One Piece: Investing In Whitebeard At The Start.

"Damn it, why is this woman so terrifying?"

Cracker wiped the corner of his mouth. He had been sent flying and vomited blood—a rare occurrence for him. The last time he could remember coughing up blood was ages ago. Esdeath's ice spike had struck him hard enough that he felt like his organs had been scrambled.

Down on one knee, Cracker glanced toward Owen, who was getting completely overwhelmed by Esdeath in the distance. Truthfully, Owen had always been a bit weaker than him.

Among the Charlotte family, the three Sweet Commanders were second only to Charlotte Linlin herself—there was no debate on that.

Brulee had already been knocked out by a single punch. Her combat ability? Practically non-existent.

Then came Owen. Esdeath's kick struck his face cleanly, denting his skull and launching him straight across the battlefield—right into Cracker.

"Owen!"

Cracker caught him just in time.

"Urgh!"

Owen coughed up a mouthful of dark blood, his face turning ghostly pale.

"This woman's a monster," he gasped. "Even before I could melt the ice she made, she had already formed more! I couldn't keep up with her at all. And brother Perospero... he's not doing any better either."

Owen felt powerless. Esdeath was easily the second most terrifying woman he'd ever seen. The first, of course, was his mother, Charlotte Linlin.

On Perospero's side, he raised his candy cane and unleashed a wave of syrup-like candy with his Candy-Candy Fruit. His long tongue stuck out of his mouth grotesquely, and his ghostly face made Esdeath visibly recoil in disgust.

She hated his face.

With a mere wave of her hand, Esdeath summoned massive sheets of jagged ice like miniature glaciers, pushing Perospero back. Unfortunately for him, they were near the sea—and he was standing on wet ground. Devil Fruit users should avoid sea water at all costs.

What he didn't expect was for a giant icicle to erupt from beneath the ice and slam directly into his chest, launching him into the sea.

"Urgh!"

Blood burst from his mouth just before he hit the water, dyeing the sea red around him.

"Perospero!"

Cracker and the others were stunned.

"Owen, stay back and rest!"

Cracker stood, eyes serious.

"Biscuit Soldiers!"

With a roar, he summoned dozens of armored warriors made entirely from biscuits. It was his ultimate move—he had the power of the Biscuit-Biscuit Fruit, which let him endlessly produce and control biscuit constructs. He could adjust their hardness to be as tough as steel.

At the moment, twenty Biscuit Soldiers formed a defensive front, while another dozen encircled him. Cracker knew his weakness: he hated pain and ambushes, so he made sure to cover all angles.

But it wouldn't be enough.

He feared Esdeath. Her freezing powers could neutralize his soldiers completely, rendering his ability useless. No matter how durable the biscuit warriors were, once frozen, they could be shattered like brittle glass.

He tossed out another wave of biscuits, forming a new batch of soldiers.

"Owen!" he shouted. "Help me melt her ice when I give the signal!"

Owen's heat could counter Esdeath's ice, even if it couldn't affect the biscuit constructs. Their powers had synergy.

"Understood!" Owen pushed himself up, fists clenched. This woman had to be stopped.

But just as he prepared to assist—

"I'm here, Owen," came Vane's voice.

Before Owen could even turn, a fist landed squarely in his stomach. The force knocked the air from his lungs, and his eyes bulged as his body launched backward—straight into the sea.

Splash!

"Owen!"

Cracker's eyes widened in shock.

"Don't worry, Cracker," said Vane, suddenly appearing above him and smashing down with a powerful punch to the top of his head.

Boom!

The ground split from the impact. While Cracker survived—his body was durable—he was clearly hitting.

Tatatatata…

Metallic footsteps echoed from the distance—Katakuri was approaching, his special mochi-shoes clanging with each step.

Corn Mochi.

Katakuri's fists transformed into hardened mochi coated with Armament Haki. He launched a punch at Vane with such force it could destroy a battleship.

Vane didn't hesitate, meeting the blow head-on with Haki-infused fists of his own.

BOOM!

The clash created a powerful shockwave that tore through the air. The blast was so intense, it swept away Cracker's Biscuit Soldiers in all directions.

"Cracker, fall back!" Katakuri ordered sharply. He now regretted not warning Big Mom earlier. He hadn't expected such fierce resistance. While he could've handled Vane with multiple fighters, Esdeath's presence had changed everything.

Cracker didn't argue. He retreated without hesitation, shifting his focus to containing or defeating Esdeath.

"Katakuri…" Vane muttered as their fists met again. A translucent energy sphere surrounded Vane's knuckles.

Katakuri's eyes widened in alarm. He instantly pulled back. The space in front of Vane erupted with a concussive blast.

What looked like a simple punch held terrifying destructive power.

"The Tremor-Tremor Fruit…?"

Katakuri grimaced. He had never been defeated before—but against Vane, he might not stand a chance. He couldn't overcome this man.

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