CHAPTER 122: THE EMPERORS' GAUNTLET
The battle between Kaido and Big Mom had reached its climax—and its conclusion. Wheat Island, once a respectable landmass, was now little more than scattered rubble jutting from the churning sea. The sky above crackled with residual lightning, and the air itself seemed to vibrate with the aftermath of their conflict.
Satoru watched from his perch on Ember's ship, his Six Eyes recording every detail. The way they moved, the timing of their attacks, the subtle shifts in their Haki as they fought. This was intelligence that couldn't be bought—only witnessed.
Whitebeard, he thought, a rare flicker of genuine excitement in his chest. If these two are this devastating at half-power, what must the world's strongest man be capable of?
The battle was ending now. Both Emperors had drawn back, their breathing heavy, their bodies marked with wounds that would take days to heal. Neither had gained the upper hand—because neither had truly committed to the fight.
They weren't stupid. A real battle to the death would leave one winner... and that winner would be vulnerable. And in the New World, vulnerability was death.
"Kaido, after all these years, you're still the same." Big Mom's voice carried across the water, mockery evident even at this distance.
"Old woman, you're one to talk." Kaido hefted his kanabo, but made no move to attack. "You haven't improved either."
The verbal sparring continued as their crews rushed to their sides. Ember reached Kaido first, followed closely by Queen and Jack. Katakuri landed beside Big Mom, with Perospero and the other commanders close behind.
Both groups immediately began reporting—and the first words out of their mouths were the same.
"Kaido-sama, the Admiral is here."
"Mother, the White Dragon is watching."
Two sets of Emperor eyes locked onto Satoru simultaneously.
The weight of their attention was immense—a physical pressure that would have crushed most people where they stood. Two of the Four Emperors, two of the most powerful beings in the world, focusing their complete attention on one person.
Satoru smiled and waved.
"That's the Navy brat who made you look bad?" Big Mom's laugh was a terrifying sound. "He doesn't look like much."
Kaido's jaw tightened. "Don't underestimate him, old woman. You wouldn't last five minutes against him alone."
"And I suppose you would?"
"I never lost to him." Kaido's voice carried a warning. "And if I find out who started that rumor, I'll turn them into paste."
Satoru, hearing every word clearly, decided to introduce himself properly. "Yo! Kaido, long time no see. And Big Mom—pleasure to finally meet you."
Big Mom's response was immediate and violent.
"IKOKU SOVEREIGNTY!"
Napleon transformed, the living hat becoming a massive blade wreathed in Armament Haki so dense it gleamed like obsidian. The sword slash that erupted from it was enormous—capable of splitting an island, of carving through mountains.
It crossed the distance in an instant and struck Satoru directly.
The ship beneath him disintegrated. The sea behind him split apart, a massive trench opening as the slash continued its path, carving through the water itself before finally dissipating against the horizon.
Ember watched his second ship in recent memory get obliterated, his eye twitching uncontrollably.
When the light faded, Satoru floated in the air exactly where he had been standing, completely unharmed. Not a scratch. Not a singed hair. His clothes weren't even wrinkled.
"That was a nice greeting," he said cheerfully. "But I have to say—" he glanced at the trench still closing behind him, "—your swordsmanship isn't quite up to Mihawk's level."
Big Mom's eyes widened. She had seen the attack land. She had felt it connect. And yet...
No damage. No defense. Nothing.
"It's not as strong as Mihawk's, sure," Satoru continued, still floating casually, "but it's still pretty impressive. I should return the favor."
He raised a hand.
"Cursed Technique Reversal: Red."
The crimson sphere materialized before him—small, dense, pulsing with barely contained power. With a flick of his wrist, it shot toward Big Mom.
She raised Napoleon, coating herself in Armament Haki, ready to block—
BOOM.
The repulsive force hit her like a meteor. Despite her size, despite her strength, despite her preparation, she was launched backward through the air, tumbling uncontrollably until Zeus, her thundercloud homie, caught her just before she hit the water.
She righted herself, her expression shifting from surprise to genuine rage. "You little—"
"Mom, wait!" Katakuri's voice cut through her fury. "He used Conqueror's Haki infusion in that attack. You need to use it too!"
Big Mom's eyes narrowed. She looked at Kaido, who nodded grimly.
"The brat's barrier is special," Kaido called out. "Only Conqueror's infusion can break it. And even then—" he didn't finish, but his meaning was clear. Even with the right tools, Satoru was dangerous.
Big Mom's rage cooled into something more calculating. She studied the floating Admiral with new eyes. A child. Barely a teenager. And yet...
She flew toward him, Napoleon raised, black-red lightning already crackling around the blade. "Let's see how you handle this, brat!"
The slash that came this time was different—darker, heavier, carrying the weight of an Emperor's absolute will. Conqueror's Haki infusion at full power.
Satoru's expression finally shifted from amusement to something more serious. His own fist coated in matching black-red lightning.
"Tyrant Black Flash."
Fist met blade.
The impact created a crater in the sea beneath them—not on land, but on water. The ocean simply... moved, displaced by the force of their collision. A dome of water rose around them, then collapsed in a massive wave that sent nearby ships spinning.
Big Mom felt the force travel up her arm, felt the strength in that small fist, and for the first time, understood why Kaido had spoken of this child with something approaching respect.
"You're not bad, boy," she admitted, genuine acknowledgment in her voice. "Not bad at all."
Satoru grinned, though behind his blindfold, his Six Eyes were working overtime. She's strong. Stronger than Kaido in some ways. Her physical power is incredible—and that's just her base.
He had stopped her attack. But his hand tingled from the impact. His cursed energy reserves, already depleted from the Buster Call and the journey back, had dropped further.
If I have to fight both of them...
He didn't finish the thought. Because both Emperors were now looking at him with something beyond simple hostility. They were evaluating him. Measuring him. Deciding if he was worth the effort of eliminating.
Around them, the crews watched in stunned silence. Their captains had just fought each other to a standstill. Now they were facing down an Admiral who had matched blows with both.
Kaido spoke first. "You've got guts, brat, I'll give you that. Showing up here alone."
"I'm not alone." Satoru gestured vaguely at the surrounding ships. "I've got plenty of company. You, for instance. Very entertaining company."
Big Mom laughed despite herself. "He's got a mouth on him, this one."
"He always did." Kaido's expression was unreadable. "So what's your play, Admiral? You here to fight? To watch? To wait until we're weak and then strike?"
Satoru considered the question. The CP0 agent's words echoed in his mind. The World Government's expectations. The trap they had set.
But looking at these two Emperors—wounded, tired, but still radiating enough power to level islands—he knew his answer.
"I'm here to watch," he said simply. "Nothing more. You two going at it is the best show in the world. I wouldn't miss it for anything."
Kaido stared at him for a long moment. Then, unexpectedly, he laughed—a deep, rumbling sound that shook the air. "You're crazy, boy. You know that?"
"I've been told."
Big Mom's expression softened slightly—as much as an Emperor's ever could. "Fine. Watch, then. But if you try anything—"
"I won't." Satoru's voice was firm. "I didn't come here to fight. I came here to learn."
The admission hung in the air. An Admiral, admitting he had things to learn from Emperors. It was almost... respectful.
Kaido nodded slowly. "Then watch, brat. Watch and learn what real power looks like."
He turned away, signaling to his crew. Big Mom did the same. The tension that had gripped the area began to dissipate—not completely, but enough.
Satoru remained where he was, floating above the wreckage of Ember's ship, watching as the two Emperor crews began to withdraw. The battle was over. The show was done.
But his Six Eyes hadn't missed something else—a flicker of movement in the shadows of a distant ship. The CP0 agent, still watching. Still waiting.
They wanted me to fight, Satoru thought. They wanted me to throw myself at two Emperors and either die or prove my loyalty.
He smiled, but there was no warmth in it.
Sorry to disappoint.
The agent would report. The World Government would know he had let an opportunity pass. And the questions would come.
But for now, surrounded by enemies who had become temporary spectators, Satoru allowed himself a moment of peace.
The New World was quieting. The storm was passing.
And somewhere in the distance, the strongest man in the world was probably laughing at them all.
(End of Chapter)
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