"All three types of Haki have reached Level 5. In terms of Haki mastery, I can now go toe-to-toe with most Marine Vice Admirals."
Ethan's eyes gleamed as he quietly evaluated his growth.
His Observation Haki had expanded its range to nearly a kilometer. It wouldn't be long before he reached the level of foreseeing the future.
His Armament Haki was now advanced enough to harden his entire body.
His Conqueror's Haki, aside from its overwhelming intimidation, had fused with his Devil Fruit powers to create the technique War Cry.
Anyone weaker than him would instantly faint under the War Cry's pressure. Even those stronger would have their strength halved and remain disoriented, constantly on the verge of losing consciousness.
But what truly excited Ethan was the breakthrough in his soul power.
After reaching Level 4, his soul power not only allowed him to create Homies it now granted him the ability to extract other people's souls.
"My soul is still too weak, I can only sustain one Homie right now. But as my soul grows stronger, I can devour other souls to bolster my own."
His three-headed, six-armed Asura form could theoretically wield six weapons at once. Currently, he only had one the White Bone Sword. He still couldn't unleash his full potential.
"Once my soul strengthens further, I'll be able to create a second Homie. With two weapons, my combat power will leap again."
Ethan quietly strategized.
Unlike Big Mom, he didn't have her unique natural gift that allowed her to create dozens of Homies upon eating the Soul-Soul Fruit. She had been born with a monstrously powerful soul.
But Ethan had to build his power step by step.
"Slow and steady wins the race. If I suddenly display overwhelming talent, I'll definitely attract dangerous attention."
Ever since awakening his X-ray vision, he had occasionally used it to observe Big Mom.
Sure enough, he discovered something strange there was a second soul residing inside Big Mom.
Combining this with her past, Ethan became certain that this second soul was related to Mother Carmel.
He could sense the shadow of a deep conspiracy, but he neither had the power nor the desire to interfere.
He could barely protect himself as it was. With Big Mom and Stussy both watching him like hawks, even the slightest misstep could doom him.
"Today's the day Stussy promised. The Navy should be arriving soon, right?"
Whatever schemes Stussy was brewing, this was his best shot at escaping from Big Mom's clutches. Even if it meant stepping into the jaws of death, he had to take the risk.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion ripped through the air as a cannonball slammed into the Rocks Pirates' ship.
Warships swiftly surrounded them, cutting off all routes of escape.
The Navy had shown no mercy. Waves of cannon fire rained down on the pirates.
At this rate, the Rocks ship would sink in no time.
"Damn it! It's been days and the Navy's still this relentless!"
Big Mom had been jolted awake by the very first cannon blast. What she hadn't expected was how decisively the Navy attacked no warnings, no hesitation, just all-out assault.
As the pirate ship groaned under the bombardment, Big Mom finally lost patience. She stood up and glanced at Ethan with a cold expression.
"I'll go handle the Navy. You stay here with Prometheus and guard the ship."
But before she could finish, Ethan cut in.
"Linlin, the Navy came prepared this time. This isn't a random pursuit they've clearly set a trap. I should go too."
If he stayed behind, taking out Prometheus wouldn't be an issue but Big Mom would definitely sense something was wrong. She would immediately abandon her battle and hunt him down with all her might.
Only in the chaos of battle would he have a chance to escape.
He had to be part of this fight.
Seeing Big Mom hesitate, Ethan pressed on.
"I can handle myself now. Average Vice Admirals aren't a threat to me. Even if it's an Admiral, I can at least trade a few blows. Don't worry about me, Linlin."
"I'm well aware of your strength." Big Mom mulled it over for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Since you insist, you can come. But remember even though you're not officially wanted yet, some of your details have probably reached the higher-ups in the Navy. If they find you, they will try to capture you."
She paused, her voice turning stern.
"Don't stray more than a hundred meters from me, or your life will be in serious danger. If it comes to that, let Prometheus carry you to safety."
A prodigy like Ethan rare even in a century was too valuable to lose before she'd wrung every last drop of his worth from him.
If he had to die, it would only be after she was pregnant with his child.
"Strange... after all this time, I should've felt something by now, but my body hasn't changed at all..."
Big Mom glanced at her belly in confusion.
"Could the problem be with me?"
But she quickly dismissed the thought. She'd figure it out later after they survived this battle, she would find a ship doctor to ask what was going on.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The relentless cannon fire snapped her focus back to the fight. She shook her head, clearing her thoughts, and led Ethan up to the deck.
Scanning the battlefield, her eyes instantly locked onto the tall, commanding figure on the enemy warship the man with the seagull hat and iconic goatee.
"Sengoku? Why is he here?!"
As a famed pirate, Big Mom immediately recognized the Navy's golden boy. Her brow furrowed in alarm.
Kaido had left the ship yesterday and wouldn't return until the day after tomorrow. Whitebeard and Shiki had already departed long ago.
The only ones left aboard the Rocks ship now were the old, the sick, and the weak completely outmatched by the Navy's forces.
While Big Mom scrambled for a strategy, Sengoku launched a fresh assault.
This time, Sengoku personally led the charge, bearing straight for Big Mom.
"Linlin! I've come to bring you to justice!" Sengoku's voice thundered. "You pirates will all rot in Impel Down!"
The Navy had received reports from the locals, claiming that remnants of the Rocks Pirates were wreaking havoc on the island. They rushed in without delay, their target confirmed.
"Pirates, prepare to die!"
With a roar, Sengoku activated his Devil Fruit power. His body rapidly expanded, his skin shimmering with a golden sheen, his entire form radiating divine light as he transformed into the mighty Golden Buddha.
A shockwave, strong enough to obliterate a fortress, blasted toward Big Mom.
She didn't dare take it lightly and immediately engaged Sengoku in a fierce clash.
The three Vice Admirals who accompanied Sengoku spread out, with one of them locking his sights on Ethan.
Gripping a massive battle axe, the Vice Admiral charged at him.
"Three-Eyed brat, Saint Saturn sends his regards!"
"So they really do know about me." Ethan had expected this. His expression remained calm.
"If Saturn told you about me, did he also remind you to be very, very careful when you face me?"