One Piece: Conquering Wanokuni at Start

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If the dream of conducting a human gigantification experiment held a place in Charlotte Linlin's heart, it would rank as high as her vision of creating a utopian world.

Deeply influenced in her childhood by Mother Carmel's ideals, Linlin never forgot the dream Carmel had instilled in her: "A land where everyone is equal, where race doesn't matter, and all people are treated fairly."

One of Linlin's most cherished ambitions was encapsulated in a simple phrase Carmel had once uttered:

"One day, everyone will be bigger. We'll all sit together around the same table."

This vision, passed down from Carmel, became an integral part of Linlin's own dream—a dream intertwined with her ultimate goal of obtaining the legendary One Piece.

Perospero and Katakuri, who understood their mother's deepest desires better than most, exchanged uneasy glances as they analyzed the memory films alongside her.

The scenes within the reels confirmed the story: the captives had indeed stumbled upon Pure Gold and uncovered details about a human gigantification experiment. Everything, from their discovery to their connection with researchers, seemed plausible at first glance.

But this was precisely what made it unsettling.

Katakuri frowned, his intuition nagging at him. "Mama, be careful!" 

Perospero nodded in agreement. "Yes, Mother, it's all too convenient. They just happened to learn about Pure Gold... and just happened to uncover the human gigantification experiment you've always dreamed of. And then, they're dropped into our territory by those Air Generals? This reeks of a deliberate setup."

Charlotte Linlin's scarlet gaze flickered, and her towering figure grew still. The words of her most trusted sons tempered her growing desire for Pure Gold, forcing her to reassess the situation.

Even if the captives' memories didn't explicitly implicate Alex in orchestrating this, the sheer coincidence was undeniable. And Linlin knew him to be a calculating schemer.

Still, the Pure Gold shown in the memory film was undeniably real. And if that was genuine, then the possibility of a human gigantification experiment couldn't be dismissed.

Linlin's mind wandered to her prior investigations into Alex's territories. She knew his domain concealed countless secrets, particularly within his scientific research bases. After the Punk Hazard incident, he had even abducted Caesar Clown, the scientist second only to Vegapunk himself.

If Caesar was working under Alex's orders, then a human gigantification experiment was not beyond the realm of possibility.

The thought ignited a fire in her chest. Whether the experiment was real or not, Linlin knew she couldn't ignore it. Her desires were impossible to suppress.

"I'm going to start a war!"

The declaration sent shockwaves through her children, their faces paling in unison.

"What's more, that b*****d Alex is already preparing for war with me!"

Her words stirred Perospero and Katakuri's memories. In the captives' recollections, beyond the Pure Gold and the gigantification experiment, there had been another revelation:

The Flying General had stockpiled resources in Wanokuni, preparing for a large-scale expedition.

If this was a ploy to bait Big Mom into action, it was masterfully orchestrated. By targeting her territories, destroying islands in Totto Land, and scattering breadcrumbs about Pure Gold, Alex had practically issued a formal challenge.

Katakuri's jaw tightened, his face darkening at the realization.

Though the rest of the children were not privy to all the details, the suffocating aura emanating from their mother was enough to warn them against voicing dissent. Linlin's rage was a tidal wave, and no one dared to stand in its way.

Accepting their mother's command, her children began making preparations. Orders were issued to summon troops, arm their forces, and prepare for deployment.

As the flurry of activity swept through the castle, one voice broke through the chaos.

"Katakuri-nii, wait."

After stepping out of the castle, Katakuri was halted by a voice from behind.

He turned, his gaze falling on Smoothie and the two sisters flanking her, Charlotte Citron and Charlotte Cinnamon.

"What is it, Smoothie?" Katakuri asked.

Smoothie hesitated, her scarf concealing most of her face. Despite her usual composure, the weight of the war loomed heavily over her, making her unsure how to broach the subject.

Noticing her sister's reluctance, Charlotte Citron decided to speak up.

"Big Brother Katakuri, it's hard to say this... but we believe this war is pushing Totto Land and Mama onto a dangerous edge."

Katakuri's expression hardened at her words. His crimson eyes scanned the surroundings instinctively, ensuring they were alone. Once satisfied no one was eavesdropping, he led the trio behind a wall of mochi he swiftly constructed, sealing off their conversation from potential prying ears.

"If Mama hears those words, you'll face severe punishment."

"That's why we're bringing this to you, Big Brother," Citron said firmly.

Smoothie, emboldened by her sister's directness, stepped forward as the leader of the triplets. "Katakuri-nii, you must realize that Mama likely isn't a match for Alex anymore."

"Her strength was once unshakable, but it's not what it used to be. Meanwhile, the Flting General continues to grow stronger, reaching peak after peak."

She paused, letting her words sink in.

Perhaps Charlotte Linlin hadn't foreseen this shift. The terror she once inspired in her children had begun to wane after her failure at Whole Cake Island. Her unyielding dominance—once the cornerstone of her authority—was now fractured, leaving room for doubt to take root.

The truth was clear: the bonds of the Charlotte Family, forged through fear rather than trust, had always been fragile. External threats had only exacerbated these cracks.

The trio's concerns weren't unfounded. Alex's power and influence had surged in recent years, with Wanokuni solidifying its position as a dominant force in the New World. The strength of his forces, demonstrated during the Fire Festival competition, revealed the depths of his empire's might.

Alex was now a colossus in the New World, and the Big Mom Pirates' chances of victory were slim. Worse, failure would mean more than defeat—it could spell the collapse of Totto Land itself.

Their plea wasn't born from cowardice; it was a desperate attempt to dissuade their mother from pursuing a war they believed to be unwinnable.

"Forget these thoughts and words when you return," Katakuri said.

"This war cannot be stopped. You haven't seen the memory film, so you don't understand. Alex's forces are already mobilizing for a large-scale conflict. From their recent attacks on our islands, it's clear they're targeting us."

Katakuri's gaze sharpened as he continued, leaving no room for misunderstanding. "Mama understands this. If she's chosen war despite knowing the risks, it means she's already accounted for these possibilities.

"She built Totto Land through strategy and power. She wouldn't act without a plan. Everything is still undecided. For now, as citizens of Totto Land and children of Mama, we must focus on doing everything we can to secure victory."