In a sea area of the New World lies Totto Land, also known as Whole Cake Island. This is the realm of the only woman among the Four Emperors, a natural-born monster, and the founder of an ideal nation—BIG-MOM. At the heart of this utopia is Cake Island, the residence of BIG-MOM and her leading pirates. The island is an extravagant creation, made entirely of cakes and cream, resembling a colossal multi-layered dessert.
In the core of Cake Island, a commotion disrupted the usually festive atmosphere.
"Gulu! Guru! Guru!"
"Joker, did you die just like that? Did you die before we could realize our dream?"
A boisterous and alcohol-laden voice echoed across Cake Island, headquarters of the BIG-MOM Pirates. Yet, despite the disruption, the prominent cadres of the crew did not dare to confront the source of the disturbance. Instead, they stood in nervous anticipation, sweat beading on their foreheads.
The source of their anxiety was none other than Kaido of the Beasts, the General of the Beasts Pirates and one of the Four Emperors.
"He died at the hands of the Flame Emperor's men. What a pitiful end for such a wretch. It's my fault—I didn't expect that guy Ace to act so swiftly!" Kaido lamented, his cries filling the air. Suddenly, his wailing ceased.
"However, it's all because you were too weak!" Kaido snarled, his gaze fixed on a massive figure in the distance. With deliberate slowness, he picked up his fallen mace.
"Mama, mama!"
The towering figure before him laughed, revealing rows of menacing teeth. The hat on her head transformed into a giant sword, now clasped in her enormous hand. This was none other than BIG-MOM, Charlotte Linlin.
"Linlin!" Kaido roared.
"Kaido!" BIG-MOM responded.
Their Conqueror's Haki clashed violently, creating an intense pressure around them. Weapons in hand, the two emperors engaged in a fierce confrontation.
"Buzz! Boom!"
The mace and the giant sword collided with a thunderous impact.
"Boom!"
"Bah! Bah! Bah! Boom!"
Countless violent black and purple lightning bolts roared across Cake Island, splitting into two camps that collided and tangled ferociously in the atmosphere. This spectacle was the manifestation of Conqueror's Haki—the power that signifies the qualifications of a king. When fully mastered, Conqueror's Haki designates its wielder as a true ruler, one of the overlords of the sea. The power of Conqueror's Haki becomes even more explosive when it encounters another of the same caliber, each force striving to overpower and obliterate the other. In this era, there is only room for one true king atop the sea's throne.
As the Entei Pirates' fleet embarked on their journey into the New World, this clash of titans, reserved only for the real overlords of the sea, reached its peak.
"Boom!"
The Conqueror's Haki of Kaido and BIG-MOM, entangled and fiercely opposing each other, seemed to tear a massive rift in the sky. The immense power caused air currents to whirl chaotically, making the sky appear as though it was being torn apart.
"Boom!!!"
The entirety of Cake Island trembled under the overwhelming force of Conqueror's Haki. The famed leaders of the BIG-MOM Pirates could only watch in terror, witnessing what seemed like the end of the world. Even Katakuri, the strongest member of the Big-Mom Pirates who also possessed Conqueror's Haki, was unqualified to join this brutal clash. He couldn't even withstand a single strike from Kaido or BIG-MOM, both of whom had fully infused their attacks with Conqueror's Haki.
"Big brother!" cried Charlotte Brulee, the eighth daughter of BIG-MOM and a user of the Mirror Fruit ability, as she spotted a tall figure standing protectively in front of their siblings.
"Everyone, stay behind me!"
The man, tall with short amaranth hair, wearing a white scarf and dressed in black metal-styled clothing, spoke in a deep voice. He wore black gloves, a thorn ring on his left arm, and spurred thorny black leather boots. This was Charlotte Katakuri, BIG-MOM's second son and the de facto second-in-command of the BIG-MOM Pirates. Alongside Marco the Phoenix of the Whitebeard Pirates and King the Calamity of the Beasts Pirates, Katakuri was one of the three top lieutenants of the Four Emperors Pirates, with a bounty exceeding one billion Baileys.
Katakuri stood firm against the Conqueror's Haki collision, using his own to protect his siblings. Despite his cold exterior, Katakuri had a strong and gentle heart, dedicated to protecting his family.
"Big brother!"
Many of Big Mom's children looked at Katakuri with admiration. Known as the crowning masterpiece of the Charlotte family, Katakuri had never failed or fallen. His presence brought immense reassurance to those behind him.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Boom!"
Despite Katakuri's efforts to shield his siblings, the battle between Kaido and Charlotte Linlin raged on. Their mace and giant sword clashed continuously, each strike more devastating than the last. The island of cakes and cream was now a battleground for titans, with the very fate of the sea's hierarchy hanging in the balance.
Charlotte Linlin, the formidable Empress of the Sea, harnessed the powers of her Soul-Soul Fruit to create Homies like Prometheus, imbued with the power of fire, and Zeus, capable of wielding thunder. At this moment, they transformed into a blazing sun and a thundercloud, launching fierce flames and violent thunder at Kaido. However, Kaido, having consumed the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, could control these natural elements. He could stimulate his body's cells with thunder, envelop himself in flames, and transform into a mighty fire dragon. The might of Zeus and Prometheus seemed almost negligible before Kaido's overwhelming power. If their abilities were not infused with the Soul-Soul Fruit's power, Kaido could have easily commandeered their flame and thunder.
The clash between Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, fueled by their Conqueror's Haki and Devil Fruits, had turned into a grueling war of attrition, their physical strength waning with each passing moment. Though she was the only female among the Four Emperors, Charlotte Linlin's pure talent was unmatched. Unlike Kaido, who gained his title as the strongest creature through his Devil Fruit powers, Linlin was born a monster. As a child, she accidentally broke the bones of the giants of Elbaf and later destroyed their village during a bout of schizophrenia, earning the moniker "evil god" from the giant elder Jorul, whom she killed in combat.
Charlotte Linlin's natural defense was unparalleled, earning her the nickname "Steel Balloon." Even Kaido, whose Azure Dragon body bore scars from Kozuki Oden's blade, had never managed to injure Linlin. Her body, protected by Haki and her innate physical prowess, was impervious to harm. Despite her terrifying talent, Linlin's obsession with bearing children and hosting tea parties after leaving the Rocks Pirates led to a decline in her physical form and combat prowess. Yet, her status as one of the Four Emperors remained unchallenged, upheld by her innate gifts and formidable defenses.
The battle between Kaido and Linlin lasted three days and three nights, leaving Cake Island in ruins. The once sugary paradise was now marred by countless cracks and devastation. The island, made entirely of cakes and pastries, had suffered immeasurable losses.
"Is this the true power of the Four Emperors?" The children of the Charlotte family could only gape in horror and disbelief at the destruction. Even Katakuri, their strongest sibling, looked on with a solemn expression. As children of Charlotte Linlin and leaders of the BIG-MOM Pirates, they had never witnessed their mother's full strength. Since ascending to her throne as one of the Four Emperors, Linlin's focus had shifted to her family and tea parties, while the balance of power among the Four Emperors, Naval Headquarters, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea prevented large-scale conflicts.
For years, the seas had known no true war between these titans, leaving the leaders of the Charlotte family in the dark about their mother's full capabilities. Though Linlin's bouts of schizophrenia caused significant damage, they paled in comparison to the all-out battle of the Four Emperors. This confrontation was on an entirely different scale of power, one that shook the very foundations of the New World.
As for the Entei incident, the live broadcast had a profound impact on the entire world. It allowed people everywhere to witness the presence of countless top figures from the sea. However, there is a vast difference between watching a live broadcast and experiencing such power firsthand. Only by being there in person can one truly comprehend the terrifying might of these absolute overlords of the sea. For them, destroying a country is a trivial feat.
"How strong is that Flame Emperor?" Katakuri pondered aloud, his expression grave as he watched Kaido and Charlotte Linlin clash. Despite battling for three days and nights, neither had sustained injuries, a testament to their immense power. The live broadcast of the Entei incident ended when Ace smashed Saturn's head, but Kaido's arrival at Cake Island with one of his horns broken had raised suspicions in Charlotte Linlin's mind. Kaido, however, was unbothered by these doubts and openly admitted that Ace had injured him. His goal was clear: to form an alliance with the Big Mom Pirates to stand against Ace's growing threat. To him, being injured by such a powerful adversary was not a disgrace but a badge of honor.
Katakuri, the de facto second-in-command of the Big Mom Pirates, was well aware of this information. Witnessing the fierce battle between the Four Emperors firsthand, he couldn't help but question from the depths of his soul. The Four Emperors were already so fearsome. Katakuri estimated that at the peak of their battle, he might not withstand a single move from either Kaido or his mother. The thought of facing Portgas D. Ace, whose power supposedly surpassed even the Four Emperors, was daunting. The legendary Flame Emperor seemed to be on another level entirely.
Katakuri understood the gravity of Kaido's proposal for an alliance. He was deeply concerned about whether they could truly protect their family from such a formidable foe. His thoughts drifted as he watched the ongoing battle.
"Boom!" The clash of Kaido's mace and Charlotte Linlin's giant sword echoed through the air. Suddenly, the two combatants separated.
"What do you think, Linlin? Form a pirate alliance with me to fight against the Entei Pirates together," Kaido proposed, his eyes locked on Charlotte Linlin. He had no intention of continuing the fight, as both his energy and Haki were nearly depleted. Despite their immense physical strength and the power of their top-tier Devil Fruits, neither Kaido nor Charlotte Linlin were Logia users. Unlike Logia Devil Fruit powers, which could regenerate and sustain prolonged battles, their strength had limits. Conqueror's Haki, too, was finite and quickly exhausted in such intense combat.
"Pirate Alliance?" Charlotte Linlin repeated, her terrifying mouth slowly forming the words as she regarded Kaido. She knew the significance of such an alliance in the face of the rising threat posed by the Entei Pirates.
"Kaido, it's you who provoked that brat Ace, right? I have nothing to do with him. Why should I join you in fighting Ace?" Charlotte Linlin bellowed, her wide mouth revealing rows of sharp teeth. Despite her violent and erratic nature, exacerbated by her strange congenital disease, Sireia, Linlin was no fool. The idea of the Big Mom Pirates aligning with the Beasts Pirates to face the Entei Pirates held no appeal for her.
Charlotte Linlin was notorious for her unpredictable temper and destructive tendencies, often wreaking havoc on her own territories if they failed to provide the necessary ingredients for her tea parties. Yet, even she hesitated to engage the Flame Emperor, the most formidable figure currently ruling the seas. She had witnessed the entire live broadcast of the Entei event, where Ace displayed overwhelming power, defeating Akainu—the strongest of the three Admirals—decisively. Ace's combat prowess had reached an unimaginable peak, and Linlin knew she stood no chance against him alone.
The Entei Pirates' formidable lineup further deterred her. Her second son, Charlotte Katakuri, might be the strongest under her command, but his strength did not even place him in the top five among the Entei Pirates' cadres. Among Ace's crew, three individuals stood out who could challenge her head-on: 'Dark King' Silver Rayleigh, 'Dark Ranger' Fujitora, and the recently joined former Admiral Kuzan. Even the 'Little Thieving Cat' Nami, with her Thunder Fruit abilities, possessed Admiral-level strength.
Linlin and the world's current view of the Entei Pirates' strength remained based on the Entei incident. This wasn't due to negligence on Marine or the Four Emperors' part; it was simply due to the isolated nature of Ace's training grounds on Amazon Lily in the Calm Belt, an area notoriously difficult to infiltrate, even for News Birds. Moreover, the idea of a top-tier expert improving so rapidly was deemed impossible. Historically, the most powerful individuals reached their peak around the age of forty, gradually ascending to the top.
Since the Entei Pirates had vanished from the public eye, the external evaluation of their strength had stagnated at the time of the Entei incident. If Kaido and Linlin had known the current strength of Ace's fleet, they wouldn't be discussing an alliance now.
Linlin saw no reason to start a war with the Entei Pirates. Provoking Ace for Kaido's sake offered no benefits. In fact, Kaido owed her a significant favor. "Pirate alliance?" Linlin scoffed. "You must be joking, Kaido. I don't owe you anything, and I won't fight Ace for your sake."
"By the way, you haven't forgotten, have you? On the day Rocks fell, I gave you the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon in the Valley of Gods. You owe me for that, Kaido. Forever!" Charlotte Linlin's voice boomed as she glared at Kaido.
Back in the Valley of the Gods, Charlotte Linlin had stormed into the core area where today's revolutionary army cadre, "The Monster King" Ivankov, and the current Seven Warlords of the Sea member, "Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma, were preparing to consume the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, and the Paw-Paw Fruit. Linlin had only managed to stop Ivankov, seizing the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, for herself, while Kuma ate the Paw-Paw Fruit.
Ultimately, she had bestowed the mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit, Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, upon Kaido, granting him a power that elevated him to the pinnacle of all Devil Fruit users. This power transformed Kaido into the "Strongest Creature in the World."
Kaido, despite his constant proclamations that Haki was supreme, knew very well the immense power boost that a formidable Devil Fruit could provide. His three top commanders, the "Disasters," were all ancient Zoan Devil Fruit users. He had even partnered with Doflamingo to create an army of artificial Devil Fruit users through "SMILE." This drive stemmed from his firsthand experience of the significant combat power enhancement provided by his mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit.
Although Kaido often touted Haki as the ultimate power, he couldn't ignore the fact that his rise to the top was significantly aided by the power of the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon. His attempt to downplay Charlotte Linlin's generosity was now being called out directly.
Charlotte Linlin wanted to remind Kaido of the undeniable truth: it was her who had snatched the powerful mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit from Ivankov and given it to him. Without it, Kaido's ambitions of becoming a Yonko who ruled the New World like an emperor would have been far-fetched. Kaido's Conqueror's Haki and martial prowess alone, though formidable, were not sufficient to place him above other strong individuals like Kuzan. The Devil Fruit's power was the key to his unrivaled strength in single combat among the Yonko.
Linlin's own mastery of Conqueror's Haki and her monstrous innate strength were what kept her at the top. But she recognized that Kaido's Conqueror's Haki was not on par with Red Hair Shanks', nor was his martial prowess comparable to Shanks' swordsmanship. Without the top-tier Devil Fruit, Kaido would not have risen to the status of the "Strongest Creature in the World."
Yet now, Kaido, who owed his status and power to Linlin's gift, sought to drag her into a pirate alliance to face the Flame Emperor, Ace, for no tangible benefit. Even among pirates, Linlin found this behavior exceedingly shameless.
Charlotte Linlin's fierce eyes bore into Kaido as she concluded, "Without that Devil Fruit, you wouldn't be standing here as the strongest among us, Kaido. And now you want me to fight your battles for you? You owe me, and don't you dare forget it."
"Gulu! Guru! Guru!"
Kaido gulped down the wine from his gourd, then smashed the empty vessel onto the ground with a resounding crash. The remaining wine, mixed with shards of the broken gourd, splattered around.
"Do you think you can escape from this war, Linlin?" Kaido laughed loudly, his voice echoing with unrestrained mirth.
"What?" Charlotte Linlin's eyes turned bloodshot as she glared fiercely at him.
"The Flame Emperor is going to start the biggest war this world has ever seen. Crusading against me? That's just the beginning. His ambition is to become the king of the world! And the first step is to dominate the pirate world!" Kaido's laughter ceased, and he spoke with a deep, serious tone.
"King of the world? Don't be ridiculous. That's something even Rocks couldn't achieve," Charlotte Linlin replied, her voice dripping with skepticism.
"Rocks? That guy Ace is far scarier than Rocks ever was," Kaido said, recalling the terrifying blow he had faced at the end of the Entei incident. That devastating attack, "Remnant Fire Style - North - Heaven and Earth Ashes to Ashes," was as powerful as a solar explosion. Under its might, Kaido had truly felt a life-and-death crisis. The primary target had been the Sabaody Archipelago, and the Five Elders had absorbed some of the damage, though not much, due to their immortality. Even so, Kaido had been gravely injured.
And that was pure Devil Fruit power, devoid of any Haki. The thought of Ace's Conqueror's Haki, which surpassed that of the Four Emperors, added another layer of terror. Kaido couldn't fathom the full extent of its power, but he knew he couldn't match it alone.
However, with Linlin at his side, leveraging the bond they had from their time in the Rocks Pirates and their shared power from Elbaf, they could execute combined attacks like Hakai. Together, their combat strength would increase exponentially, making it conceivable to defeat the Flame Emperor.
"Is he scarier than Rocks?" Charlotte Linlin's terrifying, bloodshot eyes focused intently. If Kaido was saying such things, it meant something significant had transpired on the Sabaody Archipelago after the Entei event's live broadcast ended.
"Mama! Mama! So what? As long as I don't go to war with Ace, whether I join his cause to overthrow the World Government is entirely up to me. But if I start a war with the Flame Emperor alongside you, negotiation will no longer be an option." Charlotte Linlin laughed loudly, her laughter a mixture of derision and amusement.
She had no real desire to join the Entei Pirates, but she wanted to express her displeasure. Did Kaido think she was an idiot? Expecting her to launch a war against the Entei Pirates with just a few persuasive words and without any tangible benefits was absurd.
"Under Ace's command, there is a giant army composed of Elbaf's giants. I will also arrange for you to have a child with King, as you are interested in the Lunarian race, correct?" Kaido smiled weirdly as he tried to convince Charlotte Linlin.
Hearing Kaido's words, Charlotte Linlin's expression began to change. The giants were a sore spot for her. After being abandoned by her parents, she lived in Elbaf, the warrior village of the giants. However, due to her schizophrenia, she went berserk and destroyed the village, earning the giants' eternal enmity.
As one of the Four Emperors, Charlotte Linlin had long sought to bring the giants and lunarians into her kingdom, believing their strength would enable her to conquer the other Emperors. Her relationship with the giants had briefly improved when the giant prince fell in love with her daughter, Charlotte Lola. But that hope was shattered when Lola fled from the marriage, infuriating the giant prince and worsening their relations.
Now, under the command of the Flame Emperor, a giant regiment from Elbaf stood ready.
"Ace wants to become the king of the world. You understand the power of the giants, right, Linlin? And I can reveal something else about Ace and the power of Nika," Kaido continued, watching Linlin's expression shift.
"Nika?!" Charlotte Linlin's eyes widened in shock.
"You know what Nika's power means to the giants. It's almost certain they'll fall under the Flame Emperor's command. When that happens, considering the giants' hatred for you, do you think you'll survive Ace's crusade?" Kaido's voice rose, challenging her.
"Nika?! How can he be Nika! Isn't he a Logia Mera-Mera Fruit user?!" Charlotte Linlin's face twisted in fury as she stared at Kaido.
"Have you ever seen a Mera-Mera Fruit user who can wield multiple Devil Fruit abilities?" Kaido's words ignited her rage.
"Whoosh!" "Clang!" Napoleon's giant sword clashed with Kaido's mace, creating a terrifying burst of energy.
"Do you understand?! Forming an alliance between the two of us is the only right thing, Linlin!" Kaido shouted, locking eyes with her.
"From today on, the Beasts Pirates and the BIG-MOM Pirates form a Pirate Alliance!" he declared.
Moments later, the two who had been at war were now sitting together, laughing and clinking their wine glasses.
"Mama," Katakuri said, hesitating.
"Katakuri, gather all the cadres and head to Onigashima," Charlotte Linlin ordered, her eyes turning blood red.
Despite his reservations, Katakuri nodded silently. He couldn't resist his mother's command. The alliance between the Four Emperors, BIG-MOM Pirates, and the Beasts Pirates marked a pivotal shift. Learning from Doflamingo's downfall, they would face Ace's crusade together from Onigashima, the Beasts Pirates' base.
"Yes, Mama," Katakuri replied, bowing to his mother's will. The pirate world was on the brink of a historic transformation.