Wilder was in a complete frenzy, a bloodthirsty smile blooming on his face. It had been a long time since he had been so seriously injured. Three punches had nearly shattered his internal organs.
How could he just swallow this grudge?
"Hey, my dear brother Wilder, don't be rash," Kizaru said, a cold sweat breaking out on his face as he saw Wilder's crazed state.
But the moment his words fell, with a loud bang, Wilder had already shot out like a cannonball! The force erupting from his feet made him vanish instantly, the air not even having time to rush back in. The sound of him breaking the sound barrier cracked, and a shockwave blasted outward.
"Nyahahaha! Die! Big Mom!" As he hurtled through the air, Wilder's crazed laughter reached the ears of the people below, sending a shiver of fear through each of them.
"Has this guy gone mad?"
"He's challenging Big Mom all by himself!"
"Come and die!" Wilder's eyes were now the blood-red of a rabid dog, the smile on his lips nearly splitting his face. Mad, bloodthirsty, in the blink of an eye, his figure flashed and he was above Big Mom. He clenched his fist and brought it crashing down on her head!
"My dear brother Wilder has gone insane," Kizaru concluded in his mind as he witnessed this scene.
The picture seemed to freeze. The onlookers stared with wide eyes, already able to predict the tragic outcome.
BAM! With a deep, muffled thud, just as expected, Wilder was sent flying backward even faster than he had come.
But before anyone could even register what had happened, a shockwave exploded in the distance! From within the dust cloud, Wilder, seemingly with no regard for his own life, charged out again, rushing toward Big Mom!
"Hey, do you really not want to live anymore?" Kizaru knew he couldn't just stand by. His figure turned into a beam of light and shot out, re-forming beside Wilder and grabbing his shoulder.
BAM!
The scene fell silent.
Wilder had actually turned around and punched Kizaru, scattering his light-form.
"Holy… shit!"
After sending Kizaru flying, Wilder let out a crazed laugh and continued his charge toward Big Mom!
The scene that followed made the hearts of everyone on the battlefield pound with fear. The continuous sound of fists hitting flesh echoed relentlessly. Wilder, relying on his superb combat skills, was actually trading blows with Big Mom!
No! That wasn't right! It was Wilder unilaterally attacking Big Mom! Because Big Mom's attacks couldn't even touch him!
Wh-what's going on?
The crowd was completely stunned, speechless as they listened to the dull thuds of flesh meeting flesh.
"Don't underestimate that fellow Wilder. He is reputed to be the most successful Warlord in history! This level of skill is only to be expected," Kizaru said, his body re-forming, looking slightly disheveled. His words, however, shocked everyone.
"The most successful Warlord in history?"
"Well… that's right. Although that's just the internal opinion of the World Government," Kizaru said, taking off his glasses to wipe them as he watched the fight between Wilder and Big Mom.
"B-but… that's Big Mom! A Yonko!"
"Ah… yes, that's right. So what you're seeing is just the surface. My dear brother Wilder's fists haven't caused even a single bit of damage to Charlotte Linlin from beginning to end. Charlotte Linlin is a seasoned pirate. In terms of combat, even I have things to learn from her. It's true that my dear brother Wilder is currently using his superb combat skills to evade Big Mom's attacks every time, but… such high-frequency movement consumes a great deal of spirit and stamina. Charlotte is just looking for an opportunity. Once she catches him, the tables will be completely turned."
"But even so… isn't Big Mom being temporarily suppressed by Wilder right now? It's because she's being suppressed that she has to resort to looking for an opportunity, right? Otherwise, couldn't she just knock him down with one punch like before?"
On the battlefield, Wilder's body was indeed flashing continuously, just as the crowd saw. He skillfully dodged Big Mom's giant hands or fists every time they came at him. And in the gaps, Wilder would inevitably land a punch on Big Mom. In comparison, Big Mom's movements seemed as sluggish as a baby's, while Wilder was a powerful, battle-hardened warrior.
"That's normal. It's not that Big Mom doesn't have the ability to land a decisive blow, but my dear brother Wilder is no simpleton either. Don't forget that Wilder is also a famous powerhouse. Even for Big Mom, she can't just kill him in an instant, right?"
Hearing Kizaru's words, the marine who had asked the question felt his pupils shrink, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead. "Are… are you saying… Big Mom is looking for an opportunity to kill Wilder in a single blow!?"
Kizaru pursed his lips and finally nodded, his gaze never leaving the spot where Wilder and Big Mom were fighting.
"So strong!" The more the people on the battlefield watched, the more shocked they became, gaining a deeper impression of Wilder's strength.
However, before long, Wilder's momentum began to wane. The continuous fighting had severely depleted his stamina. In another attack, Big Mom seized her chance!
"Mamamamama! Die! Wilder!" Big Mom's shrill, strange laughter rang out. Wilder's fist was caught!
"Gah!" Before Wilder could break free, his pupils shrank. Big Mom's other hand had also grabbed him. His body was caught between her two hands like a piece of wood and brutally bent!
"Aaaaargh!" Even someone with Wilder's extraordinary pain tolerance couldn't help but let out a tragic scream at this blow. His spine felt as if it were about to snap. His whole body went limp, his eyes bulged, and he gasped for air, unable to speak.
BAM! Then, Wilder's entire body was thrown away like a crushed apple, crashing to the ground in the distance.
"Hah… hahh…!" Wilder lay on his back, his body completely immobile. His waist was twisted into a strange, distorted shape. It was clear at a glance that his bones were broken.
THUMP…! THUMP…! THUMP…! Big Mom, exuding a terrifying aura, strode forward, her heavy steps pounding the ground as she walked toward Wilder.
"Hah… hahh…!" From his heavy breathing, it was clear that Wilder was in a bad state. Kizaru was already prepared to kick Big Mom away at any moment.
THUMP…! THUMP…! THUMP…!
"Hah…! Hahh…!"
"Heheh… nyahahaha!" Wilder suddenly burst out laughing, revealing a set of teeth stained red with blood. Wisps of steam began to rise from his body.
Tssss…!
The steam grew thicker and more obvious, and Wilder's skin began to turn red. This change came without any warning.
"What's happening?!"
Stunned gazes converged on the fallen Wilder, not understanding what was happening.
"Look at his body!" someone shouted in a shocked tone. The others followed his words and looked closely, equally stunned.
"This is…"
A cracking sound came from Wilder's twisted waist. As his skin grew redder and redder, his back began to straighten back to its original position, steam billowing.
"His body is recovering!"
"This guy is truly astonishing. What kind of strange move is this?" Even Kizaru's face could no longer remain calm.
"Tch!" Feeling the vibrations from the ground and Big Mom's approaching steps, Wilder let out a sneer. His arms moved, and he began to stand up.
"I didn't expect that in the end, I would have to use this kind of move that kills a thousand enemies and injures eight hundred of my own." Facing Big Mom's cold, predatory gaze, Wilder's eyes gradually turned blood-red again, and a deep voice came from his mouth.
"Life Return—Blood Wolf Devours Injury!"
The steam around Wilder's entire body suddenly erupted in a brilliant crimson. In the blink of an eye, as if he had been scalded, Wilder's skin took on a strange red glow. And the moment he shouted those words, he disappeared.
"So fast!" Kizaru, who had been watching the changes, had a look of shock flash in his eyes.
"Such terrifying speed…" The others widened their eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of Wilder's figure, but they couldn't see him. They could only hear the muffled sound of his steps echoing from all around, an occasional flash of red light, but no sign of Wilder himself.
"His target is Big Mom!" People remembered Wilder's previous crazed state, also because of Big Mom, and immediately turned their gazes toward her.
BAM!
The next moment, the crowd was stunned. A red light flashed past, passing through Big Mom's body, and then they saw her body actually sway and fall backward!
"This guy… not only has his speed increased, but his strength has also increased?" Only Kizaru on the scene could track Wilder's movements. He had seen it clearly just now. As Wilder rushed past Big Mom with terrifying speed, he had struck her abdomen with a punch. That punch had actually produced a terrifying red air blast and shockwave. It was this punch that had directly knocked Big Mom off balance. Even her terrifying body couldn't withstand this force and fell. One could imagine how terrifying the power of that punch was.
An ordinary person would probably be dead or crippled after taking that punch.
BANG BANG BANG!
The muffled, far-reaching sound of his steps continued to echo through the air. The steam in that area created a misty environment. Big Mom braced herself with one hand on the ground, ultimately not falling. She pushed herself back up with the strength of her arm, her bloodshot eyes scanning her surroundings.
She had to admit, this speed had already surpassed what her naked eye could track.
But Big Mom didn't care, because at her level, battles were never fought by relying on eyes to discern attacks, but by Observation Haki. So what if his speed and strength had increased? That punch just now had indeed surprised her, but it was only a slight surprise. It was not yet at the level where it could injure her.
Big Mom's counterattack began quickly.
Her bicorne, Napoleon, flew out on its own, transforming into a giant sword.
"Thundercloud Zeus! Sun Prometheus!" While holding the giant sword, Big Mom also summoned the sun and the thundercloud.
In an instant, lightning flashed and thunder roared!
"Mamamamama… got you!" Big Mom's terrifying eyes flew open, revealing a bloodthirsty smile. Her giant sword, wreathed in flames, slashed down heavily at a certain spot in front of her!
"Emperor Sword: Blade of Ruin!" The flaming giant sword descended from above!
BOOM! The terrifying slash directly caused an explosion-like effect. Chunks of stone were thrown up, shooting out in all directions, instantly turning charred and red-hot!
"Swamp—Sky-Piercing Swamp!" Wilder's deep, cold voice came from within the flames. Then, a massive, rotating, pillar-like column of swamp shot up from under Big Mom's feet, instantly dispersing the surrounding flames!
Both sides had gotten serious, and the battle had undergone a fundamental change from before!
From a simple physical confrontation, they had now moved on to using their abilities!
Zeus!
CRACKLE! A bolt of purple lightning shot down from the thundercloud toward Wilder!
BOOM! The thunder roared. Wilder's entire body was emitting steam, his skin fiery red. The all-around enhancement had made his reactions and Observation Haki countless times stronger than before. Before the lightning could even descend, Wilder had already disappeared from his spot.
Prometheus!
BOOM! A large ball of fire fell from the sky. Wilder had just dodged the lightning attack. The moment he appeared in another location, an incredibly hot presence immediately came from behind him.
Big Mom's grasp of battle was exquisite. Her Observation Haki was also incredibly powerful. She had already predicted the location where Wilder would appear, and her timing was perfectly coordinated.
As for the swamp attack that Wilder had launched just now, it had been completely disintegrated by a single punch from Big Mom!
The high-temperature flames came from behind. If it were before, Wilder might not have been able to dodge and would have definitely been hit. But now, with his life force burning, his reaction speed was godlike. The moment he appeared, he immediately disappeared again.
BOOM! Similarly, the flames missed their target, leaving a large, charred crater on the ground.
But when Wilder appeared again, a giant hand had already followed closely behind him and was grabbing at him!
BAM! This time, Wilder couldn't dodge. His body was sent flying.
But soon, in mid-air, Wilder stepped on the air, forcibly halting his backward momentum. Steam billowed, and in the blink of an eye, he shot forward again. A terrifying air blast phenomenon erupted from under his feet, and his body instantly disappeared again.
"Swamp—Giant Palm!"
BOOM! A giant swamp palm appeared in the air and slapped toward Big Mom!
The sun Prometheus floated in front of Big Mom with a sneer. A ball of fire shot out from its body like a giant cannonball, hitting the giant swamp palm squarely.
The swamp palm disintegrated into mud with a single blow and fell from the sky.
"Swamp—Cloud Cover!" Wilder's voice now came from above Big Mom's head. Both Prometheus and Zeus's expressions changed drastically. They looked up, only to be met with a dark, oppressive swamp cloud descending upon them!
"I can't let this thing cover me," Big Mom, who had been standing still, now raised her hand, her face shrouded in shadow. She threw a punch with a blank expression!
"Flame Strike!"
A punch carrying flames and electric fangs shot up from below and heavily struck the center of the giant swamp cloud that was pressing down from the sky!
BOOM! A powerful explosion echoed across the entire battlefield. The shockwave made people raise their hands to shield their faces. At this moment, the faces of the onlookers were filled with nothing but shock—shock at this battle, and even more shock at Big Mom's terrifying power. And that Wilder could fight such a terrifying Big Mom to this extent was the most incredible, most speechless thing in the depths of their hearts.
The explosion lasted for a long time. Electric fangs and firelight flickered continuously within the descending swamp cloud. The shockwave gradually weakened, and the onlookers lowered their arms to look.