Chapter 236: Chapter 236
Boom!
The clash of energies caused a fierce storm, annihilating everything around them except for the areas where each side stood.
The once lavishly decorated hall was instantly destroyed, with sparks flying and dust filling the air.
The impact was so great that even the nearby islands around Cake Island felt the devastating shockwaves.
"It's Zyhark! They actually dared to attack Mama!"
"Something's wrong with Mama! Hurry, let's get over there!"
The officers stationed on other islands received the clear orders and swiftly mobilized their elite forces, steering their ships toward Cake Island.
This was the formidable strength of a pirate crew bound together by blood ties. No matter what happened, they would unite to fight off any intruder!
On Cake Island.
Zyhark gripped his twin swords tightly, his normally calm face showing a trace of seriousness.
Even though this was only a probing attack, he could feel the immense strength and vitality from Big Mom that far exceeded any opponent he had faced before.
Possessing one of the greatest talents in the world of pirates, Big Mom was in her prime. With rich combat experience and no physical weaknesses like the Golden Lion, she was also far more lucid than she was ten years ago in the original story.
This was one of the Four Emperors—Big Mom!
Fighting a monster like her, even though his "Devour" ability ensured that he wouldn't lose, defeating Big Mom in a short amount of time was extremely difficult.
On his side, although his companions were powerful, they each had their own limitations.
For instance, Kanna couldn't maintain her stamina for extended periods, and Escanor's power was restricted by the transition between day and night.
On the other hand, Big Mom's crew could continue to receive reinforcements, with members like Brûlée, the Mira Mira no Mi user, whose strange abilities were not in short supply.
If Katakuri and the others managed to drag out the battle into a long stalemate, things would become highly unfavorable.
So, Zyhark decided to weaken Big Mom's forces as much as possible before officially engaging her in battle.
"Escanor, follow the plan."
Zyhark closed his eyes, and his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) spread out from him like invisible waves, detecting the murderous presences of pirates near and far, appearing one after another in his consciousness.
Above Cake Island, dark thunderclouds began to spread, covering the surrounding sea and islands.
Boom! Boom!
The rumbling of thunder grew louder from deep within, casting a foreboding and destructive aura over the Emperor's territory.
He intended to use the natural advantage of his Goro Goro no Mi to precisely strike Cake Island and the Big Mom Pirates' reinforcements approaching to assist.
Although Aqua could summon a massive tsunami to achieve similar results, the foolish goddess's actions were always unpredictable.
Even if her attacks didn't accidentally hit their allies, the accuracy and lethality of a tsunami couldn't compare to a lightning storm.
This battle was far more dangerous than any they had faced before.
That's why Zyhark had to take action himself, to gain the upper hand and secure a favorable position!
"No! Mama, we have to stop him now!"
Katakuri's eyes flashed with deep red light as he urgently warned Big Mom.
Using his Kenbunshoku Haki to foresee the future, he caught glimpses of the terrifying scene of endless lightning engulfing Cake Island within the next few seconds!
"Prometheus!"
Big Mom fully trusted Katakuri's judgment.
She stretched out her hand, grabbing the fire cloud Prometheus. As she infused it with her soul, Prometheus rapidly expanded, turning into a massive flaming ball.
"Heavenly Fire!!"
Big Mom threw a powerful punch.
In the next instant, a blazing inferno shot toward Zyhark, distorting the air with its intense heat.
Wherever it passed, the already ruined ground melted into scorching magma!
The heatwave hit in an instant, but Zyhark's companions, standing by his side, remained calm.
After all, they had experienced the burning power of Escanor's sun, which was even hotter than this fire!
In the midst of the group, a tall, proud figure slowly stepped forward.
His golden battle axe gleamed under the reflection of the flames, shining brightly.
Before any of the Big Mom Pirates could mock Escanor for his foolishness, the heavenly fire crashed into him, engulfing him in flames.
"Heh heh heh, daring to take on Mama's attack head-on—what a pitiful fool, he didn't even have time to scream before he died."
From the center of the explosion, Prometheus emerged, wearing a mocking expression.
"Oh? But I don't feel much at all. Why should I scream?"
A large, powerful hand emerged from the flames, tightly gripping Prometheus's smug face.
The immense strength made Prometheus panic, and through the gaps between the fingers, he saw a pair of cold, terrifying eyes.
So hot! This man's hand is so hot!
Wait, I'm the flame here!
As this thought passed through Prometheus's mind, a primal fear rose within him. He realized something terrible was about to happen.
"Mama, help me!" he screamed in panic.
"Let me send you off."
"Cruel Sun!"
Escanor's gaze sharpened as magic surged from his palm.
An even hotter, brighter fireball formed within Prometheus, stretching his flame body to its limits.
This time, Prometheus truly felt the heat.
It was the power of the sun!
Escanor extended a finger, and with a flick, sent the mini sun and Prometheus crashing back toward the Big Mom Pirates.
"A man who controls flames, huh? Interesting."
Big Mom showed no fear as she grabbed the thundercloud Zeus with a tight grip, ignoring the wailing Prometheus. Her eyes locked onto Escanor. "Hey! You're not part of a special race too, are you?"
"Uh, sorry, I'm a pure-blooded human. Although, if you want to add 'the strongest' in front of that, I wouldn't object."
Recalling Zyhark's earlier "romantic encounter," even the proud Escanor felt a slight pang of embarrassment.
"Thunderbolt!"
While they exchanged words, the Zeus in Big Mom's hand was already brimming with electricity, ready to fire a powerful electromagnetic cannon that pierced through Escanor's sun.
The flames and lightning intertwined as the massive figure emerged unscathed, charging forward.
Once she was close enough, Big Mom drew her emperor's sword from her pirate hat, its blade coated in advanced Haki. She aimed a lethal strike at Escanor from a deadly angle.
Her monstrous strength was enough to overwhelm anyone in her path!
"Super Slash (Microscopic Strike)!"
Confident as ever, Escanor didn't dodge. He raised his golden axe and clashed with Big Mom's sword head-on.
Boom!!
The collision between Rita and the emperor's sword was like two meteors smashing into each other, sending shockwaves that tore the ground apart.
Whoosh~
Big Mom was sent flying, crashing into the distant buildings on Cake Island.
Despite not using Haki, Escanor's raw strength overpowered Big Mom, as it was noon—the peak of his power.
"Impressive. As expected of a Sea Emperor, her physical resilience is truly extraordinary…"
Escanor's expression grew more serious as he watched Big Mom rise from the rubble, her body showing no signs of injury.
As he marveled at her resilience, Katakuri's sticky mochi quickly approached, bypassing him and heading straight for Zyhark.
As time passed, the future Katakuri saw became clearer.
He couldn't afford to focus on Big Mom and Escanor's battle anymore—he had to interrupt Zyhark's devastating attack!
Upon reaching Zyhark, Katakuri raised his massive mochi-formed club, infused with Armament Haki, and leaped into the air.
"Cutting Mochi!"
Realizing his opponent was no ordinary rookie, he went all out from the start!
Boom!
The Armament Haki-coated mochi hammer crashed down but failed to hit its target.
A small hand, barely noticeable, blocked Katakuri's attack.
"This little girl…"
Katakuri's usually calm eyes narrowed in surprise.
She looked about the same age as Brûlée, but the strength he felt through his arm was monstrous!
Without a word, Kanna, her face serious, deflected the mochi and leaped toward Katakuri.
"Mochi Horn!"
Katakuri's mochi formed into a spear as he clenched his Haki-infused fist, ready to meet Kanna's small, lightning-covered punch.
As a master of close-quarters combat, Katakuri's simple punch could even swell Luffy's Gear Fourth fists—its power was undeniable.
Unfortunately for him, this time he was facing an ancient dragon who could knock back Akainu's Magma Hound with a single punch!
Whoosh!
In an instant, Katakuri's face twisted in shock as he was sent flying by the sheer force of Kanna's punch, crashing into the ground near Big Mom.
Mother and son, each lying in their own craters—it was strangely harmonious.
At the same time, the rest of the Big Mom Pirates finally launched their attack.
Several unbreakable biscuit soldiers and bizarre-looking demons arrived, courtesy of Cracker and Daifuku's Devil Fruit powers.
King, in his Mark II suit, easily held them off.
Made of Wapometal and advanced technology, his mechanical suit made him more than capable of handling the Yonko officers' attacks.
From another direction, purple syrup resembling a moving slime rushed toward Zyhark.
This was the first son, Perospero, using his Pero Pero no Mi!
"I've got him!" Perospero sneered, only for his grin to freeze on his face.
To his horror, he realized he had lost control of the syrup.
No, wait—his syrup had turned into clear, pure water?!
"Any liquid is powerless before a goddess like me," Aqua declared, her body glowing with divine blue light. Without lifting a finger, she effortlessly neutralized Perospero's attack.
"How about this?"
A grim voice, accompanied by a wave of heat, sounded nearby. Turning her head, Aqua saw a fiery man approaching with a molten fist.
It was Oven, Minister of Baking and Netsu Netsu no Mi user!
Without giving Aqua much time to react, Oven's scorching fist shot toward her.
"Heat Fist!"
Startled, Aqua instinctively countered. "God Fist!"
That fool, she has such overwhelming water abilities, but she used the God Fist instead…
Zyhark couldn't help but silently groan in his heart.
Even though most of his focus was on tracking the Big Mom Pirates, he made sure to keep a small portion of his attention on Aqua.
Don't ask why—it's just that it put him more at ease.
Boom!
As expected, Aqua was at a disadvantage in the clash and was overpowered by Oven.
"It's so hot! Ouch, ouch!" Aqua yelped, frantically blowing on her burned hand.
Oven was left speechless. What's this blue-haired woman doing?
She had seemed so intimidating at first, but this was all she could do?
After giving her a disdainful look, he ignored her and moved toward Zyhark.
"Holy Water Stream!"
Infuriated by his disdain, Aqua finally made the right choice, summoning a powerful stream of high-pressure water.
Caught off guard, Oven's wish was granted—he was sent flying and landed next to Big Mom and Katakuri.
The third crater was complete.
A triumphant Aqua skipped over to Zyhark, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
"Hey Zyhark, are you done yet? Why are you so slow?" the fool of a goddess remarked.
Zyhark opened his eyes and glanced at the idiotic goddess, who was pretending to be annoyed while secretly wiping the ashes off her hand onto him.
I really want to call down a bolt of lightning to zap her…
The thought had barely crossed his mind when the air in front of him was torn apart by a surge of violent energy.
Having regained her composure, Big Mom now held her emperor's sword, Prometheus burning around the blade and Zeus at the tip, crackling with bright lightning.
"Thunderfire Cannon!!"
With Big Mom's roar, the elemental energy swirled, firing a high-density laser beam capable of piercing through islands.
In an instant, rocks shattered, winds roared, and even the surroundings turned black and white from the sheer intensity.
In the critical moment, Kanna leaped forward, charging up her destructive beam.
"I'll handle this, Kanna-chan. As a man, I can't let you take the brunt of this."
Escanor stepped forward, stopping Kanna.
Not only did he mean it literally, but he also wanted to make the most of his peak noon power.
He sheathed his Divine Axe Rita and formed a hand sword with his left hand, his movements slow yet elegant, as he swung lightly toward the oncoming beam.
"Sacred Sword: Escanor."
With this seemingly simple strike, it was as if the space itself had been torn apart, slicing the powerful beam in two.
Boom!!
The redirected attack exploded to the sides, unleashing a torrent of light, fire, and smoke.
Before the smoke could clear, a crackling sound filled the air, and blue lightning pierced the dust, drawing down thunderclouds from the sky.
"Oh no! Everyone, find cover now!!"
Katakuri, who had been about to chase after Zyhark, turned around and shouted at the Big Mom Pirates' officers.
"The ability to foresee the future with Observation Haki really is convenient."
Zyhark sighed in admiration as he bathed in the lightning.
But in the next second, his eyes sharpened.
"However, even if you can see the future, can you stop it, Katakuri?"
"Witness…"
"True Lightning!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The thunderclouds erupted, unleashing apocalyptic lightning that engulfed the entirety of Cake Island!
(End of Chapter)
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