Shanks naturally noticed the black aura of resentment rolling off Garp's body.
Clearly, he had prepared for this.
He immediately turned and went into the cabin, rummaging through chests and cabinets.
Before long, he came back out carrying a heavy wooden box. Inside were items he had stored away for many years.
When he slowly unfolded what was inside, everyone finally saw that it was a huge piece of sailcloth.
Printed on it was Uta's personal emblem.
The base was pale pink, framed by a bright pink border, with a dark purple hexagonal pattern in the center.
In the middle was a chibi-style portrait of Uta, half red-haired and half white-haired, with the bold letters "UTA" printed across her forehead.
Her eyes were closed and her tongue stuck out playfully, with a pair of soft pink little wings growing on both sides of her head.
"Luffy and the others are going to spend two years settling themselves before setting sail again. During these two years, you can take Uta with you and help her realize her dream. Hold concerts around the world. Use this sail as your own special mark."
As Shanks spread out the sailcloth and spoke, Garp's expression suddenly loosened. His eyes even softened.
Seeing his grandfather's aura settle down, no longer looking murderous or spitting angry words, Cain also spoke.
"You've all put this much thought into things for me and helped me so much. How could I refuse? Honestly, I really do want to accept."
He paused, his tone growing more serious.
"But let me say this first. Luffy's pushing himself like crazy to catch up, so all of you had better be careful…"
"Don't let him overtake you one day."
Thinking of Luffy's declaration that he would challenge them and take Cain back, Shanks' face remained completely calm. He only nodded faintly and spoke with firm certainty.
"I'll accept Luffy's challenge anytime."
Seeing this, Cain nodded as well and reached out to accept the sailcloth, representing his acceptance of Shanks' proposal.
The moment Cain agreed, the surrounding Homies began singing a cheerful little tune, and Katakuri also gave a slight nod.
As for Garp, his mood was nowhere near as bad as he had made it look earlier.
The black aura around him had all been for Shanks' sake.
Right now, he was already laughing inside.
This meant Cain had been fully recognized by all four Emperor crews and had truly planted his roots among the top factions of the New World!
Once Cain became Pirate King—
No, that's wrong!
This meant the Marines had taken another solid step closer to seizing and controlling the One Piece.
Even Garp himself probably never would have imagined that one day, he would watch his grandson become a great pirate and, instead of getting angry, feel delighted about it.
Thinking about it carefully, that was honestly kind of bizarre.
At that moment, Shanks leaned close to Cain's ear and lowered his voice.
"Traveling the world with Uta and accompanying her on tour really is a good thing for her. But Cain, don't forget what I told you before. I'm serious about training you properly."
"You did learn a lot from Rayleigh-san, and your foundation is solid. But when it comes to real combat experience, you still lack polish."
"So, for every stop on Uta's tour, you need to tell me the location clearly. During the tour, I'll come find you from time to time for combat training until I'm truly satisfied."
There was no fluctuation in his tone, but the weight behind his words suddenly grew heavier.
"So before I'm satisfied, you'd better not do anything improper to Uta."
Although this sounded like a perfectly normal chat between a father-in-law and a son-in-law, to Cain's ears, it made him scream bitterly inside.
Of course he would keep his boundaries. He would never do anything improper to Uta.
The problem was, Uta was always the one teasing him first.
Just look at these past few sleepless nights.
Across the entire sea, when it came to self-control, who could possibly be steadier than him?
Cain ranted madly in his heart, but he did not dare let Shanks know even half of that suffering.
If this Emperor found out that the person always doing the teasing was Uta, then what would happen?
His heart was churning with complaints, but his face still had to wear an expression of willing acceptance.
It was truly making things difficult for him.
Once the surrounding cheer quieted a little, Katakuri introduced the girl beside him to Cain.
"This is Pudding, our younger sister. She is three years younger than you and is the user of the Memory-Memory Fruit…"
Before Katakuri could finish speaking, Cain and Shanks exchanged a glance and immediately understood.
This was the real reason Katakuri had brought Pudding here.
While everyone was thinking their own thoughts, the cabin door was suddenly pushed open.
Uta walked out from inside, raising both arms above her head in a big stretch as she asked brightly,
"Cain, what happened? Why is it so lively out here?"
The moment Pudding saw Uta, she took the initiative to step forward and began chatting with her.
Putting aside Uta's fame, after learning the truth behind this "wedding banquet," Pudding had already become especially curious about this girl, who was also the daughter of an Emperor.
Seeing this, Katakuri immediately turned slightly and gestured toward the carriage that had already been prepared.
"We should talk in the carriage. There is still an important banquet to attend today."
Cain tilted his head slightly, full of confusion.
His and Uta's wedding could no longer be held, so who was this newly arranged banquet for?
After thinking for a moment, he eventually nodded.
After all, Katakuri had fulfilled his promise from last night and brought them to Pudding.
Although an accident had delayed things midway, Pudding had indeed been brought here now.
Even if there really was another plot, Shanks and his grandfather were beside him, so nothing should go too wrong.
More importantly, he had promised Katakuri before that he would attend the banquet.
Whether it was a trap or not, he had to attend.
Seeing this, Katakuri explained,
"It's Bege. That man intends to join the Big Mom Pirates, and he has proposed to my younger sister—your older sister—Chiffon."
…
What had happened was simple.
After Law treated Bege through the entire night, most of his external injuries had already healed.
His internal injuries had also been stitched up and dealt with through Law's surgery. He simply could not move violently for the time being.
Even so, he pushed his wheelchair straight into Whole Cake Chateau without hesitation.
At that time, inside Whole Cake Chateau, Big Mom was discussing with her children how to deal with Chiffon.
The wedding failing to proceed smoothly had already left Big Mom furious, and Chiffon had been hiding everywhere during this period, which enraged her even more.
Now that Bege had barged in on his own, she immediately concluded that Capone Bege had been secretly helping Chiffon and made up her mind to execute them both.
Katakuri, who had previously guaranteed Chiffon's safety to Bege, immediately stepped forward and pleaded on their behalf.
Bege also forced himself to endure his injuries and turned his wheelchair in front of Chiffon, publicly declaring that no matter what, he would protect her.
Faced with danger rushing straight toward them, Chiffon also took the initiative to stand in front of Bege, answering his feelings through her actions.
To her, she could no longer live without Bege.
If she was left alone, then even if she obtained freedom, what would be left for her?
Bege did not want to watch Chiffon get hurt or die for him, so he immediately activated his Devil Fruit ability.
Cannons emerged from his body one after another as he prepared to fight to the death.
But that violent movement instantly pulled at the injuries inside him, and he coughed up a large mouthful of blood.
Chiffon hurried forward and supported him, her face full of worry.
Katakuri looked at this pair of lovers willing to protect each other with their lives, then once again took the initiative to persuade Big Mom.
Bege was a Supernova of the Worst Generation, completely different from the ordinary pirates who had entered the New World in the past.
Since he and Chiffon loved each other this deeply, instead of killing them both, it would be better to let them join the Big Mom Pirates.
Hearing this, Big Mom's mood instantly eased.
Bege knew very well that Katakuri was helping him.
He looked at Chiffon beside him and made his final choice in that moment.
He was willing to bring his entire pirate crew and join the Big Mom Pirates.
Not because he feared Big Mom's power, but because he wanted to protect Chiffon in front of him.
But at the same time, he had one demand of his own.
He asked Chiffon to marry him!