Chapter 217: Big Mom's Fury
"Mama!"
Thundercloud Zeus swooped down and caught the falling Charlotte Linlin.
The Yonko's face was twisted with fury as she steadied herself atop Zeus, raising her sword Napoleon, now blazing with soul fire.
"Elbaf's Spear — Ikoku Sovereignty!"
Buzz!
A colossal slash of energy, like a shockwave that could tear through mountains, roared toward Ace and Luffy.
Ace seized Luffy's arm and narrowly dodged the devastating attack, the explosion behind them blowing apart half the nearby chateau. He carried Luffy as they flew clear of the battlefield on a surge of flame.
He wasn't planning to fight Charlotte Linlin head-on.
Even if his current strength might allow him to stand against a Yonko, doing so here—in her own territory—would be suicide.
If she stalled him for even a moment, he'd be surrounded by the entire Charlotte Family, and with Luffy beside him, retreat would be impossible.
"Don't think you can escape, brat!"
Big Mom bellowed, glaring murderously at Ace.
"Zeus! After them!"
"Mama... mama! Something terrible's happened!"
Before she could give chase, Charlotte Brûlée came running, clutching a Den Den Mushi, her face pale.
"Mama! I just got word from the Seducing Woods—the giant prince, Loki, and his entourage were found dead on the southwest coast!"
---
"What?!"
The entire Charlotte family froze in shock. Even Big Mom's eyes went wide.
The death of Prince Loki of Elbaf—on Whole Cake Island, no less—was a catastrophe.
If true, the giants would never forgive them. The mighty warriors of Elbaf would declare war on Totto Land without hesitation.
"Who did it?!"
Big Mom's voice was low and thunderous, her aura radiating murderous intent.
"I—I don't know!" Brûlée stammered, trembling. "When we arrived, only the bodies were left... the killer was already gone!"
"Tch... So I've been played, have I?"
Charlotte Linlin's eyes darkened as realization dawned. Someone had framed her—someone who wanted to turn Elbaf against her.
Her expression hardened.
"Listen up! No one leaves my territory!"
Her voice echoed through the island like thunder.
"The culprit is among us. If we can't find who did it... I'll kill everyone!"
"Yes, Mama!"
The Sweet Commanders and officers obeyed immediately.
Within moments, the entire Totland Sea was locked down.
A violent storm rolled in, conjured by Linlin's raging soul power. Thunder crackled across the sky, and monstrous waves crashed against the shores of Whole Cake Island.
No ships could leave port now—not unless their users could fly like Ace himself.
Big Mom would rather slaughter every last intruder than allow even one to slip away.
Her wrath was absolute.
---
Meanwhile, on the northern shore of Whole Cake Island, Ace and Luffy descended from the sky, landing amid the rain and wind.
"Ace, why don't we just run away?" Luffy asked, confused but eager to act.
Ace sighed. "I'd like nothing more... but if you knew what happened to those three women, you'd charge straight back here anyway."
He explained that the three Kuja warriors from Amazon Lily—who had secretly infiltrated Totland to help rescue him—had been captured.
"Marguerite and the others were caught?!"
Luffy's fists clenched instantly, rage and guilt flashing in his eyes.
"I have to go save them!"
"Don't even think about it."
Ace grabbed Luffy's shoulder firmly. "If you go back now, you'll just get caught again. Leave the rescue to me. Got it?"
Luffy hesitated, then reluctantly nodded.
"Fine... but don't you dare let anything happen to them."
Ace smiled faintly. "You've grown up, Luffy."
---
Elsewhere, in the residential district of Whole Cake Island—
Crocodile and Daz Bones crouched behind a crumbling wall, watching the storm tear across the island.
Crocodile frowned as lightning illuminated the sky.
"That old hag's weather control is no joke. She's sealing off the entire island... we're trapped here."
"I just heard the news," Daz Bones muttered. "Prince Loki and several giants are dead. If that's true, relations between Elbaf and the Big Mom Pirates will completely collapse. A war could break out any moment."
Crocodile smirked, exhaling a plume of cigar smoke.
"Heh. So Stussy's plan worked after all. If the giants really move against Big Mom, she might be the first Yonko to fall from power."
Daz Bones blinked. "The giants are really that strong? Strong enough to take down a Yonko?"
"Don't underestimate them," Crocodile said coldly. "Elbaf is known as the strongest nation in the world for a reason. Their warriors live for centuries, and their might is legendary. If they march to war... even a Yonko should tremble."
Daz Bones noticed the tension in his boss's tone but wisely said nothing. He had the sense that Crocodile had crossed paths with the giants before—and not on good terms.
"So what's our move?" Daz asked quietly.
Crocodile peeked around the corner, watching Big Mom's soldiers sweep through the streets.
"Hmph. Escaping won't be easy—she's got a few monsters in her ranks that even I'd rather not fight right now."
Then his eyes narrowed. "What about the Poneglyph rubbings?"
Daz shook his head. "Failed. I was discovered before I could finish the copy."
Crocodile exhaled in irritation. "Tch. Figures. In that case... we'll move to the next phase."
---
At that same moment—
A slender silhouette slipped silently into the shadows of the Whole Cake Chateau, moving toward Big Mom's treasure room.
The storm outside masked her presence. Her target:
the Road Poneglyph.
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