One day later, Oven and Cracker returned to Cake Island.
Both of them were wrapped in layers of bandages, their faces pale and drawn as they knelt in the grand hall with their heads lowered. Their injuries were clearly severe and would require time to fully recover.
Neither of them realized that the grotesque woman seated upon the main throne was no longer the same ruler they had sworn loyalty to.
"Mama, we are deeply sorry."
"We failed to secure Iron Ore Island."
Their voices carried frustration and resentment. Had Fire Fist Ace not intervened, Diamond Jozu and Vista would never have claimed victory so easily.
Iron Ore Island was a priceless asset. Once mined, it could produce endless weapons, making it a vital resource to every major power.
In any world, food and weapons were always the foundation of survival.
Lucien looked down at the two kneeling figures with calm indifference.
These were convenient sons, and both were top tier combatants.
Cracker, in particular, required no introduction. As one of the Sweet Commanders, he was the public face of the Big Mom Pirates. His mastery over the Biscuit Biscuit Fruit was terrifying, and his Armament Haki was exceptionally refined, far beyond what Lucien could currently match.
Normally, Cracker would remain hidden inside his Biscuit Soldier armor. However, in Big Mom's presence, he naturally appeared in his true form.
A scar ran across his right eye. His purple hair stood out, with three tufts at the back of his head and two more at the sides, crackling faintly like sparks.
Beside him knelt Oven.
Tall and broad shouldered, Oven's golden orange hair resembled three flickering flames. He wore no shirt, only a cape draped across his back, paired with gloves and orange trousers.
Charlotte Oven.
Though not a Sweet Commander, his strength was in no way inferior.
Even now, Lucien had yet to fully clarify the nature of Oven's Devil Fruit. It was believed to be the Heat Heat Fruit, though another individual named Don Accino was rumored to possess a similar ability.
"Mama… Mama…"
Lucien laughed deeply, his massive mouth stretching wide as he descended the steps and stopped before them.
"I grant you immortal bodies," he said coldly. "If you awaken the Blood Demon Art, it can even merge with Devil Fruit abilities. A true advantage."
Oven and Cracker lowered their heads further, confusion evident on their pale faces. They did not understand his words.
"This is a test of will," Lucien continued. "The more you endure, the stronger you become. Fail to endure, and you die."
Four black thorned tendrils erupted from Lucien's tailbone, tearing through the air as they lunged toward Oven and Cracker.
Both reacted instantly, instinctively preparing to block or evade.
Then they stopped.
The figure before them was Mama.
Neither of them believed Big Mom would ever attack her own sons.
The thorns pierced their bodies.
Demonic blood surged into their veins.
Neither man cried out.
Their neck veins bulged, yet they endured the transformation without flinching.
Lucien's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.
Perhaps because of their overwhelming strength, the amount of blood that had nearly broken Galette and Mondor barely caused ripples within Oven and Cracker.
Lucien continued.
More blood poured in.
And more.
By the end, nearly an entire container of demon blood had been injected.
In comparison, Galette and Mondor could barely endure half a bucket. The gap between them was immense.
Lucien did not concern himself with the absurd amount of blood he had expended. As the progenitor of demons, his blood regenerated endlessly.
The sheer volume of demonic blood finally overwhelmed them.
Oven and Cracker writhed on the floor, their bodies convulsing in agony. Their eye sockets felt as though they were tearing apart, their limbs burning as if carved by countless blades. Cracks spread from their feet to their necks, streaked with blood.
Biscuit patterns formed across Cracker's body.
Flame patterns ignited along Oven's skin.
Notably, neither of their eyes turned into purple diamonds.
Among all those transformed, these two had endured the greatest amount of demon blood. Once the initial agony passed, they regained control over their bodies.
It became clear that the purple diamond eyes manifested only in the weak. For monsters like Oven and Cracker, such changes were unnecessary.
"Mama…"
They stared at their own bodies in disbelief.
Their injuries were healing at an astonishing rate. Power surged through their veins, and with it came an eerie sense of immortality.
Lucien said nothing.
A black thorn flashed.
Cracker's head was severed cleanly from his body and caught in Lucien's hand.
Strangely, Cracker did not die.
Cracker stared at his headless body, disbelief washing over his face as if he were trapped in a nightmare.
"Cracker!" Oven shouted in shock.
Lucien calmly placed Cracker's head back onto his neck.
In the next instant, flesh and cells wriggled and reconnected. Cracker stood whole once more.
"It really is… an immortal body."
The two men froze, unable to decide whether to feel terror or exhilaration.
"Go," Lucien said calmly. "Adapt to your new power. I have left memories within your blood."
They bowed deeply before retreating.
Half a month passed after Oven and Cracker's return.
During this time, Lucien continued refining his control over the Soul Soul Fruit and training as usual. The core members of the Big Mom Pirates were gradually summoned back to Cake Island.
Charlotte Perospero, the eldest son and Lick Lick Fruit user.
Charlotte Daifuku, the third son and Genie summoning Lamp Fruit user.
Charlotte Compote, Mond, Amande, and others.
One of the Sweet Commanders, Charlotte Smoothie, the Squeeze Squeeze Fruit user.
Another Sweet Commander, Charlotte Snack.
With the sole exception of the strongest among them, Charlotte Katakuri, all were transformed into demons under Lucien's hand.
With regeneration, immortality, enhanced strength, and awakened Blood Demon Art, the overall power of the Big Mom Pirates rose dramatically.
Lucien did note one weakness.
Armament Haki, much like extreme heat, could still damage and suppress cellular regeneration.
However, this was not a fatal flaw. Cracker and the others also possessed Armament Haki, ensuring that the Big Mom Pirates no longer lagged behind the other Yonko crews.
Then, at last, the strongest man of the Big Mom Pirates returned.
The leader of the Sweet Commanders.
Charlotte Katakuri.
A Mochi Mochi Fruit user, master of all three types of Haki, with Observation Haki refined to the terrifying level of future sight.
Lucien's desire burned.
Even a single second of future sight could determine victory before a battle even began.
Within the central castle of Cake Island, Lucien sat upon the throne.
On both sides of the great hall stood the pillars of the Big Mom Pirates.
Sweet Commanders Cracker, Smoothie, and Snack.
Perospero, Daifuku, Oven, and many others.
The atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy.
Then came the sound of war boots striking stone.
A tall man entered Lucien's vision.
Short amaranth red hair, a powerful physique, long legs, and stitched scars running along both cheeks. Pink tattoos spread across his left arm and upper body, including a skull shaped mark on his arm. He wore black jeans, a white knee pad on his left leg, and black long boots fitted with spurs.
His mouth was concealed beneath a scarf.
"Mama."
Katakuri knelt on one knee at the center of the hall.
His aura was unstable, revealing that he had been injured.
This time, he had clashed with Fleet Admiral Sakazuki Akainu himself.
"Mama… Mama…"
Lucien laughed deeply.
Prometheus and Zeus floated lazily at his shoulders as he rose from his seat and walked down to stand before Katakuri, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
Once this strongest son was transformed, Totto Land would be completely under his control.