A desolate, uninhabited island.
Deep within Yellow Island, dense jungles spread like a thick green curtain, with towering trees standing tall. Along the jagged shoreline, waves pounded against the rocks, spraying white foam into the air. A simple raft made of candy bobbed gently in the surf.
"Let's take a break here."
Charlotte Perospero leapt off the candy raft, steadying himself with a newly reformed candy cane. He glanced over the island's surroundings and nodded in approval.
Then he looked back at Charlotte Daifuku, who was limping off the raft behind him.
"You're in no shape to keep going. I've stabilized your fractures with candy, but your internal injuries are still serious. We should rest for a few days before moving again."
"I told you… I'm fine, Perospero Nii-san," Daifuku rasped, his lifeless eyes glaring defiantly.
Perospero sighed.
Though they'd followed Mama through countless campaigns across the New World, helping expand the Totto Land empire, they'd rarely faced true top-tier fighters.
The New World may be chaotic and dangerous, but for massive pirate crews like the Big Mom Pirates, there was an unspoken understanding among major powers.
They rarely trespassed on each other's territory. A delicate balance was kept.
Large-scale conflict between great powers was avoided. Instead, expansion efforts were directed toward disorganized, neutral islands and weak nations.
And when faced with the overwhelming might of Charlotte Linlin—Big Mom herself—those nations crumbled like paper. Either they knelt in humiliation, or they surrendered willingly and sought alliance through marriage.
It had been far too easy.
The Charlotte family's string of one-sided conquests had bred arrogance in all of them. Everyone, Daifuku and Perospero included, had come to believe they were unstoppable.
That the Big Mom Pirates were invincible—the strongest force in the sea.
But this time… this mission had shattered that illusion.
One blow.
Just one strike from Admiral Sengoku had completely crushed years of hard-earned pride and self-confidence. Their lofty ideals evaporated like a dream.
If Perospero hadn't reacted in time, creating a candy barrier to absorb part of the shockwave, Daifuku wouldn't have just been left with a dozen broken bones—he might not be alive at all.
The memory of that colossal golden Buddha and its terrifying pressure still lingered in Perospero's mind. Before that palm, he, who once considered himself powerful, had felt like a fragile insect—ready to be squashed at any moment. A shiver of fear flickered in his eyes.
"Don't push yourself, Daifuku."
He licked his cracked lips, then casually sat on a large rock. From within his coat, he pulled out an Eternal Pose and checked their bearings.
"We'll stay here for two, maybe three days. Then we'll move."
"This island's already close to Whole Cake Island. No way the Marines follow us this far."
Daifuku clenched his jaw, his dead-eyed glare flashing with killing intent.
"Those damn Marines… trying to wipe out all the pirates on the island!"
"Sengoku, fine—but even some no-name Marine lieutenant dared to come after us? Tried to hold us back? Unbelievable!"
"I should've just twisted his head off!"
He growled, his tone sharp and cold.
Perospero glanced sideways at him.
As the eldest son of the Charlotte family, he'd always felt the weight of responsibility. Sharp-minded and tactically skilled, he'd long taken on the role of strategist in the Big Mom Pirates.
He knew Daifuku's temperament all too well.
Cold, ruthless, decisive. He'd never known what it meant to lose. Now, the bitterness of failure was eating him alive.
"Relax, that Marine brat's done for. Wrapped up in my candy like that, he'll die even more painfully."
Charlotte Perospero patted Daifuku's mochi-like shoulder, a cold sneer curling his lips.
Daifuku said nothing, his mouth pressed into a tight line.
Perospero shook his head and pulled out a Den Den Mushi, preparing to contact Whole Cake Island and report on their mission.
As he looked at the device, he took a deep breath, as if steeling himself. A flash of fear passed through his eyes.
Mama's orders must not be disobeyed.
That was an ironclad rule in the Big Mom Pirates—unbreakable by anyone.
No matter who failed her mission, the punishment was always severe.
Soul Pocus.
At best, years of life would be taken. At worst, instant death.
Even though the failure this time wasn't entirely their fault, even Perospero, the eldest son of the Charlotte family, couldn't suppress the chill crawling down his spine.
Their mother's violent mood swings, unstable mental state, and terrifying tendency to lash out without distinction during her episodes were deeply etched into the hearts of everyone in the Big Mom Pirates—never to be forgotten.
Beside him, Charlotte Daifuku also seemed to realize the danger. He swallowed dryly, his face pale as he gritted his teeth.
"Perospero Nii-san... if Mama punishes us, we'll face it together."
Perospero forced a smile, raised his hand, and reluctantly dialed the number.
"Brrru... brrru..."
The ringing of the Den Den Mushi echoed like a death knell, hammering at their frayed nerves.
"Brrru!"
The call connected.
The Den Den Mushi's face transformed into that of a woman—long pink hair, thick lashes, crimson lips.
"Mamamama... My dear sons, did you get the Moa Moa no Mi?"
A raspy yet commanding female voice came through, radiating the overwhelming presence of a conqueror.
The instant they heard her voice, both Perospero and Daifuku stiffened.
Perospero took a deep breath and said hoarsely,
"Mama... the mission failed."
"Sengoku led the Marines into action, and Shiki showed up at Coin Island. We weren't able to seize the Moa Moa no Mi. Please pun—"
Before the words even finished leaving his mouth, both he and Daifuku's faces suddenly changed.
They completely forgot about the Den Den Mushi still in their hands.
A wave of bone-chilling cold surged down their spines, locking up every muscle in their bodies.
A sharp, piercing screech ripped through the air!
A black shadow tore across the sky at an unbelievable speed—then stabbed into the earth with terrifying force!
What the hell was that!?
A flying sword!?
Their pupils shrank to pinpricks in an instant.
"Candy Wall!!"
Boom!!
In the very next moment—
A thunderous explosion rocked the coastline. A sweeping shockwave blasted outward, sending a massive wave towering dozens of meters into the sky.