The Red-Haired Pirates!
As Luffy and his crew managed to outsmart Zeus, many of their fellow crewmates breathed a collective sigh of relief, thinking they had finally evaded Big Mom's relentless pursuit.
However, their respite was short-lived. Before they could even catch their breath, they found themselves confronted by a gathering of ministers from Whole Cake Island aboard the Thousand Sunny.
To their dismay, these ministers were none other than elite members of the Big Mom Pirates, boasting bounties as high as 100 million berries each!
The tension skyrocketed when Katakuri, often hailed as the second-in-command of the Big Mom Pirates, appeared among them, sending shivers down everyone's spine.
"It seems Luffy and the others are far from out of danger," remarked one crewmate. "The powers of the Mirror-Mirror Fruit have created obstacles for them even before they arrived!"
"And Katakuri, they say he's unbeatable. Can Luffy and the others really stand a chance?" another crewmate pondered.
"Katakuri's strength is formidable enough to take on not just the Shichibukai, but most of them single-handedly!" someone added.
"But Luffy and the crew haven't arrived yet, only a few of them," observed another.
Shanks and Beckman exchanged grim looks, fully aware that Luffy and his crew were walking into a perilous situation. With Katakuri and his allies ahead and Big Mom's forces hot on their heels, the odds seemed overwhelmingly against them.
Meanwhile, in the Water 7, the Straw Hat Pirates and their allies watched in awe as the events unfolded. All people present were stunned by the audacity of their future selves, who dared to challenge the Four Emperors themselves!
Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Robin, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, and the rest couldn't believe their eyes. "We... We actually stirred up trouble in the Thousand Sunny! Who would've thought?" Nami exclaimed.
Usopp and Chopper, the more timid among them, couldn't help but shed tears at the sheer terror of facing Big Mom head-on.
"It's beyond terrifying! Can we even defeat someone like that?" Usopp whimpered.
Zoro, however, seemed intrigued. "A formidable opponent like this promises an exhilarating challenge!"
"But... where were we during all of this?" Franky and Robin exchanged confused glances. Despite watching the live broadcast for so long, they couldn't recall their own whereabouts.
Despite their confusion, everyone was captivated by Big Mom's terrifying display of strength, while Katakuri and his cohorts trembled at the thought of facing off against Luffy once more.
After all, if defeating just one Cracker required such effort and nearly cost Luffy his life, how could they possibly handle the onslaught of enemies awaiting them now?
Even though his future self and others... Their strength is much greater now.
But they're no match for the Four Emperors!
Even Robin and Zoro, usually composed, were taken aback by the might of Big Mom and her numerous cadre from Whole Cake Island.
They couldn't help but feel beads of sweat forming on their foreheads as they followed Nami and the others. Luffy, at the forefront, felt a sense of worry and fear, though it didn't show on his face. Instead, he seemed extremely thrilled!
"Wow!"
"Big Mom is really formidable."
"But I'll definitely defeat her. I will become the Pirate King!"
"The adventures ahead are truly exhilarating!"
"Hahaha..."
Luffy's jubilant demeanor starkly contrasted with the fearful and frustrated expressions of Nami, Usopp, and the rest.
[After a frantic pursuit]
[Luffy and his crew finally managed to evade Big Mom's relentless pursuit!]
[They headed straight for the Thousand Sunny]
[But upon boarding, they were met with despair]
[For the ship was swarmed with pirates from all corners of the globe!]
[They were being transported here continuously via the Mirror Fruit's powers!]
[What's even more dBig Moming is the presence of two individuals, the Minister of Candy and Katakuri!]
[It goes without saying, both of them are high-ranking members of the Big Mom Pirates, and exceedingly formidable!]
[For a while, Luffy and his crew found themselves in a fierce struggle...]
[However, the outcome of the battle was anything but smooth, especially against Katakuri and the Minister of Candy.]
[Even the unending hordes of pirates proved difficult to handle.]
[This delay allowed Big Mom to reach the Thousand Sunny despite traveling on foot.]
[What's more terrifying is that the Minister of Candy has consumed the Candy Fruit.]
[He employs its unique abilities to generate countless candies.]
[These candies bind the Thousand Sunny tightly to the sea surface, hindering its escape!]
[After all, even utilizing the wind cannon requires breaking free from the candy's hold!]
[At this moment, the Straw Hats find themselves in grave peril!]
[With Katakuri and countless pirates aboard the ship, and]
[Big Mom relentlessly assaulting the Thousand Sunny's hull from behind!]
[If this persists, it won't be long before...]
[Luffy and his crew meet their end here!]
[Observing this dire situation, Pedro, a member of the Mink tribe, suddenly recalled memories of his past.]
[He had encountered Roger in his youth, and Roger had imparted to him then that everyone has a chance to make a difference!]
[And in that moment, he saw his opportunity to make a stand...]
[Having traveled to countless countries, faced Big Mom and others, and having had fifty years of his life stolen by the Soul Fruit,]
[He realized that even if he escaped today, his remaining years would be few.]
[Instead of fleeing, why not illuminate his final moments here!]
[To aid Luffy and the others in escaping Big Mom's pursuit,]
[With this thought, Pedro rose to his feet.]
["Perhaps this is my final voyage!"]
["It's my turn... the time is now!"]
[Pedro charged forward without hesitation...]
[He didn't expect to defeat Big Mom, but he aimed to use his last breath to take down the Candy Minister!]
[To render his candies useless, freeing the Thousand Sunny from any restraints.]
[And to ensure the successful escape of Luffy's comrades.]
[He was seen seizing the Candy Minister and tearing off his clothes!]
[It was revealed that he had strapped explosives around his waist!]
[And with a flick of his lighter...]
[Boom!!!]
[A thunderous explosion tore through the air. No matter how formidable the Candy Minister was, he was not impervious to such a devastating blast!]
[Thus, as he fell...]
[The candies generated by his ability vanished into thin air!]
[In that moment, Nami successfully activated the Wind Cannon!]
[Even as Big Mom clung to the stern of the ship, under the force of this tremendous impact,]
[She was thrown off!]
[The Thousand Sunny soared into the sky, leaving Big Mom and her cohorts behind!]
[However, on the ship at that instant...]
[A formidable challenge still remained!]
[That challenge was Katakuri, who had yet to make a move!]
**********
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