High in the sky, Carl faced off against Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Dragon.
After a brief moment of tension, Whitebeard exchanged a glance with Big Mom. In the next instant, Whitebeard leaped high into the air, gripping Murakumogiri tightly in both hands. Below him, Zeus transformed into a dark thundercloud, carrying Big Mom as she charged toward Carl.
Neither Whitebeard nor Big Mom spared Dragon a glance. By the time Dragon reacted, both had launched their attack on Carl.
With their weapons imbued with the terrifying power of Conqueror's Haki, Murakumogiri and Napoleon descended upon Carl in unison. The clash of their Haki stained the entire sky black with lightning crackling all around.
Carl raised his cursed sword, Muramasa, and met their attack head-on, his weapon also cloaked in Conqueror's Haki.
Boom!
The resulting explosion echoed across the heavens. To everyone's shock, Carl's single sword managed to parry both Whitebeard's and Big Mom's attacks. He stood firm, withstanding the combined might of two of the Four Emperors.
Even Whitebeard and Big Mom were visibly stunned. Both had fought Carl before, but back then, he hadn't been this overwhelmingly powerful.
To think that even if Rocks himself were resurrected, he might not dare take such a head-on clash!
On a nearby rocky perch, Galette and her companions were completely stunned. In their eyes, Big Mom was practically invincible, let alone alongside Whitebeard.
The idea that someone could stand against both of them alone was beyond comprehension.
Amid the tense standoff, Carl laughed heartily.
"Not bad! The two of you are much stronger than Rayleigh!"
His muscles bulged as he unleashed a burst of strength, sending Whitebeard and Big Mom flying backward.
In that moment, Carl summoned the Dark Bible. A white Marine cloak, adorned with golden epaulets, flew out and draped itself over his shoulders. The word "Justice" on its back shimmered ominously in black energy infused with the power of darkness.
Seeing the Fleet Admiral's cloak on Carl's shoulders, a complex expression flashed in Dragon's eyes. He, too, had once worn a Marine cloak of his own.
Carl's golden eyes glinted as he smirked at Big Mom, Whitebeard, and Dragon.
"Ah, it feels good to wear this again. Come now, it's been far too long since I've had a proper fight."
As he finished speaking, an abyssal tide of darkness erupted from Carl, suffusing the atmosphere with a suffocating sense of destruction.
Big Mom roared in anger.
"Celestial Dragon! Don't get too arrogant!"
Before she could finish, Carl appeared before her, wielding Muramasa. Her pupils shrank, and she swung Napoleon, now blazing with fire, to counter. Yet Carl's single strike nearly disarmed her.
Seizing the opportunity, Whitebeard unleashed a quake punch, his Haki-laden fist crashing toward Carl.
A shadowy barrier materialized beside Carl, absorbing the shockwave entirely.
Carl's mastery over the Dark-Dark Fruit had reached unparalleled heights. He no longer needed physical contact to nullify Devil Fruit abilities. Any power that touched his darkness was neutralized.
However, homies like Napoleon, created by Big Mom's Soul-Soul Fruit, were an exception. Independent of her body, they wouldn't disappear if her powers were negated—but that didn't mean they were immune to Carl's darkness.
Big Mom suddenly coughed up blood and cried out in shock.
"Prometheus?!"
Napoleon's flames had vanished entirely. The sword, now lifeless, stared at her with wide eyes. Prometheus, the fiery homie born of her soul, had been devoured by Carl's darkness, leaving Big Mom reeling from the backlash.
Finally, Dragon joined the fray. At such close range, he refrained from using his powers and instead unleashed his Dragon Claw technique.
Carl blocked it effortlessly, his Haki overwhelming Dragon's. Dragon's expression darkened as he poured every ounce of strength into the clash.
Whitebeard and Big Mom, despite their disdain for Dragon, had no choice but to intervene. The three fighters unleashed their combined might against Carl. Their battle shook the entire Whole Cake Island.
Swords and fists clashed repeatedly in the sky, each blow echoing with the force of an earthquake.
Finally, three figures plummeted to the ground, crashing into the earth. When the dust settled, Whitebeard and Big Mom stood side by side, their faces grim.
"Pops!"
"Mama!"
"Commander!"
Ignoring the shouts of their respective crews, Whitebeard and Big Mom kept their gazes fixed on the sky. High above, a figure with wings descended slowly. It was Carl.
Landing lightly, Carl exhaled deeply.
Taking on three Emperor-level combatants at once wasn't an easy task, even for him.
Whitebeard steadied himself, suppressing the blood rising in his throat. His injuries and illness had taken their toll, leaving him in worse shape than even Dragon, who was missing an arm.
Marco noticed Whitebeard's pale complexion and immediately flew to his side, entering his phoenix form. The other members of the Whitebeard Pirates followed suit.
On the other side, Katakuri and Sabo rushed to stand behind Big Mom and Dragon, respectively. Meanwhile, surviving members of weaker factions took the chance to flee as far as possible, including the Vinsmoke family.
Nearby, Chiffon glanced at Teach, who remained motionless.
"Aren't you going to join the fight?" she asked.
Teach sighed, feigning reluctance.
"No, I have to stay here and protect you."
Chiffon's eyes widened, and her heart swelled with emotion.
"Darling…" she murmured.
Teach shivered at her words, turning his gaze to Whitebeard, a flicker of greed flashing in his eyes.
Before Carl stood the combined forces of two Yonko crews and the Revolutionary Army.
The wind howled, and his Marine cloak billowed in the air. Despite being surrounded by three powerful factions, Carl's expression remained calm.
He chuckled.
"Good. Everyone's here."
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+255 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg