Battle of Long-Held Wishes (3)

Floating Fortress.

"Teacher, you're not alone... I'll stay with you until the very end, no matter whether we succeed or fail."

Watching Colin silently break into tears, Reg approached with a complicated mix of emotions and took out the handkerchief Shakky had given him... Though both their parents had died at the hands of pirates and their circumstances were alike, he did not have those unforgettable memories carved into his heart.

But that did not stop Reg from feeling the same pain. Back on Thunder God Island, Wyper had taken Kaido's fatal blow for him, leaving him consumed by guilt and regret... Let alone seeing the bodies of parents bound to you by the closest blood ties lying cold and lifeless before your eyes.

In that situation, either one's mind completely broke down, or the scene became an eternal nightmare... until the day vengeance was fulfilled.

"Forget it. Your teacher isn't that fragile..."

Crack... Colin's elementalized face split with fine fissures beneath the erosion of his tears, making him look utterly heartbroken.

Reg silently withdrew his hand and followed Colin's gaze toward Big Mom, frozen where she stood... The three great Homies around her all watched the two of them like thieves, terrified that she might be ambushed.

"Do you love her?"

"..."

Colin's sudden question made them look at one another. Then they nodded together and answered in unison, "Of course! She's our mama!"

"Then are you willing to give everything for her, including your lives?"

"We are!"

"Mm, so am I... That's why she has to die."

Whoosh—Colin stepped forward and turned into a sprawling cloud of dust and sand, sweeping toward Big Mom. Crimson lightning flickered across Reg's body as he raised a hand, and Zeus's pitch-black body flew helplessly toward him.

"Zeus!"

"Mama, save Zeus!!"

"Sand