Just an hour ago, while Caesar was returning to Whole Cake Island aboard Katakuri's ship, he took out Linlin's Den Den Mushi and make a call to Kaido.
They agreed that the plan would commence in one hour—the exact time needed for their return voyage.
Caesar had already decided to have Kaido instruct Pudding to initiate the decoy operation, luring Aokiji and Zephyr out of hiding.
The ideal approach was to draw them into a remote wilderness for an all out battle.
However, such a plan had too many flaws.
Veterans like Aokiji and Zephyr would never fall for it easily.
Thus, the best method was to let them enter Whole Cake Tower directly, where an encirclement could be executed.
With Kaido inside and Caesar and Katakuri outside, Aokiji and Zephyr would have no chance of escape!
The most unpredictable variable in this was Linlin.
Due to their hasty departure and Caesar taking the Den Den Mushi, there had been no time to discuss the plans with her.
Now, no one knew where she was or if she was already nearing Whole Cake Island.
If Linlin returned before Caesar's group, Aokiji and Zephyr would undoubtedly abort the mission.
After all, they knew full well that facing two or more "Yonko"-tier fighters would be nearly impossible for them.
Both sides remained wary, avoiding large-scale Observation Haki scans to prevent detection.
So, Caesar was gambling—betting on Linlin's return time and on how highly Zephyr and Aokiji valued Katakuri.
Even if the plan failed, Caesar could instantly transform into his giant bird form and make a grand entrance.
If timed right, even exposure wouldn't save Aokiji and Zephyr from defeat.
***
Time flew and the hour passed in a blink.
Caesar's group was neared Whole Cake Island.
Meanwhile, Aokiji and Zephyr steeled themselves, disguising their appearances as they approached the towering Whole Cake Tower.
The moment they stepped inside, Caesar and Katakuri would join Kaido to obliterate the two with overwhelming force!
But then—the unexpected happened.
Just as Caesar was about to strike, as Aokiji and Zephyr were about to enter the tower and as Kaido silently raised his club to spring the trap—
Two figures walking at the island's harbor caught everyone's attention.
Though disguised, their flamboyant outfits and distinctive gaits instantly betrayed their identities.
Aokiji and Zephyr tensed.
Aokiji's pupils constricted as he immediately recognized them.
"Pirate Empress Boa Hancock and Dark King Rayleigh! Why are they here?"
Countless thoughts flashed through Aokiji's mind.
His intention to enter the tower vanished instantly.
With practiced ease, the two veered past the tower into a dark alley, unnoticed by Rayleigh and Hancock—a testament to their superior professionalism.
Onboard the ship, Caesar ordered his crew to retreat below deck, halting their advance.
His pupils transformed into the golden eyes of the great peng (bird), allowing him to see the events at the harbor with unparalleled clarity.
In an instant, he caught sight of the four unusual figures standing there.
"Four?" Caesar couldn't help but frown.
Weren't they only supposed to be Aokiji and Zephyr?
Where did these other two come from?
Although Caesar hadn't used Observation Haki to gauge the depths of Rayleigh and the others, their posture and gaze alone made it clear—these were undoubtedly two strong enemies.
Rayleigh and his companion, with their exaggerated appearances, kept peering around cautiously, yet dared not recklessly release their Observation Haki.
At this moment, just a single spark would ignite the harbor of Whole Cake Island, turning it into a wasteland in an instant.
The air grew suffocatingly tense and no one dared to make a move.
Then, at this critical moment—a towering woman in a pink dress, holding an umbrella, soared in from the distance atop of a massive flame cloud.
It was Linlin, arriving fashionably late!
Who knew why she thought to carry an umbrella in the dead of a night.
Linlin was brash and unrestrained by nature.
Hearing from Caesar that two former Admirals were lurking on Whole Cake Island, how could her fiery temper tolerate it?
Adding to that, Caesar had left without explanation, flying off without a word.
So she had rushed back to Whole Cake Island in a frenzy.
However, a minor incident had occurred along the way.
***
At that moment, on a deserted island between Totto Land and Whole Cake Island, a massive pirate ship lay overturned, deeply embedded in the ground.
The island was littered with craters and scorch marks.
At the bottom of one crater, the grotesque Catarina Devon lay sprawled, half her body charred black, her skull shattered on one side.
Beside her head, a massive fist imprint was embedded into the solid rock.
Not far away, the drunkard Vasco Shot's long tongue had been ripped out and discarded.
His lower body had been crushed into pulp beneath a giant foot.
Yet Vasco Shot was still alive, writhing as he tried to crawl back to the ship to find a Den Den Mushi.
At this moment, Vasco Shot was seething with resentment.
Blood gushed from his tongueless mouth as he passed Devon's half-shattered head and he spat—no, more like spewed—a mouthful of blood onto it.
"Devon, you stupid bitch! Were you so eager to die that you had to provoke Big Mom? And you even disguised yourself as Caesar! Damn it, if you wanna die, don't drag me into it!
Gotta find that Den Den Mushi fast… gotta contact Captain Teach, get Doc Q to fix me up… I don't wanna die yet..."
***
When Big Mom descended upon the harbor with unbridled fury, the expressions of Aokiji and Zephyr twisted in alarm.
But the most panicked weren't them—it was Rayleigh and Hancock, walking openly down the street!
Rayleigh instinctively wanted to hide, but his body froze.
Because the moment Linlin landed, her overwhelming Conqueror's Haki instantly blanketed the entire island.
"Aokiji! Zephyr! You sneaky bastards—where the hell are you hiding? MAMAMAMA! You dare to cause trouble on Caesar's turf?!"
Linlin's tall figure held a small umbrella and under the streetlight's glow, her shadow continuously twisted into shapes of humans, animals, even plants, stones and houses.
These bizarre, grotesque shadows writhed incessantly, as if struggling to break free from Linlin's body, creating an eerie and terrifying spectacle.
"What?"
Rayleigh and Hancock were dumbfounded.
Linlin's face darkened as she slowly turned her gaze toward them.
"So, there are another two little rats."
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