Ezra D. Vale's voice was icy, and the crisp snap of his fingers echoed through the ears of those nearby. Suddenly, a searing heat surged through their bodies.
Boom!
Flames erupted violently from within, scorching everything in their path.
"Ahhh! Damn Marine!" came their tortured screams.
Without glancing back, Ezra walked out of the third-floor room, leaving the chaos behind.
Meanwhile, atop the castle, Big Mom glared at the two charred Life Cards in her hands. Her face was dark with anger, a storm brewing within her as she swept her gaze across her children. This time, she sent no one to intercept him.
Through the recent battles, Big Mom had come to understand one undeniable truth: Ezra D. Vale's strength was beyond what any of her children could resist individually. Even if they combined their forces, she couldn't be certain they could overwhelm him.
A sudden crash of a massive door being blown open interrupted her thoughts.
Dressed in a black suit and draped in the Marine's cape of justice, Ezra D. Vale walked in slowly, deliberately.
"So, all of your children are here, huh?" His gaze swept over the forty or so faces before him. Some he recognized; most were merely expendable pawns. Finally, his eyes rested on Big Mom herself.
"Ezra D. Vale!" Big Mom's roar filled the hall, her immense killing intent causing the temperature in the room to plummet.
Charlotte Linlin's crimson eyes sparkled with amusement as she stared at Big Mom.
"Why stop sending your children? Honestly, I haven't had my fun yet."
Big Mom clenched her fists tightly. "You haven't had your fun? You dare be so brazen in my stronghold? All of you, attack!"
A tidal wave of her children surged forward.
Vale's lips curled into a smirk. "Ugh… a little crowded, aren't we?"
From her throne, Big Mom's cold laughter echoed. "Let's see how you handle this!"
Her expression changed in shock as she realized Vale had already drawn Ryūjin Jakka, his blade of fire, from its sheath.
"I have a penchant for finishing things in one strike," he said, eyes narrowing.
"[Fuzan-san]!"
With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword. Spiritual pressure radiated outward like a violent storm, tearing through the advancing crowd.
"What… what is this?!" someone cried. "Ahhh! It hurts! No… don't kill me!"
Screams filled the hall as all motion froze in an instant. Vale slowly sheathed Ryūjin Jakka.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Everyone before him fell to their knees, their bodies marked with deep cuts carved by the force of his sword pressure. It was a true, single-strike massacre.
Big Mom trembled. Could she defeat these individuals herself? Perhaps. But could she eliminate all her children at once in a single blow? Absolutely not. Not even she, Charlotte Linlin, the "Natural Destroyer," could do that.
Suppressing the flicker of fear in her heart, Big Mom's gaze hardened. Vale shrugged and let out a faint chuckle.
"What's wrong, Big Mom? Didn't you invite me to a tea party? Here I am."
Her face flushed with rage. "Tea party? This isn't a tea party! It's more like a… funeral!"
"Ezra D. Vale, I acknowledge your strength. But to defeat me? You're still ten thousand years too early!"
With that, Big Mom appeared in front of Vale in a flash.
"Thunderfire Blitz!" Her fist, entwined with flames and lightning, smashed toward him.
A glimmer of recognition passed through Vale's eyes as he braced his right hand.
"[One Bone]!"
The collision of their fists sent a shockwave that rocked the castle. The walls trembled under the impact, groaning with strain.
Big Mom's eyes widened in shock. This was the first time anyone had dared block her punch head-on.
Vale's expression remained serene. "Nice force, Big Mom."
He followed up with a whip-like kick, sending her crashing through a wall and onto the floor of Cake Island.
"Damn Marine!" she roared, summoning a storm.
Rumble!
Lightning cracked across the island as torrents of rain and wind battered everything. Big Mom had created an environment tailored to her perception of Vale as a fire-wielding threat.
Leaping from the crumbled wall, Vale laughed lightly. "Big Mom… do you think a little rain will affect me?"
"Underestimating me, are you?" Big Mom growled. "Let's see if it works!"
Thunder!
A bolt of lightning, thick as a dragon, slammed onto Vale, sending smoke spiraling into the air.
Yet, when it cleared, Vale remained unscathed, his clothes untouched. He flexed his numb arm, smirking. "This force is barely adequate."
Big Mom's expression darkened. "Tidal Wave!"
Massive waves surged from behind him, dozens of meters high, crashing down with overwhelming power.
Vale tilted his head, unsheathing Ryūjin Jakka. "So, the lightning was just a feint. Impressive. But are these waves really enough to belittle me?"
Sword Pressure Extreme!
A single slash, tens of meters long, tore through the colossal wave, splitting it in two.
"What?!" Big Mom's face reflected shock. The storm dissipated as it no longer posed a threat.
Vale performed a graceful flourish, pointing Ryūjin Jakka at her. His crimson eyes mirrored her own image.
"Shall we continue?"
Big Mom's gaze sharpened. Raising her hand, she called down Zeus, hurling a massive sword from the sky. The weapon gleamed in her grip, radiating lethal intent.
"Twin-Corn Napoleon!"
One of her strongest homies, capable of transforming into a giant blade, surged with destructive energy. Vale's lips twitched into a faint smile.
"Compare swordsmanship? Sure."
In the blink of an eye, Vale appeared before her.
"Vigor Nation!" A massive blade of energy rushed toward him. Vale calmly countered with the force of Ryūjin Jakka, sparks and pressure clashing violently.
Big Mom shrieked, her voice distorted with effort, bolstered by her overwhelming conqueror's haki. Vale staggered slightly under the immense pressure.
"Perfect opportunity!" Big Mom's eyes gleamed with ruthless focus. She swung her colossal sword downward with all her might.
At the last instant, Vale raised Ryūjin Jakka to block.
"Truly a Natural Destroyer… such raw power is rare," he muttered, his calm demeanor unshaken.
The massive sword burst into flames. "Emperor Blade: Broken Edge!"
The fire-enhanced giant sword's force multiplied explosively. Vale's eyes narrowed. "Hmm… now it's getting interesting."
Boom!
A surge of spiritual pressure exploded from him, shattering the storm clouds above. His searing aura scorched the ocean, the ground, and even Big Mom herself.
Her pupils contracted as she recoiled. "What… what is this?!"
This pressure was not conqueror's haki but it was undeniable, crushing, undeniable. Big Mom's shoulders sank under the overwhelming force.
"Hmph! You want to surpass me? Impossible!" she growled, her own conqueror's haki flaring in response, radiating a terrifying aura of supremacy.
_______________________
Enjoying the chaos, action, and wild adventures?
Don't stop here! You can unlock advanced chapters and exclusive content by joining my P@treon! Every powerstone counts if we reach 300 powerstones, a BONUS CHAPTER will be released! ⚡
Be the first to witness the next epic battles, shocking twists, and hidden secrets before anyone else!
Join the crew on P@treon and set sail beyond the horizon!
[email protected]/_sey
Change @ to a