Meanwhile, in another part of the New World.
New Cake Island, formerly known as Candy Island, had become the new capital of Totto Land after the destruction of the original Cake Island in the previous war. The former location was no longer suitable, especially after the Emperors Alliance expanded their territories. Now, New Cake Island sat closer to the center of that alliance.
Recently, multiple islands across Totto Land had come under attack from the Marines, leaving Big Mom furious.
Inside her castle, she roared in anger, "Damn Marines! Do they really think this old lady is someone they can push around? Every time they attack, it's me they target first. Do they think I'm easy prey?"
Below her, Charlotte Perospero answered with a serious expression, "It's the new Admiral, Shura, leading the attack."
Big Mom's eyes narrowed dangerously. "That Celestial Dragon Admiral? How bold."
Perospero quickly added, "Mama, we should contact the Beasts Pirates and the Phoenix Pirates immediately and request support."
Big Mom let out an irritated snort. "Marco and his crew are still on the Grand Line. Today is their decisive battle against the Blackbeard Pirates. Until that fight is settled, they won't come."
Her expression darkened further as she growled, "The Marines chose today of all days. They knew the Phoenix Pirates would be occupied. Someone leaked this information. Who was it?"
Perospero's face stiffened. "Mama, are you suggesting there's a spy among us?"
"That much is obvious," Big Mom replied coldly. "Very few people knew about this. One of them must have betrayed us. We will investigate this thoroughly afterward."
She waved her hand sharply. "For now, contact the Beasts Pirates immediately. Have them come through Brulee's mirror."
"Yes, Mama," Perospero responded, bowing before leaving.
Meanwhile, on Nut Island.
A woman with a large hooked nose lay collapsed on the ground, her chest pierced through, blood pooling beneath her. This was Charlotte Brulee, the eighth daughter of the Charlotte Family and the user of the Mirror-Mirror Fruit.
Around her, several members of the Big Mom Pirates lay dead.
Standing before them was a woman in a pink dress, her expression cold as she spoke, "Now no one will be able to use your mirrors to get here."
Brulee coughed weakly, staring at her in disbelief. "Cameron… why?"
Cameron, who had married Charlotte Cracker years ago and was known to be close to Brulee, showed no hesitation. She raised her pistol, a cruel smile forming on her lips.
"I'm sorry, Brulee. Playing the role of your loving sister all this time was part of my mission. Honestly, those days weren't bad. But I am an intelligence agent of CP8 under the World Government. Getting close to you was my highest order."
She aimed directly at Brulee's head.
"This is where it ends."
A gunshot rang out. The bullet pierced Brulee's forehead, and her body went still.
With her mission complete, Cameron immediately retreated from the scene.
Some time later, Charlotte Katakuri arrived.
The moment he saw Brulee's body, his expression changed. "Brulee… Brulee…"
No matter how many times he called, there was no response.
He knelt beside her, feeling the coldness slowly overtaking her body. A storm of rage filled him, but he forced himself to remain composed.
Carefully examining the scene, Katakuri noted the wounds. Brulee had been struck from behind before being executed. The others showed similar injuries. It had clearly been an ambush.
His eyes darkened as a name surfaced in his mind.
Cameron.
She had been with Brulee earlier, yet her body was nowhere to be found.
Though he did not want to believe it, every detail pointed to her. If she was truly responsible, he would never forgive her.
Suppressing his anger, Katakuri gathered Brulee's body, storing it within his mochi for the time being, then returned to report to Big Mom.
Upon hearing the news, Big Mom's face twisted with fury. "Cameron… that traitor. It must be her."
Katakuri spoke in a steady voice, "Mama, the Marines are clearly targeting us. Without Brulee's Mirror-Mirror Fruit ability, we have lost a crucial advantage. We will have to rely on ourselves to face this crisis."
He continued, "Even if the Beasts Pirates attempt to support us, they may be intercepted by the Marines, just like before."
Big Mom's expression grew darker, her anger barely contained. "Again and again… they think I'm someone they can bully."
Unlike her, Katakuri remained calm and analytical. "Mama, I recommend we temporarily withdraw and regroup with the Beasts Pirates. Together, we can resist the Marines more effectively."
Big Mom's face immediately hardened. "Are you telling me to abandon my territory and retreat? Do you understand what you're saying?"
Katakuri met her gaze without wavering. "During the last Marine assault on Cake Island, they targeted Brulee first as well. She survived that time, but now she has been killed."
He paused briefly before continuing, "This means the forces they've deployed now will not be weaker than those from the last war."
"Back then, Brulee's ability allowed the Phoenix Pirates to be redirected to Egghead, giving us a chance to turn things around. But now, that option no longer exists."
Big Mom fell silent.
Memories of her clash with the Elders during the Egghead conflict resurfaced. She had experienced their power firsthand. That encounter had shaken her confidence more than she cared to admit.
Facing them again was not something she could take lightly.
Katakuri pressed on, "Our forces have already suffered heavy losses. If we continue fighting now, the damage will only worsen."
"As for territory, once the Three Emperors regroup, we can reclaim everything we've lost."
Big Mom clenched her teeth, her expression filled with reluctance and frustration. After a long pause, she finally spoke.
"Fine. This old lady will take a step back… for now."
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