Chapter 206

**Chapter 206: Finish and Leave**

Although Carl hadn't even unleashed his full power, **half of Cake Island lay in ruins**, with countless pirates—mostly from Big Mom's crew—lying dead in the wreckage.

As **Big Mom regained her senses**, the **devastation** before her sent her **blood pressure skyrocketing**. Meanwhile, Roger had already landed on the ground.

But instead of continuing the fight, Roger closed his eyes, extending his **Observation Haki** to listen to the voices across the island.

A moment later, he confirmed it—**Rayleigh was safe and on his way.**

Satisfied, Roger gave the order:

"Bullet! **We're retreating!**"

As captain, Roger had never cared about settling grudges here. His **goal had always been the Poneglyph**. Helping a **rampaging** Big Mom fight Carl?

Not a chance.

Of course, he **wanted revenge** for Gaban and his fallen crew, but he also knew the truth—**even if he and Big Mom could suppress Carl, they couldn't stop him if he decided to leave.**

Carl wasn't **fighting for victory or defeat**—he was fighting on his own **terms**, using his terrifying **speed and elusive abilities** to strike and vanish.

Roger had once enjoyed trading blows with **Garp**, brawling before laughing his way to an "escape."

But Carl?

Carl wasn't **laughing.**

He was **deadly serious**.

Without hesitation, Roger moved.

**Shanks in one arm. Buggy in the other.**

And then—**he vanished.**

Every pirate with a shred of **sense** knew to stay **far away from Carl**.

**Big Mom, however, wasn't in a sensible state.**

After her **flames** proved useless against Carl, she **abandoned Prometheus**, gripped **Napoleon** in one hand and **Zeus** in the other, and **charged** at Carl like a **raging beast**.

With **Roger gone**, her **threat level** plummeted.

Carl met her **sword with Muramasa**, engaging in a **fierce duel**.

The **few remaining combat-capable members** of the Big Mom Pirates clenched their teeth and **attacked Carl together**.

Carl **deflected Napoleon** with a casual stroke. Watching the **charging crew**, he chuckled.

"**Such a loyal bunch.**"

He **swung his arm**—

A **wall of towering flames** erupted between him and the pirates.

The crew hesitated.

**Katakuri** and the others moved to **extinguish** the flames—

But—

**ZAP!**

A **silver lightning bolt** shot out from the fire, piercing one of the pirates.

**THUD.**

A **tall woman wearing a large sunhat** collapsed, a **charred hole** in her back.

Perospero's face twisted in shock.

"**Amande!!!**"

A **second scream** followed—this one full of sorrow.

"**Sister!!!**"

It was **Charlotte Mondée**, another **snakeneck-human hybrid**, Amande's sister.

Blinded by **grief**, she **ignored the flames**, her **Armament Haki** flaring as she rushed in.

But—

Carl's flames **weren't ordinary**.

The moment she stepped into them—

**Her flesh seared. Her skin blackened.**

She screamed.

But the agony **didn't last long.**

In mere moments—**she was reduced to ashes.**

Silence.

None of the **other pirates dared to move**.

Perospero tried **smothering the flames with syrup**—but it was **pointless**.

Carl **extended his hand**—

The **flames surged forward**.

More lives would have been lost—

If not for **Big Mom**, who **released Prometheus** to **absorb the fire**.

She stood there, **untouched**, her monstrous body resistant as ever.

Carl, too, bore **no injuries**.

**But the battlefield had changed.**

Katakuri and the others attacked, **Haki-clad strikes raining down**.

Carl countered with ease.

He wasn't like **Garp**, who relied on sheer **brute strength**.

He was **untouchable**—using the **Dark-Dark Fruit's area attacks** and the **Vampir Fruit's endurance** to dominate **multiple foes at once**.

Yet—

**Carl wasn't here for an all-out battle.**

He was here to **annoy Roger.**

To **infuriate Big Mom.**

To **thin their forces** just a little more.

And Big Mom **finally realized it**.

Carl wasn't fighting **her**—

He was **hunting her children.**

Her **maternal instincts kicked in**.

Abandoning the offensive, she **shielded Katakuri and the others** with her **own body**.

Carl **hovered above**, his **wings spread wide**, watching her with **mocking amusement**.

A predator, circling his prey.

But he'd **had his fun.**

Cake Island was **littered with bodies**.

It was **time to leave.**

But not **without a parting gift.**

Carl **raised his arms**—

And **black rings** began to form around them.

Slowly, they **rose into the sky**, expanding as they ascended—

**Vanishing into the clouds.**

Carl smirked.

He **waved** at Big Mom—

Then—

**He disappeared.**

Big Mom **froze.**

What **was that move?**

She sharpened her **Observation Haki**, bracing for a **surprise attack**—

But Carl **never reappeared.**

Instead—

**BOOM.**

A shadow fell over **Cake Island.**

Tearing through the **clouds**—

A **massive meteor** plummeted toward them.

It was almost **half the size of the island**.

If it hit—**Cake Island would sink into the sea.**

Big Mom's **pupils shrank.**

"**Zeus!**"

She leaped onto **Zeus**, Napoleon **gripped tight in her hands**—

**SLASH!**

Her **blade cut through the sky**, splitting the meteor in half.

Then—

"**ZEUS!**"

**CRACK!**

A **storm of violet lightning** rained down, reducing the falling fragments to **dust**.

Silence.

Cake Island still **stood**—but barely.

Big Mom hovered in the sky, **panting**.

Carl was **gone.**

The battlefield was **silent**—

And then—

A **furious roar** echoed across **Totto Land**.

"**BLACK DRAGON!!!**"