Katakuri still tried to use his Mochi-Mochi powers to counter the slash. But this time, the black-red lightning-infused strike hit his abdomen and spread rapidly, tearing through his body with devastating force.
"Ah!"
Katakuri let out a harrowing scream, his body flying backward over ten meters before crashing heavily to the ground.
A horrifying wound gaped open across his abdomen, organs clearly visible. He was gravely injured, completely out of the fight.
Big Mom, locked in battle with Roger, caught sight of Katakuri's defeat from the corner of her eye. Panic flickered in her expression, and her movements faltered for a moment.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Roger Pirates engaged Big Mom's crew fiercely. Bullet led the charge, each punch felling Homies with brutal efficiency, clearing entire sections of the hall.
Seeing her forces falter, Big Mom's pride turned to frustration. She gritted her teeth and demanded a truce:
"Roger… Why have you come to Whole Cake Island?"
Roger scanned the battlefield and decided it was time. He ordered everyone to stop. Slowly, he turned to Big Mom:
"I need the Red Poneglyph from you."
Big Mom furrowed her brow, hesitation crossing her eyes:
"You're searching for the final island too?"
Roger sheathed Ace with a longing look:
"Of course. After all these years of sailing, there's nothing left to drive me but the final island."
"Fine. I'll give you the Red Poneglyph. But you leave the territory immediately, and… I need that boy to do something for me!"
She pointed a plump finger at Shiro.
"What do you want?"
Roger's hand instinctively went to Ace's hilt, alert.
"Don't worry, I won't harm him. I only need his Paw Paw Fruit powers to heal my son!"
Big Mom's expression was urgent, and her tone carried a strange insistence.
Roger glanced at Katakuri, then quietly asked Shiro:
"Shiro, you can handle this, right?"
"Of course. This is easy for me."
Shiro started to step toward Katakuri, but a booming shout froze him in place.
"No, no, no! Katakuri's injuries aren't urgent. My fourth son, Charlotte Oven, has suffered far worse and needs treatment immediately!"
Big Mom's eyes glinted with a terrifying light, blocking Shiro from intervening.
Katakuri, pale and bloodied, struggled to raise his upper body. Blood seeped from under his headscarf.
"Yes… my fourth brother… hurry and save him…"
His voice was hoarse and broken, each word seeming to tear at his own insides.
Shiro scanned the ruined banquet hall. Tables were overturned, desserts, chocolate, and wine mixed into a bizarre river—but no sign of Charlotte Oven.
"Perospero! Bring Oven out!"
Big Mom's roar shook the candy chandeliers above.
"Yes, Mother!"
Perospero scurried off. Soon, two Homies composed of candy and spirit carried a stretcher into the hall.
On it, Charlotte Oven curled into a ball. His normally bright orange skin had turned a ghastly gray-blue. Half his body was flattened as if run over by a massive roller, ribs protruding through flesh in grotesque arcs.
Shiro sucked in a breath and crouched to examine the injuries.
"Who did this to him?"
He looked up at Big Mom, shock evident in his voice.
Rarely did Big Mom show regret, but a flicker appeared on her face as she recounted the brutal battle from two weeks ago.
Oven had been on a secret mission when he clashed with a Navy elite squad led by Garp. During the battle, a curly-haired young officer unleashed Ice-Ice Fruit powers, freezing the entire sea. An out-of-control Navy ship charged toward Oven's vessel.
"You think you can stop me?!"
Oven, brimming with bravado, leapt from his ship, ignoring his crew's protests. Flames from his Heat-Heat Fruit engulfed him as he tried to melt the warship—but at the last moment, he chose to face the steel vessel with just his body.
The heavily armed ship crushed him mercilessly, leaving only his mangled body behind.
The Roger Pirates turned away, shoulders shaking. Some bit their hands; others buried their faces in their hats to stifle laughter. Shiro forced a wry smile, recalling Oven's reckless antics—they were apparently a lifelong "family trait."
"Can Oven's injuries not be healed?"
Big Mom approached, her aura twisting the air, exuding pressure that was nearly suffocating.
It wasn't familial sentiment driving her. Oven had eaten the Heat-Heat Fruit and was one of her carefully trained children. If he died, it would weaken her crew.
Shiro's gaze fell on Oto, the blade glowing faintly white as if responding to his intent.
"This can be healed… but you need to help me."
"Speak your terms, don't dawdle!"
Big Mom waved impatiently, a gust of wind swirling from her massive frame.
"You'll help me give this sword a soul. It will bear the injuries!"
Shiro raised Oto high. Big Mom's expression froze.
"Oto? How did this end up with you?"
Her pupils constricted sharply.
"Uncle Shiki generously gave it to me when we met. Consider it a gift," Shiro lied, unflinching.
"Hurry, use your powers to give it a soul! Your fourth son can't wait!"
Big Mom raised her palm, summoning yellow spirit flames—the terrifying power of her Soul-Soul Fruit. She condensed the flames into a Homie and infused them into Oto.
The sword trembled violently, emitting a piercing metallic shriek. Suddenly, a childlike, cheerful face appeared on the blade.
"Mother… thank you for giving me life!"
The voice of Oto carried the innocence of a child, sending chills down everyone's spines.
T/N: If you would like to read up to 20 chapters ahead for all my works, check out my P@treon: patreon.com/GhidorahWriter
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