The Abandoned Ones share a common trait.
Because their core crystals were destroyed, the activity of the Crystal Demon virus itself was greatly reduced.
The Crystal Demon virus, which originally resided within the Abandoned Ones, had now lost its high infectivity.
In Dr. Kureha's words, the Crystal Demon virus "transformed from a state of extreme activity into an inert virus."
This seemed to be Kureha's own unique theory, or perhaps some specialized medical term; no one was sure.
But in any case, the harm the Abandoned Ones caused to others could no longer transmit the Crystal Demon virus.
At the same time, due to the reduced activity of the Crystal Demon virus itself, the thick crystal armor that originally covered the surface of the Abandoned Ones' bodies had receded back into their bodies.
The Abandoned Ones' appearances became more human-like, though some solid crystals still remained in various parts.
But at the same time, the Abandoned Ones also discovered something.
The Crystal Demon viruses had not truly disappeared from their bodies; instead, they remained within them in a "dormant" state.
And as long as an Abandoned One's body met a certain "condition," those dormant, inert Crystal Demon viruses would become active again!
The specific manifestation was:
The Abandoned One's own body would consume some stamina, and at this point, solid crystals would re-attach to the surface of their bodies.
Simultaneously, the Abandoned One's own physical abilities would be further enhanced, with significant increases in strength and mobility.
A blessing in disguise—perhaps that's what this means.
...
Hm?
What is the "condition" that triggers this characteristic in the Abandoned Ones themselves?
Hm.
It is—anger.
It is one of life's most intense emotions, and its power as a driving force within a living being is enough to awaken the dormant Crystal Demon virus!
At this moment, the entire legion of Abandoned Ones, facing the BIGMOM Pirates attacking their homeland, all, without exception, displayed a deep-seated anger!
...
Crack! Lularara...
Distorted, strange sounds could be heard. These were the sounds made when the inert Crystal Demon virus reactivated, and solid crystals began to spread across the Abandoned Ones' bodies again.
One by one, huge and burly crystal demons appeared at the fish-man village's docks.
Their bodies were completely encased in thick, solid crystal armor. Each of them was like a crystal demon!
Every muscle fiber in their bodies pulsed with an unusual sense of explosive power. The strength contained within them transformed into an immensely powerful presence, making it impossible for anyone present to look away.
"Gulp..."
It was unclear which fish-man warrior it was, but they couldn't help but swallow.
Even though they understood that these were their allies, these fish-man warriors couldn't help but feel a tremor deep within their very beings.
Even Cobra couldn't help but swallow and exclaim:
"Great Ancestor, you truly brought some incredible helpers..."
A legion that could stand against and match the imposing presence of the BIGMOM Pirates was likely a force that anyone on this sea would want to possess!
But among them, there was one person whose eyes showed no trace of wavering.
It was the little princess with sky-blue hair—
Nefertari Vivi.
This little princess had experienced many things alongside Ryan Rowan in Drum Kingdom.
Later, although she didn't personally experience it at first, Vivi had also left her footprints in Skypiea, the Aden Kingdom, and other places.
In other words, although she was still young, Princess Vivi had already developed the courage and spirit comparable to the kings of other nations.
Furthermore, this little princess was naturally gifted.
"Father, and everyone, there's no need to be afraid,"
Vivi said with a smile, slowly. "They are no different from us. Just look at their 'eyes'."
Eyes?
Everyone, hearing this, looked in the direction Vivi indicated, and the tension in their hearts suddenly eased quite a bit.
Yes, as Vivi said, a person's eyes can reveal their soul.
At this moment, what filled the eyes of the Abandoned Ones was not the ferocious and violent gaze seen in the Crystal Demon state of the Aden Kingdom, but a firm and peaceful look.
However, within this firm and peaceful gaze, there was a palpable anger!
And it was precisely this anger that caused the Abandoned Ones' presence to rapidly escalate, ultimately reaching a point where they could contend with the BIGMOM Pirates!
...
The aura emanating from the Abandoned Ones' legion grew more and more astonishing.
It was like when animals in nature become wary of other animals that suddenly appear nearby.
Facing the sudden appearance of over a hundred Abandoned Ones, the members of the BIGMOM Pirates couldn't help but frown slightly.
The BIGMOM Pirates had not deployed their entire force for this operation.
In fact, apart from [BIGMOM] Charlotte Linlin herself and her eldest son, the man who ate the Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, Charlotte Perospero, with a bounty of 700 million Berries, the BIGMOM Pirates had not deployed any other heavy hitters.
On one hand, the BIGMOM Pirates feared Kaido's feint.
After all, the proposal to "suddenly attack a country" did seem a bit inexplicable.
But that was [Beasts] Kaido after all.
Unpredictable, anything he did was not strange!
However, to be safe, the BIGMOM Pirates kept most of their forces stationed in Whole Cake Island and sent another portion to Alabasta to participate in the alliance with [Beasts] Kaido.
Those stationed in Whole Cake Island included the powerful second son, Charlotte Katakuri, as well as Charlotte Cracker, Charlotte Smoothie, and others.
On one hand, this was to guard against [Beasts] Kaido's feint, as that man's actions were unpredictable.
On the other hand, the Big Mom Pirates were not worried that Kaido, their ally, would be displeased with this move.
After all, [BIGMOM] Charlotte Linlin herself was participating in this operation!
With one of the Four Emperors personally intervening, what dissatisfaction could Kaido possibly have?
Speaking of which, could anyone on this sea truly maintain their "existence" under simultaneous attacks from two Four Emperors?
The term "Four Emperors" itself is a synonym for disaster!
No one could stop the path of one of the Four Emperors; even the Marines had to deal with them cautiously.
Once the Four Emperors truly made a move, it meant a large-scale war capable of changing the world's balance of power!
Two Four Emperors, even more so!
...
— Big Mom had thought so.
But just now, a force that appeared from nowhere had intercepted Charlotte Perospero's attack!
At the same time, a similar feeling surged through Big Mom's heart.
She turned her head and looked in the direction where Kaido had agreed to attack with her.
From that direction, Big Mom heard a sound that made her personally feel that "something was very wrong."
Yes, it should be right.
That was... the sound of Kaido being "heavily wounded."
Kaido?
Heavily wounded?!