Clemons, having completed his transformation, no longer resembled a mere combatant but a fully awakened beast. The aura pouring off his body pressed down on the battlefield like a physical weight, forcing even seasoned fighters to tense instinctively.
His back muscles tightened, the demonic outline across them seeming almost alive. In the next instant, Clemons vanished from where he stood.
Smoothie's pupils shrank sharply, while the Wolf-Tiger Brothers felt a jolt of danger shoot through their spines. A single thought echoed in unison across their minds. This was bad.
The air split with a sharp burst, and to many watching, Clemons had simply disappeared.
Kuroro and Kururu did not retreat. Their instincts screamed that retreating now would only hand over complete control of the battle. This was their final chance to resist.
Both brothers surged forward at the same time, fists wrapped in Armament Haki, aiming to intercept him head-on.
A thunderous impact rang out.
Their combined strike connected with Clemons' arm, halting his advance for a fraction of a second as their bodies were dragged backward across the ground for dozens of meters. The friction tore at the ground beneath their feet, leaving deep gouges in their wake.
They had managed to block the first exchange.
For a fleeting instant, relief flickered across their faces.
It vanished immediately.
Clemons' expression did not change in the slightest. His hand tightened, fingers locking around their arms like iron shackles.
With a single explosive step, he launched himself into the air, dragging both brothers along with him.
Their faces twisted in alarm as they struggled, but the difference in strength was absolute. Panic began to creep in.
Two heavy crashes followed in quick succession.
Their bodies were hurled downward and smashed into the ground with brutal force, the impact sending them bouncing back up helplessly.
Before they could even gather their bearings, Clemons had already reappeared between them.
They had underestimated his speed again.
His hands shot out, seizing both of them by the legs. With a savage motion, he swung them inward, slamming their bodies together mid-air. The sickening collision echoed across the arena, drawing sharp reactions from the audience.
What followed was pure violence.
Clemons unleashed a relentless barrage, smashing them into the ground again and again. Each impact reverberated like a drumbeat of destruction, the repeated thuds stacking into a rhythm that was both brutal and mesmerizing.
Their resistance crumbled under the assault.
Finally, Clemons delivered a powerful aerial kick, sending both bodies flying across the arena. They slammed into the steel wall and collapsed, utterly defeated, their bodies limp and unresponsive.
The Wolf-Tiger Brothers were out.
Clemons exhaled slowly and clapped his hands once, as if brushing off dust. His gaze shifted toward Smoothie.
That single glance made her throat tighten.
There was no longer any doubt. In his current state, she stood no chance.
The fate of the Wolf-Tiger Brothers was a clear warning.
For a brief moment, the thought of surrender surfaced in her mind. It would be the logical choice. However, when her eyes flicked toward the stands and landed on Big Mom, that thought was crushed instantly.
If she surrendered now, her ranking would settle at sixth.
That was not safe.
The consequences of disappointing her mother were far worse than any injury she might suffer here.
Her gaze shifted across the battlefield, quickly assessing her options. She ignored the intense clash between Kaguya and Kler and instead focused on the smaller battlefield where Yamato and Izo were locked in combat.
If she eliminated those two, her ranking would rise further.
That was enough.
Without hesitation, Smoothie turned and sprinted toward them.
Clemons did not interfere.
As long as she avoided Kaguya, her actions were irrelevant to him. More importantly, Teach had already given subtle instructions. The Devil Fruit desired by Big Mom was to be secured for her if possible. Allowing Smoothie to remain in the fight a little longer aligned with that goal.
Moments earlier, Clemons had already adjusted his approach slightly, focusing more heavily on the Wolf-Tiger Brothers instead of pressing Smoothie directly.
It was a calculated decision.
Provoking Big Mom over something trivial like this would risk unnecessary conflict between Emperors, something the Nightfall Pirates had no interest in triggering.
From above, several sharp-eyed figures easily saw through this intention. None spoke of it. Big Mom herself simply smiled as she continued eating her dessert, calmly accepting Teach's gesture.
On the battlefield, Smoothie closed the distance rapidly.
Yamato and Izo were too focused on each other to notice her approach. Both were already breathing heavily, their stamina nearing its limits.
Izo believed he had the upper hand. Yamato's movements were slowing, her strength beginning to wane. He was confident he could end the fight soon.
That confidence was shattered in an instant.
Smoothie arrived.
This time, she no longer held back.
From beneath her scarf, a gelatinous, sentient mass emerged, its surface rippling as it revealed a pair of eyes and a mouth.
"Smoothie, you finally let me out."
This was her Juice Homie, a being perfectly suited to her ability.
"Quiet. Give me your energy," Smoothie replied coldly.
Without hesitation, she seized it and activated her power.
The Homie shrank rapidly as its energy was drained, its voice echoing in exaggerated delight as it was squeezed dry. Smoothie ignored it completely.
Her body began to expand.
Muscles, limbs, and frame all grew at a visible rate. Within seconds, she towered at nearly twenty meters in height, her form radiating a dense pink aura. Even her sword expanded along with her, becoming a massive weapon befitting her new size.
Power surged through her veins.
This transformation immediately drew attention from across the arena. Even Yamato and Izo, mid-battle, turned in shock.
Too late.
"Water-Splitting Sword!"
Smoothie swung her blade.
A massive slash, tens of meters in height, tore through the air with overwhelming force, engulfing both fighters before they could react.
The impact was devastating.
Yamato was sent flying instantly, her already exhausted body unable to withstand the blow. She crashed to the ground and lost consciousness.
Izo fared slightly better, coughing up blood as he struggled to remain standing. His body trembled under the damage, but his will pushed him to stay upright.
It was futile.
Smoothie stepped forward, towering above him, her blade pointed directly at his chest.
After a brief pause, Izo exhaled and lowered his guard.
"I surrender."
With that, another fighter was eliminated.
Smoothie's display left many stunned. Her sudden surge in power elevated her to a level comparable, if only temporarily, to the top contenders on the field.
She did not hesitate.
Raising her enlarged blade once more, she turned toward the central battlefield where Kaguya and Kler were locked in an intense clash.
If she could end them both in one strike, victory would be within reach.
The sword came down.
At that very moment, Clemons moved.
He intercepted the attack head-on.
"Muscle Punch!"
His fist collided with the incoming slash, shattering it in a violent explosion of force. The impact sent him skidding backward, but he held firm.
That single moment created an opening.
Smoothie lifted her blade again, preparing a second strike.
She never got the chance.
"Muscle Arm!"
Clemons' arm surged forward, muscles expanding and extending unnaturally, forming a massive limb that stretched across the battlefield. In an instant, it reached her face.
The punch landed cleanly.
Smoothie staggered backward, her attack broken completely.
Silence lingered for a brief moment.
She understood.
Even with her enhanced power, her massive form lacked the agility needed to contend with Clemons. Continuing this fight would only end one way.
Letting out a quiet breath, she lowered her weapon.
"I surrender."
Her body began to shrink, returning to its original form as she turned and exited the arena, heading back toward the Big Mom Pirates' section to watch the remainder of the battle unfold.