"Why don't I send you all on your way together?"
Yas's cold voice, laden with the finality of judgment, rang clearly in the ears of Big Mom and every survivor, like a frigid wind from the Nine Hells.
It was not a question, but a notification.
It was the final decree of a god who, after clearing away one heap of trash, casually decided to sweep two larger, more unsightly heaps beside it into the dust of history as well.
Big Mom's mountainous body shuddered violently. Her mind, which had completely shut down in fear and despair, finally began working again!
Death!
Never before had the shadow of death been so close. Like an invisible mountain, it pressed ruthlessly down on her soul!
She wanted to beg for mercy. But the dignity of an "Emperor of the Sea" and the pride of a Rocks Pirates officer kept her from uttering those words!
She wanted to fight back. But looking at the island that had vanished entirely from the charts, leaving only a bottomless, glassy crater, at her children who had died horribly or suffered grievous injuries, and at this battered flagship that might sink at any moment, she could not muster even the slightest strength to resist.
The gap was too great!
So great that even envy and hatred felt like luxuries!
It was not a difference in dimensions. It was the gulf between the Creator and creation!
"Mama!"
Dragging his severely lightning-burned, constantly melting body, Katakuri struggled to stand in front of Big Mom. His trident, Mogura, had long since disappeared, but he still used his own body to form the last, most powerless line of defense.
"If... if you want to touch Mama, you'll have to step over my corpse!" Katakuri's voice shook violently with pain and fear,