Preparations Before the Battle, Ready to Strike

"Are we just going to do nothing and wait?"

In response to Pedro's question, Roman gestured for him to calm down.

"The 'infiltration' option was never going to work—all the talking trees, buildings, and even plants and furniture in this country are creations of Big Mom's abilities, just like my pigeons. In other words:"

"We were already exposed the moment we set foot on the territory of the Whole Cake Island?"

"That's right,"

Roman nodded at the Jaguar Ranger, whose expression was grave.

"Moreover, Big Mom's treasure room is filled with these creations called 'Homies.' Unless you have the 'transparency ability' to block all detection or the 'Door-Door Fruit ability' to directly pass through space, you can only force your way in if you want to get the Poneglyph."

"Is that so...?"

Pedro's leopard-like face clearly showed disappointment. He had thought he could help his benefactors in his final moments, but now it seemed:

"Don't be discouraged,"

Roman comforted him, saying that although the original "sneak in and steal" was no longer possible, Pedro had broken into Big Mom's treasure room before and knew the way better than Roman and others who were here for the first time.

Because of the enemy's dense 'Homies', Roman's white doves could only circle high in the sky. Once they lowered their altitude, they would be attacked by those big trees, doors, and windows! Therefore, they knew very little about the situation inside the building.

"After we've attracted most of Big Mom's power, you, Carrot, and Brook— the three fastest—will infiltrate and copy the Poneglyph. This is a crucial step, and I'm sure it won't be easy."

"No problem,"

Pedro nodded with a serious expression.

"For your kindness, I would gladly sacrifice myself!"

"Hehehe, we don't want you to be smashed to pieces."

Pang Lei, sitting cross -Luffy on the chair next to him, grinned.

"I want everyone to live, to live well, and to join us in the victory feast!"

"If you can·······"

I also want to see the day you reach Laugh Tale, but:

Pedro is nearing the end. Not from poisoning, nor from a curse, but because his life is about to come to a close.

Stealing your lifespan!

Big Mom's Soul-Soul Fruit ability.

Five years ago, Pedro led his men to infiltrate Whole Cake Island, intending to make a Poneglyph in Big Mom's possession for the two kings of Zou, Nekomamushi and Zou. However, in the end, he managed to survive only by sacrificing all his companions, an eye, and fifty years of his lifespan.

In other words, although Pedro looks 32 years old, he is actually '82 years old', and it is normal for him to die suddenly at any time!

"That's right. If I can't keep everyone safe, wouldn't I be failing in my duty as an 'advisor'?"

"Hahahaha," X2

Seeing Luffy and Roman exchanging a knowing smile, Pedro was at a loss for words. Were they Guotou?

"However, before that—"

As Roman spoke, his hands suddenly transformed into phantoms, grabbing forward with Inazuma speed! Even Pedro, with a bounty of 382 million, couldn't dodge it.

Brush--

With a flash, Pedro, who had flown back more than ten meters, had already placed one hand on the longsword at his waist, but he forcefully suppressed the instinct to draw his sword.

"Lord Roman, what do you mean by this?"

"Isn't this my problem?"

Roman rolled his eyes and brandished the long explosive in his hand.

"Having something like that strapped to his body doesn't look like he's planning to return safely with everyone."

·········

"By the way, where did you buy this explosive?"

Roman was quite interested in the explosive that could sever Perospero's arm. After all, it was powerful enough to break through the Haki of the eldest son of the Sherlock family, who could also defend himself with syrup.

"... This is a high-powered explosive that came from the black market of the New World. It's probably a creation of some kind of ability user."

Faced with Pedro's helpless reply, Roman closed his eyes and sensed it for a moment.

Sure enough, these explosives emitted a kind of repulsion towards the 'Momo ability'. Although it wasn't as strong as Armament Haki, it was still not to be underestimated. —Undoubtedly, this was another manifestation of 'Devil Fruit ability'.

Momo ability can indeed amplify ordinary objects by literal '10 times' or '20 times', but it is greatly reduced when used to amplify other Devil Fruit abilities. If used to amplify the Haki user himself, the effect is even more dramatic.

Otherwise, with Wapol's powerful body capable of using 'Geppo', wouldn't a '100x enhancement' mean he could simply jump away from the planet's constraints?

"Leave this to me,"

Roman can amplify his abilities with the 'Momo ability,' is the best candidate to use these 'external objects.' Moreover, if this thing isn't taken away, Roman fears that Pedro, who feels his life is nearing its end, might just self-destruct during the fight, just like in the 'original story.'

"This·····"

"In exchange, take this."

Roman handed Pedro a stack of emerald green papers, causing a look of shock to appear on the Jaguar Ranger's face.

"This is..."

A powerful life force flowed into his body, unlike the 'Healing Blue Flame' Nami used before, it was more brutal and powerful! Not only did it instantly bring Pedro's body to its best condition, but it even replenished some of the 'lifespan' he had lost!

Although it wasn't much, it truly saved Pedro from the danger of dying at any moment.

"My ability to create things can be used to heal injuries and replenish stamina, but unfortunately Luffy doesn't like to use them—"

"You'll never become the King of the Pirates if you use something like that!"

"Yes, yes, yes,"

Roman waved his hand in response to Luffy's words. —Actually, Luffy's intuition is very sharp. If he relies too much on 'blood vials,' he'll unknowingly lose his courage and drive, and that makes it impossible to reach the top.

So, not only Luffy, but even Roman himself and the other members of the Straw Hat crew did not use the shameless tactic of relying on these papers to 'restore health' and wear down the enemy in battle.

"Take these papers with you. They're just the Four Emperors. Don't make it seem like we're doomed to be wiped out."

After saying that, Roman added a joke.

"You can't possibly become King of the Pirates too, can you?"

"·····Thanks,"

Replacing the desperate explosives with 'recoverable' paper, Pedro wasn't ungrateful; he could see the other party genuinely meant well. Just as he was wondering what else to say:

"Roman! Come quick, come quick~~"

"The betrothal gifts have been presented!"

"This lecherous cook, when he dresses up, he actually looks quite convincing—"

"I actually think this cat-shaped car is quite cute..."

···········

"I mean, aren't you guys being way too nosy?"

On the 'Flying Merry', apart from Roman, Pedro, and Luffy were discussing things and interrupting, and Carrot who was playing with the deck, everyone else was gathered around a 'screen', as excited as onlookers watching an anime.

The image above is a projection from Roman's perspective as a white dove: a large cat with earmuffs and a '66' on its forehead is pulling a carriage... no, the cat carriage is slowly moving forward, with two squads of fully armed soldiers following on either side.

A golden sash adorned his chest, a black cape flowed behind him; a giant eagle emblem with outstretched wings adorned the roof, and long banners hung on either side...

The Vinsmoke family is clearly German!

"That's enough, are you guys watching a live broadcast?"

Roman reminded the group of idle fellows,

"I don't even need to worry about how Sanji will react when you guys come back from spying on his dark past; today is the 'engagement,' tomorrow will be the 'wedding'! — A great battle is inevitable then, are you all prepared?"

"Wow, I'm feeling absolutely amazing this week!!"

Franky gave a thumbs up, next to which were the Black Rhino FR-U IV and the Winding Dragon Tank V, which had been brought aboard the 'Sunny Merry' shipyard.

These two subsystems combined form 'General Franky'.

"Don't worry, with the 'Pocket Page' and 'Flourishing Page', I can't wait to show them off!"

Usopp was brimming with confidence. The 'Pocket Page' granted him the ability to carry a large number of items; the newly acquired 'Flourishing Page' could greatly promote the growth of his various combat plants, a truly perfect match.

"I'm not the same person I was yesterday! I'm going to take on ten of them!!"

As long as you're happy.

"Hey, that's one of the Four Emperors, 'Big Mom'! Roman, what are you thinking?"

Having spent two years in the Navy, Nami had a certain understanding of Big Mom's ferocity. Moreover:

"If war breaks out, I'll be suppressed, won't I? No matter how familiar I am with the weather, I can't compare to a monster like Big Mom who can directly command lightning and the sun..."

"Don't panic, you need to have confidence in yourself."

Roman patted Nami on the shoulder.

"And I'll help you then."

"Easy for you to say. When the time comes, the entire BIG MOM Pirates will be there, which is equivalent to at least dozens of Rear Admiral, a dozen Vice Admiral, the Sweet Commanders, and Big Mom herself... Oh well, let's just do our best."

Ever since Luffy, Roman, and Zoro all agreed to a 'head-on battle,' Nami has been listless. Unlike the others, she's an 'insider' who knows the true strength of the BIG MOM Pirates very well.

Dozens of experts with hundreds of millions in assets, a dozen or so cadres with hundreds of millions in assets, several powerful individuals approaching 1 billion in assets, and Big Mom with 4.388 billion Beli...

Playing Guerrilla Warfare to defeat them one by one is fine, but in a head-on confrontation... it seems like the Straw Hat crew has no chance of winning, right?

"And my opponent? Roman."

Zoro doesn't care how many enemies there are or how strong they are, because 'devising the plan' is Roman's job. What he cares about is:

"Is the opponent someone at the Mighty Water of a great swordsman?"

"Yes, the Sweet Slacking Commander Charlotte Smoothie, one of the Sweet Commanders, is a great swordswoman. Although she is also a Devil Fruit user, the Devil Fruit is only an aid; she relies on swordsmanship in battle. She is definitely a formidable opponent!"

"Great, I can't wait."

Zoro looked ready to fight, but as for the fact that his opponent was a woman... didn't he know that Zoro was known for killing women in the Straw Hat crew?

Even though he always goes easy on her, he's still incredibly handsome.

"In short, although the enemy outnumbers us, we are not without advantages. Furthermore, our plan isn't to defeat the 'BIG MOM Pirates' this time, but rather the following three points:"

"Reclaim Sanji!"

"To intimidate Big Mom,"

"And rubbings of the Poneglyph."

Partners, family, and then dreams.

As long as Big Mom is eliminated, with the Straw Hat crew's current strength, they can at least escape unscathed even if they are defeated by the Sweet Commanders and the entire Charlotte Family. — If Roman didn't know Big Mom's weaknesses, how could he have made the plan to wait for the enemy to gather their forces for a head-on battle?

Remember, photographs are also made of paper!