The ‘Ambush’

After a few seconds of silence, Reiju finally said in reply. (Click here for Ian's drawn picture, or head to discord to see)

"I did suspect what you just said. This is why I had wanted you all to just take Sanji with you and run away. To be honest, I expected that my whole family would die, so I wanted Sanji at least to run. As I told him earlier when we talked. But apparently, he has faith in your power 'Captain'." Reiju said in reply. Ending her words by calling him, captain.

Ian turned to look at Sanji with a raised eyebrow. To which Sanji just turned aside embarrassed a bit. He was not usually embarrassed but at this moment being looked on upon by all of them, he felt awkward.

"Anyway, I can confirm for you, that whatever big mom does results in the other party being duped over. Even if it was Kaido himself. That's how big mom is. She is just a demon in human skin. So what you thought is most likely correct. Your family is known for their technology, and she is definitely after that." Ian explained to her.

And when she thought about it, indeed, she felt it was possible.

Ian then continued on.

"Elene here will be taking down big mom, once and for all. As you heard earlier. Nothing would be changed except a few small things now that you joined us." Ian said.

Reiju nodded at Ian indicating that she agreed to whatever tasks he needed from her even before he said what they were.

"Alert your family about the possible betrayal they might face soon. If they are smart then they would be prepared and would not need us to help them. If not we could still do so, but in any case, just tell them that it's valid info from me." Ian told her what to do.

And she agreed.

Sanji from the side also wanted to meet his family so that he can cut their ties once and for all.it was the second reason he came with Ian after all. The first was to ask Ian to help Reiju escape their family. But she ended up in his crew which is even better in his mind.

Seeing Reiju nod, Ian decided to continue on.

"The second thing you should do is to make it seem as if you ambushed us when we reach the place of the fight. Not to give us any advantage, no, but rather to make it sound as if you still think your family is allied with big mom and so you helped them. This would lessen the burden on your family. We will not announce you joining us until your family is at a safe distance. " Ian said.

Reiju appreciated this a lot. She gave Ian a thankful nod.

"Alright, since everything is sorted out, let's go join the party, shall we?" Ian said towards his crew with a grin.

"Let's go, let's go!" Libell raised her small hands to the sky as she increased the ship's speed.

****

On the side of the big mom pirates.

An extremely tall, large, and muscular man with short spiky crimson hair and two symmetric scars on both sides of his face, could be seen standing near big mom, who was still gorging on various types of food.

He didn't show it but he was worried sick for his family. He feared if any of them would die in this upcoming fight. He knew his mom wouldn't care. Ofc she would be enraged for a while, but she would only treat it as the child that died being weak in the end.

Earlier the Vinsmoke's had received a call and then, the idiots they are, they played it in front of everyone, so the children of big mom near them heard what it was about.

And then they delivered the news to big mom, after which she ordered them to incapacitate them.

The Vinsmoke's had only been alerted but did not believe it completely, but it was too late for them even if they did when all the strongest fighters of big mom joined in and ganged upon them.

They shot them with special bullets that weakened and injured them, making them drop their suits and return to normal… after which they were encased in candy prison while still standing.

Now they waited for Ian and co to come. Reiju had only relayed what Ian had said and told them to be extra careful. So the big mom pirates thought she was still on their side and would ambush Ian when it comes to that.

Suddenly Katakuri was alerted. His instincts were screaming at him that at any second now, they would show up.

And low and behold.

Their ship the odyssey soon appeared.

Once they docked the ship seemingly vanished as they each stepped up towards them.

Turning towards his mom, he saw her dropping the food and taking on a serious look on her face.

He followed her line of sight, and then he saw Ian along with another person he knew all too well. Aokiji.

'Shit' he couldn't help but curse. That guy was as good as a new emperor like Ian, so the both of them might be able to beat big mom.

Nobody said anything about Kuzan joining in this fight.

No wonder big mom became alert all of a sudden.

Ian and his crew stopped a bit away from them before he started to speak.

"Big mom… this is such a warm welcome from you. Greeting me with all of your crew!" Ian said as he kept a smile on his face.

"It is only fitting for someone like you don't you think so? After all, you are an emperor of the sea, no?" Big mom said as she laughed.

But big mom had just spoken when a pink fog started to spread around Ian's crew.

"Pink smog" Reiju muttered. Though she stayed near Ian

All of a sudden they had started to drop to their knees, with the exception of Ian and Aokiji who still stood their places though they appeared to be struggling with sweat pouring from their foreheads.

"A-As expected from you big mom. You really are despicable." Ian coughed and blood leaked from his lips as he said towards the giant woman in front of him.

Then all of a sudden big mom started laughing hysterically.

"Haaaaaahahamamamama, well thank you for the praise." She laughed and said.

And then she abruptly stopped laughing as her features turned serious.

"Now die!" She announced the start of the fight.