BIG MOM's food craze—her infamous eating disorder—is the most notorious and uncontrollable state of the Yonko.
This condition, known as a food craving frenzy, is triggered by an overwhelming desire for a specific food. Once it begins, she descends into a state of madness, unable to stop until she consumes the object of her craving.
In this frenzied state, BIG MOM loses all reason—even her own blood relatives aren't safe. If any of her children stand in her way, she'll eliminate them without a second thought.
What makes it even more dangerous is her sheer destructive power during these episodes—she indiscriminately unleashes her full might against anything in her path.
At just five years old, in the warrior village of Elbaf, she killed the giant hero "Waterfall Beard" Jorul during one such food craze, laying waste to the entire village.
While the target food differs each time, her obsession with sweets means it's usually some kind of dessert.
However… this time, her craving frenzy is something entirely different.
"Damn it!"
Cavendish thrashed violently. The Lightforged Beacon he had with him—captured alongside him—was being crushed out of shape by BIG MOM's massive hand. It felt as if this iron clamp of a hand was about to mash him and the shape-memory alloy into a single twisted lump.
"My bones… they're about to snap…"
"And I… I can't reach the switch…"
Cavendish poured all his strength into activating his Haki. BIG MOM, in her frenzied state, hadn't used Haki herself, and the cushioning effect of the Lightforged Beacon seemed to be the only reason he was still alive.
But if he did manage to activate the switch and revert the Lightforged Beacon into a ring, he likely wouldn't last long after that.
A column of Holy Light descended onto Cavendish's head, instantly making him feel significantly better.
"Cavendish!"
Ace, Tashigi, and T Bone rushed forward. With Wright present, they knew Cavendish wouldn't die anytime soon.
But still…
"Sensei! What's going on with BIG MOM?! Is this… about souls?!"
Ace's expression was tense as he shouted,
"Why Cavendish?! I was standing right next to him—why didn't she grab me?!"
If BIG MOM had chosen Ace instead, he could've escaped by immediately turning into fire thanks to his Logia abilities.
Issho also spoke up gravely:
"I am ashamed… I didn't react fast enough. If I had blocked her, none of this would have happened…"
"That old hag even self-destructed her Homies… Looks like both the Sun and Thundercloud took serious damage!"
Sakazuki scoffed. BIG MOM had managed to block the devastating move that had nearly killed him when Wright used it in the past. Did that mean she was stronger than he was?
Hmph! At best, her defense was better—that's all! A damned iron balloon.
"I think… I know why she targeted Cavendish."
Wright's low voice drew everyone's attention.
"Cavendish's soul—it's different from the rest of yours."
"He was born with dual personalities, which means his soul's strength is at least double that of a normal person!"
Everyone was stunned. Wright nodded affirmatively:
"That has to be it. This time, BIG MOM's craving frenzy is targeting souls. With Issho-senpai standing guard, her instincts would've driven her to seize the most spiritually potent target!"
With that explanation, everything fell into place. BIG MOM's actions finally made sense.
"Issho-senpai, take the others and go after Katakuri and the rest!"
Wright seemed to have pieced everything together and quickly issued commands:
"Sakazuki-senpai and I can handle BIG MOM in her current state. But if we let Katakuri roam free, the rest of the Totto Land forces could pose a serious threat!"
"As for Cavendish, I'll handle it. He's safe with me."
"…Understood."
Issho let out a sigh, deeply blaming himself for failing to protect Cavendish.
"I'll apprehend them all."
"Let's move!"
Issho led the squad to chase after Katakuri and the others who had fallen into the ruins of Cake Castle.
Though heavily battered by BIG MOM's soul scream, they still possessed dangerous combat strength.
Moments later, a massive meteor crashed into the ground—battle had resumed.
"Why isn't BIG MOM doing anything yet?"
Once again, Sakazuki and Wright stood side by side—just like when they faced off against Whitebeard.
Sky-walking was no strain for Akainu, and with Wright constantly replenishing his stamina, he could maintain it indefinitely. But in a food frenzy, shouldn't BIG MOM immediately start devouring her target once captured?
"She's hesitating. She's afraid of the Holy Light."
Wright held his sword Ashes, eyes locked on BIG MOM. While he couldn't erect a full Holy Light Wall—Sanctuary to protect Cavendish at this altitude, a brilliant orb of Holy Light floated above Cavendish, continuously providing healing.
"She's afraid of the Holy Light's soul-purging effect—it's an instinctive fear buried deep in her core!"
BIG MOM's massive ripple-like pupils stared unblinkingly at the struggling Cavendish in her grasp, yet she still hadn't made a move.
But it was only a matter of time. The rage of her food frenzy was gradually suppressing that instinctive fear.
"Cavendish! Listen carefully!"
Wright's voice snapped Cavendish back to his senses—he had been on the verge of passing out from the horror of BIG MOM's gaping maw.
"Fleet Admiral… Your Excellency! Just kill this old hag!"
"I'd rather die than let her eat me!"
"If I can take down a Yonko with me… My popularity will go through the roof!"
"Haha… HAHAHA!"
Sakazuki couldn't help but crack a faint smile. He admired Cavendish's resolve.
Honestly, if left to Sakazuki, he'd have long since launched a Great Eruption to end it all—
With Cavendish holding her down, BIG MOM was basically a sitting duck. The perfect chance to finish her.
But since Wright was here, the final call rested with the Fleet Admiral.
Still… if he had been in Cavendish's place, Akainu would've cursed Wright to hell and back for hesitating instead of bombing them both immediately.
"Shut up, you idiot! You wouldn't even be around to enjoy the popularity if you're dead!"
Wright snapped.
"I'm about to grant you the strongest defense I can currently apply to someone else!"
"Then Admiral Akainu and I will launch a full-scale assault on BIG MOM—during which we won't be able to protect you!"
"The Lightforged Beacon is your chance! It will reinforce and extend the protection!"
"Don't let go of it! If the Beacon's function is interrupted—"
Wright looked solemnly at Cavendish, whose eyes now burned with new determination.
"I won't be able to save you once I commit to the attack."
"If you die, it's over. Even if you're severely wounded, don't give up easily!"
"Understood, Fleet Admiral!"
Cavendish screamed as BIG MOM's grip tightened even further:
"She's… she's about to change her mind!"
"Focus!"
The Lightforged Sigil on the Beacon flared with a brilliant golden glow. Cavendish felt a powerful shield of Holy Light form around him, centering on the Beacon. BIG MOM's hand was actually forced open slightly by the pressure!
"Blessing of Protection!"
"The Lightforged Sigil will hold for over a full minute!"
"Don't you dare die!"
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