At that moment, a brand-new ship sped into view, instantly capturing the attention of everyone present. Its unique design was unlike any they had seen before, and the cacophony of chaos—swords drawn, tensions high—seemed to pause as if the world itself had hit a momentary pause button. For a fleeting second, silence reigned. Everyone present, except the pirates frantically rescuing their comrades, stopped speaking and stared in awe at the approaching vessel.
Soon enough, the massive ship, its pirate flag fluttering in the wind, cut through the waves with ease and arrived in the tumultuous sea. At the bow, a large, striking banner waved proudly. It bore the image of a lavish top hat and a neatly styled collar. A grinning skull waved to the onlookers, its teeth painted with vibrant red lipstick. The sight of this flag made Simon gasp in disbelief. "Could it really be… the Big Mom Pirates?"
In Simon's previous understanding of the world, the Big Mom Pirates, the Beasts Pirates, and the Whitebeard Pirates were recognized as the three dominant powers of the New World. They were like insurmountable mountains looming over all other pirates, each revered for their overwhelming strength and near-mythical status. Not only were they feared for their might, but they symbolized the highest levels of authority in the pirate world, second only to the Pirate King himself.
Simon's face grew increasingly serious. He turned to Eli Winters and said gravely, "Captain, something feels off. These three great pirate crews usually rule their own territories and never appear together in the same place. For them to converge here, there must be some hidden motive behind it."
Eli Winters let out a deep laugh, his confidence unwavering. "Ha! With our current strength, Simon, there's nothing in this world we need to fear."
Simon blinked at first, then allowed himself a laugh. Of course, with Eli as their captain, who could truly oppose them?
"Exactly," Big Pan said disdainfully. "No matter what schemes they have, I'll crush every last bone of theirs."
The others laughed heartily at Big Pan's words, their laughter filled with unwavering confidence in Eli.
Charlotte Farhait had originally been leading his subordinates straight toward Little Garden. However, as they neared their destination, the sounds of an intense battle reached his ears. After consulting with his master, Wehael, he decided to change course and head toward the fight.
When they arrived, the battle had already ended.
As the ship came to a stop, Charlotte Farhait surveyed the scene with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. Whitebeard Pirates and Beasts Pirates here? Were they, like him, attempting to invite Eli Winters to join some event?
He had little time to ponder. Eli's gaze had already fallen upon him, and he hurriedly bowed in respect. "Honored Eli Winters, I am Charlotte Farhait, the twentieth child of Mother. It is a great honor to meet you."
Wehael, standing beside him, could not help but think bitterly to himself. "This is one of Big Mom's children, yet so humble? No wonder Charlotte Lin Lin doesn't hold you in regard. What a disappointment."
Eli Winters simply smiled. Charlotte Farhait seemed sensible enough; he did not immediately leap into violence like the other idiots from the Beasts Pirates and Whitebeard Pirates.
"You've come to see me?" Eli asked, curious.
"Yes, Eli Winters," Charlotte Farhait said respectfully. "We wish to invite you to Mother's tea party."
"Oh? I don't recall us being acquainted. Why invite me?" Eli asked, raising an eyebrow.
Charlotte Farhait's eyes sparkled with expectation. "Captain, your strength is unmatched. If you were to unite with Mother and have children, I believe the result would be perfect offspring."
Eli felt a wave of disgust rise. Big Mom Lin Lin's grotesque reputation aside, the idea of dozens of husbands was enough to make anyone retch. He was about to scold Farhait for such a foolish proposition when, without warning, twelve glimmering blades—sharp as lightning—descended upon him.
Above Farhait's ship, dark clouds swirled, thunder flashing within. A menacing aura radiated from the storm, signaling imminent danger.
Farhait's eyes widened in shock and fear. What had just begun as a polite invitation had erupted into a deadly ambush. The twelve blades, cold and ruthless, seemed capable of piercing his very soul. Heart racing, Farhait swung his massive sword to intercept them. Metal clashed with a deafening clang, reverberating across the sea.
The force of the impact sent Farhait staggering back, his face pale with shock and fear. He realized immediately that his opponent's strength was extraordinary, far beyond what he had imagined. But there was no time to hesitate. The remaining eleven blades continued their onslaught, each strike mercilessly targeting his vital points.
Summoning all his strength, Farhait roared and swung his sword in a wide arc. Several of the incoming blades were deflected, spinning through the air before scattering into the sea. Yet some still struck him, leaving deep, crimson gashes across his body. Blood poured from his wounds, staining the deck beneath his feet.
"Eli Winters, why is this happening?" Farhait cried, clutching his sword in disbelief.
"Hmph." Filina's eyes were cold as she raised her hand. Lightning, thick as a grown man's arm, descended from the storm clouds above Farhait's ship and struck him directly.
With a thunderous explosion, Farhait's massive body collapsed to the deck, blackened and steaming.
Wehael's heart sank. Was Farhait truly dead? That would be too convenient. Yet he quickly masked his emotions and shouted in indignation. "We invited you sincerely to Mother's tea party! How dare you harm her child! You will pay, Big Mom Pirates will have revenge!"
Filina's expression was deadly. "Hmph, old man. Want to be struck by lightning too?" Fiona's gaze mirrored Filina's frost-cold stare. If Wehael dared mention that Eli should have children with Big Mom, they would not hesitate to shred him.
Wehael, feigning outrage, said, "I am Wehael, Farhait's swordmaster. Eli Winters, since you killed Farhait, Mother will never forgive you!" But his eyes betrayed delight. One of Big Mom Lin Lin's children dead at Eli's hands guaranteed conflict. His mission was complete.
Eli Winters, however, had not expected Filina and Fiona to intervene. Though furious, they had not killed Farhait outright, leaving him unconscious rather than dead. Eli remarked with mild exasperation, "Old man, he's not dead yet."
"What? Not dead?" Wehael's momentary joy turned to panic. He rushed to check on Farhait and found him merely unconscious.
Seeing his attempt to manipulate events fail, Wehael quickly adjusted his plans. Farhait was badly injured and could still die on the way back. That would suffice.
Farhait eventually rose, furious but alive. "Hmph. Since Eli Winters does not give face, we will not insist. Farewell."
Eli smirked. "Trying to escape? Not likely." He had noticed the gleam of joy on Wehael's face when Farhait fell, and the familiarity between Big Pan's men and the Big Mom Pirates. Something was amiss.
Wehael's mind raced in fear. "Are you going to kill me?" he asked nervously.
"What if I did?" Eli said lightly.
"No! You can't! Do you want to start a war with the Big Mom Pirates?" Wehael stammered, blustering.
Eli lost interest in the cowardly man and addressed Big Pan and the others. "Seize the leaders of the three pirate crews. The rest… kill them all."
"Yes, Captain!" they shouted. With a roar, Big Pan and the others charged, cutting through the pirate ranks like a storm.
Suddenly, massive waves surged, and a colossal sea king rose from the depths, drawn by the chaos. Eli's eyes narrowed, and he moved instantly, punching the monstrous creature until its body erupted into a spray of blood and mist.
Blenheim of the Whitebeard Pirates saw an opportunity. He approached Eli stealthily, blade gleaming. Eli sensed the attack, sidestepped, and grabbed Blenheim by the neck.
"Trying to ambush me? Too naive," Eli said, tightening his grip.
By this time, Big Pan, Simon, and Dotai had already subdued all other pirates effortlessly. Defiados, Artmos, and Wehael were captured like helpless chickens. Farhait and Disaster Jack had already been bound by Fiona with threads and placed atop clouds crafted by Filina.
Eli handed Blenheim to Fiona for binding and turned his gaze over the blood-soaked sea. His mind was calm. These pirates had spilled countless innocent lives, and as he executed justice, he felt no remorse.
Using his Observation Haki, Eli scanned the five pirate ships, discovering vast supplies and treasures. A satisfied smile spread across his face. With his Space Fruit ability, he compressed the ships into powder, eradicating their sins.
"Let's go back, continue drinking, and figure out what these fools were thinking," Eli said cheerfully.
"They clearly underestimated Big Pan," he added with a grin.
The crew laughed, the sound echoing across the crimson-stained sea.