108 BIG MOM's Path to Dominance

Under the guidance of the two Cake Ships, the Sea Sovereignty sailed from Chocolate Island Harbor towards Cake Island, located at the centre.

"Captain, does that kid really have the potential to become a king? Is he like Vista?" remarked Simon, stroking his gun on board the Sea Sovereignty. "It's unbelievable that such a young kid already possesses Conqueror's Haki. He's truly a little monster."

"Conqueror's Haki... I've only heard Captain Yorki mention it before. It's said to be something that only manifests in one among millions of people, a sign of having the 'potential of a king,'" added Brook, washing his bones with a brush to make them shinier.

"Captain, why do you look so gloomy?" Katie couldn't help but ask, noticing Nicholas's increasingly troubled expression.

"Children shouldn't pry into adult matters," Nicholas replied with a hint of frustration. Conqueror's Haki, he couldn't help but yearn for it.

However, his was not as strong as those monsters.

Stussy seemed to notice Nicholas's melancholy and reached out to pat his head in comfort.

As the most optimistic member of the crew, Brook couldn't resist making a joke: "Vista, do you think your Conqueror's Haki is stronger, or is Charlotte Linlin's stronger?"

"It depends on the timing," Vista replied vaguely.

"What about you, Brook? Do you think your swordsmanship is stronger, or Roger's?" Vista asked in return.

Brook shook his head vigorously in response. "If what you guys describe is true, I'd probably be sliced into bone fragments by just one strike. But hey, I'll keep practicing and aim to withstand at least two strikes, yo-ho-ho-ho!"

"When will you be able to knock out Roger with one punch, a Golden Lion with one sword, and a Whitebeard with one kick, Captain?" Simon joined in with a chuckle.

"Hahahaha, probably soon," Nicholas replied, amused by Vista and Brook's banter. It was astounding how they viewed figures like Roger and Whitebeard.

However, he couldn't help but feel a bit envious of their progress. While he occasionally mentored Simon in swordsmanship, the latter and Brook had made remarkable advancements. Brook had become a formidable swordsman, especially with his lightning-fast strikes, a trait that had improved significantly after he became a skeleton.

Meanwhile, Nicholas's gaze drifted towards the distant horizon, where Cake Island's outline was becoming visible. They had been sailing for some time now, and the grand Cake Castle was already within sight.

Meanwhile, on Cake Island itself...

As the Tea Party was still two days away, many of the invited guests were exploring the island's shores, observing the arrival of new guests escorted by the Cake Ships.

"Wow, those newcomers have quite the grandeur. Dressed in suits and armed with the latest weapons. Are they from one of the underground syndicates?" remarked a tall man with a single eyeglass, amazed by the sight.

"They're probably from the Western Sea's syndicates. Only they fancy such ostentatious displays, and they're the biggest arms dealers underground. Nearly half of the weapons in the Grand Line come from there," replied an elderly man, recognizing the identity of the arriving guests.

"Indeed, the Western Sea syndicates aren't much. Their only value to BIG MOM's Pirates is the funds and weapons they provide. Even in Charlotte Linlin's eyes, they're not as important as her male concubines," another guest chuckled, sharing some gossip.

Meanwhile, a familiar figure emerged from the grand gates of the Cake Castle, towering over the soldiers as he made his way towards the harbor.

"If that isn't...?" several guests murmured in surprise. "Why would he come out personally? Is there a threat approaching?"

"Wasn't he always kept within the castle after Charlotte Linlin recognized his potential? Why is he heading towards the harbor?"

"He's going towards the harbor," observed another guest. "Could it be that a significant figure has arrived?"

"It's hard to imagine, aside from other major pirate crews, what force would command BIG MOM's respect to the extent of letting her favorite male concubine greet them."

For many who understood the situation in the World Government, they were aware of Charlotte Linlin's intentions: to build the most powerful pirate crew by combining her formidable bloodline with other exceptional genes to produce superior offspring.

This was the path of dominance chosen by Charlotte Linlin.