48
But immediately afterward, the entire earth seemed to be heaved upward by an invisible giant hand from below! Soil, rocks, and the massive body standing atop them were all hurled high into the sky.
The sea exploded.
Unending tremors spread from the land into the deep sea, as though a sleeping behemoth were turning over.
Walls of water shot skyward, spreading a salty, fishy smell mixed with mud and sand.
Only then did the power contained in that light completely dissipate.
"It's you."
Big Mom landed steadily.
The frenzy in her eyes vanished, replaced by cold scrutiny.
Her gaze swept over the fresh tear in her skirt-just a little closer, and her skin would have been cut.
Although it did not even count as a minor injury, to her, this was already a provocation.
"Not a bad imitation."
Her voice was low, like rolling thunder. "Very similar to a move I've used."
The hand holding Napoleon slowly rose.
The blade's tip pointed at the figure in the air.
"You know my fighting habits... did the Red Count tell you?"
Only a handful of people in this world understood her moves so well.
Perhaps that rumor was true: these youngsters had actually survived that man.
A low chuckle came from the air.
"Take a guess."
Big Mom narrowed her eyes.
The surrounding air began to thicken, its temperature quietly rising.
She said nothing more, but danger radiated from every pore.
She-was-serious.
"You dare compare me to a phantom of that man?"
She stressed every word as the ground beneath her feet began to crack. "You'll soon understand just how foolish that idea is."
Deep within the auction house's ruins.
"Ptooey, ptooey... What rotten luck."
Tokikake pushed aside the plank pressing down on his head, the dust making him sneeze