Chapter 175: If Once Isn't Enough, We'll Kill You Again!
"Ha... this body, this power."
In the country filled with cheers and violence, the re-standing Emperor of the Sea clenched her fist casually.
BOOM!
Terrifying Conqueror's Haki and violent power shattered the sweet ruins of Whole Cake Island around her instantly.
"Cakes... desserts... only kids like these things."
Looking at the scattered cakes, Big Mom said coldly, "Hey, Prometheus."
"Here~ Mama!"
"You did well."
As she spoke, she looked at the unconscious Zeus and Napoleon beside Prometheus. "Those two guys, I leave them to you to devour."
She revealed a cruel smile.
"Yes! Mama!"
Hearing this, Prometheus showed the same hideous expression.
Having obtained "Permission", the two tentacles holding Zeus and Napoleon stabbed without hesitation, piercing the two Homies instantly.
Clearly.
Compared to the "Support Homies" forcibly recalled by Big Mom, Zeus and Napoleon were much stronger.
So even though they remained in the "Faceless State", unable to resist Big Mom's order.
"Ahhh... Mama... why?"
"We, we are part of you too, Mama!"
During the process of their souls being gradually devoured, they could still wail and beg for mercy.
"Ha?"
Big Mom just looked at them coldly, eyes filled only with anger. "Yes, yes—you are part of my soul too..."
"But you are the 'Part' I hate... Mamamama!"
She laughed loudly.
Moments later, Zeus and Napoleon were completely devoured by Prometheus.
Then, lightning wrapped around the sun-like fireball.
Its body gradually transformed into a massive flaming curved sword and a lightning-covered nun's habit, landing on Big Mom.
"Mama—I feel so strong now!"
It cheered.
"Correct... from today on, you are not 'Prometheus' anymore."
"You are 'Cronus'!"
Big Mom sneered.
Speaking, she swung the curved sword casually to the side.
"Yes! Mama!"
Then...
RUMBLE!
In an instant, a slash blending lightning and flames erupted from the curved sword under Big Mom's terrifying physical strength!
The earth began to crumble.
The foundation of Whole Cake Island melted and cracked instantly; a massive "Canyon" formed on the island out of thin air.
"Good child, good child."
Seeing the power of this strike, Big Mom grinned.
Then, she turned around, looking at the three Zodiac members not far away.
"Hey, you three... didn't run, quite surprising."
She grinned hideously. "Your assassination plan failed... but the effect is good, at least for 'Me'."
She raised her hand, speaking very rationally, unlike the unfocused Big Mom before.
"Before me, even if your abilities are special, I won't let you escape easily."
"So I give you a chance. Offer me 30 years of your souls, and tell me enough intel about your organization. I can make an exception and let you join my command... Mamamama..."
Her laughter stopped halfway.
Because she found...
The three in front of her showed no sign of wavering.
[Fruit Encyclopedia Recorded]
[Paramecia · Soul-Soul Fruit]
[Fruit Ability: Manipulate souls of others and oneself, extract souls and lifespan.]
[Effects by Level]
[LV3: Gain full fruit effect. Plant 'Soul Brand' on others via soul incantation to extract soul and lifespan. Can split own soul to extract own soul and lifespan. Planting soul brand requires the target to feel 'Fear'. Can consume soul and lifespan to create special soul creatures 'Homies', but only low-level Homies. Requires 1 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
[LV4: Deep-Dive Development. Use own soul fragments to create 'High-Level Homies' with stronger vitality and power. Can consume extracted souls to empower self and heal injuries. Requires 3 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
[High-Level Homie souls can be replaced or recycled into the body. If recycled, cannot perform 'Self Soul Split' again for a month, but gain all memories and feelings of the recycled soul fragment.]
[LV5: Fruit Awakening · Sacrifice. Consume soul and lifespan to perform 'Soul Sacrifice'.]
[Soul Sacrifice · Self: Consume own soul and lifespan for 'Self Sacrifice', massively enhancing strength and recovery ability.]
[Soul Sacrifice · Brand: Ability affects surrounding environment. Instantly extract souls of all creatures branded with 'Soul Brand' in a large range, merging with own soul to gain temporary soul immortality.]
[Analysis Progress: 100%]
"Such a thing exists..."
Under the mask, a trace of understanding flashed in Roy's eyes.
In fact, he always felt Big Mom was the most unique among the "Four Emperors".
Whitebeard, Kaido, Shanks—they were powerhouses who reached the peak in mind, body, and technique, with almost no weaknesses.
But Big Mom was clearly different.
She had weaknesses, and more than one.
Every weakness was massive.
The uncontrollable "Eating Disorder", the inexplicable obsession with Mother Carmel, and the very unstable personality.
Sometimes kind, sometimes innocent, sometimes good, sometimes evil. Her personality seemed split: partly an innocent child, partly an evil pirate.
Among powerhouses of this level, she was undoubtedly the most abnormal one.
Now, the fact seemed to be before him.
"Big Mom" was never just Charlotte Linlin—the soul in her body was a huge "Monster".
Roy thought he might guess some reasons.
He knew Big Mom's past—abandoned for being too strong, adopted by Mother Carmel, ate her friends and Carmel during her sixth birthday due to an eating disorder attack, inheriting Carmel's "Soul-Soul Fruit".
But this itself was abnormal.
At least Roy never heard of anyone gaining fruit abilities by eating people—even the Munch-Munch Fruit's awakening effect only granted "Weakened Fruit Abilities".
But Charlotte Linlin did it.
The only reason was...
"Not that she gained the ability by eating Mother Carmel, but that she IS Mother Carmel—at least a part of her is."
Roy muttered internally.
"Mother Carmel was a trafficker pretending to be a 'Saint', a despicable person."
Knowing the Soul-Soul Fruit's ability, Roy could guess—the children in her "Sheep's House" must have been planted with "Soul Brands".
The only exception might be Charlotte Linlin.
The born evil god might cry, but she certainly didn't know fear.
No, to be precise.
"Abandoned by parents due to natural strength, perhaps the only thing she feared was losing her 'Mother' again."
Thinking of this, Roy vaguely guessed what happened back then.
When Charlotte Linlin ate Mother Carmel during the eating disorder attack, the latter must have tried to resist and chanted the "Soul Incantation".
Roy didn't know the specifics, but the outcome was destined—the nun's resistance failed, so...
"Before dying, she activated 'Soul Sacrifice'."
All children's souls merged with her, granting her soul immortality—she survived briefly.
But at this moment, Charlotte Linlin woke up.
Finding Carmel and friends gone, she naturally felt the fear of being "Abandoned".
In that moment, she was branded too.
Her soul was extracted and merged with Mother Carmel.
But Mother Carmel wouldn't extract Linlin's soul completely, or she would die too.
Her only choice was to keep Linlin alive and choose to become a "Part" of her.
So, Big Mom was born.
Her soul was dominated by "Charlotte Linlin", perhaps forever stuck at that sixth birthday party—hence her child-like personality often.
But Mother Carmel's soul part silently influenced her deep within.
So she gradually became evil and cruel, like a pirate.
Zeus and Napoleon, created from her soul fragments, should be parts belonging to "Charlotte Linlin".
But Prometheus was different.
This Homie's initial form should be the Homie "Pandora" created by Mother Carmel's soul.
After Carmel became part of "Charlotte Linlin", Pandora became "Prometheus".
But its essence was still "Mother Carmel's" soul.
So from the start, it was very evil and cruel.
Until today.
Charlotte Linlin's soul was "Killed" by the power of the three Zodiac members, falling into silence.
Mother Carmel's soul part took complete dominance for the first time.
Of course, amidst these thoughts.
As Big Mom observed, Roy wasn't truly panicked.
"No choice, since it's like this..."
Tori (Rooster) shook his head, speaking helplessly. "Can only execute the backup plan."
After Tori spoke, Inu (Dog) followed.
"Mm, been so long—preparations should be about done."
Clearly, their fighting spirit hadn't faded.
"Ha?"
Hearing this, Big Mom understood their meaning naturally.
"What do you mean?"
She could see—they didn't plan to give up, or even run.
Big Mom became furious instantly. "Where do you think this is?"
Cronus's flames and lightning spread along her body, making her hair stand on end.
"This is Totto Land, my kingdom—you reckless fools..."
She raised the long sword, issuing an order echoing throughout Totto Land.
"Big Mom Pirates, everyone and Homies—come here, this is the 'Queen's Order'!"
"Let these intruders know what despair is... Mamamama!"
Her words spread throughout Totto Land via Homies' voices.
On Cacao Island.
"Go!"
"Help Mama!"
"The Zodiac—I'll chop them all into mincemeat!"
Countless fierce-faced Homie soldiers waved weapons, flying or running into action immediately.
At the same time...
"Let's go, Katakuri, Smoothie."
Perospero said to Katakuri. "Mama is summoning us."
Smoothie nodded, saying nothing.
But...
"..."
Katakuri looked at the figure on the live broadcast coldly.
He didn't speak, but Perospero seemed to sense his thoughts.
"Katakuri."
The elder brother, usually lower in status within the crew, spoke solemnly.
"Don't overthink it... you and I know Mama's 'Specialty'."
"This one now... undoubtedly, she is also 'Mama'."
He looked at Katakuri seriously. "As long as it's her order—we cannot disobey."
Katakuri understood.
As the eldest and second sons, they knew their mother best.
Following her since the Rocks era.
They knew their mother's "Specialty".
Charming and free when young, increasingly violent and unstable when old.
Often feeling their "Mama" was like a different person.
Now, witnessing Mama's "Resurrection" and drastic personality change.
They understood where their mother's peculiarity lay.
But as Perospero said, they couldn't think too much.
They only needed to know this person was still Big Mom.
In Totto Land—Big Mom's orders were absolute.
"..."
So, Katakuri nodded silently.
Looking at the violent smiling face on the broadcast, he moved slowly.
Seeing his compromise, Perospero and Smoothie sighed in relief.
"Let's go—to Whole Cake Island, take down those Zodiac members."
They turned toward the huge mirror in the center of the square.
The "Mirror Passage" prepared for the Tea Party guests and traffic.
"Brûlée, open the mir..."
Perospero walked to the mirror first, about to instruct.
But just then...
"!!!"
Behind him, Katakuri's expression changed abruptly.
WHOOSH!
Using Soru instantly, he appeared beside Perospero.
"Back off!"
He shouted, pulling Perospero back.
"Ah... Katakuri, what are you..."
Perospero intended to ask.
But the next moment, he froze.
Because he clearly saw.
A Knight Homie who walked to the mirror, shouting fiercely about chopping The Zodiac into mincemeat... was pierced by a spear!
Then, before the Knight Homie could speak a second sentence.
WHOOSH!
Flames burned on the spear.
The Knight Homie turned into charcoal instantly. Only the "Soul" used to create it tried to fly out.
But before it could.
SWISH!
Its black corpse, along with the escaping "Soul", was dragged into the mirror.
"Wah! The Knight was killed!"
"Attack from... inside the mirror?"
"Who is it!?"
Amidst Homies' exclamations, Katakuri's face was dark as water.
Again—he saw the "Future".
Clop! Clop! Clop! Clop!
With crisp, continuous hoofbeats.
Everyone saw... the mirror burning.
No—not the mirror burning.
But the figures walking out of the mirror.
WHOOSH!
Accompanying raging flames, knights burning with fire all over leaped out on skeleton warhorses.
One of them wiped the spear in hand.
[Phantasm Legion · Flame Knight Legion]
Not just them.
Flying out with them were dazzling balls of flame.
"Wahahahaha—so many things to burn!"
"That Homie... is butter! Must burn well!"
"Ate so much life essence, feel invincible now—ouch, who hit me?"
"Stop talking nonsense, combine quickly, prepare for battle!"
Those flames grew limbs and features, merging into flame giants holding flame weapons while stepping out.
[Phantasm Legion · Faerie Fire Legion]
The scorching heat began to melt the chocolate buildings and foundation of Cacao Island.
The entire island smelled delicious.
But Katakuri's face was dripping gloom.
"Brûlée..."
Seeing this, he understood—Charlotte Brûlée must have fallen into enemy hands.
Whether out of worry for his sister or the instinct of a strong man, he didn't hesitate to stab his trident into the ground, aiming both hands at the huge mirror.
Yes—the "Mirror Passage" connecting the Mirror World had strategic significance, the core connecting all Totto Land.
If such a place fell into enemy hands... it became the primary target to destroy!
"Destroying it prevents large-scale 'Troop Transport' through other small mirrors on the island!"
"Peerless Mochi Blade Bullets!" (Muso Donuts)
Katakuri's hands turned into machine guns instantly, covered in black Armament Haki, shooting countless mochi bullets.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Countless mochi bullets, each powerful enough to shatter a building.
They blasted the huge mirror in the center of the island into fragments instantly.
"Well done, Katakuri!"
"Let's destroy these attackers first, then take ships from the port to support Mama!"
Seeing this, Perospero, realizing the key issue, said immediately.
Mirror World blocked, so eliminate attackers first, then support Whole Cake Island via warships prepared at the port.
"Juice Giant · Liquid Slash!"
Smoothie activated her ability, becoming gigantic, swinging her long sword.
RUMBLE!
A massive slash pierced countless Faerie Fires and Flame Knights instantly.
"Everyone, follow me!"
Just as Smoothie raised her sword, intending to charge with Perospero.
A trident barred their way abruptly, stopping their movement.
"Brother Katakuri?"
Smoothie looked at Katakuri puzzled.
But she saw her brother's expression didn't relax due to the "Battle Turnaround".
On the contrary.
Katakuri was tense all over.
"Smoothie, Brother Perospero—don't go forward..."
"Something dangerous is coming."
He looked ahead.
Next moment...
"!!!"
Smoothie and Perospero saw the mirror shattered by Katakuri recovering visibly.
Its fragments gathered like flowing light, dreamlike.
Even its size became clearly larger—standing in the center of the island like a massive "Gate of Dreams".
[Phantasm Legion · Legion Portal · Mirror of Dreams]
"Mirror... when was it switched?"
Seeing this, Perospero's eyes widened.
At this moment...
ROAR!
SCREECH!
HOWL!
He heard three continuous massive roars from the "Mirror of Dreams".
With the roars.
The Faerie Fires and Flame Knights slashed by Smoothie.
Revived slowly under Smoothie's incredulous gaze.
[Phantasm Legion · Immortality]
Finally.
Behemoths with completely different auras walked out of the Mirror of Dreams.
Biting a giant sword, burning with flames—"Yazi".
Body like a giant crab, massive and impregnable—"Xiegandang".
Sharp claws and teeth, body like gold—"Zheng".
Body like a fish, earth as a pool—"Ranyi".
"Neverland's dream creatures, and... Phantom Beast Lords?"
Seeing the distinct dream creatures, Smoothie's voice was hoarse.
She could feel the aura on these Phantom Beast Lords.
Powerful creatures causing pressure even to a "Sweet Commander" like her.
But the key wasn't this.
The key was...
"Legend says there are more than a few Phantom Beast Lords, and phantoms on Neverland aren't just this few..."
Smoothie realized the fact.
"Could it be..."
And the fact was exactly her "Could it be".
Not just Cacao Island.
Throughout Totto Land.
Jam Island, Biscuit Island, Candy Island, Flavor Island... on thirty-three islands except Whole Cake Island, massive "Mirrors of Dreams" rose.
From the numerous mirrors.
VMMM! WHOOSH! STEP!
Chimeras, Wind Spirits, Centaur Archers, Gorgons... one by one, more strange creatures emerged from the mirrors constantly.
Upon appearance, they attacked Charlotte Family members and Homies without hesitation.
"So many! This number... simply more than Homies!"
"This is a legion scale. So that's what Neverland's phantoms are about—are they The Zodiac's army?"
"Hey! Hey! This is Cream Island, too many enemies, a Phantom Beast Lord is here too—all floating cream frozen, need support..."
"Hey! Look, in the live broadcast... what is that?"
The emergency Den Den Mushis in Perospero's hand rang continuously.
Words from some Den Den Mushis made the three look at the live broadcast instinctively.
In the broadcast.
Above the massive Whole Cake Island, thick clouds were breaking apart gradually.
From the broken clouds.
"Big Mom, you asked just now... what do we mean?"
A behemoth revealed its trace slowly from the clouds.
That dreamlike curtain, the massive tree in the center of the island.
The rainbow-fringed tassels, the trailing Flame Clouds.
The Qilin-like form, and the... massive "Sheep Mask".
The grand, calm voice transmitted through the broadcast.
"We mean—if once isn't enough, we'll kill you again."
It was the legendary island causing uproar and chaos on the sea recently.
That was... Neverland.
No, to this day, or more accurately...
[The Zodiac — Hitsujii (Sheep)]
☆☆☆
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