Chapter 468: Hurry Up and Come Get Me
Chapter 468: Hurry Up and Come Get Me
Was it worth it? Of course not!
Kuro originally intended to destroy Cake Island just enough to teach the Big Mom Pirates a lesson, making them think twice before harassing him again.
Who knew the old hag would fight back so fiercely?
He’d used up all his reserves for that "Great Wasteland Sky Finger" technique.
What? Great Wasteland Sky Finger? Whatever name it goes by, it’s just an islandaggregate mimicry. Next time, he’d call it "Tathagata Palm" if he felt like it.
Except for the island holding the "Pure Gold", he’d used every other island in the chain. If he’d kept pushing, he’d have ended up broke enough to lose his underwear.
Last time against Kaido, he’d burned through all his reserves. This time, he’d stopped the fight halfway to cut his losses—otherwise, he’d have no one left to cry for him.
And if he’d truly annihilated Charlotte Big Mom, while he could’ve landed a few extra blows during the chaos, it would’ve become a fight to the death.
He couldn’t beat Charlotte Big Mom. Not now, not ever.
Unlike Kaido, that idiot with his regeneration ability, this old woman’s defensive power was simply superior.
"Steel Balloon isn’t just a nickname", Kuro muttered, recalling the damage from his Ultimate Mystic Art. "That attack left shallower wounds on her than on Kaido. Though… her regeneration ability isn’t as strong as Kaido’s."
He’d spent eight months on Pegasus Island, and it hadn’t been wasted. His physical strength had grown significantly.
Before, he’d burn out after nine uses of the Ultimate Mystic Art or three of the Four Divine Beasts Mystic Art.
Now, he could unleash the Ultimate Mystic Art fifteen times, or the Four Divine Beasts Mystic Art five times.
If he’d kept fighting, combined with his abilities, Totto Land’s remaining forces would’ve been nearly wiped out. He might’ve crippled the old hag’s arms with a severe injury, but he’d have been finished himself. She’d recover, earn the title "One-Armed Witch", and likely get crushed by the Navy in one fell swoop.
Then he’d have to descend into the underworld, whining about his losses.
"Ugh, so impulsive! Too impulsive!"
Kuro shook his head. "Why didn’t I just tell that flamingo to play assassin this time? Let him take out a few Charlotte Family members. Why’d I have to charge in headfirst? Got too worked up!"
"Is this Float-Float Fruit giving me a ‘floating’ personality side effect? I wasn’t like this before!" He scratched his chin, pondering.
"But… after this fight, Big Mom probably won’t hassle me again."
He snapped his fingers at a rocky outcrop in the sky. The rocks disintegrated, revealing his ship and weapons inside. Then, the island reconnected to the mainland.
Hmm, it’s a bit smaller now.
Kuro patted his pocket, pulling out the Log Pose. Yep, shattered into crumbs.
After an attack like that, it was no surprise the Log Pose was ruined.
Luckily, he’d stored the Transponder Snail in his pocket earlier.
He flipped open his watch-like device and dialed.
After a few rings, the Transponder Snail’s face appeared—a cute, wide-eyed creature with a mouth still chewing something.
"Hey, is that you, Kuro? Are you okay?" The Snail stopped chewing, its voice urgent.
"Don’t just sit there eating! Hurry up and come get me!" Kuro rolled his eyes.
"Where are you?"
"In the sky."
"…"
The Snail paused. "The sky where?"
"Under the stratosphere."
"Hey, Kuro!" The Snail snapped, annoyed.
"Just wait while I rest a bit. I’ll come down to check my location. How the hell should I know where I am? Wait for my signal! Get the ship running, bring a few more vessels, and contact Storbery at Marineford too. Tell him to mobilize. More ships mean more safety. Hurry up—I’m injured!"
With that, Kuro hung up. He sprawled out on his back, slowly closing his eyes.
After a fight at that level, he was truly exhausted.
…
Back on Cake Island.
Charlotte Big Mom descended, releasing her thundercloud, and stood alone on the island.
Perospero rushed over. "Mother, are you alright?!"
"Perospero!"
Charlotte Big Mom’s gaze was bloodshot.
"Y-Yes, Mother!"
Perospero’s body stiffened, cold sweat pouring down.
This was bad!
Mother was going to punish him!
"Gather everyone and set sail! Head to Shabondy! I’m going to find that little brat!" Charlotte Big Mom gritted her teeth.
"Mother, wait! What little brat are we talking about?" Perospero froze.
"Lucius Kro!" Charlotte Big Mom roared. "I’ll never let him escape! Never again!"
Her fury deepened the bleeding from the wounds on her shoulders.
"Mother, you’re still injured. If we set out recklessly, the Navy will ambush us", Perospero instinctively protested.
"I don’t care! I’ll kill that little brat now!!" Bloodshot veins nearly swallowed her pupils.
"Mother, please reconsider."
Katakuri approached, carrying Flampe. "You’re injured. Pursuing her in this state might not achieve our goal. That Lucius Kro took two of your strikes—his injuries should be worse than yours. Ultimately, this was our tactical mistake. We’ve done enough. Our priority now is rebuilding Totto Land."
"Hmph?"
Charlotte Big Mom turned, her gaze like a beast’s.
Katakuri met her eyes without flinching.
After a long stare, the bloodshot in her eyes finally faded.
"Fine. Let’s rebuild Totto Land first. Hey, get someone to heal me!" She waved her hand. The thundercloud and fireball transformed into a small sun and white cloud.
The two Homies exchanged glances, visibly relieved.
Even they knew—continuing the fight would’ve sparked a massive war.
"Phew, that was close."
As Charlotte Big Mom walked away, Perospero wiped his brow, glancing gratefully at Katakuri. "Thanks, brother."
"Perospero, against such strong men, unorthodox methods won’t work. Be more cautious next time."
"I understand. I won’t provoke that man again."
Who’d dare?
With that kind of might, if Mother wasn’t around one day, he might strike and sink all of Totto Land in one go. That’d be a real disaster.
The Marines’ foundation truly couldn’t be underestimated.
That man genuinely defeated Lucius!
Anyway, he knew Mother would never take assassination seriously. As someone at the pinnacle, her pride wouldn’t allow it.
Better to drop the matter for now.
As for Lucius Kro, they’d find excuses to cover it up.
For now, they’d quell Mother’s rage.
(End of Chapter)
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