Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece.

The atmosphere at the banquet grew increasingly lively, with everyone raising their glasses in toasts. Although the fruit wine had a low alcohol content, it had a strong aftereffect.

Before they knew it, everyone was a little tipsy. Smoothie's cheeks were flushed and her eyes were hazy, but she still stayed close to Bai Yu, picking up food for him from time to time, her words full of longing: "Lord Bai Yu, please eat more. These are all carefully selected by me, and they are especially delicious."

Bai Yu smiled and nodded, chatting and laughing with everyone. Looking at the lively scene before him, he was secretly wary, feeling that this seemingly perfect banquet concealed some unknown secret.

Time slipped away quietly amidst laughter and joy, and before we knew it, the seven-day banquet had already lasted for three days.

The woman continued to recount her past with great enthusiasm, sometimes laughing heartily, sometimes shedding tears of emotion. She stood up, waved her arms, and announced loudly, "This banquet will last for four more days, it will never end! I want everyone who received the invitation to fully enjoy the sweetness of Cake Island!"

The crowd cheered and applauded, bringing the atmosphere in the banquet hall to a climax.

The sounds of music, laughter, and clinking glasses mingled together, creating a joyful symphony.

However, while everyone was immersed in the joy of the banquet, Perospero wore a fake smile, but his eyes were gleaming with calculation.

He licked the candy cane in his hand and said with feigned curiosity, "Bai Yu Jun, I have long admired your superb swordsmanship, and I have long admired your sword. I wonder if you could draw it and let me have a look at this legendary divine weapon?"

Bai Yu raised an eyebrow slightly, understanding dawning on him. He knew that Perospero probably wanted to take away his Zanpakuto under the pretext of watching.

But he didn't care. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he calmly said, "Since Mr. Perospero has such an interest, Bai Yu naturally won't mind."

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Yu slowly drew his Zanpakuto from his waist.

The moment the blade was drawn, a cool light flashed, and the blade turned a pale blue-green, like a clear lake.

Bai Yu silently chanted in his heart: "Shatter, you illusory flower and water moon!"

In an instant, an invisible aura enveloped the entire area. No one felt it except for Uchiha Hakuha, who knew that Kyoka Suigetsu had perfectly hypnotized everyone present.

"This...this is your sword?" Perospero's eyes widened, but he was secretly delighted. This Uchiha Hakuba was really easy to fool.

Bai Yu held the Mirror Flower Water Moon in his hand, his gaze calmly sweeping across the entire arena.

He could clearly sense that the power of "Mirror Flower Water Moon" had been quietly activated, and everyone in the banquet hall had fallen into a state of complete hypnosis.

Their senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and even spiritual pressure perception have all been completely controlled by Bai Yu.

“Perosperosan, you want to enjoy it, don’t you? Then enjoy it.”

Bai Yu's voice was calm and unwavering, as if he didn't care at all.

Perospero stared at the sword before him, thinking that he had finally tricked Uchiha Shiroha into handing over the sword. When his mother made her move, Uchiha Shiroha would be much weaker in combat.

"Baiyu-kun, your sword is truly amazing!"

Perospero remained immersed in his hallucination, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism: "I can feel that it contains boundless power, and it's perfect for you."

Bai Yu nodded slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Once the illusion takes effect, Perospero will be his prisoner forever.

From now on, whenever and wherever Bai Yu wishes, he can manipulate Bai Yu's senses at any time, causing Bai Yu to fall into an illusion he creates.

Everyone else in the banquet hall was also permanently hypnotized by Bai Yu.

The woman remained seated on the throne, holding a cake in her hand, a happy smile on her face, as if nothing around her had changed.

Katakuri closed his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips, as if he were enjoying some kind of beautiful dream.

Smoothie nestled close to Bai Yu, a sweet smile on her face and eyes full of love.

Bai Yu was genuinely curious about what they were planning to do.

This seemingly sweet banquet was, from the very beginning, a meticulously planned trap.

Now, he has seized the initiative, and everything on Whole Cake Island will be under his control.

Unohana Retsu stood beside Shiraha and asked softly, "Shiraha, what should we do next?"

Bai Yu didn't care: "Let's wait and see. Since they want to play, we'll play along. This is just the beginning."

Artoria, holding the holy sword, said in a deep voice, "No matter what happens, I will protect everyone's safety."

Bai Yu smiled slightly and patted Artoria on the shoulder: "Don't worry, I'm here, nothing will happen."

The banquet hall was still filled with the sweet aroma and the music was still melodious, but beneath this seemingly beautiful facade, a huge storm was quietly brewing.

The sweet fragrance still lingered in the banquet hall, mingling with the light of the crystal chandelier, and the melodious music still flowed in the air. However, the previously harmonious atmosphere was subtly shrouded in a heavy layer of probing and pressure in Charlotte Linlin's next words.

The middle-aged woman placed the giant strawberry cake, which she had half-eaten, aside. Cream and jam splattered onto the armrest of the chocolate throne. She wiped the frosting from the corner of her mouth, then slammed her thick hand heavily on the table. The entire banquet table, carved from dark chocolate, trembled, and the dazzling array of desserts on the table swayed slightly. The sound of honey and syrup flowing became exceptionally clear.

Her large eyes stared intently at Bai Yu, and her originally cheerful smile now carried an undeniable air of dominance. Her loud voice drowned out the music and conversation in the banquet hall, causing the surrounding candy crystal chandeliers to jingle softly.

"Alright, alright, alright! Uchiha Hakuha, since we've already come this far at the banquet, I won't beat around the bush with you anymore!"

Charlotte Linlin stood up, her massive body radiating an oppressive aura. The faint scent of the Soul-Soul Fruit quietly spread out. This was Big Mom's imposing presence, the threat emanating from every word and action of the Sea Emperor.

"I, Charlotte Linlin, have ruled Whole Cake Island for many years and have seen countless powerful individuals, but I have never met one as young as you with such strength and charisma! I admire you very much. Why don't you and your companions join my Big Mom Pirates!"

The moment these words were spoken, the entire room fell silent.

A smug glint flashed in Perospero's eyes as Katakuri slowly opened his eyes. The power of the Mochi Mochi Fruit quietly gathered. The Big Mom Pirates members, who were originally immersed in a sweet illusion, all turned to look at Bai Yu, waiting for his response.

Smoothie stood beside Bai Yu. Upon hearing the old woman's words, her cheeks instantly flushed red, the color spreading from her ears all the way to her neck. Her eyes, already slightly tipsy from the fruit wine, welled up with tears. She subconsciously gripped Bai Yu's sleeve, her fingertips trembling slightly, yet she couldn't help but look up at Bai Yu. Her affectionate eyes were filled with anticipation and shyness, and even her breathing became softer.

Seeing Smoothie's girlish demeanor, the old woman burst into laughter, pointing her thick finger at her daughter with a teasing tone: "Well, well, well! My good daughter Smoothie, it seems you've already found someone you love! Bai Yu, don't worry, as long as you join my Big Mom Pirates, I'll marry Smoothie to you! She's one of my most capable daughters, incredibly strong, and her looks are among the best in Whole Cake Island. She's more than a match for you, Uchiha Bai Yu! From now on, you'll be the sons-in-law of my Charlotte family, and you'll have a share of all the desserts, soldiers, and territory in Whole Cake Island!"

Smoothie became even more shy after the old lady's words. Her head drooped slightly, her long eyelashes trembled gently, but she still clung tightly to Bai Yu, her gaze unwilling to leave him for a moment. Her shy yet affectionate appearance made the women around her unable to help but chuckle.

Bai Yu merely observed everything indifferently. The hypnosis of "Mirror Flower Water Moon" still firmly controlled everyone's perception. His face remained expressionless, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, his tone calm and even: "I appreciate Big Mom's kindness. However, I have always been used to working alone, and my crew members are all free agents with no intention of joining any pirate crew."

Chapter 174 Longing is the emotion furthest from understanding

The cloyingly sweet atmosphere in the banquet hall instantly froze into ice after Bai Yu's calm and unwavering refusal.

Just moments ago, the room was filled with laughter and melodious music; now, only the soft swaying of the candy crystal chandelier and the gentle dripping of honey along the edge of the cake remain.

Each sound was like striking a string stretched to its limit.

Charlotte Linlin's smile faded at a visible speed.

Those eyes, which had been narrowed by the sweets, suddenly widened, their pupils surging with fury. The Soul-Soul Fruit, combined with his own domineering aura, exploded like a tsunami, engulfing the entire banquet hall. The chocolate murals embedded in the walls cracked slightly, the carpet woven from cloud-like candies undulated violently, and even the sweet fragrance in the air was suffocated by a cold, violent pressure.

"Uchiha Hakuha—"

Charlotte Linlin's voice was no longer a hearty laugh, but an unusually sharp one that made the entire cake castle tremble slightly: "Do you know what happens if you refuse me?"

"I will give you status, I will give you power, I will give you all the desserts in the world, and I will give you my best daughter in marriage. How dare you say no?"

"You think this Whole Cake Island is a place you can come and go as you please?!"

Katakuri suddenly stood up, the power of his Devil Fruit instantly covering his entire body, with a pale purple Haki swirling around him, making him look like a mochi warrior.

His deep voice carried an undeniable warning:

"Bai Yu, don't force your mother to take action. If you back down now, it's not too late."

Perospero's candy cane cracked with a snap, his smile vanished, replaced by a cold, sinister gaze.

"Bai Yujun, if you don't listen to reason, you'll suffer the consequences. Your mother's patience has its limits."

The other children also rose to their feet, their various Devil Fruits and auras intertwining to form an impenetrable net.

All of Charlotte Linlin's children drew their swords and prepared to unleash their Devil Fruit powers, turning what was originally a warm and sweet banquet into a deadly trap.

Smoothie's face turned deathly pale instantly.

She looked at her mother, who was in a fit of rage, and then at Bai Yu, who remained as calm as a deep pool. Her heart felt as if it were being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand, and even breathing was painful.

She knew better than anyone the terror of the old woman's rage—she was someone who could unhesitatingly drain even her own children's lifespan.

Once war breaks out, no matter how strong Bai Yu is, he will be dragged into an endless bloodbath by the entire Wan Kingdom.

She couldn't let Bai Yu, whom she admired, die.

She couldn't let her mother ruin her love for Bai Yu, not even her mother.

"Mom! No!"

Smoothie suddenly stepped in front of Bai Yu, spreading her arms to protect the man behind her.

Her usual calm and composed demeanor, the poise of one of the Four Sweethearts, vanished completely, replaced by panic and urgency; her voice trembled.

"Mom, please... don't hit Bai Yu yet. It's my fault for not persuading him properly. I think we can still talk to each other!"

Charlotte Linlin laughed angrily: "What the hell! My good daughter, even at a time like this, you're still protecting him?!"

"He rejected me, he rejected the whole nation, he rejected you, he rejected becoming my son-in-law, so he is our enemy!"

"Get out of my way! Or I'll take care of you too!"

"No!" Smoothie bit her lip hard, her eyes reddening, but she didn't back down an inch.

"Mother, Lord Baiyu didn't do it on purpose! He's just used to his freedom! Give me a little more time, I'll try to persuade him, I'm sure I can convince him to stay! Please... don't take action now..."

She turned around, no longer looking at the furious old woman behind her, and approached Bai Yu step by step, almost trembling.

Normally tall and voluptuous with a mature and aloof demeanor, she now resembled a lost yet persistent fawn, her eyes brimming with tears and deep affection.

She reached out and gently grasped Bai Yu's sleeve, her fingertips trembling slightly.

The next moment, she could no longer suppress the emotions surging in her heart. She threw herself into Bai Yu's arms, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, buried her face deep in his chest, and felt his steady and powerful heartbeat.

"Bai Yu-jun...promise Mommy you won't go, okay?"

Her voice was choked with sobs, yet incredibly sincere.

"Stay in the Kingdom... There are endless desserts here, your mother's protection, and me... I will always be with you and stay by your side forever."

"I don't care about status or title, all I need is to be by your side..."

"I admire you... Ever since the first time you defeated me, I've wanted to follow you forever... Please don't refuse me, please don't leave the Kingdom of Ten Thousand, okay?"

She held him so tightly, as if if she let go, he would disappear completely into this sweet maze.

Everyone in the banquet hall watched this scene unfold.

Katakuri remained silent, Perospero sneered, and the old woman, panting heavily, awaited Shiraha's reply.

Robin, Rangiku, Retsu Unohana, Artoria, and the others did not move.

They simply watched quietly, their eyes showing no surprise, only complete understanding.

They know Bai Yu too well.

He was never someone who could be trapped by tenderness and tears.