Red-Haired Shanks Battles Big Mom

Slightly ahead of time, in Whole Cake Island Whole Cake Island, inside the Queen's Chamber.

At this moment, in the world of Whole Cake Island, an unusual meeting is quietly taking place in a tense atmosphere.

"Mommy, Mommy, I never imagined that the apprentice of Roger Pirates would become such a powerful pirate! Time really doesn't hold back!"

Charlotte Linlin's lips curled into a smile, her sharp, Sea King- like teeth gleaming coldly, and the saliva dripping from her mouth resembled some kind of acid, capable of corroding distinct pits into the floor when it fell to the ground.

"If we're talking about catching up, we really don't have much in common. After all, the person you have a grudge against is the captain, not me."

"So, let me be frank: should we exchange the Poneglyph, or should we be more straightforward and determine who's superior according to the rules of pirates, Big Mom...?"

His eyelids were lowered, and streaks of red light flashed across his eyes.

After Shanks explained his purpose, Charlotte Linlin gripped the armrest tightly and crushed it to pieces.

"Mommy, Mommy! You brat, Roger stole my Poneglyph copy back then, and now you dare to suggest we settle things using pirate rules?"

"Damn it, I'll settle the score with you for the grudge I got from Roger back then, Napoleon Elbaf Spear of Ikoku Sovereignty!"

In an instant, a ring of sword energy, capable of utterly destroying everything in its path, arrived before him. The Red-Haired Shanks man, who had anticipated this, gradually turned cold, and his Gryphon sword was drawn from his waist.

Clang! Ding!

"So, the negotiations failed?"

"Mommy, Mommy, in this brutal pirate world, victory is determined by strength! I'm not only going to take all the treasure from your ship, but I'm also going to steal the Poneglyph from your hands!"

"Prometheus, Heavenly Fire!"

"Yes, Mom!"

A giant fireball floated behind it, revealing an evil and eerie smile, its Red Eye blazing with fury, as pillars of fire shot down from the sky.

"What a greedy old woman! No wonder the captain chose that method. If normal communication doesn't work, then the only option left is the methods commonly used by pirates..."

"Let me make it clear beforehand that although I am a crew member of the captain, my style of doing things is different from the captain's. I also have my own authority, Big Mom!"

"God, avoid!"

Inside the Whole Cake Chateau, terrifying circular sword energy clashed with a ferocious griffin raising its hooves. Just as Katakuri had been lying in ambush outside the door, was about to make his move, a flash of deep blue streaked past.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A powerful, imposing lead bullet struck from behind, followed by a deep, resonant voice.

"I can't let you interfere with the battle between the captains. Your opponent is me, Katakuri."

"Ben Beckman, Red-Haired Pirates, when did you arrive on Whole Cake Island?"

Upon spotting the intruder, Katakuri tensed up. The Red-Haired Shanks vice-captain had secretly infiltrated Whole Cake Island, which meant the treasure vault...

"Oh no, Smoothie!"

Boom! Rumble...

The intense Huo Guang spread uncontrollably, and thick black smoke billowed from the direction of the Queen's Castle's treasure room Katakuri looked grim, while Ben Beckman opposite him wore a bright smile.

"We're not like other pirate crews. I advise you not to underestimate us just because your captain is the strongest. Your precognition might not work on me. Let's go!"

Amidst the Huo Guang flames of the treasure room, a nimble monkey splashed ink, and Hongo immediately took out paper and thoroughly imprinted it onto the surface.

"You bunch of thieves, how dare you steal my mother's treasures! I will never let you get away with this!"

The enormous figure, as large as a giant, brandished its sword energy, only to be cut in half by two long swords, one long and one short, seemingly used in a juggling act.

"Hey, Sweet Commanders, don't bother our ship's doctor. Your opponent is me, Bendick Snake!"

The circus-like fighting style made Smoothie's face turn ashen. What made her feel even more pressured was that bullets that occasionally flew out from the shadows to kill her subordinates were grazing her body.

"What Cracker to? Why hasn't he brought reinforcements yet?!"

Thick smoke billowed out, causing Smoothie to cover her mouth and nose. The Red-Haired Pirates, who had prepared in advance, took the opportunity to call out and flee out of the castle in unison.

"Got it, Yasopp! Prepare to retreat!"

At the highest point of the Whole Cake Chateau, two repeating flintlock muskets pulled their triggers in quick succession. With each flash of sparks, the Biscuit Soldier and Chess Soldier surrounding them from below would fall to the ground.

Cracker, who was firmly protected by numerous Biscuit Soldier behind him, looked extremely embarrassed. No matter how he summoned the Biscuit Soldier, he could only watch helplessly as lead bullets came flying at him.

"That damned sniper! He's wrapped his bullets in some kind of powerful aura, and they're incredibly strong! What are we going to do? Mom's still inside the castle; we can't bombard her with cannons!"

"Prepare to retreat, Captain, we've got the goods..."

Before even using the sniper rifle behind him, Yasopp, who had accomplished this feat with just a pistol, took out Den Den Mushi and shouted to the ships drifting off Whole Cake Island.

"You lot, hurry up and bring the boat in, or it will be too late. The Big Mom's children are already surrounding us."

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

On the outskirts of Whole Cake Island, aboard the Red Force, which was being pursued and intercepted by dozens of Fruit Tarts, Lucky Rue chuckled and shouted loudly to the crowd behind him.

"Men, we've got the Poneglyph! Quickly, get to the shore and greet the captain!"

The Red-Haired Pirates, who had been holding back for a long time, unleashed their full firepower and tore a gap in the midst of numerous warships. Even Charlotte Mont- Mont-d'Or, who was usually good at planning, was taken aback when he witnessed it.

"What's going on with these guys? How can they achieve this level of power without any Ability User? Who is behind such a powerful and domineering aura?!"

Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!

A powerful aura tore the sky apart as Charlotte Linlin, standing on Zeus, burst out of the castle, her large, bell-like eyes bloodshot.

Shanks!

"Thank you for the Poneglyph, Big Mom. We won't trouble you to see us off. Goodbye."

With his usual lazy smile on his face, Shanks turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

"Don't even think about escaping! Hand over the Poneglyph and the treasure to me! Emperor Sword - Shattering Blade!"

The ever-extending Emperor Sword revealed its sharp fangs, and the solar fire engulfing it crashed down, pointing directly at the distant Red Force.

"You're so clingy, Big Mom! Just drop me off here, Divine Departure!"

Amidst the raging flames and crimson lightning, the Red-Haired Shanks gently landed on the deck, raising the Poneglyph in her hand.

"Brothers, we've got a quarter of the way to Laugh Tale!!!"