Chapter 622: Shocking Words
“Um… are you sure you’re not mistaken?”
Ian looked at the tea party invitation on the table with disbelief, pointing to his nose and asking Katakuri, “Big Mom’s tea party? Inviting me?”
It wasn’t just Ian; even the members of the Dragon Hunter Pirates exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions full of confusion.
Living in the New World, everyone had heard about Big Mom’s tea parties. As one of the Four Emperors, she didn’t hold these tea parties frequently. They were only organized for significant events because these tea parties seemed to hold great importance for Big Mom.
Thus, Big Mom’s tea parties were quite famous. Every time she held one, Big Mom invited many high-profile individuals, almost all of them bigwigs from the underworld. Her tea parties could be considered high society gatherings in the dark world, much envied by some pirates and criminal groups.
However, Big Mom’s tea parties were also feared. Big Mom detested absentees. If someone received an invitation but didn’t want to attend, their relatives and friends might suffer. The Big Mom Pirates would use any means necessary to coerce them.
For those who wanted to get close to and curry favor with the Big Mom Pirates, an invitation to the tea party was an honor. But for those who wanted to keep their distance, it was a tremendous burden and a source of great fear…
Knowing this, the members of the Dragon Hunter Pirates found it unbelievable that their captain, Ian, would receive such an invitation. If not handled properly, it could turn into a massive problem.
Facing Ian’s doubts, both Perospero and Katakuri nodded seriously, confirming that this invitation was indeed meant for Ian!
Ian furrowed his brow and picked up the invitation from the table. It was a white envelope with the Big Mom Pirates’ seal stamped in red wax. Upon opening it, he found a postcard that looked like it had been doodled by a child. It depicted a spiraled sun, birds, and a group of stick figures gathered around a table, seemingly indicating a gathering.
Next to the drawing, there were a few crooked lines of text noting who was invited, the time, and the place of the tea party…
Seeing the drawing on the postcard, Ian almost burst out laughing. What was this? Could this postcard have been drawn by Big Mom herself?
Perospero and Katakuri both had embarrassed expressions when they saw Ian looking at the postcard with a bewildered face.
Ian was right in his guess. Due to the importance of the tea party, every official invitation was personally drawn by Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, herself. However, her art style… well, let’s just say that anyone who saw this invitation would not think it came from one of the Four Emperors. They might even mistake it for a prank from a kindergarten child…
After glancing at the invitation, Ian put it back in the envelope and threw it back to Katakuri, saying, “I’m sorry, but please thank Big Mom for the invitation. Unfortunately, I really can’t spare the time to attend.”
Katakuri caught the invitation and said, “Don’t be so quick to refuse. You should know that rejecting Mom’s invitation comes with a huge price.”
Ian tilted his head and looked at Katakuri, asking curiously, “Are you threatening me?”
He was, of course, puzzled. He couldn’t understand where the Big Mom Pirates got the courage and confidence to threaten him. The Dragon Hunter Pirates were not some unknown small fry in the New World. Almost the entire New World was secretly referring to the Dragon Hunter Pirates as the “Hidden Emperor” Pirates, meaning for the “hidden” is the 5th Emperor. Everyone was speculating when the Dragon Hunter Pirates would rise to the top…
And during the war with the navy, the live broadcast had already confirmed that the Dragon Hunter Pirates had deep ties with two of the Four Emperors’ pirate crews. There was no need to mention the Whitebeard Pirates, and it was clear that the Red-Haired Pirates also had a good relationship with the Dragon Hunter Pirates. Given this situation, was Big Mom crazy to think she could threaten him?
However, to Ian’s surprise, Katakuri said, “This isn’t a threat to you; it’s you who are threatening the Big Mom Pirates!”
“What do you mean?” Ian was puzzled.
“The New World is vast!” Katakuri spread his hands and said, “But no matter how vast it is, it’s still limited. It might accommodate four emperors of the seas, but it cannot hold a fifth! Now, you and your Dragon Hunter Pirates are already showing signs of this. Your emergence has challenged the existing Four Emperors’ power. We have genuinely felt your threat, but honestly, Mom doesn’t want to go to war with you right now. So, this invitation isn’t just asking you to join the tea party; it’s more of a goodwill gesture from Mom. Of course, you can choose to refuse, but if you do, it will be seen as rejecting the Big Mom Pirates’ goodwill. What happens then is uncertain, but Mom might consider teaming up with Kaido once to eliminate the Dragon Hunter Pirates as a potential threat…”
Katakuri’s words caused the members of the Dragon Hunter Pirates to turn pale. If the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates really joined forces against Ian, then…
Even Kuzan (Aokiji) felt this situation was extremely dangerous. Indeed, the rise of the Dragon Hunter Pirates would impact the existing power structures. Ian had good relationships with the Whitebeard Pirates and the Red-Haired Pirates, meaning his rise directly threatened the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates. Anyone who could become a Yonko was not an easy adversary. Realizing such a threat, they would undoubtedly try everything to eliminate the Dragon Hunter Pirates. Especially with Whitebeard, such a powerful figure, backing Ian, it might indeed prompt Big Mom and Kaido to team up…
A single hair triggers the whole body. Ian was no longer that small-time bounty hunter. Every decision he made would have significant repercussions.
So at this moment, all eyes were on Ian, waiting to see how he would react.
Ian furrowed his brow, looking at Katakuri and the invitation in his hand. After thinking for a moment, he finally reached out and took the invitation from Katakuri again, then asked, “What exactly does Big Mom’s so-called goodwill mean?”
“It’s simple,” Katakuri shrugged. “Mom also hates Kaido. If you can get along with her at this tea party and reach a consensus, then perhaps the Big Mom Pirates will stand on your side, helping you take down Kaido and letting you take over Kaido’s position as a Yonko.”
Hearing this, Smoker and Tashigi were so shocked they almost jumped: Was this kind of maneuver even possible!?
Ian was equally surprised. He hadn’t expected Katakuri to say something like this. He had initially thought Katakuri would suggest a non-aggression pact at most.
Now, it seemed Big Mom actually wanted to support him in rising to power!?
Perospero was quite pleased with Ian’s shocked expression. Licking his candy cane, he laughed strangely, “Don’t be so surprised. Although I’m also very upset that you took my lifespan in Dressrosa, strictly speaking, that’s just a personal grudge between you and me. You don’t have much of a feud with the Big Mom Pirates. If Mama sees potential in you, then as her son, I will naturally follow her will.”
Ian glared at him but said nothing, placing the invitation on the table. “Alright, I’ll hold onto the invitation for now. I’ll consider it. You can leave now.”
Perospero nodded. As long as Ian accepted the invitation, it was up to him whether to attend or not. Their mission was complete, and they could report back to Mama.
However, just as Perospero was about to turn and leave, Katakuri suddenly grabbed him and said, “Wait a moment!”
“Is there something else?” Ian asked, frowning.
“It’s not us who have something, but you who have something,” Katakuri replied with a smile. His mouth was hidden behind his scarf, so his expression was unreadable. He held onto Perospero and said to Ian, “And it’s a big matter. I think you might find us useful.”
Perospero was initially puzzled by Katakuri’s decision to stay but then remembered his brother’s abilities.
Katakuri, despite being Big Mom’s second son, was likely the most powerful among her children. With a bounty of 1,057,000,000 Berries and the special Paramecia Mochi Mochi no Mi, he also possessed exceptionally strong Kenbunshoku Haki, allowing him to foresee short glimpses of the future.
Katakuri must have “seen” something significant about to happen, which prompted him to stay.
At that moment, Ian also remembered Katakuri’s abilities, making him frown. Kuzan’s purpose in seeking Ian’s help was apparently to prevent the capture of Dragon. Their upcoming discussion would naturally focus on this matter. If Katakuri had indeed “seen” this part of the future, it indicated that he had already guessed their next move.
So Ian straightforwardly asked him, “Do you want a share of the action?”
“Of course!” Katakuri nodded. “We are pirates, after all. How could we possibly miss out on this? Besides, for Mama’s tea party, we need to bring a little gift, and right now is the perfect opportunity!”
“How much do you want?” Ian asked.
Katakuri held up one finger. “Ten percent. We want ten percent!”
However, Ian shook his head. “Too much. Five percent.” freeweɓnovel.cѳm
“Deal!” Katakuri agreed readily.
Their conversation left everyone else bewildered, not understanding the cryptic negotiation. Finally, Nana couldn’t hold back her curiosity and asked, “What on earth are you talking about with all this ten percent and five percent?”
Ian’s response was shocking: “We’re talking about robbing the Golden City!”
For a moment, everyone was utterly stunned…
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