224. I Will Gladly Do So

The sky rumbled.

Lightning fell like rain. Big Mom was buried by the crazy release of lightning.

"Nami, that was awesome!"

Chopper yelled excitedly as he ran towards the Sunny.

Nami smiled proudly.

"Don't relax. She is a Yonko! There is a reason why they rule the latter half of Grandline."

Pedro poured a bucket of cold water on their conversation.

They soon reached the Sunny. Just as they boarded the lightning rain behind them came to a stop.

Right on the heels of that a loud roar echoed. The forest of homies trembled and gave way.

A hug pit was formed where the lightning fell. The ground was charred and a whole part of the forest was burned to a crisp.

From the hole Big Mom climbed out. Her eyes were red.

"She doesn't even have a scratch!!"

Chopper took a step back in shock.

Pedro said solemnly, "Big Mom is known for her incredible defence. Now that she is in her hunger pang she won't stop at nothing until she gets what she wants."

Suddenly Carrot cried out in surprise, "They are surrounding us!"

Big Mom's soldiers ran out from either side of the forest and aimed their guns at them.

"Luffy, Pedro, Carrot, you take care of them!"

Nami yelled and rushed to operate the Sunny. Every second of delay would further reduce their chances of escaping.

Gum-Gum no Gatling!

Luffy punched out incredibly fast. The sky was filled with numerous fists. He pushed through the crowd of soldiers.

Pedro and Carrot were minks. Their speed and reflex allowed them to sort through the soldiers.

However there was just too many of them.

"This won't work."

Pedro said.

He suddenly pulled back Carrot and threw her to Luffy.

"Get back to the ship. I have a plan."

Luffy grabbed Carrot and jumped onto the Sunny.

As they were fighting Big Mom had already reached the shore.

"Pedro, retreat!"

Luffy yelled from the ship.

However Pedro didn't respond. He took out a cigarette and lit it up before taking a deep breath.

Carrot had a bad feeling as she looked at Pedro. She was about to jump off when a commotion broke out within the ship.

"Strength Mochi!"

A giant fist clad in haki whistled through the air.

"Watch out!"

Luffy pushed Carrot out of the way and crossed his arms across his chest.

Boom!

Luffy's slid through deck and crashed into one of the cabins.

He got up and lowered his arms before taking a look at the newcomer on their ship.

"Katakuri!"

Nami was raising the sails when she saw Katakuri. Her face turned pale.

When did he get on?

She shook her head and went on with the preparations for setting sail. She had confidence in her captain.

"Give up. You can't escape."

Katakuri stated calmly.

Luffy stared at Katakuri, "Get off!"

Gum-Gum no Pistol!

His fist shot out with blinding speed. However Katakuri didn't move.

Luffy's fist punched a hole through his body.

Hm?

Taking back his fist Luffy saw Katakuri's body swirl and restore his body.

"Is it logia? But why didn't haki work?"

Luffy wasn't much of a thinker. He immediately rained down a barrage of punches at Katakuri.

But like the one before his fists went through Katakuri and created dozens of holes. Even with haki his fists failed to injure his opponent.

"Dammit! What is it?"

Luffy cursed. His body gave off vapour as he flashed towards Katakuri.

Katakuri raised his fist and slammed it down. As his fist moved through the air it increased in size.

Bang!

Luffy barely dodged the attack. Before he could react Katakuri appeared before him.

"Strength Mochi!"

His fist rumbled. It landed squarely on Luffy's face and threw him back.

A trickle of blood appeared on Luffy's face as he stood up from the floor.

"Pedro!"

It was at this moment he heard Carrot's cry. He turned to look at the shore.

Pedro stood infront of Big Mom. He puffed out clouds of smoke as he stared at the wild beast walking towards him.

"Oi! Pedro! What are you doing?!"

Luffy yelled at him.

"Focus on yourself."

Katakuri suddenly attacked. His right arm increased in size and trapped Luffy.

"Dammit! What the hell is this?!"

Luffy struggled to get out of Katakuri's attack.

Brooke and Chopper wanted to attack Katakuri but another one of Big Mom's children walked out of a mirror and blocked them.

The situation was turning grim.

Big Mom's body towered over Pedro. The pressure she was giving off was incredible.

"Cake... wedding cake...

She mumbled. The red in her eyes increased with each passing moment.

"Cakeee!!"

She howled towards the sky.

Pedro puffed out one last time. He had a serene smile on his face.

"The future is yours."

He opened the jacket he was wearing. There was a lot of explosives strapped to it.

"Stop it! Oi, Pedro, stop it!"

Luffy yelled and struggled to get out of Katakuri's grasp.

Carrot wanted to jump off but Chopper held her down.

Nami closed her eyes in pain. She knew he was making a chance for them to escape.

Suddenly Katakuri trembled. His eyes went wide as he abruptly turned around and looked towards the far end of the sea.

Pedro brought the cigarette butt and was about to light up the explosives. But before he could do so a heavy pressure fell on him.

Not just him everyone felt the same pressure fall on them.

Suddenly the sea started to churn. A brilliant sword ray swept through the sea, cleaving it in half!

It rushed past the ships trying to surround the Sunny. It split the shore in two and crashed into Big Mom.

Boom!

The ground trembled. Dust and rubble flew everywhere.

Big Mom's huge body was lifted off the ground and thrown far back.

"Mama!"

Katakuri yelled. Luffy used this moment to get out of his grip and kick him.

He looked into the distance and saw a shadow shooting through the sea.

In a split second that shadow rushed past Big Mom's ships, destroying them. Luffy couldn't track who it was, it was moving too fast.

"It's him!"

Chopper pointed at Pedro's direction and spoke.

"Vice admiral Leo...

Luffy muttered under his breath.

Pedro was staring at his friend who appeared out of nowhere like a clap of thunder.

"You got some nerve, Pedro!"

Leo spoke slowly. His words were filled with rage as he looked at the explosives strapped on Pedro's jacket.

Pedro didn't speak.

"Tell me! Why? Why sacrifice your life for people you barely know for less than a week?!"

Pedro stomped on the cigarette butt and stared at his friend.

"I told you before. Someday, someone will come, to carry on his legacy. He is the one I was waiting for."

"Their journey can't end here."

"And If my life can be traded a safe passage for them...

"I WILL GLADLY DO SO!!"