BOOM!!!
A violent storm of energy spread outward without end.
Above Whole Cake Island, thunder roared incessantly like a suffocating drumbeat in the sky!
Zoro, having just taken another heavy punch from Big Mom head-on, was blasted away like a shooting star. His body tore through the air before crashing through several shattered walls in the distance.
Dust and debris blanketed the battlefield.
With her massive body swaying forward, Big Mom pursued him relentlessly, refusing to give him even a moment to recover.
She had already witnessed Zoro's terrifying regenerative ability!
No matter how severe the injury, he could recover in a short time and return to battle.
What she didn't know… was that this was merely one of Zoro's unique abilities.
Far from the Whole Cake Chateau, in the residential districts of Whole Cake Island, civilians gathered in open plazas, drawn by the commotion. They stared toward the castle in the distance.
"Looks like the pirate crew challenging Mama this time is pretty strong!"
In one town, a spirited young boy spoke with excitement, a faint glimmer of longing in his eyes.
What young person doesn't dream of becoming an unrivaled powerhouse… commanding the world and leading countless people?
But in the end, all such dreams are crushed beneath a mountain called reality.
A burly man—likely the boy's father—grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up, roaring:
"No matter how strong they are, they can't beat Mama! The guards already went to support her! You brat, just focus on learning how to make sweets properly!!!"
The boy struggled stubbornly, his youthful defiance bursting forth:
"But what if Big Mom gets defeated—mmph!"
"Shhh!!!"
Cold sweat broke out across the man's forehead as he quickly covered the boy's mouth.
The surrounding residents recoiled as if avoiding a plague.
The man nervously glanced around. Only after confirming there were no guards nearby did he let out a long breath and whisper:
"That's impossible!"
"You must never say that again, understand!?"
"Mmm! Mmm!"
The boy nodded repeatedly, finally realizing his mistake.
Under absolute authority… even speech is not free.
Back on the battlefield—
"Zoro!"
"Zoro!"
As three voices rang out, Usopp, Franky, and Chopper suddenly rushed forward, standing in front of Zoro and facing Big Mom directly.
Big Mom's expression darkened instantly.
She leaned forward, bringing her massive face closer, as if inspecting them. Her enormous mouth opened wide, looking ready to devour them.
"Little brats… you think even you can stand against my power!?"
As her words fell—
A colossal fist, coated in terrifying Armament Haki, came crashing down toward them!
Caught off guard, the trio had no time to react. Franky stepped forward alone, shielding Usopp and Chopper behind him.
He tried to withstand the blow with his reinforced metallic body—
But no matter how tough he was, how could he endure Big Mom's overwhelming strike?
Crack…
At that very moment!
From the rubble nearby, a mound of earth suddenly rose up.
Sensing the attack, Zoro forced himself up, gripping his Zanpakuto as he burst out from the debris. Stones tumbled to Usopp's feet.
Without even brushing off the dust, Zoro charged straight toward Big Mom's descending fist.
BOOM!!!
In an instant—
A storm filled with sparks erupted like a tidal wave!
Midair, Zoro's three blades clashed violently against Big Mom's massive fist. As they struggled against each other, Zoro shouted down:
"You're not her opponents yet!"
"Ahahahaha!!!"
Big Mom let out a piercing laugh that shook the air.
"So you do have some self-awareness!"
"But—"
"It's too late!!!"
As she spoke, her other arm swung outward.
"Zeus! Take care of them!"
"Yes, Mama!"
The black thundercloud Homie, brimming with endless lightning, responded instantly.
"Not good!"
Having fought it before, Zoro knew exactly how terrifying this cloud was. He immediately shouted:
"Run! Now!"
"Haki can't block its lightning!!!"
The cloud flew above the trio, swelling as blue-white light gathered beneath it.
Under the violent pressure, Usopp suddenly raised his giant slingshot, ignoring the debris striking his face.
"Usopp! What are you doing!?"
Franky, who had just picked up Chopper to retreat, shouted in confusion.
But Usopp replied with unwavering determination:
"If we don't try, how will we know!?"
"And besides—if we're too scared to even fight one of the Yonko's creations—"
"Wouldn't charging in here make us a complete joke!?"
As he spoke, Usopp loaded a blue pellet into his slingshot.
A mysterious blue glow ignited in his eyes.
"As long as it's alive—"
"Even if it's a god… I'll shoot it down!!!"
Crackle… crackle… crackle…
KRAAAACK!!!
As Usopp tightened his grip, sparks first danced around the pellet—
Then suddenly exploded into a dazzling surge of lightning!
At that moment, it was as if Usopp held lightning itself in his hand—radiant and blinding!
With his eyes glowing blue—
In that instant, he was a god!
"Wah!"
"Waaah!"
Franky and Chopper stared in awe, their eyes sparkling with admiration.
Within the Starry Sky Pirates—
No one had ever dared to call Usopp weak!!!
ZAP!!!
A bolt of lightning shot from Usopp's hand, streaking toward Zeus in the sky!
"Hahahahaha!!!"
"You idiot!"
Zeus burst into mocking laughter.
"Don't you know!? Lightning only makes me stronger!!!"
Gulp!
The cloud opened its mouth and swallowed the bolt whole.
"See!? I'm a thundercloud brought to life by Mama!"
"Lightning has no effect on me!!!"
"Hmph…"
Usopp lowered his slingshot, tipping his hat to shadow his sharp eyes.
"Relax…"
"Let the lightning… fly a little longer."
"W-What…?"
Zeus barely had time to question—
Before his expression suddenly twisted in horror.
His entire face warped in terror, eyes widening as if he had seen something monstrous.
"No!"
"That's impossible!"
"No—impossible!!!"
"NO!!!"
"THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!!!"
Rumble… crackle…
Inside Zeus's body—
A radiant blue sphere suddenly appeared, like the core of a divine beast!
Brilliant light pierced through the dark clouds, shining outward.
In an instant—
The entire sky turned blue!
The blue of lightning!
"M-Mama…!"
Zeus screamed, losing control as he shot upward into the sky, spreading that blinding light across all of Whole Cake Island.
"Mama… s-save me…"
BOOOOOOM!!!!!
With a final cry—
The lightning core inside Zeus exploded!
Boundless lightning erupted like silver serpents dancing wildly across the heavens!
The deafening roar tore through the skies. Even the clouds were blasted apart, turning to vapor and carrying the lightning even farther.
Within a radius of hundreds of meters—
The sky became a domain of falling lightning!
And as for Zeus—
One of Big Mom's strongest Homies—
He had completely vanished.