One Piece: Gambling to The Top

Chapter 215

Smiling, Josh stared as Charlotte Linlin, AKA Emperor Big Mom, made her way in. She greeted everyone, only with high standing, and came. Big Mom surely has a vast network, and a vast underworld network as well. She has a hostage on every underworld boss. It's understandable that not only physically her crew is powerful, but politically. 

"Stussy…" Josh lowered his head as their chair was shaking. 

"I feel you." Stussy understood what Josh wanted to say, and she nodded. 

Things are going to be bad. Somehow, Stussy wanted to see Josh's real power. She had never seen him fighting other than Mihawk, and that guy was one of the very few Warlords that has a chance against the emperors. Well. Mihawk hadn't used his Haki in the last clash, so Stussy was more curious if Josh grew more. 

A big shadow overwhelmed Josh, who was too lazy to lift his head. 

"Mama Mama!" said a cheery happy voice with a clap. "Thank you for attending my daughter's birthday." She was standing in front of the supposed VIP guests. 

"You are as beautiful as always, Linlin." Said one man who looks like a vampire. He wore a tuxedo and sunglasses, and he was fat and short. 

"I'm flattered." Linlin acted as if she was happy. Then her eyes moved down to one specific person. "Well. Glad that all of you are here. Especially the new raising kiddo." 

Josh, as if clueless, didn't move his head. He didn't know who Big Mom was talking about as he hadn't seen any kid here. Even when every eye turned to him, Josh extended his hand to a near plate and poured some tea in an empty cup. He took a spoon and started putting the sugar, before lifting the cup to his mouth, and sipping. 

"Hey, brat. I don't think you have hearing problems." 

"Too hot." Josh put the teacup quickly. He turned his head to Big Mom. "Sorry, were you saying?" 

Linlin raised an eyebrow as she made eye contact with him. 

"You surely have a fitting character for someone in our league. But you are still a brat." Linlin replied. 

Josh looked at her face. "Are you sure? Maybe you are just too old." 

Few gasps could be heard as silence took over. Josh's reply surely had given the goosebumps and made hearts skip a beat. 

"You are lucky that I had breakfast." Linlin scoffed softly. "If you weren't young, you would have chosen your words carefully." 

"Trust me, I know what I'm saying." Josh put his legs above the table. "You want to have my Poneglyph, and as a gift… that's why you are happy?" 

Josh shook his head to the left side, where the gifts were. He had asked Marianne earlier to draw a copy of the Poneglyph, and knowing that Josh gave it, Big Mom must be happy even with his attitude. 

"Oh come on. I'm happy because you are here." Big Mom waved her hand. Someone brought a very large chair and placed it behind her. She sat down. 

"Hold on?" Josh had a very good hearing of his demonic nature. Big Mom's heartbeat proved that her statement is honest.  

"You know, Josh. You are against the World Government." Big Mom put a large hand on his shoulder. Josh almost shivered when she let her head closer to his. 

"What do you mean?" Josh was confused when he looked at her face.  

"I get you." Big Mom lowered her head and let a long sigh. "I understand how you do feel." 

Stussy opened her eyes widely. She looked at Josh's face, and she put her hand on her face, covering it before she turned it to the other side and laughed silently. 

"Get me?" Josh turned his head slightly. He tried to read her mind, but Linlin was a unique person. She, somehow, had a very clear mind. Or rather, she doesn't think when talking. 

"See. You don't have to run away, just because you are different." Big Mom was acting warm.  "In my Totto Land. Every race is welcomed. You are, so far, the most unique one of your kind. No need to hide. I know that you are a real demon. Your journey in Fishman island proves it." 

"Oh, that." Josh felt that she was tricked to think that he is a real mythical creature, just like he had tricked the World Government and everyone in Fishman Island. 

Big Mom's face was getting closer. 

This time, Josh's heart was the one that beat fast. 

"For that. I'll take you as my gigolo, and you'll bring more of your kind to this world." Big Mom smiled. "Congratulation, husband." 

"Hold on." He raised his hand.  

Josh was usually the one who gets under his enemies' skin and shock them. 

This time, it was his turn to get shocked! 

Stupefaction is a little word to express his stun. 

His heart, literally, didn't beat for 6 seconds. 

English doesn't have a word to express his current feelings. 

"I've decided to make you my husband. Mama mama! Everyone, prepare the wedding cake for tomorrow!" Big Mom opened her arms and spread them. 

Weak on the knees. 

That's a feeling Josh had thought he expressed. 

But now, Josh realised he's wrong. 

His legs shaking, he walked to the corner, barely able to walk. Taking a cigarette from a near guest, he walked to the wall and put his hand on it. 

'Is this a dream?' Josh turned to look at the wall that was made of biscuits. 

Behind him, a band started playing music. It was the same type as in Careless Whisper's song. 

[Ding. You made an emotionless system laugh]

Josh started progressing his emotions. Few tears accumulated in his eyes. 

From the moment he came to this world, he had never cried. 

But now, he felt pity. On himself. 

'Am I that pathetic?' Josh started smoking. He stared at the puffs of the smoke while trying to ignore the romantic music in the background. 

He had thought that Big Mom wanted to rob him. He thought that she may want to force him to marry one of her daughters so she may use him while threatening him with Vivi. 

But, she is thinking of ra*ing him and bearing his children since he is a unique specimen. 

"Darling. Come here!" Big Mom said, yelling as she turned toward Josh. 

A humanoid bird was holding a snail camera and he was taking shots while shouting "Big New! Big New!" 

Stussy held her stomach and bent over, laughing. tears were falling from her eyes. Even for a cold-blooded agent, this scene can move emotions. 

She stood up, and she started clapping. "Congratulation. I'll rent you some girls for the bachelorette party. For free of course." 

She was teasing Josh on purpose. 

Josh stared at the passing clouds. 

"All of you…" Josh started speaking, making them go silent. A great sword with a Devil pattern appeared on his back, while a Katana appeared on his waist. 

For the very fist time in his life, he felt humilated. Even when Akainu had beat his ass, he hadn't felt like this. 

" You have insulted my pride, my greed, my lust. You insulted everything that I ever presented. In my whole life, shame never worked on me. But I'm ashamed that I'll have this moment in my memories. All of you…" Josh started growling, like a beast. 

"Darling. What you are saying?" Big Mom smirked at Josh. 

"Mama!" 

"Katakuri?" 

A large man of 5 meters appeared next to Big Mom. "Everyone, attack him!" Katakuri screamed. He is someone who sees the future, and in his whole life, he had never appeared to be so nervous.  Katakuri placed his hand on the ground. 

"Go to the hell!" Josh raised his Katana, and he chopped down. An energy sword started spreading, cutting everything on its way. The palace started turning into a Mochi like matter, reshaping itself. However, the sword energy continued cutting everything, splitting the island in half. 

Big Mom saw what happened, and she took a step back. "What was that! Bad boy. Do I have to train you!" 

"This, this is called." Josh turned to Big Mom and pointed his sword at her. "Take your offer and shove it up to your ass. Cause I won't be your Didlo.  Not to you anyway." 

"Oh." Big Mom seemed to get pissed off, "So you know what you are going to be in the end." 

She stood up, took a step forward, and cracked her fists.