New World — Whole Cake Island, Whole Cake Chateau
The air in the hall grew heavier Instantly, the moment Tenjin spoke.
The moment Big Mom acknowledged him.
The moment the impossible situation became real.
A Marine.
Standing in front of an Emperor.
Challenging her.
Big Mom's smile stretched wider.
Not in anger.
Not yet.
It was simple amusement.
Deep, childish amusement, like someone discovering a toy that didn't realize it was about to be broken.
"Mamamama…"
Her laughter rolled low through the chamber.
"Well now," she said, leaning forward slightly. "What a bold little thing."
Tenjin didn't step back.
Didn't hesitate.
Even though every instinct in his body was screaming at him to run.
Even though his injuries throbbed with every heartbeat.
Even though the pressure in the room alone felt like it could crush weaker men.
He stood firm.
Eyes locked on her.
Pudding, however, had already moved.
She stepped forward quickly, placing herself just slightly between them. Careful, subtle, like she wasn't trying to shield him, like she wasn't trying to do anything at all.
"Mama," she said, voice controlled, "he's just a stray Marine who wandered in. There's no need to concern yourself with him."
Tenjin glanced at her.
'Stray?'
Big Mom's eyes shifted to Pudding.
Slow, knowing and sharp.
"…Is that so?" she asked.
Pudding kept her composure.
"Yes. He's irrelevant."
Her heart was pounding.
Loud.
Unsteady.
Just go along with it.
Leave.
Stay quiet.
Why did you even come here?!
But Big Mom was not fooled.
Not even slightly.
Her grin curled.
"Interesting…"
She leaned back, tapping her finger lightly against the armrest.
"Because from where I'm sitting… it looks like you care."
Pudding's breath hitched.
Barely.
But enough.
Big Mom's eyes gleamed.
"Mamamama… I see it now."
Tenjin frowned.
Pudding stayed silent.
And Big Mom's smile sharpened.
"So that's it," she said. "That's what it takes to stir you."
Her gaze flicked between them.
Calculating.
Amused.
Hungry.
Tenjin didn't like that look.
At all.
"Don't drag her into your nonsense," he said sharply.
Big Mom looked back at him.
And laughed again.
"Oh?" she said. "And what are you going to do about it, little Marine?"
Tenjin's jaw tightened.
He didn't answer.
He moved.
The floor cracked beneath his foot as he lunged forward, speed bursting out despite the strain in his body.
Roots erupted from the ground beneath Big Mom's seat, thick and twisting, surging upward to bind and crush—
"Wood Binding!"
The structure snapped upward in an instant.
Wrapped.
Tightened—
And shattered.
Big Mom didn't even move.
The wood cracked apart against her skin like dry twigs hitting stone.
Her smile didn't fade.
Tenjin didn't stop.
His hand snapped forward—
More growth.
More force.
Vines lashed out from the broken remnants, whipping toward her from every angle, trying to restrict, pierce, overwhelm—
Big Mom lifted one hand lazily.
And swatted them away.
Each vine burst apart on contact.
"Is that it?" she asked.
Tenjin clicked his tongue.
'She's not even using Haki…'
That realization hit harder than the failed attack.
Still—
He pressed on.
The floor beneath Big Mom split as a massive surge of wood burst upward again, forming jagged pillars aimed to impale—
Big Mom stood this time.
And casually stepped forward.
The spikes shattered the moment they touched her.
She didn't dodge.
Didn't block.
They simply… couldn't harm her.
Tenjin's eyes narrowed.
He drew his blade.
Steel flashed.
He moved in close. Faster this time, aiming not for brute force but precision. The blade carved through the air, aiming for joints, angles, openings—
Big Mom caught it.
Two fingers.
Just… caught it.
The blade stopped cold.
Tenjin's eyes widened slightly.
Big Mom leaned down, grin wide enough to split her face.
"Mamamama… you're fun."
Then—
She flicked.
The force sent Tenjin skidding back across the floor, boots tearing through stone as he struggled to regain balance.
He barely managed to steady himself before launching forward again.
He didn't stop.
Didn't hesitate.
Didn't think about the difference in power.
Didn't think about survival.
Only one thing mattered—
She hurt Pudding. The girl who saved him.
And that was enough.
More wood surged.
More attacks followed.
Strikes from every direction. Roots, branches, hardened spikes, twisting growth meant to overwhelm even stronger opponents.
And for a moment—
Just a moment—
It filled the room.
A storm of green against a mountain of pink.
Big Mom laughed through it.
Walked through it.
Crushed it.
Every attack broke.
Every strike failed.
And slowly—
Her amusement faded.
"This is getting boring."
Tenjin moved again—
And didn't see it coming.
Big Mom's arm swung.
Casual and effortless.
Like swatting away an insect.
The impact landed before Tenjin could react.
CRACK—
The sound echoed through the chamber as his body was launched across the room, smashing through stone, crashing into the far wall with enough force to leave a crater in it.
The air rushed from his lungs.
Pain exploded through his entire body.
His vision blurred.
For a moment—
He couldn't move.
Big Mom lowered her arm.
Done.
Just like that.
She didn't even bother looking impressed.
"Pathetic," she said.
Silence followed.
Then—
She turned her attention back to Pudding.
And smiled.
"Mamamama… I've decided something."
Pudding felt her chest tighten.
Big Mom pointed lazily toward the broken wall where Tenjin lay.
"You have one week."
Pudding froze.
"One week to awaken your eye," Big Mom continued. "And if you don't…"
Her smile widened.
"I'll kill him."
The words landed heavy.
Absolute and final.
Pudding's fingers trembled slightly at her sides.
She didn't look at Tenjin.
Didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Big Mom called out without turning—
"Mont-d'Or!"
A ripple formed in the air.
From within a nearby book, Charlotte Mont-d'Or emerged, adjusting his glasses as he stepped forward.
"Mama," he said.
"Take that Marine," Big Mom ordered. "And lock him up."
Mont-d'Or nodded.
"As you wish."
He moved toward Tenjin, who was barely conscious, blood at the corner of his mouth, body refusing to respond the way it should.
A book opened.
Pages shifted.
And Tenjin was pulled into it—
Sealed away.
Gone.
The hall fell quiet again.
Big Mom turned her back.
Conversation over.
Decision made.
Only Pudding remained standing there.
Still.
Silent.
Heavy.
Her chest felt tight.
Her thoughts tangled.
Her heart… unsettled.
'One week…'
She lowered her head slightly.
Resolved.
'I'll do it.'
No matter what it took.
---
New World — Open Sea, Approaching Totto Land
The wind roared across the deck.
A Marine warship cut through the waves at full speed, its sails straining, its structure groaning under the force of its own momentum.
At the bow—
Garp stood.
Arms crossed.
Grinning.
Beside him stood Gion and Bogard, both far more composed, though the tension in the air was impossible to ignore.
"Confirm it again," Garp said.
His voice carried easily over the wind.
"He's really there?"
Bogard nodded once.
"Confirmed," he said. "Last known position. Whole Cake Island."
Gion crossed her arms.
"He's deep in Emperor territory."
Garp's grin widened.
"Good."
The word came out like a challenge.
Like a promise.
Like something dangerous.
He stepped forward slightly, looking out toward the distant horizon where Totto Land lay.
Then he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted—
"OI, TENJIN!"
The sea carried his voice.
Loud and unrestrained.
"I'M COMING TO GET YOU!"
His laugh followed right after, booming across the waves.
"JUST TRY NOT TO DIE BEFORE I GET THERE!"
Behind him, the warship surged forward.
Straight toward an Emperor's territory.
---
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