"Help! Someone save me!" Terrified cries echoed relentlessly across Cake Island.
"These trees can drain your life force! Move away quickly!" Pirates watched in horror as comrades were entangled by massive vines, their energy siphoned in seconds. Anyone caught within the grasp of these living trees faced near-certain death.
Some of the less intelligent Homies failed to react and were captured instantly, their shrieks of pain piercing the chaos.
"What's there to fear? They're just trees! Fire the cannons!" The Big Mom Pirates did not hesitate. Cannons roared, shells tearing into the intertwining forest. When the smoke cleared, the scorched vines remained largely intact, their strength and resilience unmatched by ordinary weaponry.
"This… how is this possible?" Many Pirates were stunned. These weren't ordinary trees—their hardness defied imagination.
A tall Pirate stepped forward, brandishing a massive sword. "Stand aside! Let me handle this!" He swung with all his might, but the steel blade shattered instantly, leaving only a shallow white scratch. Even members of the Charlotte Family gaped at the vine's unyielding surface.
"This… is iron, not wood?!" murmured one astonished Pirate.
The terrifying truth became clear: Marine Admiral Ryokugyu had transformed the battlefield into a living forest in moments. On the edge of the forest, a giant face took shape from the vines—Aramaki's. Cold and disdainful, he addressed the Pirates.
"How dare you underestimate a Marine Admiral! These trees are not ordinary—they are reinforced with Armament Haki by me. Do you truly believe your weapons could harm them?"
"Every tree… imbued with Haki?" one Pirate whispered, disbelief etched in his voice. "How could he maintain so much power?"
Aramaki's laugh echoed through the forest, arrogant and chilling. "Gyahahahaha! Trash like you cannot comprehend the power of a Marine Admiral. Despair! After I finish with that old hag, I will devour every one of your lives."
Suddenly, a fiery figure descended from the sky.
"Lord Oven!" The Big Mom Pirates cheered at the arrival of the towering, heat-radiating warrior. Oven sneered, voice sharp and commanding. "Then let me personally test it! Let's see if your forest can withstand my heat!"
Where his feet landed, the ground scorched and sunken under the intense heat, the vines sizzling as flames seared through them.
"As expected of Lord Oven!" the Pirates shouted, spirits lifted by his arrival.
Meanwhile, Aramaki's perception extended through the forest. From the vines themselves, he observed the battlefield, noting the movements of Big Mom Pirates with a cold smile.
"It seems a few still have formidable power," he mused.
Sakazuki's eyes narrowed. "Your forest can't even stop them anymore?"
Aramaki smirked. "No, I merely remarked on the obvious. For them to attempt to cross the forest and save others is foolish optimism."
Sakazuki's expression hardened. "Hmph. I'll handle that old hag. You deal with the others. Once done, return to assist me."
"Yes, sir," Aramaki replied confidently.
Sakazuki's fist ignited with molten magma as he stepped forward. "Do not expect anyone to come to your aid. Your allies are caught between Kizaru and Sengoku. One misstep, and you forfeit the right to live. Starting with you, this old man vows to capture all pirates in the world."
Big Mom roared defiantly, "Mama mama mama mama! If you want me, come at me!"
---
Elsewhere, in a hidden basement, Charlotte Compote had just completed an emergency surgery on Brulee. Despite her weakened state, Brulee remained determined to open the Mirror World to send her younger siblings to Beehive Island and summon the Phoenix Pirates for aid.
Compote's voice trembled with concern. "Brulee, can you still manage?"
Brulee forced a weak smile. "Sister, don't worry. It still hurts, but I can do this."
Compote's expression was filled with guilt. "I'm sorry, Brulee. You're already injured, yet we rely on your strength for this crisis. Please, hold on."
Brulee's resolve was unwavering. "Sister, rest assured. I will safely deliver our younger siblings and bring our allies from the Phoenix Pirates."
Staggering to the mirror, she pressed her hand to its rippling surface. "Alright, everyone, hurry!" she called.
One by one, Brulee and her siblings passed through. Compote exhaled in relief and instructed her subordinates, "Guard this place. No one approaches this mirror."
"Yes, ma'am."
---
Back on Cake Island, the Big Mom Pirates faced overwhelming odds.
Before the main clash, Sakazuki had bombarded the island with Meteor Volcano, leaving many pirates and Homies dead or injured. With the Marines landing and Sakazuki leading the front, morale surged for the World Government forces. The arrival of Fujitora, other Vice Admirals, Pacifista units, and the Seven Warlords stretched Big Mom Pirates' combat power thin.
On another battlefield, Thatch, Fossa, and Blenheim confronted Admiral Fujitora directly.
Fujitora's gaze was stern. "You three are not Big Mom Pirates. Why fight for her?"
Fossa answered loudly, unwavering. "We fight because we are allies. My wife is a Sweet Commander. As her husband, how could I stand aside?"
Thatch grinned menacingly. "We will not watch idly while you strike Big Mom Pirates."
Blenheim added firmly, "Neither will I stand by and see my comrades harmed."
Fujitora paused, then spoke solemnly. "I understand your stance. But this is my first battle as Admiral. I will not retreat lightly."
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