Tartes

Tartes are ships that act both as guard posts on Totto Land's islands and as scout ships in their vicinity. In times of emergency, they are also a major component of the Big Mom Pirates fleet.

Overview
The Tarte are small battleships that compose the majority of Big Mom's fleet. With the excretion of Whole Cake Island itself, One Tarte is stationed near each island in Totto Land, though there could be more. They are sent out to investigate unauthorized or unknown ships that enter the Big Mom Pirates territory. They have the power to shoot down any ship they believe to be dangerous or otherwise unwelcome. They are usually run by Pawn Soldiers, though in emergencies the ministers might take over the command.

Tartes receive a signal from the Territorial Sea Slugs when a ship enters Big Mom's territory.

Ship Appearance and Design
Tarte are small sailing crafts that is build in a resemblance of three round tarts:
 * The lower one resembles a tart pan. It is short and white. The base acts as a sort of an open deck.
 * The middle tart resembles a blueberry tart. It is much taller and act as the main part of the Tarteship. It has thin windows all around the structure. The word "Tarte" is painted on the front, and the Tarte's number at its side. Inside there is a flight of stairs leading to the upper tart. It has large lingonberries and blueberries on its top around the upper tart.
 * The upper tart resembles a strawberry tart. Other then being shorter then the second level, they look identical. It has the Tarte's number painted on its front. It has large strawberries and green grapes on it top around a stack of whipped cream.

From the center, going through the higher tarts, there is a large mast with two sails: one with the Tarte's number and another with the Big Mom Pirates' Jolly Roger.

List of Known Tartes
* Note: Due to several artistic inconsistencies, several Tarts seem to share the same number.

Weapons
Each Tarte is equipped with several cannons on its front. They are equipped with living cannonballs.

Past
For over the past 60 years, after Charlotte Linlin and Streusen took over the archipelago and build Totto Land, the Tartes was assigned to gourd the conquered territory.

Whole Cake Island Arc
When Sanji was assured into Totto Land, #28 Tarte was seen in its assigned post at Cacao Island. It was described by Tamago to be a branch of the Big Mom Pirates. Some days later it questioned Pekoms about the Thousand Sunny entry to the territory.

As the Sanji retrieval Team tried to escape Whole Cake Island, Charlotte Mont-d'Or organized a barricade to prevents their escape. After the Straw Hats exited the Seducing Woods, Perospero told Mont-d'Or to move in the surrounding ships to attack escapees. After Pedro tried to kill Perospero with his suicide attempt, the soldiers on Tatres were enraged and attacked the Sunny.

Shortly after the Straw Hats escaped the island, they discovered Big Mom was closing in on them accompanied by several Tartes, who attacked the Sunny. At the same time, several other Tartes were sent to back up the pursuing squads after the Straw Hats, Fire Tank Pirates, and Sun Pirates.

A squad of Tartes pursued the Fire Tanks as they approached Cacao Island, and surrounded them forcing the Nostra Castello to take the land route to escape.

Meanwhile, the additional Tartes joined Big Mom as they caught up to the Sunny once more. As Bavarois' squad fire at the Straw Hats, Smoothie's squad joined the pursuit while Daifuku's blocked the Straw hats path. With the help of Carrot in her Sulong form, Daifuku's squad was severely damaged, clearing the way.

As the Fire Tank Pirates' ship with Sanji's party and the wedding cake on board, Big Mom was distracted by the cake's aroma and left the Straw Hats. Her crew then split so they could protect her from Bege while Smoothie's squad continue to chase after the Straw hats.

Back on Cacao Island, Oven has called many Tartes to secure cacao Island in anticipation of Luffy's arrival as part of the Straw Hats plan.

Anime and Manga Differences
In the anime, #28 Tarte met the Thousand Sunny at sea near Cacao Island, while in the manga the questioning took place on the island.

Trivia

 * The ships name might be a reference to "Tart", a type of baked good often compose of a cream filled pastry. This coexists with Totto Land, the Charlotte Family, and the Big Mom Pirates' food theme.
 * A land outpost called "Tarte Tanks" was seen on Whole Cake Island chasing after the Fire Tank Pirates.