"Mamamama, Lott, boy, I really ought to thank you. If it weren't for you, my strength wouldn't have reached a new level!"
Big Mom looked at the absurdly young man before her with a touch of wistfulness.
She really had died after her last battle with Lott.
But it was precisely her death that had allowed her to devour the soul inside her, making her own soul truly pure.
The other soul residing inside her had previously prevented her Devil Fruit from awakening.
During this fusion of souls, it had actually awakened.
Lott carefully sensed Big Mom's strength and couldn't help nodding.
Big Mom's strength should now be approaching Whitebeard's. She should finally be able to shed her title as the weakest of the Four Emperors.
But he merely snorted. "Oh-ho-ho, that little bit of strength still isn't enough in front of me."
Big Mom didn't get angry at his words. Instead, she laughed heartily. "Mamamama, Lott, boy, enjoy the last moments of your life."
Kaido raised his Spiked Club and exchanged a look with Big Mom. "Worororo, old hag, it's been many years since we fought together, hasn't it?"
Big Mom replied with a laugh. "Yes, Kaido, boy. Don't hold me back again this time."
Kaido laughed and bellowed, "Old hag! Who are you looking down on?"
Although they traded insults, neither was the least bit angry. They seemed to have returned to the same harmonious relationship they'd had in the Rocks Pirates.
The only slight difference was that back then, Charlotte Linlin had protected Kaido at every turn like a big sister.
Now, however, they were partners on equal footing.
Lott naturally noticed their relationship and that it might well have returned to what it had been.
That meant he would now truly be facing the combined might