Negotiation was impossible. And Big Mom hadn't even prepared any Devil Fruits properly—she just dumped them into a pile.
"Well, well, well…"
Big Mom let out her signature laugh, eyes gleaming with bloodlust. Her hair began to stir, moving on its own despite the still air. Suddenly, a terrifying aura erupted—Conqueror's Haki. One of the strongest in the world.
Crimson lightning crackled around her. The air vibrated violently, like a storm tearing through everything in its path.
"She's terrifying…" Kalifa staggered slightly, nearly losing her balance.
Esdeath grabbed her arm to steady her. "So weak—and you want to be Vane's woman?"
Her tone carried a trace of mockery, but even she couldn't hide her awe. This was Conqueror's Haki, the mark of a true king. A force so potent, it brought rulers to their knees.
Even Big Mom's own children couldn't endure it. Many of her sons and daughters collapsed under the pressure. The weaker ones fainted instantly as her Haki surged out.
"Mother…"
Some of her children wobbled on their feet, barely conscious. Others tried to support them, though they too were overwhelmed.
The sheer force was like a shockwave spreading outward, tearing through buildings and flooring like paper.
"Well, well, well…"
Her grin twisted into something monstrous—madness in its purest form.
Big Mom stared directly at Vane.
And he smiled.
Vane had Conqueror's Haki too. Though he initially received it through an investment in Whitebeard, it had since become his own, refined and reinforced through battle. What was once an inherited gift had grown into a power that reflected his own unbreakable will.
Boom!
A massive aura burst from Vane's body. The weight of it pressed directly toward Big Mom. His Haki, while not as wide in reach, matched hers in intensity.
Their opposing forces clashed—two waves of Conqueror's Haki colliding midair. Blood-red lightning tore through the air as the sky darkened under the weight of their wills. The ground beneath them cracked open. Entire buildings crumbled under the force of their spiritual pressure.
"What a monster… Is this the true strength of will in this world?" Esdeath murmured, pulling Kalifa further back. Kalifa, overwhelmed by the sheer pressure, slumped against her chest, nearly unconscious.
Big Mom's children fared far worse. Only a few of the higher-ranked ones remained standing. The rest were either passed out or on the verge of collapse—bodies limp, vision blurry, breathing ragged.
To Vane, Big Mom's forces were like trash scattered by a storm.
The clash of crimson lightning filled the sky. The destructive pressure of their Haki warped the atmosphere around them. Even Katakuri could unleash destructive force with his Conqueror's Haki—but compared to Big Mom and Vane, it felt insignificant.
The floor cracked as though struck by the power of the Gura Gura no Mi. The top of Whole Cake Castle buckled under the strain, walls crumbling and stone being flung outward. Anyone still standing was sent flying, like leaves caught in a hurricane.
What a terrifying display.
On the island below, the residents looked up in horror. They saw red lightning streaking across the sky, waves of energy rippling from the top of the castle. The very air felt like it might collapse.
"Is Mom… angry?"
"Terrifying…"
"That's her Conqueror's Haki… No one can stand against her!"
The people of Totland referred to Big Mom respectfully as "Mom." Under her rule, they were safe—as long as they obeyed. But every six months, they were required to pay with fragments of their souls. In exchange, they lived protected lives.
Yet even protection had its limits. When Big Mom raged, no one was safe.
"Is she furious because they captured Katakuri?"
"If she goes on a rampage again, we're all doomed!"
The residents began fleeing, desperate to get as far from the castle as possible. Everyone knew what happened when Big Mom lost control—even children understood it.
"Was it a direct confrontation?"
"I don't know, but it's not going to end well."
Stussy stood off to the side, observing the collision of Haki above. She recognized it—two distinct forces clashing, not just one. But the others assumed only Big Mom was releasing Conqueror's Haki.
"Linlin and that Vane guy… The gap between them is almost nothing. Their Conqueror's Haki—it's nearly equal."
"No wonder the World Government can't tolerate him. What happens if he keeps getting stronger?"
Stussy's eyes widened with shock.
Back on top of the castle…
"Well… I didn't expect this from you," Big Mom said, her wicked smile spreading across her face. "You really surprised me."
"I can't say I fully understand this power," Esdeath muttered, staring at Big Mom. Kalifa in her arms had completely blacked out.
"You're too fragile, Kalifa… So useless," Esdeath sighed.
On Big Mom's side, hardly anyone was still standing. The combined force of two equal waves of Conqueror's Haki had decimated her troops.
"Incredible…"
"His Haki… it's as strong as Mom's!"
Katakuri and the others, still imprisoned, watched in disbelief. That boy—Vane—stood there without fear, confronting their mother directly.
"You're strong too, Big Mom," Vane said.
The table between them was still intact—though the fruit and candy it once held had long since scattered.
Vane grabbed both ends of the table, then violently flipped it. As it tilted vertically, he kicked it upward.
The entire table slammed into Big Mom.
It exploded on impact.
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Well, no bonus Chapters for you.
Have fun with 2 chapters (ب_ب)