Chapter 38: When Thunder Met Thunder
Ren's hair clone returned from across the sea, descending toward Wano with a cheerful swarm in tow. Tiny figures clung to beetles and drifting leaves, waving their arms excitedly as they approached the Flower Capital.
Half of the Tontatta Tribe had answered the call, and at their front floated Leo, the energetic young captain with a spear twice his size strapped proudly to his back.
Ren lifted his hand in greeting. "Hey, little Captain Leo."
Leo hovered midair and saluted dramatically. "Ren-lando! You did it! You truly built a land where everyone can live freely!"
Yamato and Hiyori stood side by side at the castle entrance, both wide-eyed. It was their first time seeing the Tontatta up close, and the sight of such tiny yet fearless warriors left them sparkling with curiosity.
Hiyori quickly composed herself, standing straight despite her youth. Kawamatsu and Hyogoro remained at her sides, silent pillars of support for the Shogun of Wano.
"Welcome to Wano," Hiyori declared clearly. "I am the Shogun of Wano, and I formally welcome you all."
The citizens of Wano cheered warmly from the streets below. There was no fear in their expressions—only excitement and gratitude. If Ren and Yamato trusted these little people, then so would they.
Leo's eyes shone brightly. "Ren-lando really is something! So this is the land where humans and others will live together?"
Ren smiled faintly, but Yamato stepped forward first. "We'll make it happen."
Ren rested his hand on Yamato's shoulders, leaning close enough that their cheeks brushed lightly. "Leo, this is Yamato."
Leo bowed in midair. "An honor! Ren-lando speaks highly of you!"
Yamato blinked and glanced sideways. "Oh? He does?"
Ren coughed lightly. "Only when necessary."
Laughter rippled through the group. After a brief exchange, Ren called Shinobu forward.
"Alright, Leo. She will assist you. If you need anything, ask her."
Shinobu bowed respectfully. "I will coordinate with you to restore the forests and farms."
Leo pumped his tiny fist. "Then let's begin! Tontatta, forward!"
And so, restoration began in earnest.
Within days, green life returned where wasteland once stood. Crops sprouted rapidly under the Tontatta's care, and rivers grew clearer thanks to Ren's clones devouring the last traces of pollution.
Ren and Yamato traveled across Wano, offering help wherever needed. They rebuilt bridges, reinforced coastlines, and trained samurai to defend their homeland.
A week later, as dusk painted the sea gold, Yamato narrowed her eyes toward the horizon. Massive ships bearing the insignia of the Big Mom Pirates cut through the waters.
"Ren," she said quietly. "They're here."
Ren followed her gaze. "Big Mom's fleet."
He pulled out a Den Den Mushi immediately. "Denjiro. The enemies are here. Yamato and I will engage. You stay on guard with the samurai and shadow guards."
"Yes, Ren-sama," Denjiro replied firmly. "We will hold the capital."
Ren tucked the snail away and looked at Yamato. "Ready, partner?"
Yamato smirked, stepping onto a forming Nimbus cloud. "I wanna fight."
Ren chuckled. "Careful what you wish for. She's still one of the Four Emperors."
"You're here," Yamato shot back confidently. "So what's there to worry about?"
They soared toward the fleet as thunderclouds gathered unnaturally overhead. At the center ship stood Charlotte Linlin, towering and grinning wildly.
"Mamamamama! So the brat shows himself!" Big Mom's voice boomed. "Surrender Wano and marry my daughter! Join my crew!"
Ren's mouth twitched. "You really are delusional, aren't you?"
Big Mom's smile faded instantly. "What did you say?"
"Miss Emperor," Ren corrected lazily.
Her Conqueror's Haki exploded outward like a tidal wave. Dark lightning crackled through the air, shaking the sea itself.
Yamato stepped forward without hesitation. Her own Conqueror's Haki erupted violently, clashing with Big Mom's midair.
The sky split cleanly above them.
Yamato grinned fiercely. "You're not the only monster here!"
Big Mom laughed, summoning her living thundercloud. "Zeus!"
A massive smiling cloud formed beside her, crackling with electricity. "Mama?"
"Strike them down!"
Bolts of lightning tore through the sky toward Yamato. Ren flicked his fingers, forming a small hair clone that shrank and perched atop Yamato's head.
"Focus," Ren said calmly. "Nimbus will respond to you. Let the clone guide the flow."
A new cloud formed beneath Yamato's feet, merging seamlessly with the clone's control. She darted sideways, lightning grazing past her harmlessly.
"You think thunder scares me?!" Yamato shouted back.
She launched forward, kanabo wrapped in advanced Conqueror's Haki. "Raimei Hakke!"
The strike collided with Napoleon's blade in Big Mom's hand. The explosion split clouds and sent shockwaves across the sea.
Big Mom snarled. "You have spirit, girl!"
"I'm Kaido's daughter!" Yamato fired back. "Did you forget?!"
Zeus roared and sent another storm of lightning. Ren extended his Conqueror's Haki precisely, suppressing several commanders attempting to interfere.
Perospero stepped forward, only to be slammed face-first into the deck under Ren's focused pressure.
"Stay down," Ren said coldly.
Big Mom swung Napoleon in a wide arc. "Don't ignore me, brat!"
Ren met her gaze calmly. "I'm not your opponent."
Yamato's kanabo collided again with Napoleon. Sparks and black lightning burst violently as their haki clashed.
"Why protect this land?!" Big Mom roared mid-battle. "Territory belongs to the strong!"
Yamato pushed forward, teeth clenched. "Then we are the strong!"
Another sky-splitting impact echoed. Zeus swelled larger, dark clouds swirling around him as he prepared a massive discharge.
"Indra!" Big Mom commanded.
A colossal bolt of lightning descended. Ren finally stood from his Nimbus, raising his hand slightly. His haki pulsed outward, distorting the lightning's path just enough for Yamato to dodge.
"Careful," Ren called. "She'll mix elemental pressure with haki next."
Yamato grinned breathlessly. "Good. I was getting bored."
She leapt higher, Nimbus carrying her like a streak of white against the storm. "Thunder Bagua!"
The blow struck Big Mom squarely, sending her crashing across her own deck. Ships tilted dangerously from the impact.
Zeus wobbled, momentarily stunned.
Big Mom rose slowly, fury blazing in her eyes. "You two… insolent children!"
Ren floated forward slightly now, meeting her glare. "You came to test Wano."
His voice was calm but sharp.
"You found its guardians instead."
The sea churned violently beneath them as thunder and haki crackled across the heavens.
And above the fleet, under a sky split in two, the battle between Emperors had only just begun.