After Hughes stirred the pot, the tension on the field eased.
Not only did Big Mom's face blossom into a smile under his coaxing, but Smoothie also looked at the man who'd just gotten her out of a bind with a complicated expression.
"This guy can really talk, perorin." Perospero was still rattled by what he'd just seen.
If his little sister got punished by Mama because of Hughes, he would never forgive him—no matter what.
And he had a bad feeling: after that stunt just now, there was a good chance Smoothie would start to feel something for the man.
There were already more than enough "money-pit" sisters. He could understand Custard—she was older and still unwed, and Mama had never found her a husband.
Now she was finally "sold off" at a sky-high price.
He truly wished that sister well.
But Galette, what are you so hasty about?
Leave a little room for your other sisters!
And Amande, why are you butting in too, hmm?
Aren't your eyes supposed to hold only enemies and the blade?
The family's brightest sisters were already falling…
If the most dazzling pearl also fell to this kid, he'd feel nothing but despair.
"Good. Then the marriage is settled!"
"Perospero, I'm putting this on you. Take your brothers and sisters and get it done quickly."
"Wedding cake—wedding cake!"
"I can't wait to taste it."
"As you command, Mama. I'll go invite the guests at once."
"Oh, and this wedding won't be like the others. Dr. Hughes's identity is special. The World Government will try to take him back."
"So we must strictly vet every guest."
"Also, on the day of the wedding, mobilize the entire family. I don't want any accidents!"
…
"Well then, Dr. Hughes, since the alliance is decided, shouldn't we talk business?" Big Mom leaned forward with a grin.
"Of course—just as you wish."
At that, the whole Charlotte family straightened up, expectation written on their faces.
This was the giantification drug. When they first heard about it, it sounded like a fairytale.
It had even happened to stave off one of Mama's hunger pang fits by pure chance—
Letting the rampaging Mama briefly regain her senses and buying precious time to prep ingredients and bake cakes.
From mobilizing the entire family to the "matchmaking" ritual just now—
All of it was for this giantification technology mortals would beg the heavens for.
"I'll have Perospero perfectly 'copy' the Punk Hazard facility according to the blueprints."
"Doctor, you can start experiments anytime. How far along is the giantification drug now?"
"It's still short of a perfect effect—we need to tune the ratios of different components."
"It'll take a few more rounds of human trials. For now, call it a semi-finished product."
"I see. That's excellent."
"Can you give us a demonstration now?"
"After all, we've only seen giant transformations over a transponder-snail feed."
"For something this grand, it's best to experience the shock of it live."
"And it'll show my daughters exactly what they missed today!"
"I can. I brought a few finished doses."
Soon, a large group filed out to an open training ground.
At Perospero's signal, a pirate underling swallowed the giantification drug.
In an instant, golden lightning speared up from the ground, piercing the clouds.
Everyone stared, slack-jawed, at the magnificent sight.
That sudden surge of presence could almost rival Mama when she unleashed Haoshoku no Haki (Conqueror's Haki).
The underling's body swelled rapidly—bones first, then layer by layer with fibrous muscle and nerves.
A naked giant rose from the earth, more than twenty meters tall—
Perfectly matching this world's standard for giants.
After a single roaring outburst, the giant fell quiet again.
Its eyes were a little vacant as it took a first look at the world that had birthed it.
When its gaze fell on the Charlotte family, its expression warped at once; drool began to dribble from the corners of its mouth.
In the next instant, the giant moved!
It charged with an exaggerated gait, each footfall thundering like a drum.
The moment Big Mom saw the giant, her eyes filled with tears.
Excitement—joy—beyond words.
Her awareness slipped; a terrifying, bestial sound burst out—laced with Haoshoku no Haki (Conqueror's Haki)—and swept the entire space.
"Tch. That's a bit much."
Fortunately, he'd injected himself with a genetic serum beforehand, greatly boosting his physique.
He could barely withstand the assault of the sonic shockwave.
With his old body, one blast like that—if it didn't kill him, it would leave him a drooling fool.
Looks like he needed to hurry up and develop some tech to bolster his own combat ability.
Unconventional situations like this were bound to crop up in the future; he needed ways to respond—at least to ensure his own survival.
Everyone else, crushed by the monster-sound, couldn't move—frozen where they stood.
"Katakuri, use your ability and make some earplugs so everyone can resist the noise."
Hearing Hughes, Katakuri understood at once.
Once they'd put in mochi earplugs from the Mochi Mochi no Mi (Mochi-Mochi Fruit), the discomfort caused by the sound eased.
This old hag really was a monster.
If she could control that ability at will—
On a large battlefield it would be an exquisite ambush tool.
Among Paramecia fruits, there was the Oto Oto no Mi (Tone-Tone Fruit), which could unleash laser-like blasts.
If someone like Big Mom ate it, the power would probably be cataclysmic.
While everyone fitted earplugs and steadied themselves—
The mindless giant still barreled straight for Big Mom at the front.
That horrifying sound meant nothing to a "pure" giant that didn't feel emotions, pain, or fear.
Hughes saw blood seeping from the giant's eyes and ears as it closed in.
Before their shocked eyes, it pushed through the sound that left them helpless, thundered up to Mama—
And lifted her massive body up like a baby.
What else could be said? A giant was a giant.
In the blink of an eye—and as everyone's eyes bulged—the giant's huge mouth lunged for Mama's shoulder.
Its bite only shattered every perfect tooth in its mouth, sending up a wash of blood.
But because it felt no pain, it kept gnawing on with its ragged, flaming gums.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!]
[[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]