The thick lipstick smeared across her mouth had become slightly blotchy from her violent movements, making her look even more ferocious.
"That damned Saturn!" Big Mom roared through gritted teeth.
As she shouted, she stomped hard, making the ground beneath her feet tremble slightly.
"He ran faster than a rabbit! In the blink of an eye, he was gone!"
The hand gripping her giant sword, Napoleon, trembled slightly from anger.
In her grasp, the huge blade looked like a fierce beast that might lose control at any moment.
Bloodstains from the battle still remained on the sword.
Dark red streaks slowly flowed along the patterns of the blade and dripped onto the ground, staining the dust crimson.
She suddenly turned her head to look at Kaido.
Her eyes, which usually glittered with greed, now burned like flames—scorching and crazed.
"And that bastard Kizaru! If he hadn't interfered, I could've gotten at least two more bottles of the Five Elders' blood!"
As she said this, endless regret and resentment filled her eyes, as if precious treasures that had been right within reach had slipped away before her very eyes.
"Do you understand? Those old monsters possess the most powerful abilities in the world! After ruling the World Government for so many years, they must have kept the best Devil Fruit powers for themselves!"
As Big Mom spoke, she swung the giant sword in her hand.
The blade sliced through the air with a whistling sound, as though she could already see the powerful abilities hidden within the Five Elders beckoning to her.
A nearly mad ambition appeared in Big Mom's eyes.
That light was like a ghostly glow flashing in the darkness—strange and dangerous.
"As long as I have those blood samples, I can cooperate with the Eternal Divine Kingdom and mass-produce Devil Fruits of that level! When that time comes…"
A bright yet wicked smile spread across her face.
On her terrifying expression, it looked especially unsettling.
She opened her arms as if she wanted to embrace the entire world.
In her fantasy, she could already see herself standing at the summit of the world, controlling invincible power, with everything bowing beneath her feet.
"The whole world will submit to me!"
She threw her head back and laughed wildly.
Her laughter echoed across the battlefield, sending chills through those who heard it.
However, Kaido, who stood nearby, remained silent the entire time.
His mountain-like body stood there quietly, like a silent statue, yet it still radiated an intimidating majesty that made others hesitate to approach.
The dragon-scale-like tattoos on his body gleamed coldly under the sunlight, as if every "scale" might erupt with power at any moment.
In sharp contrast to Big Mom's frenzy, Kaido's eyes held only deep worry.
His gaze looked into the distance, as though through the layers of dust and smoke, he could still see the scene of King being taken away by agents of the World Government.
"King…"
Kaido murmured in a low voice, so quiet it was almost inaudible.
It sounded like bitterness squeezed out from the deepest part of his heart.
His fists tightened unconsciously, his knuckles cracking from the force.
The sound was especially clear in the tense silence.
The brother who had accompanied him for many years, risking his life for him and remaining utterly loyal, had been ruthlessly taken away right before his eyes.
Every time Kaido recalled that scene, it felt as though a sharp blade had carved another cut into his heart.
"Those lunatics…"
A violent killing intent flashed in Kaido's eyes. It was like frost in the depths of winter—cold and piercing.
"What will they do to King?"
At that thought, Kaido's heart felt as if it were being swallowed by blazing flames, anxiety and anger intertwining within him.
As a former experiment of the World Government, Kaido knew better than anyone how cruel those so-called "scientists" could be.
Those inhuman experiments and unbearable torments had once descended upon him one after another.
He still remembered the dark, damp laboratories, the sharp smell of chemicals filling the air, and the cries of pain echoing beside his ears.
Those memories were like shackles, tightly binding his heart.
At this moment, it felt as if countless fine needles had pierced deeply into him, spreading pain throughout his entire body.
Thinking of this, Kaido's breathing became heavy. Each breath seemed like scorching fire being forced from his lungs.
The Conqueror's Haki around him began leaking uncontrollably.
That powerful aura spread outward like a storm, making the surrounding air tremble.
Even space itself seemed to distort slightly before that power.
Big Mom finally noticed something unusual about Kaido. She waved her hand impatiently, as though shooing away an annoying fly.
"Hey! Kaido! Are you even listening to me? What we're discussing right now is a major matter that could change the entire world!"
Her voice carried irritation and dissatisfaction. Clearly, she was extremely displeased by Kaido's distraction.
Only then did Kaido slowly raise his head.
The killing intent in his eyes gradually receded, replaced by a bottomless coldness.
That icy gaze was like a deep, frozen pool, one that could swallow a person whole if they were not careful.
"Linlin, to me, nothing is more important right now than rescuing King. I don't care about anything else!"
His voice was calm, but it carried an unquestionable firmness.
The atmosphere between the two instantly became tense.
One was immersed in the ambition of conquering the world, longing for supreme power that seemed both unreachable and almost within grasp.
The other was consumed by the obsession of rescuing his subordinate, his heart filled with worry over King, who had been taken away and might now be suffering unknown torment.
These two completely different emotions were like clashing currents of air, forming a subtle yet tense standoff on the ruined battlefield.
Just then, Big Mom's gaze, which had been sweeping aimlessly around the area, suddenly caught sight of Ron and the members of the Whitebeard Pirates standing not far away.
Ron stood there quietly, his eyes revealing calmness and wisdom.
Beside him, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates all stood tall, each radiating the bold aura of warriors tempered by countless battles.
Big Mom's bloodshot eyes suddenly widened like two protruding bronze bells, standing out sharply on her heavily made-up face.
"Ron? It's actually Ron! Mamamama!"