Zeus and Napoleon—the two strongest Homies of the Big Mom Pirates—slowly descended from the sky, coming to rest on either side of Big Mom's shoulders.
Three faces, three pairs of eyes, all radiating a terrifying killing intent as they glared toward Zoro.
"Starry Sky Pirates…"
Big Mom murmured softly.
Although she had already heard that the Starry Sky Pirates possessed the power to defeat Whitebeard, she had been preoccupied with matters concerning the Vinsmoke Family during this time.
Up until now, she hadn't taken the time—or perhaps her pride simply didn't allow her—to properly investigate this pirate crew that had suddenly risen to the top of the world.
Now, it seemed… that decision had been a mistake.
She should have paid them more attention.
With that thought, Big Mom's massive twelve-meter-tall body suddenly stomped forward. The ruined castle trembled violently once more.
A chilling smile spread across her face, exuding authority even without anger as she shouted:
"You brats of the Starry Sky Pirates!"
"You've truly made me angry!!!"
"Thunder!!!"
Crackle—!!!
As Big Mom roared, one of her arms shot upward.
From her raised hand burst a blazing torrent of lightning, tearing through the air and distorting space itself into rippling folds.
The sharp, crackling electricity condensed into her palm, producing a sound like countless sheets of paper being folded at once.
Cough… cough…
At that moment, a faint sound of a woman coughing came from beneath a collapsed section of the castle.
Hearing that voice, Sanji's expression froze.
It was as if the sound carried some kind of magic, instantly binding his movements.
Even the hand holding his cigarette loosened slightly. His eyes widened, realization flashing through them as hesitation filled his steps.
In the end, as if making up his mind, he abruptly steadied himself and rushed toward the source of the sound.
High above, Big Mom's arm came crashing down, and a terrifying surge of lightning roared forward.
Yet…
At this moment, the entire Starry Sky crew had turned their attention toward Sanji.
Zoro pivoted instantly, drawing his blade.
A blazing flame surged forth, forming a fiery barrier in midair.
The raging thunder collided with the flames, producing a sharp sizzling sound as the lightning burst into dazzling brilliance—only to be completely absorbed by the intense heat, unable to advance even an inch further.
"Damn it!"
Seeing her attack blocked, Big Mom didn't hesitate. She raised her arm once again.
In the sky, Zeus and Napoleon unleashed torrents of lightning and fire.
Under Big Mom's control, the two destructive forces began to merge, gradually forming a massive sphere of thunder and flame.
Just as she prepared to unleash it—
"Wait a second!"
In an instant, Big Mom halted, turning in confusion toward Zoro, who stood blocking her path. Her massive mouth opened as she asked:
"What is it, brat?"
"Are you planning to surrender!?"
"No."
Zoro replied calmly.
"Just wait until we're done over here…"
"Franky, go help Sanji."
"Got it! SUPER!!!"
Franky struck a bizarre pose before dashing off toward Sanji.
BOOM!!!
A massive surge of pressure erupted into the sky!
"You dare toy with me!?"
Big Mom's face twisted into a ferocious snarl as she roared at Zoro:
"Don't think that just because you defeated Whitebeard, you can act recklessly in front of me!!!"
"Die!!!"
A violent aura burst from her body.
The blazing sphere of lightning and fire, shining like a miniature sun, shot straight toward Zoro's face.
In an instant, the scorching heat turned his skin red.
Yet Zoro showed no panic.
His hand rested calmly on the hilt at his waist.
"Didn't I tell you…"
"Wait a second?"
Slash! Slash!
A faint glimmer flashed.
An overwhelming sword intent filled the entire space!
From the path of Zoro's blade, a strange moisture materialized, rapidly condensing into an inverted waterfall that surged upward into the sky, forming a dazzling curtain of water.
The thunder-fire sphere slammed into the rising torrent.
In an instant—
The extreme heat vaporized the waterfall into a thick mist, obscuring everyone's vision.
Even Big Mom lowered her hands.
Behind her, Zeus and Napoleon floated lazily, wearing mocking grins as if ridiculing Zoro's group for daring to challenge their "Mama."
After a while, the mist slowly dissipated.
And within the fading haze—several figures appeared.
Zoro raised his blade, pointing it directly at Big Mom as he sneered:
"What are you idiots grinning about?"
"Our objective's already been achieved."
The king of Germa 66, the patriarch of the Vinsmoke Family—Vinsmoke Judge—stood there, covered in wounds, staring blankly at the figure emerging through the mist.
His eyes trembled in disbelief, as if witnessing something impossible.
Franky stepped forward. His arm—made of unknown alloy—slid into the gaps of the iron bars.
His cyborg body activated instantly.
With a mechanical transformation, his arm became a metal rod. Using leverage, he twisted it forcefully—
The seemingly indestructible prison that had confined the Vinsmokes for nearly a month was torn open with ease.
Sanji's sister, Vinsmoke Reiju, stepped out from the shattered cage, her steps unsteady and confused.
Weak from imprisonment, they had been buried under rubble when the castle collapsed.
If not for the cage's incredible durability, they might have suffocated to death.
"Y-You… who are you…?"
Reiju asked weakly.
After witnessing the overwhelming power of a Yonko, she had already believed their family was finished.
Yet somehow… someone had attacked the Big Mom Pirates' headquarters itself.
"We're the Starry Sky Pirates."
Franky replied simply, then gestured ahead with his eyes.
Reiju followed his gaze.
The mist cleared.
A tall figure stood ahead—
Dressed in an elegant suit, cigarette still burning despite the damp air, one hand in his pocket like a noble prince radiating lonely pride.
Sanji stood with his back to her—
To the only family member who had ever shown him kindness after their mother's death.
"Long time no see, Sis."
"Y-You…"
"You're Sanji!!!"
Reiju stared in disbelief at her younger brother—the only one who still possessed human emotions.
BOOM!!!
A violent shockwave erupted nearby, causing her weakened body to sway again.
Whoosh—!
Sanji raised a hand. Flames burst forth, completely blocking the incoming force.
"You… you're really Sanji!?"
The rest of the Vinsmoke Family had also been freed.
Judge stared at Sanji in shock, watching him casually block the aftershock of a Yonko-level clash.
His worldview was crumbling.
========
Elsewhere—
Big Mom's fist slammed into Zoro's three-sword defense.
Zoro's expression twisted with strain.
There was no denying it—
The old-generation Emperors were monstrously powerful.
Zoro had only just reached that level himself; defeating Big Mom alone was still extremely difficult.
But…
A grin spread across his face.
They hadn't come with just one "Emperor."
"Sanji!!!"
After deflecting another of Big Mom's punches, Zoro shouted toward Sanji.
Together, the two of them could easily handle a Yonko.
That was precisely why they looked down on the Big Mom Pirates.
BOOM!!!
Big Mom's other fist crashed down toward Zoro's head.
Dust and debris exploded outward, forming a massive crater nearly a hundred meters wide beneath his feet.
"S-Sanji…"
Reiju pointed toward Zoro, who seemed to be at a disadvantage.
"Your… your companion is calling you…"
"Yeah…"
Sanji replied quietly.
After exchanging a few words with his long-lost sister, he turned around, lighting another cigarette.
"Sorry, Zoro…"
"For the rest of my life…"
"I don't kick women!!!"
….
Completed version available on [P]atreon.[c]om/Veltoria [remove brackets]