Immediately, the branches extending from Aramaki's body transformed into conduits for life energy, snaking into Sakazuki's body. One by one, they injected abundant life force, and the gruesome wound on his chest, freshly inflicted by Big Mom, began a slow but miraculous recovery.
"Mama…" Katakuri arrived beside Big Mom, his eyes widening at the terrifying void in her body. Through the gaping wound, he could faintly see Sakazuki and Aramaki in the distance. Such severe injuries were nearly irreversible, and Katakuri's heart sank.
Coughing violently, Big Mom's mouth and nose spurted blood, her vision blurring rapidly. Through a strained, low voice, she muttered, "At the cost of ten years of my life… heal this wound for me…"
Before she finished, she forcefully drew ten years from her lifespan, channeling it into repairing her injuries. Instantly, her once-pink hair turned gray, and her massive body thinned drastically, as if time itself had accelerated. Yet through this near self-destructive sacrifice, her wound gradually began to mend.
"No! How can this monster even recover from such injuries? What kind of being is this?!" Aramaki exclaimed in disbelief, still tending to Sakazuki.
Sakazuki's expression mirrored his unease. "Indeed… the Four Emperors are all extraordinary. Common sense cannot judge their limits."
Aramaki, ever audacious, laughed. "But she just said ten years… she gave up ten years of her life just to recover. That's insane."
Half a minute later, the large hole in Big Mom's abdomen had mostly healed, though her internal injuries remained partially damaged. Her face was grim, realizing that even ten years of life force weren't enough for full recovery.
Yet there was no time for despair—she needed to survive this crisis.
"Five more years… restore my internal organs…" Big Mom once again ruthlessly consumed part of her lifespan. Slowly, her organs charred by Sakazuki's magma began to regain vitality.
The cost was visible: her once-massive figure was now bone-thin, her pink dress hanging awkwardly. Her hair was fully gray, and age spots marked her once-pristine face. Katakuri's eyes widened in shock. His Observation Haki sensed her aura had become chaotic; she had expended fifteen years of life. At age sixty-seven, she now appeared as an eighty-two-year-old elder.
Sakazuki snorted with disdain. "Hmph… only a temporary recovery, bought at the cost of your own life. Can you even continue to fight in this state?"
"Gyahahaha! Exactly!" Aramaki laughed, gradually retracting the branches that had aided Sakazuki. "Old Brother, try moving your arm now."
Sakazuki flexed his left wrist slightly, wincing at the pain in the joint. "Hmph, thanks, Aramaki," he said calmly.
"Don't mention it, Old Brother! Your arm was broken once, after all. Be careful moving it too much to avoid lasting issues." Aramaki grinned broadly.
"Understood," Sakazuki replied.
Turning to Big Mom, who clung precariously to life, Aramaki volunteered, "Old Brother, this Old Hag is barely holding on. You should rest; leave her to me."
Sakazuki snorted in agreement. "Hmph. I'll leave her to you. Those two brats, though… I'll deal with them."
Seeing Sakazuki and Aramaki advance, Big Mom's eyes blazed with fury. Gritting her teeth, she roared, "This is Totto Land, my territory! You think you can defeat me here? Even if I die, I'll drag you both to hell with me!"
"Homies, gather!" she commanded.
Her call echoed not only across Cake Island but throughout Totto Land. Homies imbued with her life force responded immediately, streaking through the air like living beams of light. Those who had lost their souls fell to the ground, powerless.
Countless white souls surged into Big Mom's body. Her once-gray hair regained its vibrancy, and her body regained much of its former plumpness. The spectacle of converging souls drew the attention of both Marines and pirates alike. The Big Mom Pirates' overall combat power sharply declined as their Homies vanished.
"Is this… Mama recalling her souls?" observers whispered, realizing the gravity of the situation. The Homies, once her tools, now returned to her, signaling a desperate crisis.
Marine morale skyrocketed. Previously restrained against the Homies, they now seized the opportunity. Exchanging lives for Homies seemed pointless; the balance of power had shifted decisively.
Vice Admiral Onigumo bellowed, "Big Mom's doomsday is upon us! Soldiers, execute justice! Annihilate the Big Mom Pirates and spread the light of justice across the World!"
"Yes! Let the light of justice shine!" "Defend justice!" "Exterminate all pirates!"
Gripping their weapons, Marines advanced fearlessly, sensing the tide of battle had turned.
Meanwhile, in the forest, Aramaki observed the white souls flooding into Big Mom, his expression darkening before bursting into laughter. "Gyahahahahaha! Truly worthy of a Four Emperor! So that's her secret! Eliminating a Four Emperor is never easy."
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