It's Really Pitiful, Admirable, And Laughable At The Same Time

Big Mom, who was red all over, did something that only a demon would do.

The pirate who had just screamed was grabbed by her and shoved into her mouth. 

After chewing a few times, she swallowed him whole.

Blood seeped from the corners of Big Mom's mouth as she felt the relief of her physical pain. 

Her crimson skin even began to regenerate.

What made Perospero's soul tremble even more was that all of this was just the beginning... 

"Ah!"

"Mama, it's me... No, uh..."

"Save me, save me, I don't want to die, I..."

Every scream was followed by a life being snuffed out, and Perospero's expression changed from shock to fear to numbness.

Perospero had considered stopping Big Mom's rampage, but the cowardice deeply embedded in his soul made his legs feel as heavy as lead, and he never took that step!

The woman before him, who was once beautiful, was now bloated and ugly.

She was no longer his mother but a monster, just like her appearance now!

By the time Big Mom finished her meal, the only one left alive was Perospero, who had fled earlier.

For the first time, Perospero looked at the woman before him and realized the gap between himself and Katakuri, and for the first time, he had a thought that could be considered an act of great treason.

Anyone would do, even if he had to assist Katakuri... 

This country must never be handed over to this monster again!

... ... ... 

Hundreds of miles away, in the middle of a deserted island.

Gawain slowly descended, without hesitation; he knelt on one knee, pressing his hand to the ground, and casually began absorbing the earth's vitality in the surrounding area.

Tiny blue earth's vitality surged into his body along his hand, rapidly healing the injuries caused by overloading with earth's vitality and replenishing his exhausted stamina.

A few minutes later, Gawain slowly stood up, feeling his body fully restored and his stamina replenished before letting out a breath of relief.

Recalling the explosion of the Emperor Requiem above the Big Mom Pirate fleet, which had nearly evaporated the entire pirate force in the harbor, Gawain couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration: "The power of the Emperor Requiem this time, while not comparable to a nuclear bomb, is definitely far beyond an average tactical missile."

"In terms of absolute destructive power, it may not be as great as an Ancient Weapon, but it certainly has the terrifying power to destroy a city with a single blow, and with my agile flying ability..."

"Why do I feel like attacking the enemy's headquarters first is the right way to go?!"

"However."

"Such a thing is very powerful the first time, but once the enemy prepares for it, the success rate will drop."

"But..."

A playful smile curled at the corner of Gawain's mouth.

"Without Diamond-level combat power, the so-called defense is meaningless to me."

"Strategic-level ability!"

"The only thing to consider is that overuse could lead to the entire country becoming a desert."

"Moreover, there's not much land in this world to begin with."

Thinking of this, Gawain nodded, his heart filled with a bit of anticipation about how much the Emperor Requiem could grow.

Perhaps it could really reach a level comparable to the Ancient Weapons.

"But."

"After taking a direct hit from the Emperor Requiem, basically incapacitated the Big Mom Pirate."

"Although Big Mom still has combat power, she has undoubtedly lost the qualification to compete with other large forces for the Pluton blueprint."

"Relying on Katakuri alone, the situation won't look good for her in the future."

"Besides, that guy is the mastermind who injured Lucci. How could I let him go easily if I really met him?!"

"I'm just not sure how much Conqueror's Haki experience I can gain from this next fight..."

In this battle, Gawain had also realized that in terms of the quality of Conqueror's Haki, he still lagged a bit behind Big Mom and others who had been fighting for decades.

But don't forget, his Conqueror's Haki had already reached Level 4. A little further, he would reach level 5, awakening new features and enhancing both its strength and quality.

"Even if this fight with Big Mom doesn't provide enough experience, the upcoming strong opponents in Water 7 will help me reach that level."

"Level 5 Conqueror's Haki... What new features will it bring?!"

Gawain licked his lips, his heart filled with anticipation.

After a few seconds of rest, he leaped into the air and sped toward Water 7, disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

… … …

The vast ocean stretched endlessly.

After Katakuri captured Iceburg, he quickly retreated with his subordinates.

Aside from encountering a few small pirate crews, which Katakuri easily defeated, the entire operation went so smoothly that Katakuri could hardly believe it.

At this moment, however, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease.

Katakuri turned to his side and asked calmly: "Have you contacted Mama yet?"

"Not yet."

Flampe shook her head, her gaze lingering on her older brother, whose cold and aloof demeanor made her face flush slightly.

As the president of Katakuri's fan club, she couldn't help but admire the brother, who was the most outstanding of all their siblings and was even called the greatest masterpiece.

She admired his handsome appearance, his immense strength, and the glory that he had earned, which was respected by all.

No one could compare to her brother!

Absolutely no one!

It was rare to have the chance to be alone with her brother, and she wished time could slow down just a little bit.

"Brother Katakuri, don't worry. Mama and Perospero are over there. Nothing will go wrong."

"Though you were hit in the chest by that guy earlier."

"It's nothing."

Katakuri's voice was indifferent: "That guy has some skills. Even among the emperor's crew, he could be considered a core combat force. Unfortunately, he still falls short of my expectations and doesn't give me the thrill of battle."

"But."

"The will he displayed is far superior to his strength."

"Carrying everything alone...?"

"It's really pitiful, admirable, and laughable at the same time!"

… … …

The weather at sea is unpredictable. In just a few minutes, a storm was brewing.

The undulating seawater could easily raise waves tens of meters high, but it hardly shakes the warships of the Big Mom Pirate.

Katakuri and his party's forward speed was not hindered at all.

Only the uneasiness in his heart did not subside due to Flampe's comfort, and the pores of his skin were penetrated by bursts of piercing cold from time to time.

It was not a chill but a sense of crisis that penetrated into his bones.

Katakuri's Observation Haki was one of the best in the world.

Not only could he sense the future, but his instincts for danger had grown even sharper as his power increased.

"Something's wrong!"

The increasingly intense sense of danger caused goosebumps to rise on Katakuri's skin.

"Did something happen to Mama's side?!"

"No..."

With a sudden exclamation, Katakuri's mind found the answer.

The storm in the sky dispersed, and several islands, floating high in the sky, appeared before Katakuri, casting shadows that almost completely covered the entire sea.

"This is..."

Katakuri stared at the floating islands in the sky, his memories from decades ago resurfacing in his mind.

He recognized it.

And the only man capable of such a feat, in his mind, was just one.

"Shiki the Golden Lion!"

"This guy was imprisoned in Impel Down years ago, wasn't he?!"

"How is he here?!"

"Did someone inherit the Float-Float Fruit after his death?!"

"Impossible!"

"The only person capable of such a thing is Shiki the Golden Lion!"

The man who could manipulate the sea and drown an entire country.

No other user of the Float-Float Fruit could do this to such an extent.

It could only be Shiki!

The next moment, the familiar figure floating high in the sky confirmed Katakuri's guess.