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Da-da—
Over the skies of Cake Island…
The Ark Proverbs hovered above the harbor, its massive form suspended midair as powerful gusts of wind surged from its hull.
"Ever since the Great Pirate Era began, and the seas began to stabilize… the Marines and the World Government have grown arrogant…"
Under the watchful eyes of countless civilians, pirates, Homies, and members of the Charlotte Family—
A massive projection loomed over the port. Within it, Wilhelm stood tall and imposing, his right arm raised high, fist clenched with determination.
His booming voice echoed with force and conviction, stirring the crowd:"Today, the Big Mom Pirates will use this war to send a message to the world! A bloody, brutal reminder of what the Great Pirate Era truly means!"
"Our great queen, the ruler of Totto Land—Charlotte Linlin, Big Mom herself—will lead us forward! With her overwhelming strength and unmatched presence, she will guide the Big Mom Pirates toward a brilliant future! No doubt about it!"
"From this moment on… these seas belong to the Big Mom Pirates! This is the era of the Charlotte Family!"
Wilhelm's voice rang out like thunder.
Amplified by the speakers aboard the Ark Proverbs, his words rolled across all of Cake Island.
Katakuri, Perospero, and the other generals of the Charlotte Family stood in awe. Even the pirates under Big Mom's banner—seasoned, hardened warriors—felt something shift in their hearts.
They were moved. Fired up.
Excitement surged through them—uncontrollable, raw.
Pride welled up inside them as they raised their weapons high, shouting with everything they had.
Their fighting spirit soared to new heights. Morale reached a fever pitch.
Above, on the Ark Proverbs—
The three Smoothie sisters, along with Mies Olive, Custard, Armand, Garrett, and other women of the crew, listened to Wilhelm's speech up close.
Their eyes were locked on him, captivated by his commanding aura.
His charisma was undeniable.
Excitement and admiration lit up their faces.
Their hearts raced.
"Oh-oh-ohhh—!"
"That was amazing, Lord Wilhelm!!"
"Crush the Marines! Crush the Marines! Crush the Marines…!"
"Long live the Big Mom Pirates!!!"
"Long live the Charlotte Family!!!"
"Long live Mama!!!"
"Long live Master Wilhelm!!!"
"Mamamama~ That boy Wilhelm… he's getting more and more eloquent by the day…"
At the top floor of the Cake Castle, Charlotte Linlin—Big Mom herself—watched everything unfold at the port with great satisfaction. Having heard Wilhelm's rousing speech, she beamed with pride.
"He really is my most perfect creation!"
"Yes, Mama!"
"Master Wilhelm~ is incredible!"
"The morale of the entire crew just skyrocketed—they're all fired up!"
Prometheus, Zeus, and Napoleon—the three highest-ranking Homies—voiced their agreement enthusiastically.
Charlotte Linlin burst into laughter, radiating smug delight."With Wilhelm and Katakuri by my side, the title of Pirate King will be mine sooner or later—mamamama~!"
In her joyful mood, she twirled around with her towering figure—now even rounder than before—dancing like a delighted giant.
Whoosh—!A visible wave of soul power rippled through the air.
In its wake, flowers, trees, stones—even buildings—began to come alive, singing and dancing in unison, filling the entire castle with an atmosphere of celebration.
Meanwhile, on the grounds of Cake Castle—
"Tch… what a show-off…"
A rough-faced figure stood silently, a massive sword resting by his side.
He watched the projection in the sky without emotion. His gaze shifted to the Ark Proverbs flying high above.
This was Cracker—the tenth son of the Charlotte Family and one of the Sweet Commanders.
Inside his towering biscuit armor, Cracker listened to the cheers around him. His lips curled into a slight smirk as he gazed at Wilhelm's striking, silver-white figure.
He muttered under his breath—quietly, without envy.
Very few people knew the truth.
That fierce-looking warrior seen on the battlefield?
Just armor. A shell made entirely of biscuits.
Not even the Marines realized it was a disguise.
Crafted from the power of the Paramecia-type Bisu Bisu no Mi—the Biscuit-Biscuit Fruit—Cracker's biscuit armor looked almost alive… and it was unbelievably tough.
His real body is usually hidden inside the biscuit armor, which he controls remotely. So far, no enemy—Marine or pirate—has ever managed to locate his actual form during battle.
It's even reached the point where the photo on his bounty poster is of the biscuit armor itself, which is downright ridiculous.
"Big Brother Cracker, you're just jealous of him…"
Angelo, one of Cracker's triplet sisters, stood with her hands on her hips and a teasing smile on her face.
Compared to her sister Custard, the seventh daughter of the Charlotte Family wasn't particularly known for her looks, but her bold fashion made her stand out. Her long purple hair was styled to fall evenly to both sides, and beneath a loose, dark green coat, she wore only denim shorts and a tiny vest that barely covered her chest—giving off the vibe of a street-tough rebel.
"Hehehehe~ The most perfect creation of the Charlotte Family... even you, Cracker, and our eldest brother couldn't help but be jealous~" Perospero licked his long tongue across his lips as he spoke with his signature twisted grin.
"Wilhelm isn't just good-looking enough to make women jealous—he's got something more…"
Suddenly—
Katakuri, towering and composed, appeared. He should've been aboard the Ark Proverbs, yet here he was, stepping forward silently.
As he looked toward the slowly fading projection over the port, he spoke calmly:"Peros, Cracker—did neither of you notice? That kind of charisma… it's something you're born with."
"Huh?"
"Big Brother Katakuri…"
Perospero, Cracker, Angelo, and others turned to Katakuri, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Did you not feel it? The moment he began speaking, the entire island fell silent. Even the Homies with self-awareness… even the most unruly pirates… everyone just listened."
"Until now, no one in the Charlotte Family could do that except for Mama. Not even me. Not even you, Peros."
Katakuri's gaze turned solemn as he watched the massive ark approaching in the distance."Mama's authority comes from years of fear, from her overwhelming dominance. People obey her because they're terrified. But Wilhelm… people follow him instinctively. They listen. They believe. Their emotions rise and fall with his words."
"You may have never heard him speak in person—but I'm telling you, not even the world's best orator could stir hearts the way he does…"
"What made this moment so powerful wasn't the words he spoke. It was his natural charisma—something that seeps into others without them realizing it, igniting their emotions instantly."
"What!?"
As Katakuri's words sank in, Daifuku, Oven, Cracker, Perospero, and many others of the Charlotte Family stood frozen, stunned.
Their eyes turned to the gleaming silver-white figure aboard the ark, now closing in on Cake Island.
Inside their hearts, waves of disbelief surged.
Natural charisma? What did that mean?
Could Wilhelm truly be the most fitting heir to the Charlotte Family?
Katakuri's words planted a quiet but powerful seed in their hearts.
And as Wilhelm's strength and influence continued to grow…That seed would soon take root—and begin to bloom.