Amid the laughter and lively chatter filling the grand hall, a towering figure stepped inside. The moment her presence was felt, the atmosphere subtly shifted. It was the Queen of Totto Land herself, Charlotte Linlin.
"Mama…"
As soon as Big Mom appeared, every gaze in the hall turned toward her.
"Happy birthday, Mama!"
"Queen Linlin, happy birthday!"
Voices rose one after another, sincere blessings echoing throughout the hall as her children and invited guests expressed their reverence and joy.
Charlotte Linlin spread her arms wide, her massive frame radiating delight as she laughed heartily. "Mamamama! Everyone came as promised! Having so many friends here to celebrate my birthday truly makes me happy. Thank you, thank you all!"
Charlotte Compote stepped forward, holding an oversized birthday hat, her smile bright and composed. "Mama, today you are without question the star of this banquet."
"Thank you, Compote." Linlin accepted the hat and placed it atop her head, clearly pleased.
As the master of ceremonies, Compote raised her voice so the entire hall could hear. "Friends and family, today marks a joyous occasion for the Big Mom Pirates. It is also the sixty seventh birthday of our beloved mother, the Queen of Totto Land and one of the Four Emperors, Charlotte Linlin. Let us offer Mama our warmest birthday wishes."
At once, the Charlotte Family shouted in unison, their voices surging like a wave.
"Happy birthday, Mama!"
Linlin's smile widened even further. "Mamamama! Thank you, everyone…"
The birthday song soon followed, its cheerful melody spreading across Cake Island as the atmosphere reached its peak.
Before long, the long awaited cake cutting ceremony began. Charlotte Linlin clasped her hands together eagerly. "I can finally eat the cake. I've been waiting for this."
Yet just as the celebration reached its height, the transponder snail resting against Katakuri's side suddenly rang.
Katakuri's expression stiffened. Understanding the importance of the moment, he quietly stepped away from the crowd and answered in a low voice. "This is Katakuri."
The snail's face appeared strained with fear, its voice trembling. "Big Brother Katakuri, please tell Mama right away. Something terrible has happened. The Marines are attacking. We need to respond immediately!"
Katakuri's pupils shrank. The joy he had been suppressing vanished in an instant. Keeping his voice steady, he asked, "Explain clearly. Why would the Marines attack now? How many ships are there?"
The voice on the other end sounded desperate. "There are countless warships. Marine Admiral Aramaki is leading them. They're closing in from all directions. We can't hold much longer. You have to… AHHHH!"
A scream filled with pain and terror rang out, and the connection abruptly cut off.
"Babarua…" Katakuri stared at the silent snail, anger and unease burning behind his calm exterior.
Around him, the banquet remained lively, laughter and music masking the disaster unfolding beyond Totto Land's borders. The contrast made his chest tighten. A Marine Admiral personally leading the assault meant this was no ordinary incursion.
They chose today of all days, Katakuri thought grimly. Mama's birthday.
He knew better than anyone how Charlotte Linlin would react to such news. Still, delaying was not an option. A birthday came once a year, but an enemy invasion demanded immediate action.
Compote was carefully slicing the cake when Charlotte Linlin eagerly lifted a piece and tasted it, her expression one of pure satisfaction.
"Katakuri, this is yours," Compote said gently, offering him a plate.
"Thank you," Katakuri replied, accepting it. He glanced around at the smiling faces, then set the plate aside untouched. Turning to his mother, his tone became solemn. "Mama, I have urgent news to report."
Charlotte Linlin paused, noticing the seriousness in his eyes. Katakuri never disrupted her celebrations without good reason. Even so, irritation flickered across her face. Today was supposed to be nothing but joy.
"…Did something happen?" she asked.
Katakuri did not hesitate. "We just received intelligence. The Marines have launched an attack on Totto Land. Our forces on the front lines are likely in serious danger."
"What?" Charlotte Linlin's pupils contracted sharply, her earlier delight evaporating.
The sudden exclamation drew the attention of nearby guests, confusion spreading across their faces. Linlin quickly regained her composure and forced a grin. "Mamamama! Don't mind it. Keep eating. Today is this old lady's birthday. Being happy is what matters most."
Her words reassured the guests, and the music soon drowned out their unease.
Once out of sight, Charlotte Linlin's expression darkened completely. She motioned for Katakuri, Compote, and several of her core children to follow her aside. With a swift motion, Katakuri used his Devil Fruit ability to form a mochi structure around them, isolating the conversation from prying ears.
Linlin's eyes gleamed with restrained fury. "Explain everything. What exactly happened?"
Katakuri met her gaze evenly. "Babarua contacted me. He reported that Marine Admiral Aramaki is leading a massive fleet toward Totto Land from multiple directions. Before he could provide more details, he was attacked and the call was cut off."
Charlotte Linlin's face turned grim.
"The scale of this operation is far beyond normal," Katakuri continued. "They likely deployed overwhelming force, enough that Babarua couldn't even finish reporting before being overwhelmed."
The room fell silent.
This banquet was meant to celebrate her power and alliances, the first grand birthday since the balance of the New World had shifted. Powerful figures had gathered, gifts had been exchanged, and even the Beasts Pirates and the Phoenix Pirates had sent representatives. To have the Marines strike now was an unforgivable insult.
"Immediately confirm their numbers," Charlotte Linlin ordered coldly. "Prepare our forces. We respond at once."
Compote hesitated. "Mama, what about the banquet?"
A dangerous smile crept onto Linlin's face. "Mamamama! Under these circumstances, the banquet is postponed. Evacuate the guests safely and quickly."
Before Compote could reply, a deep, echoing wail thundered across Cake Island.
"Wuwuwu…"
It was the Big Mom Pirates' alarm bell, its piercing sound rolling across the island and reaching every corner.
Charlotte Linlin's expression twisted with rage as she clenched her fist. "What is going on now? Who activated the alarm?"