Flampe's eyes suddenly shifted toward the distance, locking onto the battlefield where Snack, one of the Sweet Commanders and a symbol of the Big Mom Pirates' pride, was fighting.
Snack was growing increasingly restless and furious as the situation continued to worsen. However, Marine Vice Admiral Yamakaji stood firmly in his path like an immovable wall. With refined swordsmanship reinforced by Armament Haki, Yamakaji kept Snack tightly restrained, never allowing him a single chance to break free.
Yamakaji understood the danger clearly. Snack's strength was not something to be underestimated. If he were allowed to move freely across the battlefield, the Marines would suffer severe losses. As a veteran Vice Admiral who had fought across the seas for decades, Yamakaji remained calm and steady, even when facing a Sweet Commander. Not once did he allow himself to be overwhelmed.
Their duel was silent but brutal. No words were exchanged, only the clash of blades and Haki. Snack pressed forward once more, launching a relentless assault in an attempt to quickly defeat Yamakaji so he could support the other collapsing fronts. Yamakaji showed no hesitation, meeting every strike head-on as the two became locked in another fierce exchange.
Just as the battle reached a critical point, Vice Admiral Strawberry, who had been lying in wait, suddenly vanished from sight. Using Soru from the Six Powers, he appeared like a phantom behind Snack. The long-bearded Vice Admiral, wearing his familiar hat and wielding twin swords, seized the opening and launched a ruthless surprise attack.
Snack had already burned through a tremendous amount of stamina and Haki during his prolonged fight with Yamakaji. Caught off guard by the sudden assault, he realized too late that he could no longer defend himself.
Strawberry's blade pierced from behind, striking a vital point. The searing pain caused Snack's eyes to widen in shock. At the same moment, Yamakaji raised his sword and brought it down with decisive force. The Haki-coated blade cut cleanly through Snack's neck, blood spraying violently as his body collapsed. With his last breath, he forced out a single word filled with hatred.
"Despicable…"
Yamakaji stepped back, his expression heavy. This had been his battle, interrupted by another's intervention. Still, he knew the truth. Had it continued much longer, the outcome would not have been certain. He said nothing about it and instead asked calmly, "What is the situation overall?"
Strawberry answered without emotion. "We hold a clear advantage, but the enemy's officers are still resisting. If we want a decisive victory, we must eliminate them quickly."
Yamakaji nodded once. "Then we move immediately."
From afar, Flampe witnessed Snack's death with her own eyes. Her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to the ground, her face pale with disbelief.
"How… how is this possible… Brother Snack actually…" she muttered, her voice trembling.
To Flampe, Snack was not only her brother but also one of the strongest Sweet Commanders in the entire Big Mom Pirates. Someone whose power stood near the very top. Yet even he had fallen.
Her grief quickly turned into fear. Compared to her siblings, Flampe knew she was weak. A terrifying question echoed in her mind. If even Snack could not survive, what chance did she have?
At that moment, a tall figure rushed to her side. It was not a Marine, but Big Mom's fifth son, Opera, the Minister of Fresh Cream.
Suppressing his own grief, Opera pulled Flampe to her feet and spoke urgently. "Flampe, why are you still here? Why didn't you retreat with Brulee? The front lines are finished. We cannot hold them anymore. We have to fall back now. Use the city terrain and fight them in the streets. Hurry!"
Flampe snapped out of her daze, then suddenly slapped his hand away. She broke down into hysterical sobs and turned, fleeing wildly toward the rear.
Just then, two figures rushed over, both sharing Opera's features and build. Their bodies were soaked in blood, their breathing ragged.
"Brother, what should we do now?" they asked anxiously.
They were Count and Gala, two of Opera's brothers born from the same mother.
Opera's heart skipped a beat. "Where are Cavalette and Cadenza?" he demanded.
The silence that followed was answer enough.
Opera's expression stiffened, but he quickly forced himself to stay composed. "Brulee should already be heading toward the Phoenix Pirates through the Mirror World," he said firmly. "We must hold on. Once reinforcements arrive, we can counterattack. Until then, we avoid direct combat. Retreat into the city and rely on guerrilla tactics."
"Brother Opera, watch out!" a desperate voice suddenly cried out behind him, then abruptly fell silent.
Opera turned sharply, only to freeze in horror. Count and Gala now stood completely motionless, their bodies transformed into stone statues.
His eyes widened as he slowly looked ahead.
In the distance stood a stunning woman atop a massive python. She wore an elegant red dress, her beauty overwhelming and cold, her presence commanding absolute attention.
"The Pirate Empress…" Opera whispered.
"Slave Arrow."
A rain of heart-shaped arrows shot forward. Opera had no time to dodge. One struck him squarely in the chest, and his body instantly turned to stone.
Boa Hancock lightly brushed her hair aside and spoke with clear disdain. "Disgusting."
Far away, Flampe glanced back in panic. When she saw the Pirate Empress effortlessly petrify her brothers, a deep, suffocating terror seized her heart.
Then she felt it.
Two sharp gazes locked onto her like predators sighting prey.
Vice Admiral Onigumo and Vice Admiral Doberman were advancing steadily, closing the distance without haste.
Flampe had fled straight into one of the most densely populated pirate zones, making herself an obvious target.
This war followed Sakazuki's absolute command. No prisoners. No mercy.
Even though Flampe was only thirteen years old, she would not be spared.
As the two Vice Admirals drew closer, Flampe completely broke down. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed in desperation.
"Help me! Someone help me! Brothers, sisters, please save me!"
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