"It really is prosperous."
The carriage rolled slowly forward along roads surrounded by all kinds of dessert-themed buildings. Everywhere they looked were ordinary people living on this island under the protection of BIGMOM's name. Most of them were human, though there were also members of the Snakeneck Tribe, the Longleg Tribe, the Mink Tribe, and others.
Still, to Yemu, this felt less like a country and more like a town.
It seemed the islands in this world generally didn't have large populations. Of all the places he had been, Water 7 was probably the most populated.
It looked like population size really did have a lot to do with work.
Water 7 had its shipbuilding industry, which was enough to support that many people. But BIGMOM's Totto Land, as it appeared before him, felt more like a little girl playing house and raising pets.
That was a reminder in itself. If the Sky Pirates ever established their own territory in the future, what exactly should they build there?
Relying on fame alone clearly wouldn't last.
"There are even Fish-Men here?"
Tiger, seated in the middle carriage, looked in surprise at several Fish-Men passing by with children. Judging from their expressions, they seemed to be living quite well here.
Perospero, seeing this, replied in a somewhat boastful tone,
"Mama's dream is to build a nation where every race and every kind of being in the world can live together without rank or distinction. So as long as they're willing to join Totto Land, no matter what race they are, they'll receive Mama's protection."
"Come to think of it, one of Mama's current husbands is a Fish-Man. We have two younger sisters, Prim and Praline. They're Fish-Men too. They're twins, and they just turned five."
"Is that so?"
At that moment, Tiger's view of the BIGMOM he was about to meet changed slightly.
Flare, however, sharply picked up on one particular part of Perospero's words and asked in surprise,
"Um, did you say one of her husbands?"
"Ah."
A trace of disdain for those stepfathers flashed across Perospero's face.
"Mama has had a total of thirty-one husbands so far. The tea party the day after tomorrow is actually the wedding for Mama's thirty-second husband…"
"Uh…"
Flare was clearly stunned. She wanted to say something, but seemed worried it might come out wrong, so she held back.
Yemu, on the other hand, asked with some interest,
"Would you mind telling me his name? That way I can prepare a gift."
"Of course. Mama's thirty-second husband, like Amande's father, is the chief of the Snakeneck Tribe from the Planlie Islands. His name is Valba. In order to gain Mama's protection, he chose to marry Mama and become her husband."
"The Snakeneck Tribe?"
Flare seemed to remember something.
"I saw them listed on the price sheet at the Sabaody Archipelago auction house."
"That's right. The Snakeneck Tribe is a rare race in this world. They're often harmed by humans and sold to nobles as slaves. Without Mama's protection, the Snakeneck Tribe would have died out long ago."
"So BIGMOM really is pretty great."
"Kukukuku, of course she is."
As the conversation continued, the carriage slowly moved on.
The people in the carriage were watching the ordinary citizens around them, and those same citizens were just as curious, staring back at the group inside.
"Hey, who are they?"
"Are they here for Mama's tea party too?"
"But isn't it a bit early…?"
"Perospero-sama and Katakuri-sama are with them."
"They must be important."
"Is that a Fish-Man?"
"Wait, is that a dinosaur? A talking dinosaur? Is that some race I've never heard of?"
Amid the murmurs, a massive cake-shaped castle soon came into view.
"This is as far as we go. Mama is waiting for you inside!"
As the Chess Soldiers led the carriages away, the enormous candy doors of the castle slowly swung open.
"Please follow me."
...
Before them stood an immense castle. Cake-shaped crystal chandeliers hung at regular intervals, casting a warm, gentle glow.
A thick pink carpet covered the floor, soft underfoot like fresh snow.
The air was filled with the rich, sweet scent of cream, and all around were displays of candies, cakes, and desserts of every kind.
As they continued forward, they eventually stopped before a massive red door made of chocolate and wood.
When the group approached, a round human face appeared on the door. Its mouth stretched into a comical grin as it spoke in a childlike voice.
"Perospero-sama, Katakuri-sama, are these the guests Mama has been waiting for?"
"Yeah. What's Mama doing right now?"
Perospero asked, sounding a little tense.
"Mama is sleeping at the moment, but she said if the guests arrive, she can be woken up right away…"
"Uh…"
That only made Perospero and Katakuri break out in cold sweat.
Waking Mama from her sleep was not something either of them wanted to do.
Just then, a low voice filled with excitement echoed from within.
"Mamamama, you've finally arrived? I've been waiting for this day for so long! Hurry up and open the door, I want to see that kid!"
In an instant, everyone felt a terrifying pressure surge from the depths of the soul. The food homies around them trembled as they called out in panic.
"Mama!"
"Creak!"
As the red door slowly opened, a room even larger than the hall outside came into view.
The room was filled with a childlike atmosphere, decorated everywhere in pink ornaments. A massive, soft throne stood at the center, surrounded by piles of sweets, and even the floor was made of multicolored cookies.
Just as everyone wondered why the room appeared empty—
"Thud… thud… thud…"
Heavy footsteps echoed, accompanied by excited laughter.
"Mamamama, we're finally meeting… I'm so happy… Mamamama…"
Under everyone's gaze, a towering woman walked forward. She stood eight meters tall, her massive figure both imposing and curvaceous. She wore a pirate hat and a pink nightgown, her face heavily made up. Floating beside her were two living beings, one shaped like the sun and the other like a cloud.
With an excited grin, she dropped heavily onto the soft throne, grabbed a large handful of desserts, and stuffed them into her mouth. After swallowing them with clear enjoyment, she looked toward Yemu and the others at the doorway. Her expression suddenly darkened as she lowered her gaze and shouted,
"What are you still standing out there for? Boy, are you too scared to come in?"
At that moment, the captain of the BIGMOM Pirates, Charlotte Linlin, known as the "Born Destroyer," finally appeared before everyone.