All the purple soul power from the Homies spilled outward, dispersing into the air.
"Impossible! How could Mama…?" Katakuri gasped, stunned. With his Observation Haki, he could no longer sense Big Mom's presence.
Only one conclusion remained: Mama had been defeated.
Distracted by disbelief, Katakuri, already at a disadvantage, could not withstand Kuro's assault. Within moments, he collapsed to the ground, powerless and unable to retaliate.
Even ruthless Kuro did not strike again. After the fight, he calmly observed the fallen Katakuri, respecting him as a worthy foe.
Click! Click! Click!
"Hahaha, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I must capture these moments for tomorrow's headlines," Morgans shouted at the edge of the ruins, frantically snapping his Den Den Mushi camera.
"Our news agency will be the first to report this."
He was shocked. No one expected an Emperor who had dominated Totto Land for decades to fall to a newcomer. But more than shock, he was eager to secure such priceless coverage. These papers would sell out instantly.
Perospero was beside him, disbelief twisting his voice. In his mind, Big Mom was invincible. They had always been victors, never defeated. He murmured, "Mama, get up. Defeat him like before. He's just a newcomer."
Even now, he refused to accept Big Mom's loss.
When Crocodile saw Rolan standing victorious, he dropped his flippant attitude. He no longer held back his reserve.
Across the battlefield, the survivors of the Big Mom Pirates fled. Those with ships boarded them; others jumped into the sea and swam away. They understood that the Big Mom Pirates had lost. Remaining here meant certain death.
Nearby, Stussy stood behind a low wall holding a small Den Den Mushi, quietly observing the battlefield where Rolan and Big Mom had clashed. She spoke into it calmly, her eyes occasionally glancing at the still-tense scene.
Rolan, fatigued after extended combat and maintaining high intensity through multiple battles, did not notice her. Even if he had, it would not matter. Nothing happening here was secret.
Of the underworld rulers, only two of the Six Emperors remained on the island. The other four fled at the start of the war. Such survival instinct was proof of their roles as empires of the dark world. Their ability to preserve their own lives was unmatched.
Rolan brushed dust from his clothes and slowly sat on a large rock. He chose not to immediately swallow a senzu bean to heal himself. He understood that enduring wounds from a formidable opponent like Big Mom would strengthen him further.
He watched Big Mom lying bloodied. As a transmigrator, he already knew some truths of this world and thought he had viewed it from a godlike perspective. Big Mom, in the original story, was never the one pulling strings; she was a piece on a board. Even those who truly understood this reality rarely had the courage to overturn it. Like Roger before him, even Rocks had failed.
He believed that gave him leverage.
What Rolan did not know was that this world had already changed because of his arrival. Now he, too, had become a piece on the board.
With Big Mom's downfall, the entire battlefield tilted instantly. Rolan laughed, shaking his head.
"I guess I really was the first to finish my fight."
A crackle of lightning struck beside him.
Rolan's eyes darkened when he saw Kuro standing next to him, arms crossed and wearing that familiar smirk.
Rolan turned his head to look at Enel, watching him in this state. Enel's expression suggested he wasn't fully satisfied.
Rolan simply shook his head, wondering when this person had become such a warmonger.
"Hahaha, you lightning exhibitionist, if anyone finished first, it was me!" Crocodile stomped over, cigar glowing.
"What did you say? You sand-covered crocodile! I finished my opponent first. I was here ten seconds before you!"
Enel's face showed clear displeasure.
Rolan rubbed his temple, feeling exasperated. Why were these two always like Sanji and Zoro from the original story, constantly competing? Despite their rivalry, he knew their relationship was actually solid—they were like family, a rough, backhanded sort of affection.
At that moment, Robin's voice came from the side.
"I say, since you two have such a great relationship, why don't you get together?"
Crocodile and Enel turned toward her, paused, then averted their eyes with obvious nausea at her suggestion.
From above, Nami and Lina descended and landed beside Rolan.
"Hey, what were you two talking about?" Lina asked, curiosity in her voice as she noticed their odd expressions.
Enel let out a small cough, "Nothing... really."
Rolan found it mildly entertaining. He remembered that in the original story Enel was almost devoid of human emotion. Now, he saw him evolve, slowly displaying more human reactions.
Zoro approached, though limping slightly. His right forearm throbbed with injury, and multiple cuts streaked his body—proof of his battle against Smoothie's relentless strength.
"Super! I made it everyone! Looks like I was a bit slow, but I still shouldn't be the last, right?"
Everyone turned toward the familiar voice. Franky sauntered in, combing his hair with a flourish. Under the sun, his metallic skin gleamed in every direction.
Just as Franky finished speaking, a circular space materialized and Law appeared beside them.
"Hahaha, who said he wasn't the last?" Law's grin was all mischief and glee.
Lina burst into laughter at the scene.
"Law, you always try to sabotage me. That doesn't count. Let's start over."
Everyone's tension eased into laughter. Even the usually serious Kuro cracked a small grin.
Rolan surveyed his crew. Some bore light wounds, others more severe. Even he himself was disheveled.
Not one of them had used a senzu bean. Clearly, they all believed that overcoming hardship improved their strength and experience.
Just then, a weak voice came from the side.
"Ro... Rolan... can you…?"
It was Katakuri.
___
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