After surpassing 70% fusion, Ray didn't just acquire Tessaiga.
His demonic power, physique, and Haki had also improved significantly.
By his estimation, he could now replicate his previous feats against Aokiji and Big Mom without relying on demonic power.
Once he combined demonic energy with Haki, Ray stood firmly among the world's top-tier fighters.
On a winter island earlier, he had tested his durability against Smoothie.
Even at full strength, her attacks left nothing but faint white marks on his body.
When threatening Cavendish into servitude, the golden light that obliterated a snow-capped mountain was Tessaiga's signature technique.
[Wind Scar]
Compared to Azure Dragon Break, Wind Scar consumed far less energy while dealing comparable damage.
More importantly, there was virtually no cooldown between consecutive uses.
For example, after unleashing Azure Dragon Break with Tokijin, Ray had to recharge the blade with demonic energy before firing another shot.
And due to the sword's inferior quality, overloading it would cause overheating—forcing a break after two more strikes.
Tessaiga had no such flaws. Its endurance was exceptional, and skill intervals were minimal.
If Tokijin was an S tier weapon, Tessaiga was SS or even SS+.
In short, post-Water 7, Ray's personal strength had soared, now paired with a blade far superior to his previous one…
He was terrifyingly powerful.
Not that Ray would ever admit it—continuous growth was simply his way of life.
Only absolute strength could overcome all of life's uncertainties.
Now, beyond saving Chouchou, he was eager to test his limits against Big Mom herself.
....
Sometime later, the Den Den Mushi on Smoothie's ship rang.
The plump, pink mimicry on the snail made it clear: the caller was Big Mom.
Smoothie's heart raced like never before as she rushed to answer.
Cavendish watched like an excited child, eager to witness the drama unfold.
'If Ray actually kills a Yonko… Hehe, as his top subordinate—'
?(?ˊ?ˋ)??
Ray ignored Cavendish's antics, his expression cold as ever.
Smoothie's call results didn't matter.
As long as he got within a few hundred meters of Big Mom, rescuing Chouchou would be guaranteed.
The meeting location was irrelevant—even if it were Big Mom's own chambers.
Any half-competent Sweet Commander could arrange that.
Two minutes later, the call ended.
Smoothie steadied her breathing and approached Ray.
"Mother will return to Whole Cake Island in five days. To avoid suspicion, I didn't ask for her route."
She tensed, expecting anger—this was intel any of her siblings could've provided.
Would Ray slash her down in frustration?
In her experience, Yonko-level figures, like her mother, acted on whims.
But Ray merely nodded before walking to the bow alone.
Confused, Smoothie felt her worldview crumbling.
Between his cold demeanor and overwhelming aura, her mind went blank and her cheeks flushing.
Later, she locked herself in her room, questioning everything.
'Since when do men—other than my family—affect me?'
Smoothie had always been a self-reliant warrior—even her brother Katakuri only earned her respect, not admiration.
So why had she nearly knelt before Ray?
Agitated, she plunged into her custom-made bathtub.
The cold water finally calmed her.
"I thought I shook off his allure yesterday… What's wrong with me?"
She muttered, "I'm destined to be the next female Yonko. I can't be swayed by a man."
And her self-brainwashing began, 'Men are trash. Arrogant and mediocre.'
(?_?)
But Ray… isn't like them.
...
Ray heard every word because his senses were that sharp.
But he didn't give a damn about it.
He'd heard far more explicit things—like Nami and Robin's bath talk.
If Smoothie betrayed him when she reunites with her family, her feelings wouldn't spare her from his blade.
Just then, a News Coo appeared overhead.
Before Ray could react, Cavendish blurred into action—paying, grabbing, and presenting the newspaper in one fluid motion.
"Aniue, for you!" Bowing deeply, he offered the paper with both hands.
Ray frowned at the sudden sycophancy. "Act normal will you."
"Sir!"
Cavendish retreated, leaving the bow to Ray.
...
Meanwhile, Grand Line, Banaro Island.
It was an ordinary, forgettable place—until now.
The sky above the town split into two colors: a red sun and a black hole, their oppressive might threatening to crush the island.
[Flame Emperor] vs. [Dark Vortex]
One minute later, the black hole swallowed the sun.
Its user: Marshall D. Teach, whom Ray's group had met pre-Sky Island.
The defeated flames belonged to Ace, Luffy's brother.
Unconscious, Ace dangled from Teach's grip.
"Should've joined me, Ace. i meant to capture Luffy, but you'll do. Heh—guess you saved him, eh? Zehahahaha"
.....
Elsewhere, Grand Line.
Aboard the Clown's Folly—Buggy's ship.
It was another day of hunting for the Golden Lion.
As the sea's only "Clown," Buggy had been training relentlessly—terrified of becoming a literal joke in the upcoming battle.
High in the air, Buggy was in the middle of practice, his powers active as he split an entire floating island apart.
Suddenly, Cabaji, the acrobat swordsman with long bangs, called up to him from the deck below.
"Captain! An invitation from the Golden Lion!"
Buggy immediately reassembled the massive island and hurled it miles away into the ocean before descending to the deck.
Snatching the letter, he read it intently.
...
Nearby, a fleet of ten wooden ships sailed calmly.
At their center was a massive vessel flying a rainbow-hued Jolly Roger.
In its training room, a man with a flaming "3"-shaped hairstyle approached his captain—a woman in a yellow dress and white heels who was currently punching dents into a thick steel plate.
"Mr. 3! Do you like the new heels?"
"Train moderately, Mikita. But I bring news."
Mr. 3 handed her the newspaper and a letter.
When Mikita—formerly Baroque Works' Miss Valentine—saw the Straw Hats' updated bounties, her eyes curved into crescents of delight.
"Ray fought an Admiral to a standstill! Even the others has grew stronger. They are truly worthy of our allegiance."
However, the content of the Golden Lion's letter made her frown.
"He destroyed Enies Lobby? But the Marines blamed Ray and the Straw Hats…"
Mr. 3 adjusted his glasses, analyzing the discrepancies.
"There is a conflict of information."
Afterward, Mikita, now the captain of the "Floating Artists," made her decision.
"Something's off. Gather Mr. 2, Gem, and Marianne. We need to strategize."
'Was this another trap for Luffy's crew?'
"We missed them at Water 7, but we'll scout out the Golden Lion first."
...
Miles behind them, a ship with a Luffy-shaped figurehead cut through the waves.
Bartolomeo vibrated with excitement.
"Frame the new bounties! Worship them! The Straw Hats are legendary!"
Suddenly, massive shadows engulfed the ship.
A colossal vessel hovered overhead, blotting out the sun.
Then, Golden Lion Shiki descended, his peg-leg swords glinting in the dim light.
"You follow the Straw Hats?" he sneered.
Bartolomeo scoffed, unafraid. "Got a problem, cripple dude?"
"Brave words," Shiki replied coldly. "Let's see if you die as easily as you speak."
...
Three days later, aboard the Thousand Sunny.
Usopp spotted something odd through his telescope.
"Luffy! there's a turtle with a treasure chest!"
Luffy tilted his head, intrigued. "A turtle?"
Chopper's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Treasure!"
Nami, however, raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Huh! That looks suspicious."
Ten minutes later, their excitement turned grim.
Inside the chest were photos and a letter.
"Shiki vs. Buggy…" Usopp read aloud, his voice trembling.
"Buggy lost. Now he's hang up as his punishment," Sanji observed, looking at the photos.
"The Golden Lion demands a meeting." Zoro glanced at Luffy. "Captain?"
Luffy rose from the deck, walked to the bow, adjusted his hat, and grinned.
"We go."
"Roger."
"Nami, set course."
Nami checked the Log Pose, resigning herself to the danger.
"Full northeast, Franky."
...
At the same time, New World, Whole Cake Island.
Ray and Cavendish had infiltrated the territory ahead of Smoothie's arrival.
The island was a confectionery dream—edible houses, rivers of cream, and chocolate fountains.
While Smoothie returned to her mansion—carefully hidden under a thick cloak to conceal her injuries—Ray tracked her scent from the shadows.
However, nothing escaped Katakuri's Observation Haki.
From a distance, the Sweet Commander had already noticed Smoothie's missing arms and the absence of her crew.
Silent and imposing, Katakuri began to follow her home.
---------
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