently,
"After you. The tea party is on the rooftop plaza."
But Leno didn't spare him a glance, leading his crew onto the elevator one after another.
"Whoa—!"
"This is basically a work of art!"
"The stairs move on their own!"
"Now this is something else, hahaha…"
Leno himself hadn't expected the syrup-made elevator to be this impressive.
Behind him, the crew curiously looked around. Nojiko even quietly asked Kaya whether her ice powers could create something like this.
When they reached the rooftop, a rich, sweet fragrance immediately washed over them.
Looking out, massive cakes and desserts of every kind were arranged in intricate patterns all around.
Dozens of round tables filled the plaza, piled high with food and drinks. Homies shaped like various utensils moved about automatically, serving the guests.
At the largest round table ahead, a gigantic five-tier cake stood proudly in the center, especially eye-catching.
Leno's crew stared in shock, mouths hanging open, followed by the sound of continuous swallowing.
Seeing them drool, Leno waved his hand grandly.
"Everyone, eat as much as you want. Don't be shy. Treat it like your own home."
"Yay!"
They scattered instantly, rushing toward their favorite desserts.
Leno locked onto the magnificent cake at the front, stepped forward, and began eating with a spoon.
And honestly? It was absolutely incredible.
BIG MOM really ate like royalty. For a moment, Leno even felt a little envious.
An entire team of chefs serving one person—of course the food would be exceptional.
With Leno's group flooding in—
The previously harmonious atmosphere gradually turned strange.
Some guests who had been elegantly savoring their food stopped mid-bite after noticing the group's crude behavior.
Curiosity, disdain, and schadenfreude flickered in their eyes.
What a bunch of fools, daring to cause trouble at BIG MOM's tea party. Were they tired of living?
Upon receiving the news, BIG MOM's children began gathering in this direction, intending to settle accounts with these uninvited guests.
Meanwhile, Nami and the others paid no attention to the stares around them and continued stuffing themselves.
They had come today to cause trouble anyway. If they didn't eat their fill now, there'd be nothing left once the fighting started.
Time was precious. There was no room to worry about anything else.
As more of BIG MOM's children arrived, the surrounding guests finally sensed something was wrong.
Did it really take so many monsters to deal with a small group of troublemakers?
At that moment, someone recognized Leno's group, and shocked exclamations erupted one after another.
By now, everyone understood—this was a deliberate provocation.
Realizing that two colossal forces might clash, the guests could no longer sit still and scrambled toward the exits in panic.
Watching the tea party descend into chaos, the children's expressions turned grim.
It was the first time anyone had dared to disrupt Mother's tea party.
The emperors who arrived later stood at a distance, clearly unwilling to get involved in what was about to happen.
Only one person was different—Morgans.
As if injected with adrenaline, he looked wildly excited, the camera in his wing snapping photos nonstop.
"Big news! Big news!" he kept chanting.