Chapter 157: Code of Conduct

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With only a day left before the tea party, a massive fortress moved slowly across the sea toward Totto Land. 

This fortress could travel on the ocean due to its tank-like base, with large, barrel-like wheels compactly aligned to support its weight. 

Its grand entrance immediately revealed the visitors' identity to the crowd gathered at the gate. 

Pirates from the North Blue gasped, "That's... the North Blue dominator, the Germa Kingdom!"

"What's the Germa Kingdom doing here in the New World for Mama's tea party?" some more informed guests whispered. 

"I heard the Night Organization arrived for Mama's tea party yesterday, and now the Germa Kingdom has shown up." 

"Rumor has it that the Night Organization had a conflict with the Germa Kingdom back in the North Blue, and now, with both of these major powers gathered in Totto Land, this tea party might be full of surprises." 

The crowd sensed the intrigue; this gathering would likely be far from a typical tea party.

On the war fortress, as Cake Island came into view, Vinsmoke Judge grew increasingly uneasy. 

Had it not been for the clash with the Night Organization, he would never have made such a drastic decision. 

Judge recalled that he'd been shocked when Ichiji returned carrying the severely injured Niji. 

He hadn't expected anyone in the North Blue to dare lay a hand on a member of the Vinsmoke family, let alone leave his son in such a brutal state. 

Enraged, Judge had planned to retaliate, but after learning Ichiji's full story, his anger was quickly replaced by cold dread. 

It became clear just how powerful the mysterious Night Organization was and that they feared no one, not even the Vinsmoke family.

If Trafalgar Law hadn't chosen to seek revenge personally, Judge doubted his family would have lasted three days before being erased by the Night Organization's retaliation. 

Though they hadn't yet acted, the looming presence of Trafalgar Law posed a constant, looming threat—a threat Judge couldn't retaliate against. 

This made him increasingly anxious. Then, he was invited to Big Mom's tea party at just the right time. 

Judge knew Mama valued Germa's influence in the North Blue and their Lineage Factor technology, having tried several times before to recruit them as vassals—a proposal Judge had always declined.

Judge had always believed that continually refining their Lineage Factor technology would one day create powerful soldiers rivaling the Four Emperors and Marine Admirals—soldiers who would follow the Vinsmoke family's orders without question. 

By then, uniting the seas would be within their grasp. 

However, with the Night Organization's sudden rise, Judge could no longer afford the luxury of a lengthy research process. 

If he took too long, he feared the Night Organization would come for them first. 

Lacking the strength to resist them, Judge decided to seek an alliance with a force strong enough to counter the Night Organization so that once the danger was eliminated, he could continue developing Lineage Factor technology without interruption.

Thus, the Big Mom Pirates became Judge's prime choice, and to strengthen the alliance, he proposed a marriage between the two factions. 

Of course, Judge didn't entirely relish becoming subordinate to a pirate crew. Becoming family, however, sounded much more agreeable. 

Big Mom, far from objecting to the proposal, readily approved. They decided to make an engagement ceremony official at the tea party. 

Judge, however, had his considerations when selecting which child to offer in marriage.

Judge had four children: Reiju, his eldest daughter; Ichiji, his first son; Niji, his second son; and Sanji, his third son. 

While the first three were his pride and joy, genetically enhanced with superhuman abilities, the youngest, Sanji, was his only failure, exhibiting no special abilities. 

Years ago, Judge had exiled Sanji from the family. 

However, he'd recently learned Sanji had been living as a chef in the East Blue, and a thought struck him: why waste a successful child in this marriage when he could offer up the so-called "failure" instead? 

After all, Big Mom knew nothing about the details, and Sanji was, after all, still the third prince of the Germa Kingdom. 

So, Judge sent his men to the East Blue to capture Sanji and force him to attend the engagement.

As Judge reflected on this, his eldest daughter, Reiju, approached him. "Father, we've arrived in Totto Land. Shall we go ashore?"

"Has that Sanji brat agreed yet?" Judge asked without looking at her.

Reiju answered, "He remains strongly opposed to the engagement. I'll keep working on convincing him to comply."

"Hmph! That worthless fool should listen to me and follow my plan," Judge snapped. 

"Stubborn, just like his mother. Regardless of his feelings, this engagement will go forward as planned. 

Tell the men to leave some of our soldiers here to guard the fortress, and the rest will enter Totto Land with us."

Before leaving, Reiju hesitated and asked, "Father, are you sure this marriage with the Big Mom Pirates is wise? What if they decide to trap us in Totto Land?"

Judge had considered this possibility, but he had no other options regarding their current situation. 

If things did take such a turn, he wasn't entirely unprepared. "Don't worry, Reiju. The Vinsmoke family won't be so easily controlled."

"Yes, Father." Reiju nodded, then left to organize their entry into Totto Land.

Meanwhile, Byakuya was still on Cake Island, enjoying Totto Land's unique assortment of desserts. 

He had to admit Big Mom truly lived up to her reputation as a glutton. 

The island's sweets included nearly every famous treat from across the seas. They were made with top-quality ingredients and exceptional flavors that had Byakuya savoring each bite. 

He thought that if he ever clashed with Big Mom, he'd have to plunder all the desserts first—destroying such delicacies in battle would be a real shame. 

After all, Byakuya held a simple creed: never waste good food. 

If he hadn't been eager to see the drama unfold at the tea party, he might have packed up every dessert and left.

Just as he finished and was about to head back, he spotted a familiar face—the head of the World Economic Journal, Morgans. 

Upon seeing Byakuya, Morgans looked thrilled, his bird-like face alight with excitement.

Since the Night Organization's recent takedown of Crocodile, with footage given exclusively to Morgans for broadcast, Morgans had come to appreciate the benefits of such sensational news. 

Watching the entire world in shock over his reports had given Morgans a profound sense of fulfillment, akin to how a pirate's ultimate goal is finding One Piece and becoming the Pirate King. 

But ever since that incident, the Night Organization had kept a low profile, leaving Morgans without any earth-shattering news—a drought that left him itching for more. 

Yet, unable to command the Night Organization, he'd simply had to bide his time, waiting for them to reach out again. 

And Big Mom's tea party provided the perfect chance for him to make that connection.

Morgans had been looking around Totto Land for the Night Organization when he "accidentally" ran into Byakuya on the street. 

"Byakuya, my old friend, what a surprise to see you here!" Morgans raised his wings, approaching for a hug.

But before he could get close, Byakuya held him back with one hand. 

"Back off! We're not that close. You're acting like we're in cahoots—people might get the wrong idea."

"Er…" Yet, being someone who had seen his share of high-stakes situations, Morgans wasn't fazed by Byakuya's blunt rejection. 

He naturally lowered his wings and continued chatting as if nothing had happened. 

"I just couldn't help myself! It's been ages since I've seen you, and I got too excited. My apologies."

Byakuya sighed. "Do you want to see me, or are you just chasing after some big story?"

Seeing that he'd been found out, Morgans laughed, "With you around, there's always bound to be a big scoop! So seeing you and seeing the news are the same."

Byakuya's brow furrowed. "Oh? What's that supposed to mean?"

Morgans eagerly leaned in, "You don't know yet? This morning, the Vinsmoke family arrived in Totto Land."

He then looked around cautiously, motioning for his crew to keep passersby at a distance so no one could overhear. 

Byakuya watched Morgans' behavior with curiosity. "What are you trying to tell me?"

Byakuya didn't particularly dislike Morgans, so he let him carry on.

 Morgans leaned closer, whispering, "Byakuya, I heard some friction between you and the Vinsmoke family?"

"Of course. The Vinsmokes killed an ally of one of our members; naturally, we're going to retaliate. 

If it weren't for that member wanting to settle the score himself, the Vinsmokes would've been wiped from the North Blue a month ago," Byakuya replied plainly.

Hearing Byakuya's matter-of-fact tone, Morgans swallowed hard. 

The Night Organization certainly wasn't one to let things slide—they had a killer reputation! 

"Well, I heard that the Vinsmokes might have a rather… close relationship with the Big Mom Pirates." 

"If you go after the Vinsmokes, you'll get on Big Mom's bad side. So, it might be worth thinking twice before you act."

Byakuya's eyes narrowed. "Are they planning to use this tea party to arrange a marriage alliance?"

"Marriage? What marriage? You mean the Big Mom Pirates and the Vinsmokes?" 

Morgans' eyes widened as he pressed for details, his curiosity bordering on desperation. 

Initially, he'd wanted to warn Byakuya about the unusual relationship between the Vinsmokes and Big Mom, just as a heads-up before the party. 

But hearing Byakuya mention a marriage alliance—a detail even Morgans hadn't known—was electrifying.

On one side was the Big Mom Pirates, one of the Four Emperors dominating the New World, and on the other was the Vinsmoke family, rulers of the North Blue. 

The news of their alliance would be enough to leave the world speechless. 

However, Morgans had to confirm the information before publishing it, as a journalist with a strict code of conduct, so he was keen to get details from Byakuya.

Byakuya finally realized he'd accidentally revealed his suspicions and looked at Morgans' animated expression with regret.

<End Chapter>

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