Merry Christmas! 🎄✨
Dear Readers,
Wishing you a joyful and peaceful Christmas filled with love and cheer! 🎅❤️
I want to apologize for missing yesterday's release. With family commitments and preparations for the holiday, things got busier than expected. Thank you for your patience and understanding—it means the world to me.
Enjoy the magic of the season, and stay tuned for more soon!
Warm regards,
[Silent_stiele]
*****
The sky above the sea split apart, dark clouds swirling as the heavens themselves recoiled from the sheer force of two titanic wills clashing.
The roiling, blackened ocean below mirrored the chaos of the skies, massive whirlpools forming as if nature itself was terrified of the battle that had just erupted.
Kaido and Big Mom, two of the world's most powerful pirates, collided with all the fury and hatred they could muster, shaking the very fabric of the world.
Kaido's massive spiked kanabo, infused with both Conqueror's and Armament Haki, smashed against Big Mom's equally enormous naginata, which had been forged from her Homie, a sentient weapon crackling with malevolent energy.
The shockwave from their clash erupted outward, sending the nearby Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates scattering across their decks, many of them thrown to the ground under the unbearable pressure.
"Kaido, you pathetic snake!" Big Mom bellowed, her voice a booming roar that drowned out the crashing waves and creaking ships. Her massive figure loomed in the sky as she pushed down with all her might, trying to cleave Kaido in two with her weapon.
Kaido, hovering in mid-air, pushed back, his kanabo locked against the blade of Big Mom's naginata. His enormous muscles bulged under the strain, but his savage grin never left his face.
"Worororo! Is that all you've got, Linlin?!" He taunted, his voice like thunder. "You're going to have to hit harder than that if you want your territories back! "
With a guttural roar, Kaido flared his Haki, purple lightning exploding from his club as he swung it in a wide arc, aiming to smash it into Big Mom's side. She barely blocked the attack, her naginata absorbing the brunt of the strike, but the sheer force sent her careening backward through the sky, her massive form crashing through the clouds like a meteor. Her laugh echoed across the sea as she skidded to a stop, her eyes burning with fury.
"Mamama…! You think you can take what's mine and get away with it?!" Big Mom roared, her hair crackling with electricity as her overwhelming haki erupted around her. The sea itself roared in protest at the sheer pressure, the sky darkening as if nature itself were bending to her will.
"Heaven's Wrath…!"
Without warning, Big Mom raised her naginata high above her head, and with a tremendous swing, she brought it crashing down. A wave of pink Haki erupted from her weapon, cutting through the air like a blade of pure destruction, hurtling straight toward Kaido.
"Ragnarok…!!!"
Kaido snarled in response, his eyes flashing with excitement. He swung his kanabo upward, meeting her attack head-on. The moment their two attacks collided, the air exploded, sending out a concussive blast that flattened the ocean below them.
Ships were tossed about like toys, their masts snapping like twigs, and the very sea seemed to buckle under the pressure, creating a massive tidal wave that surged outward, threatening to engulf everything in its path.
But Kaido and Big Mom remained locked in their deadly dance, neither one backing down.
With a mighty roar, Kaido transformed, his massive body elongating and twisting as he took on his dragon form. His enormous serpentine body coiled through the sky, crackling with an otherworldly energy as his scales shimmered with the reflection of the roiling ocean below.
His eyes, now glowing with a fierce, ancient power, locked onto Big Mom as he bared his fangs.
"You still think you can take me on, Linlin?" Kaido's voice was deeper now, more feral, vibrating through the air with a terrifying resonance.
Big Mom didn't flinch. Instead, she grinned wickedly, her eyes glinting with fury and excitement.
"I've crushed tougher brats than you, Kaido! You think I care about that scaly hide of yours?!"
With a wild laugh, she summoned a ball of fire, which surged toward her in a wave of flames. Her entire body ignited as she took on her flame incarnation, her skin glowing with the intensity of molten lava. She swung her naginata, now glowing red-hot, and dashed forward, her massive form hurtling through the sky like a fiery comet, aiming straight for Kaido's dragon body.
Kaido responded in kind, twisting his massive form through the air with terrifying speed for something his size. His colossal tail whipped around, slamming into Big Mom just as her naginata came down, the impact shaking the very clouds around them.
Big Mom was thrown back by the force, but she spun mid-air, planting her feet on the edge of the Queen Mama Chanter, using the ship as a springboard to launch herself back at Kaido.
Her naginata gleamed with darkened Haki as she closed the distance in an instant, swinging with all her might. Kaido twisted again, his dragon body coiling as he deflected the strike with his scales. Sparks flew from the clash, lighting up the stormy sky as pink and purple Haki raged around them.
"Come on, Kaido! Show me the strength of the man who thinks he can replace me!" Big Mom bellowed, her fiery form blurring as she attacked relentlessly, each swing of her naginata sending out a shockwave that cracked the air and churned the sea below. She swung with the ferocity of a god of war, unrelenting, her strikes faster and more powerful with every blow.
Kaido, still in his dragon form, weaved through the air, his movements deceptively quick for his massive size. He avoided most of her strikes, but even the few that grazed his scales left deep cuts. Blood dripped from his wounds, but Kaido seemed almost thrilled, as if the pain only excited him more.
"Worororo! You haven't changed at all, Linlin! Still as wild as ever!" Kaido roared as he transformed back into his humanoid form mid-dodge, his kanabo at the ready. He brought the spiked club down with a roar, aiming directly for Big Mom's head.
"Raimei Hakke…!!"
Big Mom blocked the blow with her naginata, the force of the impact so strong that it sent ripples across the sea. The water beneath them churned violently, the whirlpool growing larger as the very ocean seemed to warp under the pressure of their combined strength.
The sky itself looked like it might tear apart, and the wind howled as their Conqueror's Haki clashed again, sending bolts of pink and purple lightning ripping through the heavens.
Below, the crews of both pirate fleets were forced to retreat to a safe distance, their ships nearly capsizing from the sheer force of the battle. Pirates clung to railings and rigging, their faces pale as they watched the two Yonko exchange blows with the power of gods. It was a sight none of them would ever forget—an epic clash that could decide the fate of the world.
Big Mom's laughter echoed across the sky as she swung again, her fiery form blazing with newfound energy. "You owe me your life, Kaido! You think I'll just let you take what's mine?!"
Kaido bared his teeth in a savage grin. "If you want it back, Linlin, come and take it!"
He surged forward, his kanabo glowing with Haki as he swung it down with all his might. Big Mom roared in response, her naginata meeting his weapon in a final, devastating clash. The impact sent a shockwave so powerful that it split the sea below them in two, creating a massive chasm of water that sank several smaller ships and forced the remaining pirate vessels to retreat even farther.
The sky split once more as their Haki erupted, and the world trembled under the force of their battle.
Kaido stood in midair, his massive frame outlined against the darkened sky, his blood pumping from the thrill of battle. He narrowed his eyes as he took in Big Mom's power.
Something had changed about her—her aura was darker, more intense, and her attacks carried even more raw destructive force than before. It didn't take long for Kaido to figure it out: she had been to the brink of death, to the gates of hell and back.
He knew her physiology too well. The closer Linlin was pushed to death, the more her body adapted, her monstrous resilience evolving her into something even more terrifying.
"Wororororo... Not bad, Linlin. Not bad at all," Kaido grinned, his voice dripping with a dark mockery. His spiked kanabo rested on his shoulder, but his muscles were tense, prepared for her next move.
"Missing for more than a year, I thought you might've slipped. But it seems you've been busy surviving… what was it again? An attack from one of the ancient weapons?" His grin widened, but his eyes gleamed with recognition.
"Tethered on the edge of life and death, weren't you? Must've been hell, but I see your body's changed... stronger now."
The taunt was intentional, a probe into her pride. Kaido could sense it, her power had surged, but he wasn't about to let her feel triumphant.
Big Mom's rage flared like wildfire. Her hair, crackling with electricity, snapped wildly in the air, her burning eyes locked onto Kaido's as her grip tightened on her naginata. The sheer size of her frame seemed to darken the sky even further as she floated, surrounded by a living force of storm and flame.
"Kaido, you miserable lizard!" she bellowed, her voice shaking the very air around them. "At least I stood my ground against the ancient weapon! What about you, huh?" Her laughter was vicious, sharp as a blade.
"What did you do when Oden came for you, hmm? Oh yes, I remember! You ran! You ran with your tail so far up your ass that it was sticking out of your mouth!"
The insult hit hard, and she relished every moment of it. Kaido, the so-called "Strongest Creature in the World," was being reminded of one of his most shameful moments. The very name "Oden" still cast a shadow over Kaido's pride, a name that had haunted him even in his sleep.
Kaido's grin faltered for a split second, his eyes narrowing dangerously. The mocking laughter of Big Mom echoed in his ears as he slowly removed the second gourd hanging at his side, tossing it aside like it was nothing. His fury simmered beneath the surface, but his pride as an Emperor wouldn't let him show it too easily.
"Worororo... You think I ran from Oden?" Kaido's voice dropped an octave, his tone laced with venom. "That's rich, Linlin. You've got guts bringing him up. But you seem to forget something: Oden may have scarred me, but in the end, I will be the one standing. I will break him, and soon Wano will be mine."
His Haki surged, an oppressive wave of purple lightning crackling across his skin, sending sparks flying off the metal of his club. The air around them grew heavier, crackling with the sheer force of their Conqueror's Haki. The ships beneath them rocked violently as the two Yonko locked eyes, a fierce storm brewing not just in the sky, but between them.
Big Mom growled, her lips curling into a wicked grin. She wasn't backing down. Not this time.
"You're standing, sure. But the whole world remembers how you screamed back then, Kaido. You weren't as tough as you thought when Oden had you begging for mercy." She hoisted her naginata above her head, the massive blade catching the light ot the lightning storm above. "If you want to talk about survival, let's see if you can survive me now!"
Without warning, Big Mom lunged forward with terrifying speed, her entire body crackling with the power of flame and lightning. Her fiery form hurtled through the sky like a meteor, her naginata aimed straight at Kaido's chest, her battle cry shaking the air as if summoning a storm of her own.
Kaido responded in kind, roaring as he swung his kanabo forward with all his might. The two titans met in the sky, their weapons colliding with such force that it seemed to rip the air apart. Pink and purple lightning exploded from the impact, arcing wildly through the sky as their Conqueror's Haki clashed again.
The shockwave from the collision was catastrophic. The surrounding sea churned violently, massive waves rising up and slamming into the nearby ships. Even the sky itself seemed to tremble, the clouds splitting apart as a beam of light shot through the heavens, parting the storm.
"You think you can beat me now, Linlin?" Kaido roared as he pressed against her with all his might, their weapons locked in a violent stalemate. "You've gotten stronger, I'll give you that. But don't forget, I've been pushing myself to the brink of death every day! I've conquered death! There's no place in this world I can't survive!"
"Ha! Conquered death? Don't make me laugh! You're still that same scared brat from Rocks' crew, hiding behind your big dreams!" Big Mom spat back, pushing forward with another devastating swing of her naginata.
Her weapon, infused with her darkened Haki, burned with a fiery intensity as it smashed into Kaido's club again and again. "I made you, Kaido! You owe me everything you are! Without me, you'd be nothing!"
Kaido's eyes flared with rage, and for a moment, it seemed like the very air around him ignited with his fury. "Enough, Linlin!" he roared, his voice shaking the very sea. "I don't owe you a damn thing! If you think you can take what I've built, then try it! Let's see who's left standing when this is over!"
With a savage swing, Kaido unleashed a devastating attack, his kanabo glowing with an eerie purple-black light as he brought it down on Big Mom. She blocked the blow with her naginata, but the force behind it sent her skidding backward through the air, her feet digging into the deck of her ship as she ground to a halt.
Big Mom growled, her entire body seething with fury. "You dare challenge me, Kaido?! Fine! Let's see who's stronger!"
With a wild, bloodthirsty grin, she summoned a new Prometheus, who surged toward her like a blazing inferno. The flames wrapped around her body, merging with her already terrifying strength, and with a terrifying cry, she launched herself at Kaido once again. This time, her strikes were even fiercer, fueled by her burning rage and desire for revenge.
Kaido met her with equal force, his kanabo whistling through the air as he swung it with all his might, each strike powerful enough to shatter mountains. The clash between the two titans echoed across the sea, the sound of their battle like thunder ripping through the sky.
The ocean churned violently beneath them, swirling into a massive whirlpool, as if the sea itself was trying to pull them down into its depths. But neither Kaido nor Big Mom paid it any mind. They were locked in a battle for dominance, neither one willing to give an inch.
*****
Room of Authority, Mary Geoise
The atmosphere in Mary Geoise's council chamber was thick with tension. The dim light from the chandelier flickered against the ornate walls, casting long shadows across the faces of the Five Elders.
Elder Mars, his fingers still resting on the transponder snail that had just relayed the intelligence, clenched his jaw tightly. His eyes, hardened with years of ruling from the shadows, scanned the faces of his fellow Elders, each of them visibly disturbed by the latest news.
"It's confirmed; it's the Beast Pirates and the Bigmom Pirates," Elder Mars repeated, his voice cold, as if the words had barely settled on his tongue. "The Queen Mama Chanter, the flagship of the Big Mom Pirates... it's been sighted."
The room fell into a momentary silence, the gravity of the situation hanging heavy over them.
Elder Ju Peter who was always the one to question every detail, rubbed his temples in frustration. His usually calm demeanor was beginning to crack.
"Do you think she survived?" he muttered, almost to himself, but his words were sharp, slicing through the tension like a blade.
Their carefully laid plans—the largest maneuver they had orchestrated in decades—had seemingly unraveled in an instant. The Sorbet Kingdom operation had been executed with precision, bringing about the downfall of three of their most troublesome enemies: Shiki, Linlin, and Zephyr.
Or so they thought. Now, with the Queen Mama Chanter reemerging in the New World, that confidence was being chipped away.
Elder Saturn's eyes were like two burning coals, narrowed in thought, his sharp features etched with fury.
"If the ship is intact, then we have to assume Linlin is alive." His voice carried a weight that none of the others could dispute. He leaned forward, elbows resting on the large oak table.
"I wonder where they've been hiding for the past year. Kaido ascended to the Emperor's throne after taking over both Shiki's and Big Mom's territories, didn't he? He would have had to know if she was alive, which means this might have been planned."
The idea unsettled the room further. Elder Warcury, attempted to inject some rationality into the discussion.
"There's no way Big Mom survived. No one—" he corrected himself quickly, "not even we—could survive an attack from an ancient weapon." He paused, as if trying to convince himself as much as the others.
"Maybe... maybe it's just a replica of her old ship. It's possible one of her children has taken up the mantle to reestablish the Charlotte Family's influence."
Elder Saturn cut him off with a sharp wave of his hand. "Do you honestly believe that Kaido would mobilize nearly his entire fleet for a mere Charlotte child?" His eyes were cold, as if daring anyone to challenge his assertion. "No. This is her. It's definitely Big Mom."
The others couldn't argue. Kaido was ruthless, calculating, and merciless. If he had pulled out nearly all his forces from Hachinosu, leaving a skeletal crew behind, it meant that this alliance with Big Mom was no trivial matter. The fact that the two most dangerous Yonko, former rivals, had joined forces was an apocalyptic scenario.
Elder Saturn's gaze darkened further. "The question isn't whether Linlin is alive—it's what these two New World overlords are planning by coming together. And why now, of all times. This couldn't have come at a worse moment. Especially after that debacle with Sengoku."
A low growl escaped from Elder Nusjuro, his fingers drumming irritably against the sheath of his katana.
"Damn Sengoku." He spat the name out like venom, recalling their earlier confrontation with the Fleet Admiral. "That bastard dared to challenge us... and then had the gall to threaten resignation unless we agreed to his demands."
Elder Ju Peter nodded, his face twisting with distaste. Sengoku's insubordination had not only rattled them but now left them vulnerable.
The Five Elders had long controlled the Marines from the shadows, bending its might to their will, but Sengoku, with his unwavering sense of justice, was becoming more rebellious with age. And he had dared to leverage his position in front of them, at the worst possible time.
"The Marines are fractured enough as it is, especially after Kano country" Elder Mars hissed, his voice low but seething. "Now, with Big Mom and Kaido joining forces, we cannot afford to lose Sengoku—or worse, let the entire Marine structure spiral out of our control."
Elder Saturn's fingers dug into the armrest of his chair. "Sengoku knows we need him more than ever. He played us today."
Sengoku's ultimatum hung heavy in their minds. The Marine Fleet Admiral had demanded that they personally reinstate Garp using their special authority, or he would resign, leaving the Marines without a strong leader.
It was a political nightmare. Garp, the Marine Hero, had always been a loose cannon, operating outside their direct influence. Reinstating him with special authority meant empowering a man whose moral compass pointed away from their agenda.
"Who does Sengoku think he is, threatening us?" Elder Mars snarled, his voice rising. The frustration was palpable now. "To demand that we bow down and reinstate Garp of all people? He's gone mad!"
But Elder Saturn, the most calculating of the group, steeled himself. "It's not about who Sengoku thinks he is—it's about what we need right now." His voice was steady but cold, eyes sharp as he addressed the room. His scarred face even unnerved the other elders.
"With two of the emperors on the move, a massive fleet behind them, and possibly a hidden hand at play, we can't afford to lose the Marines. Sengoku knows that without him, we're vulnerable. If we lose him, the Marines will fracture even more, and that opens the door for chaos."
Elder Warcury couldn't help but scoff as he crossed his arms, leaning back as he exhaled sharply. "So what do we do? Reinstate Garp and give Sengoku what he wants? Or do we let Sengoku resign and risk everything falling apart?"
"There's no choice," Elder Nusjuro muttered, though he hated to admit it. His usual fiery demeanor had simmered down into reluctant acknowledgment of their situation. "We need Garp under control, but we can't give Sengoku free reign either."
Elder Saturn stared at each of his colleagues in turn, his expression darkening. "We give Sengoku what he wants. We bring Garp back. But we also put safeguards in place. The Marines will be ours to command, not Sengoku's. If Garp becomes too much of a threat, we cut him loose once and for all. But for now, we play Sengoku's game."
The room fell into a heavy silence. They were the Five Elders, the rulers of the world from behind the curtains. And yet, here they were, forced into a corner by their own tools—by the very forces they had long sought to control.
Elder Saturn's voice echoed through the room one last time, grim and resolute. "Kaido and Big Mom are on the move. The world must bend to our will. We'll deal with them—and with Sengoku—one way or another."
But the tension in the room remained thick, the unease of old enemies resurfacing, old allies challenging authority, and a world slipping slowly out of their iron grip.