The massive explosion, and the world-shaking mushroom cloud that followed, was impossible to ignore.
Even Big Mom and Doflamingo, locked in their confrontation, turned to look curiously toward the source of the "accident."
Doflamingo, of course, knew this was Baby 5's doing. No one else did.
Katakuri's face darkened. He swept the area with his Observation Haki, and his heart sank. That "cute little girl" had vanished from right under their noses.
Then again, who would have thought a "cute little girl" was capable of this?
Seeing the destructive power in the distance, the smarter guests put two and two together. They swallowed nervously, a new, lingering fear forming for that "harmless" little girl.
"Brother Katakuri, it's that brat from the Donquixote Pirates!" Brulee's combat strength was negligible, but she was useful in other ways. She'd been the first to notice Baby 5's movements.
Katakuri nodded, then turned to Smoothie. "Smoothie, go capture her."
"Understood, Brother Katakuri," Smoothie said coolly. She couldn't help much in the main fight, and her feelings about Doflamingo were too complicated. She was happy to leave.
Swish!
A sword aura cut through the air. Diamante had made his move. How could he just sit and watch his family be arrested?
Smoothie drew her own sword, launching a pink-colored sword aura that collided with Diamante's in mid-air.
"So, the Donquixote Pirates finally decided to move?"
"Hey, hey, you really think I'd let you arrest my precious family? If I didn't do something, Doffy would have my hide!" Diamante stood casually, sword in hand, completely unfazed by the horde of Big Mom's children.
"Diamante. Swordsman. Officer of the Donquixote Family. Bounty: 570,000,000 berries. You... are not my opponent. Get out of my way," Smoothie said, her voice flat. She clearly didn't see him as a threat.
"Hehe. Are you just lashing out because you couldn't become Doffy's bride? I'll be happy to show you just how vast this sea is," Diamante retorted.
"You...!" Smoothie snarled.
"Smoothie, you go. I'll handle this," Katakuri said.
"No, Brother Katakuri. Someone else can go. I'm going to teach this guy a lesson," Smoothie refused, readying her blade.
Katakuri sighed and looked at his other siblings.
"I'll go, Brother Katakuri," Snack, the other Sweet Commander, volunteered.
Katakuri nodded.
This left only Monet and Law on Doflamingo's side. But Katakuri's gaze was fixed on them, and they couldn't move to help. All they could do was pray for Baby 5's luck.
"Even if you do hold me back, what of it? Let me teach you a proper lesson," Smoothie said, striding toward Diamante.
"You really talk too much. No wonder Doffy doesn't like you," Diamante's tongue was just as sharp.
"You...! Go to hell!" Smoothie, choked by his words, flew into a rage. She launched a ferocious attack.
Diamante didn't dare underestimate her. He knew this was one of Big Mom's Sweet Commanders, and despite his taunts, he was taking her very seriously.
CLANG!
Their swords met in a shrill cry of steel.
The clash of two powerful swordsmen drew the eyes of the crowd—but not Katakuri's. His attention remained fixed on the battle in the sky.
"Law, what should we do?" Monet was at a loss. Doflamingo trusted Law, so he must have a plan. She turned to him for help.
Law paused, then just glanced up at Doflamingo. Monet saw the look and understood.
The only one who could break this stalemate was Doflamingo. Law could Room them away, but their numbers were too small. They couldn't win against the entire Big Mom crew.
Back at the prison, the once-splendid, edible palace had been completely obliterated by Baby 5's attack, vanishing without a trace.
"Cough, cough..." From the ruins, Baby 5 pulled herself out. Aside from the bruising on her neck, she was mostly unharmed.
"That damn bastard... almost choked me to death. Good thing I'm lucky. And... good thing the Young Master reminded me," she muttered to herself, then began to search the ruins.
There was nothing left but rubble and a single, large, tattered book. The Vivre Card was pointing right at it. She finally understood. Trebol was inside the book.
Now, finding Mont-d'Or—if he was still alive—was the top priority.
Her hard work paid off. She found him, barely breathing.
"Hey, hey. You dead? If not, hurry up and open this book." She dragged his broken body over to it.
"You little... brat... give up..." Mont-d'Or wheezed.
"If that's your answer... then just die. In your next life, try to be smarter." Baby 5 was done talking. If he wouldn't cooperate, she'd just kill him.
Her hand became a blade, and she thrust it cleanly into Mont-d'Or's heart.
The first child of the Charlotte family was dead. The Donquixote Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates were now in a blood feud.
As Mont-d'Or's life faded, the book's power failed, and the people trapped inside were released.
Trebol and the others stumbled out, stunned by the scene. He saw the familiar little girl, and a wide grin spread across his face.
"Behehehe! Baby 5! You little girl! After all these years with Doffy, you've finally grown up!"
"Of course! I'm the Young Master's one and only combat maid! I can't be weak," she said proudly.
"Baby 5... are they all dead?" Jora asked, looking at the bodies.
"Dead as doornails. Can't be deader," Baby 5 replied casually.
Jora and the others stared. Her strength and her nerve... they were on a different level now.
"Lord Trebol, the Young Master is still fighting Big Mom!"
"The Young Master is here?!" "Let's go see Doffy!"
The reunited group prepared to head to Doflamingo, but Snack had already arrived.
"Brother Mont-d'Or!"
A cry of pure grief hit their ears. Snack was kneeling over Mont-d'Or's body. The group's hair stood on end. 'When did he get here?'
"It was... you. You killed my brother." Snack's voice was low, and it washed over them, cold as an abyss. "I'll make you all die a horrible, horrible death!"
"Then try it," Trebol sneered. "The Donquixote Family isn't afraid of anyone!"
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