Chapter 172: Yamato Explodes, Two Consecutive Victories

"I'll wager the Road Poneglyph once again."

Big Mom was fuming with rage.

Finally, she heard an answer that satisfied her.

Her ferocious expression softened slightly, her gaze sweeping across her children.

Who should she send in?

Sending a Sweet Commander? She feared Kuke wouldn't agree.

Aside from the Commanders, Oven had already been defeated.

Among the non-Commanders, only one was stronger than Oven—her eldest son, Perospero.

"Perospero."

Big Mom turned to her trusted eldest son but then glanced nervously at Kuke.

Although Perospero wasn't a Commander, his reputation on the seas was even greater than Smoothie or Cracker.

And his strength?

It wasn't inferior to theirs.

"That's acceptable."

Kuke nodded in agreement.

"You won't let me down, will you?" Big Mom warned, her gaze fixed on her eldest son.

He must win, losing was not an option—especially against Yamato, who had just fought a fierce battle.

"Don't worry, Mama, I'll win for sure." Perospero exuded confidence, gripping his candy cane as he stepped forward.

"You look a bit weak," Yamato said, visibly dissatisfied with her opponent.

Perospero merely smiled, waving his candy cane. "Candy Waves."

Molten syrup surged like a tidal wave, engulfing Yamato.

"You're a Mythical Zoan, capable of producing cold energy. Unfortunately for you, my abilities only fear fire," Perospero remarked confidently as he watched Yamato.

Your abilities, he thought, pose no threat to me.

"I'll just smash it with brute force."

Yamato swung her kanabo, unleashing a powerful shockwave that tore the candy waves to shreds.

The molten candy disintegrated midair.

"Candy Rain."

Shattered syrup transformed into sharp arrows, shooting in all directions, leaving Yamato with no room to dodge.

She swung her kanabo rapidly, breaking every arrow.

She raised her head and exhaled a powerful icy shockwave, freezing everything in its path.

"Candy Maiden."

A massive shield-like structure, shaped like a woman, emerged from the candy.

The freezing air encased the Candy Maiden in ice, and Yamato shattered the frozen sculpture with a follow-up strike.

But Perospero was already retreating to the far side.

"Candy Sea Ox."

The candy transformed into a massive ox-like creature that charged at Yamato.

"Long-range attacks," observed Shakky and other veteran fighters, instantly identifying Perospero's strengths and weaknesses. She was about to give advice.

"No need," Kuke interrupted Shakky.

Offering tips wasn't against the rules, but Kuke preferred to see Yamato grow. "Let her figure it out herself. Lessons learned through experience are truly her own."

Yamato had limited combat experience in the past.

Each battle—especially one against an evenly matched opponent—was a tremendous opportunity for her to improve.

The battle raged on.

Despite the intensity, the two fighters avoided close-quarters combat.

Perospero kept attacking from a distance, forcing Yamato into a defensive posture, leaving her visibly frustrated.

Although powerful, she couldn't fully unleash her potential.

Yamato furrowed her brow. She disliked this kind of battle—every time she closed the gap, Perospero would create a new obstacle and retreat.

"Is he avoiding close combat?"

Yamato slowly realized this but struggled to find a way to close the distance.

Perospero's smirk grew wider.

"So, she's all brawn and no brains. Seems I've already won," Perospero gloated as he continued his kite-and-strike tactics.

Time passed quickly, and Yamato still couldn't find a proper opening. Her breathing became erratic as her stamina waned.

"You won't escape!"

Yamato destroyed another Candy Maiden, exhaling icy breath in frustration as it surged toward Perospero.

"Candy Sea Ox."

Perospero used his ability to block the icy attack, seizing the moment to move out of range.

"Such immense power, but if it doesn't hit, what's the point?" Perospero said smugly.

"God Speed—White Serpent Strike."

Yamato disappeared.

In an instant, she appeared before Perospero just as he was basking in his perceived victory.

"Yama's Path!"

Her massive kanabo came crashing down from above.

"What?!" Perospero looked up in disbelief as the kanabo bore down on his head.

BOOM!

The ground shattered, sending shockwaves and debris flying.

"She won!"

"Yamato is amazing! Another victory!" Koala and the others cheered enthusiastically.

"It's my win… Rain of Fate."

A figure emerged from the blast, draped in tattered candy armor. Perospero had managed to block Yamato's attack, albeit barely.

He used his ability to create a massive candy bow and numerous arrows, which he launched into the air.

The arrows, imbued with powerful Armament Haki, rained down on Yamato.

"I knew you'd go all out. I gave you hope, and now, after your outburst, what strength do you have left to block this?" Perospero sneered at the panting Yamato.

Everything had gone according to his plan.

"This is the difference experience makes."

Yamato, leaning on her kanabo, stared at Perospero. She noticed the candy armor on his body starting to crack and fall apart.

She understood.

"Mama…" Big Mom's triumphant laughter echoed.

As expected of Perospero, she thought. He had toyed with his enemy and brought the situation under control.

"Finally, a victory," Oven and Daifuku said with relieved smiles.

THUD THUD THUD

The Haki-infused candy arrows fell like a storm, turning the area around Yamato into a mountain of arrows.

She was nowhere to be seen.

"Mama, isn't it time to hand over the Road Poneglyph?" Big Mom eagerly asked Kuke for her prize.

"No rush."

Big Mom froze in confusion.

"Yama's Wrath!"

Suddenly, the mountain of arrows collapsed as a figure burst forth. A massive cylindrical shockwave blasted toward Perospero, whose expression turned to horror.

Impossible.

Perospero desperately activated his ability, but it was too late.

The shockwave struck him, sending him flying as he spat blood. His battered body hit the ground, eyes rolling back.

Defeated.

"Why…?" Perospero struggled to lift his head, trembling, as he looked at Yamato, panting heavily.

"You taught me how to make armor," Yamato replied, shedding the ice armor from her body—a higher mastery of her fruit's abilities.

"Ugh…" Perospero coughed blood and collapsed.

"Captain, I won again!"

Yamato bounced over to Kuke, looking up at him like a child seeking praise.

"Well done."

Kuke patted Yamato's head, ruffling her hair and brushing her unique twin horns.

Big Mom was utterly stunned.

Another loss.

Two devastating defeats in a row.

Her mind shattered.

Her expression turned blank, no longer contorted with rage.

She was too angry to speak. Too angry to even make a sound.

________________________________

DONT FORGET POWER STONE 

________________________________

P/S: If you are interested, you can read up 40+ chapters at patreon.com/Emik01.

________________________________