Chapter 175: Smoothie's Inner Struggle and Big Mom's Rampage

Everything happened so suddenly.

Many spectators froze in place, their jaws slack with disbelief.

Katakuri swallowed hard, his throat dry, unable to form words.

"Conqueror's Haki infusion…"

Big Mom's massive face twitched uncontrollably. Her gaze fixed on Yamato, a mixture of shock, fury, and even envy flashing in her eyes.

"Did Cracker lose?"

The members of the Big Mom Pirates, filled with desperate hope, followed the path of destruction left by Yamato's attack. Their eyes traced the line of smashed debris toward the distant forest where Cracker had vanished.

"Send two people to retrieve Cracker. Let him rest," Katakuri ordered gravely.

His advanced Observation Haki had already confirmed it—Cracker was unconscious.

There was no doubt. He had been defeated.

"Another loss…"

"Even Brother Cracker lost…"

"And all to the same person… It's over."

Many of the Big Mom Pirates' family members clutched their heads in despair, collapsing to their knees in disbelief.

They had never experienced such a devastating blow. Decades of pride and invincibility, shattered.

One person—Yamato—had done it all.

She had defeated three of their strongest: the eldest son, Oven, and even Sweet Commander Cracker.

Never before had a single individual dealt such a crushing blow to their morale.

Katakuri, usually composed, stared at Yamato with a complex expression.

"Conqueror's Haki infusion… even I haven't mastered that."

Katakuri possessed Conqueror's Haki, but he had yet to learn its advanced application. Among the three forms of Haki, his specialty was Observation.

"Watching her fight across three matches, rising step by step, until now…" Katakuri, though proud, couldn't help but feel shaken by Yamato's talent and growth.

The frustration was overwhelming.

"What a remarkable person. That fool Kaido has truly sired a worthy daughter," Big Mom hissed through gritted teeth.

Despite her rage over the loss, Yamato's performance had clearly impressed her.

Big Mom could see Yamato's potential—a future where she stood among the truly monstrous powerhouses of the world.

"Captain! I did it! I won!"

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Yamato realized the fight was over.

She tossed her kanabo aside and sprinted toward Kuke, her face lit with childlike joy.

From several dozen meters away, she leapt into the air, spreading her limbs as she flew toward him.

Kuke thought about dodging but, seeing Yamato's exhaustion and the innocent excitement on her face, he chose not to move.

Instead, he opened his arms and caught her, indulgently allowing her to cling to him like a koala.

Yamato wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, shaking him enthusiastically.

"Captain, I won! I really won! And I mastered the move you taught me!"

"Mmff—" Kuke grunted, unable to speak as she squeezed him.

"Get off me," he muttered after several seconds, exasperated. He grabbed the back of her shirt and peeled her off like a wet dog.

"Do you have any idea how sweaty you are?" Kuke complained, wiping his face free of her fragrant sweat.

Dangling from his grip, Yamato only laughed sheepishly.

"Not bad," Kuke said, his tone softening. "Remember how it felt just now. Keep practicing, and you'll be able to use that move effortlessly."

He set her gently down beside his seat.

Yamato naturally leaned her head against his shoulder, letting out a quiet hum.

Moments later, she was sound asleep.

She had pushed herself to the brink.

Three back-to-back battles, all against formidable opponents, had drained her completely. Cracker especially had nearly defeated her multiple times, forcing her to dig deep for one final burst of strength.

The result, however, was worth it.

Yamato had triumphed in all three fights, and her strength had surged. With her combat power surpassing 100,000, she had truly entered the realm of Yonko commander-level fighters.

The Sun and Moon Pirates had gained another powerhouse.

Big Mom's envious gaze turned green with jealousy.

"Her natural talent, combined with the captain's unwavering support and trust… That's the real reason she was able to unleash her potential," Katakuri muttered, analyzing the situation.

He had to admit that Cracker's defeat was not undeserved.

"Using a Road Poneglyph as a foundation for a crew member's growth… With a captain like that, it's no wonder the crew fights with such fervor and refuses to give up," Katakuri thought bitterly, shaking his head.

Glancing at his mother, Katakuri couldn't help but compare.

Big Mom's method was threats and fear—demanding victory at all costs. Kuke's approach was entirely different, and it made all the difference in the world.

In the tense silence, Cracker's unconscious body was brought back on a stretcher.

"Brother Cracker… will he be alright?" Charlotte Custard asked, her voice trembling as she stared at his battered, misshapen face.

"He'll be fine. A bit of rest, and he'll recover," someone reassured her.

Custard sighed in relief but quickly turned to glance nervously at her mother and then at Kuke.

The battle was over, and she was the wager.

"Charlotte Custard, come here," Kuke called, beckoning her with a wave.

Custard hesitated, taking a small step forward but immediately looking back at her mother.

Big Mom's eyes were wide, unblinking, and lifeless. She seemed completely detached from reality.

After several seconds of silence, Custard cautiously began walking toward Kuke, her steps slow and unsure.

It took her over ten minutes to cross a few hundred meters. Big Mom didn't so much as twitch.

Finally, Custard reached Kuke's side, standing alongside Smoothie and the others.

Kuke glanced at her, sensing her aura.

Not bad—around 60% willing.

Then he noticed something curious: Smoothie's aura had grown stronger.

Earlier, it had been at 50%. Now, it was nearing 80%.

Kuke raised an eyebrow.

How did that happen? He hadn't even tried to win her over.

Could it be that Smoothie had already decided she wanted to join the Sun and Moon Pirates by the time they left Whole Cake Island?

Kuke studied Smoothie with interest.

Was she… winning herself over?

Smoothie, feeling his gaze, quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.

In truth, she had been sneaking glances at Kuke all along.

Her eyes had lingered on Yamato, now peacefully sleeping beside him, her face serene and content.

Smoothie's aura grew brighter again.

Custard's arrival marked the conclusion of the third wager.

Another victory for the Sun and Moon Pirates.

The Big Mom Pirates were devastated. Family members looked to Big Mom, their last pillar of strength, silently pleading for guidance.

But Big Mom just stared blankly at Kuke, her eyes unfocused.

When Custard entered her line of sight, something finally changed.

Big Mom's vacant gaze flickered, and her expression twisted.

Thick veins bulged across her face as it contorted into a monstrous snarl.

"Uh-oh," Katakuri muttered, his face darkening.

"AAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

Big Mom's deafening scream erupted, a sound so filled with rage and malice that it shook the ground.

Even the Big Mom Pirates clutched their ears in agony.

"Is she having an episode?"

Kuke raised his hand, creating a barrier of Haki to shield his crew from the violent sound waves.

"Let's move," he said calmly, picking up the sleeping Yamato.

Gion and the others quickly escorted their weaker companions out of the danger zone.

Meanwhile, the Big Mom Pirates weren't as fortunate.

Katakuri desperately created sticky mochi plugs to block their ears, but even then, the soundwaves were overwhelming.

Big Mom's rampage lasted for a full minute, her scream tearing through the entire island of Whole Cake.

The ground cracked, and the sound carried for miles.

"Katakuri, this is bad!" the injured eldest son, Perospero, groaned as he stumbled over.

Katakuri's expression was grim.

"Of all times for this to happen… What does she want to eat now? And with the Sun and Moon Pirates still here…"

They both knew what Big Mom's food cravings meant:

A berserk rampage that recognized no allies, only destruction.

If she didn't get what she wanted, she would become an uncontrollable monster.

And with the Sun and Moon Pirates present, the situation was even more precarious.

Katakuri looked helplessly at Kuke.

If Kuke decided to attack during this chaos, it would be the end of their family.

What do I do?

What can I do?

Surely no one would pass up such a golden opportunity…

For the first time, Katakuri felt truly cornered.