One Piece: Getting Stronger by Writing a Diary Chapter 258 - 187 – Stussy and Smoothie’s cooperation

Staying hidden in her thoughts, Yamato would never have guessed that the blow she dealt Ulti had left such a deep impression. Of course, even if she did know, she probably wouldn't care.

At that mont, she was busy steering a small sailing ship away from Onigashima, away from the waters of Wano.

"We've co this far… That crummy old father of mine shouldn't be able to catch up now.

I hate running away like this, but once I gain enough power, I'm definitely coming back to take you down, Kaido!"

"You actually put a real explosive collar on … It's a good thing I used the extra-strong Armant Haki I developed from the points I got through Arton."

"Before long, I'll gather even more points. Just you wait, Kaido—I'll be back soon."

Standing on deck, Yamato waved her kanabo threateningly toward Onigashima. Though Arton's diary had ntioned that Kaido gave her a genuine bomb collar, actually taking it off and seeing the explosion for herself still stunned her. If she were strong enough now, she'd have given Kaido a good whack before leaving.

After venting her frustration, Yamato lowered her kanabo and looked out over the open sea.

"Next up, I gotta find Ace. And I need to find Arton, too. The things he says can be annoying, but I can't deny he's helped get stronger in no ti. Plus, I should thank him for helping advance my Haki like this. Maybe I'll even see Kozuki Hiyori through him…"

"Alright. Let's go find Ace and Arton."

With her resolve set, Yamato gripped the sail again and shook it forcefully. Her small craft sped away across the waves like an arrow shot from a bow.

…

anwhile, elsewhere…

Totto Land, Whole Cake Island

"Ms. Stussy, welco! Mama's tea party has been waiting for you for quite so ti."

Smoothie stood ready, elegantly offering a glass of freshly squeezed juice to Stussy, who arrived wearing a snug, red dress beneath a white cloak, along with a white, round-brimd hat.

"Much appreciated, Smoothie." Stussy inclined her head slightly, then glanced at Smoothie, as well as Custard and Pudding, who stood by her side.

"You three are still on Whole Cake Island? Aren't you planning to head off in search of that man?" Stussy asked with a smile.

Smoothie and her companions instantly recognized that Stussy was also a Diary Copy holder.

Smoothie let out a small, wry smile and shook her head.

"I'd love to go after Arton, but Mama won't give permission to leave. You know how it is—without Mama's permission, I can't set sail anywhere."

Stussy thought for a mont. "I suppose so. You're one of the mainstays protecting this place. So it seems only Galette and Cinnamon have gone searching for Arton?"

Smoothie nodded.

"Indeed, and it's all thanks to Arton having defeated Shiki. Otherwise, neither Cinnamon nor Galette would've been able to go out. …Sigh."

She let out a long sigh. Of course, she wanted to search for Arton herself—only by eting him in person could she stand a good chance of getting a Character Template and lots of points.

Arton hadn't actually encountered a tall-legged long-leg beauty like her yet, and Smoothie suspected that if Cinnamon encountered him first, Arton might be intrigued by Cinnamon's race. Then, if Smoothie appeared later, he might be less interested in hearing her out.

"What a pity," Stussy remarked. "But Arton's just beaten Dracule Mihawk, you know. Maybe that'll give Linlin reason to let you sail out in pursuit of him."

"If Ms. Stussy is willing to help, I might actually get out to sea," Smoothie said with a smile. "I'm sure you must also want sothing from that man, right? How about we cooperate? I doubt you'd mind if there were other won around Arton."

Stussy chuckled as she walked with Smoothie, Pudding, and Custard toward the tea party venue.

"I want to get stronger too. As for working together—of course! And the matter of multiple won is hardly an issue. After all, he already has plenty. We'd rely be latecors. Shall we add each other as friends, then?"

With that, Stussy took out her Diary Copy. Seeing this, Smoothie, Custard, and Pudding naturally accepted. Though Pudding and Custard didn't speak up, they secretly hoped Stussy might help them leave Totto Land to search for Arton. Especially Pudding—while Smoothie and the others wanted to bring Arton into the Big Mom Pirates, Pudding was already habing thoughts of betraying Big Mom altogether and joining Arton's Fla Blade Pirates instead.

A short ti later, Smoothie led Stussy to the designated place for the tea party. Emperor Big Mom, Linlin, arrived right on cue and settled into the main seat.

"Mamamama! Stussy, you've co at just the right mont. Enjoy yourself at this tea party!" Linlin said, letting out her trademark weird laugh, raising a glass in greeting.

"You seem especially cheerful, Linlin," Stussy said, also raising her glass with a smile. "What's got you in such a good mood?"

"Mamamama! Oh, I've plenty to be pleased about. Before long, you'll be receiving an invitation to a wedding."

"A wedding? Another promising fiancé for you to bring in, Linlin?"

"Of course! You know of that man Arton, right, Stussy?"

"Of course I know who Arton is—he's made quite a stir on the seas lately. So you plan to make him your son-in-law?"

"That's right! He beat Shiki, so he qualifies to beco my son-in-law. Plus, Smoothie's pretty interested in him, so I've sent a team to look for Arton."

"I see! But why not have Smoothie go in person to find him?" Stussy asked, casting a glance at Smoothie. Smoothie rely responded with a grateful smile.

"How could Smoothie casually leave Totto Land to look for Arton? The people I've sent will be enough," Linlin said with a dismissive wave. "Sure, Arton defeated Shiki, but the old man was past his pri. At most, Arton's around a billion-Berry pirate. I doubt he'd dare refuse my invitation. Mamamama!"

"So that's your thinking," Stussy answered, looking sowhat concerned.

"Your face doesn't look so good," Linlin noted. "Is there a problem, Stussy?"

"Linlin, I'm fine. I just think you should re-evaluate Arton's strength."

"Re-evaluate? Why?"

"You probably haven't seen today's newspaper. It carries Arton's latest news. He defeated Dracule Mihawk, the World's Greatest Swordsman—after having already beaten Shiki."

"Mihawk? Stussy, are you kidding?"

Linlin stared, montarily stunned. And it wasn't just Linlin—everyone else at the tea party, including Katakuri and Cracker, looked over in shock.

Stussy nodded and retrieved a newspaper from her bag, placing it in the center of the table. Monts later, exclamations rang throughout the entire tea party venue.

"The World's Greatest Swordsman…actually lost?!"

"Arton is the new World's Greatest Swordsman?" Cracker muttered, eyes wide with disbelief.

"So the fad black blade Yoru was no match for his 'Infinite Blades'?" Amande murmured, marveling at the article's description of Arton's swords. In that instant, she felt her own sword was pitiful in comparison.

"This man Arton is stronger than we thought," soone added. "And the swords he uses—like Mama's Homies—seem to have all sorts of powers."

"Are Cinnamon and Galette really going to be able to invite Arton here?" Custard frowned with worry.

They couldn't help being concerned. Defeating Shiki might be explained away by the old man's age, but Mihawk was in his pri. Able to cross swords with Red-Haired Shanks and walk away, Mihawk's strength was undeniable. Arton's victory over him suggested he could well rival a Yonko. In that case, he might not care at all about Big Mom's invitation.

Linlin, of course, understood all of this. Surprise, delight, and a hint of worry all flickered across her face. She wasn't afraid Arton was stronger than her; rather, she was uneasy that the team led by Cinnamon and Galette might fail to bring him to Totto Land.

"So Arton, that rascal, is that powerful. And this multi-stage transformation power…could it be so Mythical Zoan I don't know about?" Linlin muttered.

"Very possibly," Stussy interjected. "Linlin, I've got news I think you'll find interesting: Kaido, just like you, has also sent out people to find Arton. You know Kaido only cares about Zoan powers, right? If he's after Arton, it might an Arton and his companions are all Mythical Zoan users."

Stussy's words made Oven pipe up in doubt. "A single pirate crew with that many Mythical Zoan users? Mythical Zoans aren't exactly cheap or plentiful."

"You can't just say that," Smoothie said. "Mythical Zoans are indeed rare, but it's not impossible for a crew to have four or five of them. In fact, everything in the news about Arton and his crew's abilities points to think of Mythical Zoan powers."

Because Smoothie—one of the Four Sweet Commanders—had spoken, Oven dropped his objections.

"Stussy, you're saying Kaido also dispatched people to track down Arton?" Linlin asked, scowling.

"My intel is quite reliable," Stussy confird with a slight nod. Indeed, after Arton's Diary Copies started appearing, Stussy had used her considerable reach to keep tabs on all Four Emperors in the New World. She even knew that in the Beasts Pirates, Black Maria was leading the group to find Arton, but she chose not to ntion those specifics; her persona as the "Queen of the Pleasure District" shouldn't know too many details.

"Damn Kaido—so he wants to snatch Arton away from !" Linlin growled, slapping her table in frustration. "That won't do at all. I'll have to send soone stronger to make contact with Arton. I won't let Kaido win!"

Hearing this, Smoothie's heart leapt with joy. 'Maybe Mama will finally let sail out,' she thought. The sa thought crossed the minds of Custard and Pudding.