In the pleasant morning sunshine, Yemu lay back on a beach chair in the garden, clearly enjoying the warmth.
On the round table beside him were an assortment of pastries and a pot of black tea.
As he leisurely savored the treats, he greeted Katakuri, who was rushing over.
"Good morning!"
Katakuri paused, caught off guard. He frowned and glanced toward the house.
Just then, the three girls emerged, fully dressed and radiant with joy.
Baby-5 rushed straight into the garden without hesitation, squeezed in next to Yemu, and sat down. She glanced at the pastries on the table and asked,
"Yemu, would you like this chocolate bread?"
"You have it."
Yemu's interest in sweets was minimal; he preferred meat over desserts.
Seeing this, Baby-5 happily took the chocolate bread, cradled it in her arms, and nibbled on it bite by bite, all the while beckoning Ayala to join them.
Though shy, Ayala walked over, sat beside Yemu, and joined Baby-5 in enjoying the pastries and morning tea.
Only Flare greeted Katakuri politely.
"Good morning, Katakuri-san!"
Katakuri felt a flush of embarrassment at the greeting.
At that moment, Enel emerged from the house, yawning. Upon seeing Katakuri, his expression darkened.
"If you dare disturb my rest again tonight, I'll definitely wipe you all out!"
He walked over to Yemu, glanced at the food on the table, and addressed Katakuri with displeasure.
"Dessert again? Hey, your place doesn't only have desserts, does it? Where's the meat? Where's the fruit?"
Katakuri felt a twinge of irritation at Enel's bossy tone, but it seemed only natural. After all, anyone kept awake all night would likely react the same way.
"Am I overreacting?"
Katakuri thought to himself, then instructed the chess piece soldier nearby.
"Go get some meat and fruit for Enel-san!"
"Yes, sir!"
As the chess piece left, the rest of the Sky Pirates emerged, including the Spatial-type Devil Fruit user. Katakuri's confusion deepened.
"Um..."
A woman's voice then rang out. Katakuri turned to see the Sky Pirates' chef approaching, speaking with enthusiasm.
"Hello, I have a slightly bold request. Would it be possible for you to give me a tour of your kitchen?"
Seeing Katakuri's puzzled look, Flare spoke excitedly.
"The desserts on Whole Cake Island are amazing. I'm a chef myself, so I'd like to visit your head chef and learn some tips for making desserts..."
Katakuri, honestly, couldn't find a reason to refuse, but he declined anyway. Tomorrow was Mama's wedding and tea party, and for Mama, the wedding itself wasn't important—what mattered were the desserts and cakes.
"I'm sorry, the kitchen is the most important place on Whole Cake Island, and our head chef, Streusen, does not see visitors."
"Is that so?"
A hint of disappointment crossed Flare's face, but she quickly tried another approach.
"Then could I visit where you produce your dessert ingredients—like milk, honey, nuts, and fruits? Since you can make such delicious desserts, I imagine your ingredients must be top-notch as well."
This time, Katakuri truly couldn't refuse. Yemu was a guest highly regarded by Mama, and the ingredient production facility wasn't even on Whole Cake Island. If he could get these people out of the room, it would also make it easier to keep an eye on them.
"No problem. However, those places are all on the outlying islands of Whole Cake Island. If you'd like to check them out, I can send someone to take you there."
Katakuri said this, then turned to Yemu and asked,
"Captain Yemu, are you all going?"
"Let's go take a look. It's boring just sitting inside all day."
That was what Yemu said, but just then, a Chess Soldier hurried over.
"Katakuri-sama!"
Katakuri instinctively felt uneasy, but the Chess Soldier's next words put him at ease.
"The Vinsmoke family has arrived!"
"I see. Just arrange accommodations for them."
After Katakuri gave the order, the Chess Soldier didn't leave. Instead, he glanced at Yemu and the others and whispered,
"That Vinsmoke Judge wants to meet with Sky Pirates' Captain Yemu!"
Katakuri's brow immediately furrowed, his face darkening.
"Who told him Captain Yemu is here?"
After all, the guest list for Mama's Tea Party was strictly confidential. Most of the attendees were pirates, hardly people to trust.
Just then, Yemu's calm voice rang out.
"It was me."
Katakuri looked over and saw Yemu, who at that moment seemed every bit the master of Whole Cake Island, speaking slowly.
"It's not often old friends get to meet. Since we have this chance, we shouldn't waste it. Please go and bring him over."
He then turned to Flare and the others.
"Well then, I won't be joining you. Flare, you all go ahead and look around on your own."
"Okay, I'll bring you something delicious."
...
About ten minutes later, Yemu, idly snacking in the room, heard a knock at the door.
"Captain Yemu, Vinsmoke Judge and his family have arrived!"
"Come in!"
As the door swung open, Yemu was somewhat surprised to see that it wasn't just Vinsmoke Judge, but also his daughter, Vinsmoke Reiju.
"Captain Yemu! It's good to see you again!"
Judging by his expression, Judge was still a little nervous. Prior to this, their relationship had been decidedly hostile. The shadow cast by Yemu's formidable power in Water 7 had been immense, yet after receiving Yemu's Den Den Mushi message, Judge had steeled himself and made the journey here.
Reiju, still a young girl, looked even more frightened. Clutching a box as big as herself, she stayed behind her father.
"Hmm, did you bring what I asked for?"
"I did."
Judge said this, giving his daughter a subtle nod. Reiju understood and, a little scared, stepped forward slowly to hand the box she carried to Yemu.
Yemu took it but didn't rush to open it. Instead, he picked up a box of pastries from the table and handed it to Reiju under her slightly surprised gaze.
"Here you go. Go sit on the sofa and eat them."
Then he said to Judge,
"You sit down for a moment. I'll take a look at this."
After speaking, Yemu sat down and opened the box in his hands. Inside was a book with a red leather cover—thicker than any dictionary Yemu had seen in his previous life and twice the size of an ordinary book. On the cover were three large words: Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.