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Time flew when they were training.
Jin was about to look at the other crew members' stats when...
"Master, I've detected a warning telepathic wave from the Territory Sea Slugs. We've entered Totto Land's waters."
"Oh?"
Jin vanished, teleporting to the deck. He could now "instantaneously move" to any location within the ship.
Outside, snowflakes were falling from the sky.
Jin caught one in his hand and tasted it. It was sweet, like cotton candy.
The unique candy snow of Totto Land.
The Territory Sea Slugs were part of Totto Land's defense system, reporting any and all intruders.
Soon, a tart-shaped reconnaissance ship appeared in front of the Empress. The sail bore the word "TARTE."
The soldiers on board were not human, but Homies in plaid robes, gray trousers, and white gloves and boots. They were the basic military force of Totto Land.
After Jin showed them the invitation and Big Mom's Vivre Card, the Homie soldiers immediately saluted respectfully.
A short while later, another ship approached.
It was a "familiar face."
Pekoms and Baron Tamago.
"The Homies are anthropomorphic creatures created by Mama's Soul-Soul Fruit," Pekoms explained. "We'll be stopping at the nearest island, Cacao Island, to rest for the night. We'll head to Whole Cake Island tomorrow."
Sailing the seas was a boring journey. Not just boring, but exhausting. A mental fatigue.
That's why all the guests invited to the Tea Party were required to rest for a night, to be fully refreshed before meeting Big Mom.
Cacao Island, a chocolate-themed island on the outskirts of Totto Land, was currently without a minister, as the Minister of Chocolate, Charlotte Lola, had run away from an arranged marriage.
But even before the ship had docked, Galette was already waiting at the port with the townspeople and soldiers.
"What's he like, the man who fought Whitebeard?"
"Is he tall and ferocious?"
"Haven't you read the papers?"
"Eh?"
"Young, handsome, elegant, a king, and powerful... He's the perfect man."
The World Government and the Marines' deliberate propaganda had turned Jin into a celebrity, a headline act. And his battle record was the real deal, pure gold.
Galette clasped her hands in front of her, gazing at the approaching ship, her eyes sparkling, just like the other girls.
Although she had been defeated, she felt no resentment. In fact, she had begun to develop a bit of a crush on the man.
The man who had defeated her brother, Katakuri.
Every time she thought about it, she felt a thrill of excitement. She imagined him kissing her, caressing her...
Beside Galette was Perospero, and the Minister of Fluff, Charlotte Chiffon.
Chiffon was Lola's twin sister. She had pink hair in two pigtails, a stout figure, and thick lips. A katana was strapped to her back. She looked like a country bumpkin.
Her eyes were also filled with hearts. "He must be so handsome!"
Listening to the chatter around him, Perospero was annoyed. He was the third most popular brother in the family. Had he just become a background character?
"Dammit! What's so great about being handsome?" Perospero touched his own face.
'LOOK AT ME. I'm handsome too, right?'
"He's here!"
The moment the ship docked and Jin appeared, the townspeople erupted in cheers, the women screaming.
In a country like this, the strong were like gods.
—————————
Cacao Island was famous for its chocolate. The barbecues on the roadside, the tiles on the roofs—everything was made of chocolate. The fountain in the town square flowed with a rich, hot chocolate sauce.
Chocolate was everywhere.
The three siblings were in charge of receiving him, and they treated Jin and his crew with great hospitality.
Dinner was a lavish affair, though the flavors were a bit on the sweet side for Jin's taste.
Who eats sweet food for dinner?
But setting aside the savory dishes, the desserts were absolutely incredible.
He complimented the chef.
"This is the most delicious dessert I've ever had!"
"Really?" Galette said, blushing. She gathered her courage. "Then... would you let me make desserts for you from now on?"
"EH?!!!"
Perospero's long tongue shot out.
"She... she confessed!" Chiffon exclaimed.
The moment the words left her mouth, Galette clapped a hand over it, realizing her mistake.
Jin was a man Mama had her eye on...
Although, after what had happened before, she hadn't mentioned it again. But what if?
Hearing her siblings' words, a cold sweat broke out on her forehead. She quickly bowed. "I-I'm so sorry! I got carried away!"
Chiffon, nervous, bowed as well.
Jin just smiled. "It's alright. Everyone has the right to pursue happiness."
"Eh?" Galette wiped the sweat from her brow. "Pursue happiness?"
"Yes, pursue happiness," Jin said with a nod and a warm, reassuring smile. "For you to be so direct, Miss Galette... you must be a very courageous person."
A smile from a weak man might seem creepy. But a smile from a strong man... that could always win people's trust and affection.
Galette's panicked heart was soothed by his gaze and his words, as if by a warm breeze.
She felt herself falling for him.
"King Jin is so gentle!" Chiffon said, her eyes filled with adoration.
'Gentle my ass,' Perospero thought, annoyed. 'You didn't see him when he was beating us up. Look! Look at my face! He's the one who gave me this black eye.'
Of course, he didn't dare to say that out loud. He just stabbed at the chocolate on his plate with his fork.
—————————
Big Mom's Tea Party wasn't just a personal hobby. It was one of her few diplomatic tools.
The invitees included not only Jin, but also a number of old friends and some of the rising stars from around the world.
A massive, golden ship sailed into the territorial waters.
In the captain's cabin, a man in a gold-trimmed hat and a pink suit sat on a golden throne, listening to Uta's debut album.
"Perfect!" he exclaimed, clapping excitedly. "A perfect voice, perfect music... everything is so perfect... If I could just get her to come to the Gran Tesoro, to be the lead singer... that would be even more perfect."
"I hear that king will also be at the Tea Party," he mused. "I'll have to talk to him. With enough Berries... there's nothing money can't buy."
Knock, knock...
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
The door opened, and an elegant, bewitching woman entered. She had long, orange-red hair and was wearing a noble black dress. She was sexy and captivating.
"Lord Tesoro," she said, "Du Feld, the Loan Shark King, is outside. He says he'd like to meet with you."
"Hm?"
Tesoro stood up, taking off his hat to reveal a head of slicked-back, grayish-green hair and a face full of ambition.
He walked outside.
His ship had come alongside another massive, luxurious vessel.
On the other ship's deck, "God of Fortune" Du Feld called out a greeting.
"Tesoro! Long time no see! You've gotten even richer, haven't you? Hahahaha..."
Tesoro was a "supernova" who had made a name for himself three or four years before Jin.
He was known as the "Golden Emperor," the user of the Paramecia Gold-Gold Fruit.
A first-rate entertainer.
The king of the casino industry.
One of the world's foremost business geniuses.
In just a few short years, he had gone from a penniless slave to one of the richest men in the world.
Last year, he had completed construction of his massive ship, the Gran Tesoro, which had become the world's number one entertainment city.
It was also an independent nation, recognized by the World Government, and a neutral territory, a "sanctuary."
An upgraded version of Hannabal.
Five years from now, with the help of the Gran Tesoro, he would become the richest man in the world, controlling 20% of the world's Berries. He would even be able to move the World Government itself.
He was the man who, in the year before Jin, had frequently graced the front pages of the newspapers, a man who had the world's attention.
"Du Feld," Tesoro said. "What brings you here?"
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