The space created by the Uta Uta no Mi wasn't fragile by any means, yet no one had expected it to be damaged by the clash between the powers of two Yonkou.
After the restoration, the dimensional structure stabilized and was unlikely to be shaken again anytime soon.
Realizing this, Big Mom's expression suddenly twisted with frustration.
Her brief moment of distraction didn't escape Luffy's notice.
A massive surge of Armament Haki condensed into his fist, and in the next instant, he struck.
A thick cloud of smoke engulfed them both.
Moments later, Big Mom was sent flying out of the smoke.
Luffy wasn't about to let her escape. With a swift motion, he lunged after her.
His right arm expanded rapidly, and within a heartbeat, it turned into a gigantic fist a hundred meters wide.
Boom!
A punch fell from the heavens, slamming Big Mom—who was still floating in midair—straight into the ground below.
She crashed into shallow waters, sending enormous waves rippling outward.
"I'll admit, that one hurt, Straw Hat!"
A thin line of blood trickled from the corner of Big Mom's mouth as she rose back to her feet.
"You're pretty tough yourself," Luffy replied, still hovering in the air. His massive fist quickly shrank back to its normal size.
Down below, Big Mom activated her fruit's power to repair the damage done to her body.
Of course, such restoration came at a cost. Depending on the injury, the energy consumed could vary drastically.
"Hmph! Straw Hat, is that really all you've got?"
"Shishishishi! Then let's crank it up a notch!" Luffy laughed.
As soon as the words left his mouth, his Haki erupted violently, black and red lightning dancing wildly around his body.
Seeing this, Big Mom immediately released her own Haki in response.
The two Conqueror's Hakis collided midair, crackling and roaring like thunder.
Such a contest devoured enormous amounts of energy—and no one's Haki was infinite.
The very next second, both charged straight toward each other again.
---
xXx
In the real world – The Grand Ballroom
A crowd had gathered around Big Mom's unconscious body.
Chopper suddenly shouted, "Look! Big Mom's Haki is starting to weaken!"
"Step aside, tanuki."
Law stepped forward and gripped Big Mom's heart with his right hand.
"I'm a reindeer!", Chopper protested.
As Law approached, the dense Haki shielding her body once again blocked his ability—but it had weakened considerably compared to before.
"Three more minutes should be enough," Law muttered.
Bartolomeo frowned. "Three minutes? But the people downstairs have already noticed the anomaly."
"The Charlotte Family? I'll deal with them myself," Sanji declared, already preparing to move.
Robin smiled faintly. "There are plenty of women down there. Let me handle it."
"Huh? Robin?!" Usopp froze.
Robin wasn't among the strongest in the Straw Hat crew, at least in direct combat.
But she merely smirked. "Sometimes, holding someone off for just three minutes doesn't require brute strength."
She closed her eyes, and her voice fell into calm concentration.
---
xXx
At the same time – Whole Cake Chateau, top floor
Brûlée was pacing anxiously. "Something's definitely wrong! This situation is way too abnormal!"
"Yeah! Smoothie ran off to chase that rat—the one that's probably part of the Straw Hat crew, right?"
"I can't wait any longer! I'm going up to check!"
"Brûlée, open the Mirror World!"
The members of the Charlotte family all stood up at once, preparing to move out.
Then, suddenly—
a pair of eyes appeared in the sky above them.
They were beautiful, unmistakably those of a woman, gazing down upon them as though a goddess herself had turned her eyes toward the world.
"What in the world is that?!" someone shouted, stunned.
A calm, confident voice echoed from above.
"I am the archaeologist of the Straw Hat Pirates—Nico Robin."
Everyone froze in shock.
"Nico Robin… the woman the World Government placed a 500-million bounty on?!"
"What kind of ability is this?!"
Murmurs spread through the room as realization dawned on them.
Robin's soft laughter echoed faintly.
"The Straw Hat Pirates have agreed to form an alliance with the Big Mom Pirates."
Gasps filled the air.
"The bride and groom are Aladdin, vice-captain of our Fifth Division, and Charlotte Praline, the 21st daughter of Charlotte Linlin."
"At this very moment, we're discussing the wedding date. Don't worry—you'll have your answer soon."
"Now then... which one of you is Charlotte Praline?"
For a brief instant, everyone froze, confused and distracted.
Brûlée spoke up loudly, "She's not here! Are you telling the truth? What about Brother Katakuri?"
"You must be Brûlée," Robin replied smoothly. "I've heard your name from your brother."
The two began conversing as though they were casual acquaintances, Robin effortlessly leading the discussion.
Without realizing it, minutes slipped away.
From Katakuri's favorite foods to his favorite sister—and even details about married Charlotte siblings—Robin kept the conversation flowing, carefully stalling for time.
"No! Don't let her trick you!"
Flampé suddenly screamed, the youngest of the group. "She's stalling us! We have to see Mama! We can't believe anything unless we hear it from her directly!"
"Yeah, she's right! They're still our enemies! Get out of the way—we're going to the island!"
"Brûlée! Open the Mirror World now!"
"Don't give me orders—I know!" Brûlée snapped, regaining her composure. She flipped her palms, and a shimmering mirror surface materialized before her, expanding rapidly as her hands stretched outward.
"Oh my, I've been found out, haven't I?" Robin chuckled softly.
"Still... my mission's complete. Welcome to Elegia Island, Charlotte Family."
The pair of eyes vanished as her voice faded.
"Damn it! Move out!"
Someone barked angrily, and the entire group dove into the Mirror World one after another.
---
xXx
On the other side – The Grand Banquet Hall
Robin opened her eyes, turning to see Luffy sitting on the main seat of honor, casually tossing a heart up and down in his hand.
Meanwhile, Big Mom and her six children stood to the side, their faces twisted in fury.
"Luffy, they're here," Robin said calmly.
"Thanks, Robin."
Luffy grinned and turned toward Big Mom. "BIG MOM! Your kids are here to pick you up."
"That's enough! Stop pretending already!" Big Mom roared.
Just two minutes earlier, she had been fighting Straw Hat Luffy inside Uta's world.
Then, suddenly, her opponent had stopped mid-battle, saying something like "It's time," and disappeared in an instant.
Moments later, she and her six children had all regained consciousness—here, in this hall.
And when they awoke, they all realized the same horrifying truth:
their hearts had been taken.
Only then did Big Mom understand.
They had been completely outplayed.
Of course, she wasn't the type to shout pointless words of outrage.
They were all pirates, after all—and in this world, everyone's motives were tainted. Power games and superiority were part of the trade.
Still, she wasn't the one who looked the most wounded—Katakuri was.
He touched his chest where his heart should have been, only to realize that the one returned to him not long ago... was gone again.
"Fine," Big Mom said at last, her tone calm and steady. "I admit defeat. Tell me—what do you want?"
At that exact moment, her family burst through the doors one after another.
"Mama!"
"Mama, are you okay?!"
"Straw Hat Luffy, what the hell are you doing?!"
The room erupted in noise as over thirty Charlotte siblings—fighters and family alike—rushed in.
Luffy was still tossing the heart in his hand—the one belonging to Big Mom herself.
He smiled.
"Well then, shall we sit down and have a friendly chat about this wedding?"
The roles had been reversed.
Every member of the Charlotte Family turned to look at their mother in silent disbelief.
(End of Chapter)