As Koa and Kuma made their way toward the center of the island, where the Celestial treasures were hidden, Koa could feel the overwhelming presence of the Rocks Pirates. Each one radiated immense strength, but there was one presence that dwarfed them all. It was so powerful that, compared to the others, it felt like the sun shining amidst a sky of stars. Only one other came close, but even that wasn't a match.
"That must be Rocks D. Xebec... My god, he's strong," Koa thought as he and Kuma reached the treasure chamber. Because of the chaos erupting across the island, the area was completely unguarded. A rare stroke of luck. Without wasting a second, they grabbed the chests. Koa carried six while Kuma took three. Then, the two made their escape, looking for a remote and undisturbed location.
Eventually, they found an abandoned storage room. Koa led the way inside and finally disabled their invisibility. Without delay, he opened all the treasure chests. Inside, he spotted two Devil Fruits he immediately recognized: the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi and the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Azure Dragon. The other fruits were unknown to him, but powerful nonetheless.
"Catch," Koa said, tossing the Paw-Paw Fruit to Kuma, who stood quietly at his side. Kuma stared at it in confusion, unsure of what to do.
"Eat it," Koa said calmly. "That's the Paw-Paw Fruit. I'm sure you know what that means."
Kuma looked down at the fruit in his hands, gripping it tightly.
'With this... I can help others. I can save lives,' he thought.
Meanwhile, Koa noticed something—someone powerful was approaching. His senses flared. Quickly, he touched all the other Devil Fruits except the Azure Dragon model and made them invisible with the Rooster talisman. He kept the dragon fruit secured on his back.
"Kuma, eat the fruit. Right now. Start repelling the civilians to safety. I'll make you invisible again so no one can stop you. If things get too dangerous, find Ginny and Ivankov and take them to the location I assigned earlier. If you still want to join me later... and become a pirate with the Roger crew, do it. Otherwise, just survive."
Kuma, understanding the urgency, finally bit into the fruit and ate it in one go. Koa immediately turned him invisible once more.
Suddenly, the door to the cabin burst open.
Someone charged in, reaching straight for Koa—but he reacted instantly, blocking with his twin axes. Kuma, now invisible, watched in horror as the intruder was revealed: Charlotte Linlin, not yet the monstrous Big Mom of the future, but young, radiant, and powerful.
Kuma froze. He trembled, unsure whether to stay or run. Koa, sensing his hesitation, didn't say a word. He just looked toward Kuma's direction and gave a calm, confident expression—one that clearly said: "I've got this. This is part of the plan."
Kuma understood. That look from Koa ignited his courage. Without hesitation, he activated his Devil Fruit powers, which he instinctively understood, and repelled himself away, vanishing from the area with the civilians in mind.
Back in the cabin, Charlotte Linlin stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the Azure Dragon Fruit still in Koa's possession.
"If you give me that Devil Fruit, I'll let you go," she said smugly, her voice dripping with confidence.
Koa grinned internally.
'Wow, she was beautiful before she let herself go.'
But he didn't say a word. Instead, he readied his axes. He had no intention of surrendering. If anything, this was his chance to push himself to the limit—maybe even awaken Armament Haki, just as Ace once had while fighting against a superior opponent.
Without answering, Koa launched himself forward, swinging both axes toward Linlin. She easily blocked the blows—her Haki was far superior.
"Oh? You'd rather die than? Fine. I'll kill you."
She threw a punch. It moved impossibly fast for someone her size, slamming into Koa's side. He was sent flying out of the cabin, crashing through crates and walls. Linlin laughed coldly as she picked up the Dragon Fruit.
But Koa wasn't done.
He gritted his teeth, twisted mid-air, and used his axes to stop himself. With barely a pause, he launched himself back toward her, his body fueled not just by anger—but excitement. A grin formed on his face as his battle instincts awakened.
He saw Linlin turning to leave, satisfied with her prize, likely hoping to offer it to Kaido to earn his favor. Koa wouldn't allow it.
With a battle cry, he slashed toward her hand. His blade didn't cut deep, but it did draw blood.
Linlin's eyes went wide with rage.
"You dare hurt me?" she screamed. Then, she released a wave of pure Conqueror's Haki, shaking the area. It crashed over Koa like a tidal wave—but he didn't falter. He just grinned wider.
"Brat... looks like you do want to die."
With fury in her voice, she called out,
"Napoleon. Zeus. Prometheus."
Her main Homies appeared at her side. Napoleon transformed into a massive sword, while Prometheus and Zeus hovered in the air, ready to unleash fire and lightning.
But Koa didn't back down. Not even for a second.
Koa and Big Mom clashed, steel meeting steel as their weapons screamed through the air. Koa swung his twin axes with everything he had, but he was clearly outmatched. Big Mom's raw power, hardened Haki, and monstrous strength overwhelmed him. Her every blow sent tremors through his bones.
Still, Koa didn't fall.
Blood ran down his face, his arms trembled—but he stood. His Dog Talisman worked tirelessly, mending his wounds, keeping him on his feet. It didn't matter how many times she knocked him down—he rose again, gripping his axes tighter with every clash.
Koa fought on, not with desperation—but with resolve.
Each time their blades met, his movements grew sharper, more refined. His slashes stopped being wild. They started to carry intent.
Slash.
Parry.
Dodge.
Strike.
Bit by bit, he adapted. He wasn't just surviving anymore—he was learning.
And then, something clicked.
A vision surged into his mind—Zoro, battling Daz Bones. That pivotal moment when Zoro recalled the words of his master:
"The pinnacle of swordsmanship is the power to protect what one wishes to protect, and cut what one wishes to cut."
Koa's breath steadied.
His heartbeat slowed.
He remembered his reason. His promise. His people. His friends.
Protect. Cut.
With every swing, he poured in intent—not just to harm, but to cut through fate itself.
Big Mom lunged, her blade Napoleon crashing down with brutal force. But this time, Koa didn't just block—he sidestepped, twisted, and brought both axes down in a clean arc.
Blood sprayed.
Big Mom stumbled back, stunned.
A deep gash ran down her arm—thick, ugly, and real. For the first time in the fight, she bled badly.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Her laughter stopped.
"You... cut me?" she muttered, more surprised than angry—for now.
Koa stood before her, panting, his arms shaking... but a quiet fire burned in his eyes. A storm was rising inside him. One born not from power—but from purpose.
He wasn't just swinging anymore.
He was cutting what he chose to cut.