Chapter 17: Yonko Big Mom Charlotte Linlin’s Target

New World — Totto Land.

The base of the Big Mom Pirates, one of the Four Emperors ruling the seas.

The Big Mom Pirates boasted the largest intelligence network in the world.

Regarding the public execution of the 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates—Fire Fist Ace—they had naturally been the first to learn of it, even before Whitebeard himself.

"Mamamama!"

The thunderous laughter of Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, echoed throughout the grand hall of the castle on Cake Island.

"Something interesting is about to happen! It's truly something to look forward to!"

"Mom, what exactly is this interesting event?" asked her eldest son, Perospero.

"Peros-nii, it's a war between Whitebeard and the Marines!" replied Charlotte Mont-d'Or, who oversaw intelligence operations.

"What?!"

"You can't be serious!"

"Whitebeard vs. the Marines?"

"A war?"

"But why?"

"Is the intel accurate?"

The Big Mom Pirates' senior officers—Daifuku, Oven, Smoothie, Cracker, and Snack—were all shocked, eyes wide in disbelief.

"It's very likely to be true. That old man Whitebeard would never abandon a comrade to be executed publicly by the Marines!" Mont-d'Or explained the whole situation to his siblings.

After learning the full story, the Big Mom officers were stunned and couldn't regain their composure for a long while.

New questions arose immediately.

"A war between Whitebeard and the Marines is now inevitable."

"Are the Marines insane? They actually dared provoke that old monster!"

"Do they want to doom Marineford?"

"It's not like they don't know how terrifying Whitebeard is!"

Many officers, who had once faced Whitebeard from afar, involuntarily shuddered at the memory.

"True, the Whitebeard Pirates are terrifying, but the Marines aren't weak either. Especially this time—they've been preparing for war for over a month already. They must be confident in defeating Whitebeard."

Katakuri, the top of the Big Mom Pirates' Sweet Commanders, finally spoke from his seat.

"A month ago? Katakuri-nii, what do you mean?" Cracker asked.

"I had spies monitor Marine movements. For the past month, there've been unusually frequent troop transfers across major bases. At first, I didn't understand why, but in hindsight, it's clear all these preparations were for this war!"

"More than a month ago, the Marines were already planning to capture Ace. They quietly gathered elite forces from all over the world and only declared war once everything was ready."

Katakuri concluded.

"Mamamama, impressive as always, Katakuri!"

Big Mom nodded with satisfaction.

"Woohoo!"

"So that's how it is!"

"No wonder Katakuri-nii is our perfect superhuman!"

"You're so handsome, Katakuri-nii~!"

The younger daughters, led by Flampe and her girl squad, squealed in admiration.

"Tch."

Only Perospero gave a dismissive snort, hiding his displeasure.

"But Mom, what does Whitebeard's war with the Marines have to do with us? Are we going to get involved?" asked Charlotte Opera.

"Idiot. Think with your toes and even you'd know we're not intervening!" scoffed Charlotte Oven, also known as 'Little Red Dog'.

"Whitebeard is away. This is the perfect opportunity to rob his home!" Daifuku stroked his beard.

"But what if he survives and comes knocking...?"

"Enough!"

Big Mom roared.

All the officers immediately tensed up.

"And so what if Whitebeard comes knocking? You think I'm afraid of that old man?"

Big Mom glared at her son Moscato, her bloodshot eyes full of menace.

"N-no... I didn't mean that, Mama... Ahh—!"

Overwhelmed with fear, Moscato fell to the ground. A cloudy mist rose from his head—his soul and life span.

Seeing this, the other children were struck dumb, not daring to utter a word.

"This time I'll only take one year—consider that a light punishment."

With a flick of her hand, Big Mom ripped away one year of Moscato's life.

"As for this upcoming war... what we need to do has already been decided. Only the personnel haven't been chosen yet. Who among you wants to go?"

Big Mom swept her eyes across the room.

"Let me go, Mama!" Snack volunteered.

"I'll go too!" Cracker pounded his chest.

"I also wish to fight for you, Mama. Glory to Lorein~!" said eldest son Perospero.

"Mamamama, then I'll leave this mission to you three—Perospero, Cracker, Snack. Go capture the island where the nobles' exclusive dessert factory is located!"

Big Mom laughed heartily.

"Huh...?"

Perospero was stunned.

He had expected an invasion of Whitebeard's territory, but it was still about desserts.

And not just any dessert factory—one specially built for the Celestial Dragons.

Perospero knew this island well.

In fact, several years ago, Big Mom had already set her sights on it.

But the island was close to the Red Line and near Marine G1 Base.

Besides the Marines, powerful agents from the World Government also protected it.

It was a fortress.

They had tried attacking it in the past, but all attempts had failed.

Now Perospero regretted volunteering so eagerly.

But then he realized—with the war about to break out, the Marines and Government elites would be concentrated at Marineford.

They'd likely only face weaker guards.

And with two other Sweet Commanders joining him, the mission might actually succeed. At the very least, they could return with a hefty haul of desserts and chefs.

If that happened, Big Mom would be delighted—and it would count as a major accomplishment.

"Leave it to me, Mama! I'll personally lead my brothers and take that island. We'll dedicate it to you!"

Perospero declared confidently.

Cracker and Snack: "..."

If Katakuri had said that, they would've been convinced.

But hearing it from Perospero? Something felt off.

Still, neither Cracker nor Snack were the type to fight over credit, so they let it go.

"Mamamama, then I'll be waiting. Go forth, my sons!"

Charlotte Linlin waved them off.

"Yes, Mama!"

Cracker, Snack, and Perospero nodded together and began their preparations for departure.