Far away, thousands of miles from the chaos of Sabaody Archipelago, the headquarters of the Big Mom Pirates was bustling with activity. Charlotte Katakuri, the crew's vigilant chief steward, moved swiftly through the corridors, attending to countless matters.
Suddenly, a piece of news struck him like a thunderclap Lin Yi had ruthlessly slain key officers of the Three Emperors' crews on Sabaody Archipelago, including Katakuri's own younger brother, Charlotte Fahat.
Unlike Big Mom, who treated her children with a distant, almost indifferent hand, Katakuri had always cherished his younger siblings. Those who lacked extraordinary talent had nonetheless been nurtured with his meticulous care, like precious gems he guarded with unwavering dedication.
Now, upon learning that one of those precious siblings had been murdered, Katakuri felt a surge of uncontrollable rage. His normally calm eyes burned red with fury, veins bulging on his forehead, and his hands clenched into fists so tightly that his fingernails bit into his palms, drawing blood. Yet he felt no pain, only an overwhelming need for vengeance.
"Lin Yi… I will make you pay for this in blood!" Katakuri hissed through gritted teeth, his voice a low growl that seemed to echo from the very depths of hell. In that moment, he harbored only one thought: the culprit must be torn apart, piece by piece, to honor his fallen brother.
He abandoned his tasks and strode toward the heart of the Cake City. This news had to reach Mama immediately.
Inside her colossal mansion made entirely of desserts, Charlotte Linlin Big Mom herself was sprawled on the floor, devouring an endless stream of treats delivered by her chefs.
The massive cake doors were suddenly flung open, and Katakuri stormed in, fury written all over his face. Linlin, undisturbed, continued shoveling sweets into her mouth, paying him no mind.
"Mama, Fahat has been killed," Katakuri said, struggling to keep his temper in check.
"Mamamama, Katakuri, has anger made you forget your manners?" Linlin replied, still chewing a piece of cake, her crimson tongue tracing her lips with irritation. She despised interruptions while eating, even from Katakuri, one of her more favored children.
"Mama! Fahat… he's dead!" Katakuri raised his voice, desperation edging his words.
Linlin responded nonchalantly, "Mamamama~ Who told that fool to provoke Lin Yi, the calamity? Dead is dead." She resumed her frenzied consumption of the towering dessert spread before her.
Yet, as she ate faster and faster, her subtle agitation betrayed her true feelings. Despite her outward apathy, Fahat was still her biological son, a member of her family, and his death had pierced her heart.
Katakuri could no longer contain his fury. He yanked the scarf covering his mouth away, revealing a grotesque grin lined with razor-sharp, almost demonic teeth.
"Katakuri, are you defying my orders?" Linlin's eyes darkened, thunderclouds and solar flares of energy flickering at her sides.
Katakuri met her gaze without flinching, his own aura radiating raw anger.
Before the tension could escalate further, the shrill ring of a Den Den Mushi broke the standoff. Linlin paused, not attacking her defiant son.
She reached for the device, revealing a faintly human-like expression of ease as she connected the call. On the other end appeared a rugged man with a crescent-shaped mustache Edward Newgate, the legendary Whitebeard.
"Mamamama, it's been a long time, Edward Newgate!" Linlin's plump face betrayed a hint of anticipation she had long expected.
Whitebeard remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Linlin, I believe you can guess why I'm reaching out. I need your strength this time."
Linlin laughed heartily. "Mamamama, I never imagined that the world's strongest man would ever ask for help! What an honor!"
Whitebeard's expression remained stern. "Enough of the jokes. Your son has been murdered, too. The culprit is our mutual enemy. Don't you want to strike back and avenge your son?"
Linlin's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, deadly calm. "Of course. No one who mercilessly kills a member of the Charlotte family can walk free in this world."
"Then it's settled. We'll rendezvous at the Sabaody Archipelago and strike Sabaody together," Whitebeard said.
"Mamamama, don't worry, Newgate. I will be there," Linlin promised, hanging up the Den Den Mushi.
Katakuri, still present, received a piercing glare from his mother. "This is the last time, Katakuri. Defy me again, and I will kill you and tear your soul from your body."
"Forgive me, Mama," Katakuri bowed in submission.
"Go. Gather your siblings who have reached vice-admiral-level strength. We depart tomorrow," Linlin commanded.
"Yes, Mama," Katakuri replied respectfully, wrapping his scarf back over his terrifying mouth before leaving the dessert mansion. His eyes still blazed with righteous fury as he traversed the Big Mom Pirates' stronghold, delivering his mother's orders to each sibling.
Each who heard of Fahat's murder seethed with righteous anger, their eyes burning with the flames of revenge. They quickly prepared their gear for departure.
Meanwhile, in Wano Country, Fire Hazard Ace and Plague Hazard Queen arrived grimly at Kaido's secluded hideaway, a serene valley where Kaido reclined on the soft grass, leisurely sipping sake. Clearly, his "seclusion" was a pretense to indulge himself.
"Boss, there's trouble," Ace said, his face heavy with grief.
"What is it? Those unruly samurai again?" Kaido guzzled sake casually.
"Boss… Jack is dead," Queen reported sadly.
Kaido spat out his drink in shock, then roared in fury. His overwhelming Conqueror's Haki flared uncontrollably, instantly transforming the tranquil valley into a scene of chaos.
"Lin Yi," Ace said solemnly.
"Who cares about that Lin Yi! I want him dead!" Kaido bellowed. Jack had been a loyal subordinate he had raised personally. Losing him was unforgivable.
"Boss, calm down. Lin Yi is the one who injured you last time, the one with the bizarre spatial powers. If we act recklessly, we won't be able to kill him. We need a precise, flawless plan. Otherwise, we'll fail," Ace explained.
Kaido's fury subsided slightly as he recalled his prior humiliating defeat at Lin Yi's hands. Even with his newfound strength, he knew Lin Yi's spatial abilities made him nearly untouchable. Perhaps only the fruit Lin Yi possessed could counter it.
"I warned Jack not to provoke Lin Yi. Why did he die?" Kaido growled.
"All of Jack's crew didn't return. Lin Yi not only killed Jack, but also three Whitebeard Pirates' commanders and one of Charlotte Linlin's sons. Linlin herself has been invited by Whitebeard to join the strike at Sabaody. She asked if we want to join," Ace reported.
Kaido's eyes gleamed with predatory light. "Fine. The field is set. We'll deal with Lin Yi."
"Understood. I'll arrange it immediately," Ace said.
"Only bring the strong. Lin Yi's teleportation ability can kill the weak in one strike," Kaido warned. He would not waste loyal men needlessly.
Back at Sabaody, Lin Yi sensed the shifting currents of fate. A glimmer of excitement lit his eyes as he gripped his black blade, Mie, ready to test the limits of his swordsmanship.
He launched himself into the air, crashing into the center of the battle between Big Pan and the two giants. Black Blade Mie struck with precision, facing all three without using spatial powers, relying solely on swordsmanship.
"Bold kid! You dare face the three of us alone? Let's show you our might!" Dorry shouted, joining Broggy in unleashing their ultimate technique, Haokoku.
"Careful, boss!" Big Pan shouted, countering with his own ultimate, the Martial Extreme Strike. His Panlong Staff roared like a dragon toward Lin Yi's chest.
"Perfect timing!" Lin Yi smiled, undaunted by the onslaught. He raised Mie overhead. "Void Slash!" A terrifying, invisible force erupted, slicing through the attacks with ease.
The space around them seemed to tear apart, emitting eerie whispers. Broggy and Dorry's combined might, and Big Pan's full-force strike, were all effortlessly dissolved, swallowed by Lin Yi's blade. Even the thunderous roars fell silent, as if an invisible hand had stifled them.
Everyone present stood frozen, stunned by the bizarre scene.
Lin Yi laughed. "It's just a simple sword technique I developed while breaking through my limits. Now, let's celebrate with plenty of good wine!"
Dorry, Broggy, and Big Pan relaxed, the promise of wine more enticing than any further questions. A joyous celebration erupted amidst the battlefield, a reward for Lin Yi's newfound strength.