Big Mom is insane.
Vane couldn't tell if it was a temporary lapse or if she had genuinely lost her mind. Either way, she was dancing erratically, her eyes squinting with wild joy as she shouted about sweets and desserts. Her childish voice echoed across Whole Cake Island like a deranged lullaby. Coming from someone with her size and presence, it was disturbing.
Everyone on the island knew this wasn't new—Big Mom had always had these episodes.
But this time, she had been defeated.
It would have been easy for Vane to end her while she was like this. Still, he didn't plan to kill her—yet.
She was still useful.
And that mattered.
"As expected of the Pirate Emperor," Vane muttered, eyes narrowing. "Even that last hit wasn't enough to shatter her skull, just left her with a concussion?"
It had been half a day since the battle ended. Night had fallen, but the skies above Whole Cake Island were still dyed crimson, clouds burned by lingering flames.
The town was gone—completely destroyed.
Vane stood at the coastline near the Temptation Forest. Even now, the seawater steamed with residual heat from the earlier clash.
"Is that old woman really crazy?" Esdeath asked curiously.
"Yeah," Vane replied bluntly.
Kalifa stepped forward, arms crossed. "So, she'll be like this permanently?"
Vane shook his head. "No, Big Mom won't stay like this. She'll recover eventually. Women on her level have terrifying regenerative abilities. A concussion is nothing to her. It's only a matter of time before she returns as the Pirate Emperor, Charlotte Linlin."
Esdeath frowned. "Then why not just kill her? Even if she's tough, I could find a way to finish her off."
"If we're going to make a move on Mariejois in the future, do you think the few of us alone can handle it?"
Esdeath raised an eyebrow. "Is the World Government that strong?"
Kalifa nodded. "Very."
"Don't underestimate them," Vane said seriously. "There are people there on par with Pirate Emperors. Some might even surpass them. And then there's the Ancient Weapon—rumor has it the true King of the Ancient Weapons is hidden in Mariejois. Not many know who or what it really is."
"Eight hundred years of history," Kalifa added. "We can't just topple that overnight."
Esdeath looked thoughtful. "So you plan to use Big Mom?"
"She's a monster," Vane said, eyes gleaming. "And a useful one. If I could make the Pirate Emperor serve me, it would change everything."
To dominate the New World—a sea ruled by monsters and legends—one would have to defeat all Four Emperors. They stood as the final wall before the Pirate King's throne.
But Vane didn't care for that title.
Becoming the Pirate King meant nothing to him. It was just a romantic notion, a dream for fools.
"They're coming," Kalifa said suddenly, pointing toward what remained of the town.
Vane and the others turned.
Katakuri and several members of the Charlotte family were approaching, carrying a massive box between them. Their faces were tight with unease and fear.
They came bearing Devil Fruits—six in total. One more than Vane had originally demanded.
This was everything they had left.
They were terrified. Big Mom had gone mad, the island was ruined, and now they were handing over their final bargaining chip. If Vane wanted more, there'd be nothing left to give.
"These are six Devil Fruits," Katakuri said solemnly. "Please accept them, Rhett Vane."
With Big Mom incapacitated, Katakuri was the de facto leader of the Big Mom Pirates.
"Six?" Vane raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," Katakuri said, voice tense. "We hope this satisfies you."
This was no negotiation. It was surrender. Katakuri was swallowing his pride for the sake of his family.
"Alright, Katakuri," Vane said calmly.
Katakuri hesitated. "What's going to happen to our mother?"
Vane didn't answer immediately. He looked out at the ruined town.
"She should be fine," he said at last, though even he wasn't sure. What if she forgot everything? What if she woke up worse than before?
Big Mom was a monster in every sense—unpredictable, powerful, and chaotic.
The Charlotte family didn't respond. If they had the power, they would have attacked, but they knew the truth.
They had lost.
And without Vane's mercy, they would already be dead.
"I'll take the Devil Fruits," Vane said. "I'll return someday. If Big Mom recovers, let me know. Katakuri, I'm watching you. I think you've got potential."
Kalifa stepped forward and took the box silently.
Come back? Let them know?
Katakuri and his siblings were on the verge of erupting with rage, but they held it in. They were still standing only because Vane allowed it.
Big Mom had been defeated, driven mad.
No one else on the island could stand against him now.
Cracker trembled with fury. He slammed the ground, cracking the earth beneath his feet.
"We've been humiliated! And we can't do anything about it!"
Their pride as one of the most powerful pirate crews had been shattered. Their mother had been crushed. Their home destroyed. And they had been forced to grovel.
Katakuri stayed quiet, fists clenched.
"He's gone. Let's focus on rebuilding Whole Cake Island," he said finally. "The people have nowhere to go."
The town was in ruins—obliterated.
And in the wake of destruction, only resentment and ashes remained.
---
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