The Red Force sailed deeper into the Grand Line, the weather growing increasingly volatile, mirroring the unpredictable nature of the sea itself. One moment, the sun would beat down from a clear sky; the next, a torrential downpour would descend, obscuring everything in a veil of water. It was during one such moment, with dark clouds swirling overhead and the wind howling through the rigging, that Yasopp's sharp eyes, ever vigilant from the crow's nest, spotted something that sent a ripple of tension through the seasoned crew.
"Ship ahoy! Bearing south-west! Jolly Roger… It's the 'Mama Mama'!"
The announcement hung in the air, heavy with implication. The "Mama Mama" flag, a stylized candy skull with a perpetually licking tongue, belonged to the Big Mom Pirates, one of the four most powerful pirate crews in the world, led by the fearsome Empress of the Underworld, Charlotte Linlin, also known as Big Mom.
A hush fell over the Red Force, the usual boisterous energy replaced by a focused alertness. Even Shanks, who usually exuded an air of carefree confidence, straightened up, his gaze narrowing as he scanned the turbulent horizon.
"Big Mom's territory isn't too far from here," Benn Beckman commented, his hand instinctively resting on the butt of his rifle. "Looks like we've stumbled into her waters."
Regulus, who had been honing his Frostfire control on a secluded part of the deck, felt a jolt of both nervousness and exhilaration. He had heard countless tales of the Big Mom Pirates, their immense strength, their bizarre Devil Fruit powers, and the sheer number of powerful individuals within their ranks. This was no mere Marine patrol; this was an encounter with one of the giants of the pirate world.
"Captain," Regulus said, his voice betraying a hint of eagerness, "do you think… we'll engage them?"
Shanks's gaze flickered towards the young pirate, a thoughtful expression on his face. "We're not looking for a fight, Regulus. A clash between two Yonko crews can cause a lot of unnecessary trouble. We'll try to avoid it if possible."
However, the Grand Line rarely offered the luxury of choosing one's encounters. As the two ships drew closer, the "Mama Mama" flag became undeniably clear, and the sheer size of the opposing vessel was awe-inspiring. It was a colossal ship shaped like a giant cake, complete with frosting-like sails and candy-cane masts, a whimsical yet undeniably menacing presence on the stormy sea.
Before the Red-Haired Pirates could decide on a course of action, a booming, almost childlike voice echoed across the waves, amplified by some form of Den Den Mushi. "MAMAMA! Who dares to trespass in Mama's waters?"
Big Mom herself, a gargantuan figure with a towering frame and a perpetually hungry expression, appeared on the deck of her ship, surrounded by a cadre of her formidable children. Her presence alone exuded an overwhelming aura of power.
Shanks stepped forward, a wry smile on his face. "Yo, Linlin! It's just us, the Red-Haired Pirates! We're just passing through."
"Shanks!" Big Mom's voice boomed back, laced with a hint of playful menace. "What brings you to my little corner of paradise? Looking for some tea and cake?"
"Just enjoying the scenery, Linlin," Shanks replied smoothly. "Wouldn't want to impose."
Despite the seemingly lighthearted exchange, the tension between the two Yonko crews was palpable. Both sides were wary, their hands hovering near their weapons, ready for a potential eruption of violence.
Then, one of Big Mom's sons, a towering figure with a candy-themed Devil Fruit power, stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Regulus. "Who's that little whelp you've got there, Red-Hair? He looks like he's seen a ghost."
Regulus, despite the intimidating presence of the Big Mom Pirates, stood his ground, his amber eyes meeting the gaze of the powerful pirate. He could feel the raw power emanating from the members of Big Mom's crew, a level of strength he had only glimpsed in Shanks and Benn Beckman before.
Suddenly, without warning, a volley of candy-coated projectiles was launched from the Big Mom Pirates' ship, arcing towards the Red Force. "MAMAMA! Enough with the pleasantries, Shanks! Let's have a little fun!" Big Mom's laughter echoed across the waves as the skirmish began.
The Red-Haired Pirates reacted instantly, their movements honed by years of experience. Yasopp and other sharpshooters returned fire, while others prepared for close-quarters combat. Shanks drew Gryphon, his Haki flaring to life around the blade.
Regulus felt a surge of adrenaline. This was it. His first real battle against a Yonko crew. He wouldn't hold back. With a roar, he transformed into his Hybrid Form, his lupine features sharpening, his claws extending, and a coat of grey fur erupting across his body. He drew the "Fang of Fenrir," its dark surface gleaming menacingly.
He found himself facing off against several of Big Mom's lower-ranking but still formidable pirates. They wielded strange Devil Fruit powers and fought with a ferocity that surprised him. He parried their attacks with his Haki-infused blade, his movements faster and more fluid than ever before. He unleashed bursts of Frostfire, freezing the water around his opponents and forcing them to retreat.
But the true challenge came when he encountered one of Big Mom's Commanders, a hulking figure wielding a massive mace imbued with some form of powerful Haki. The clash of their weapons sent shockwaves through the air, and Regulus felt the immense power behind the Commander's blow. He was forced to push his Armament Haki to its limits just to withstand the impact.
He shifted into his Full Beast Form, the colossal Fenrir towering over his opponent. The raw power surging through him was immense, and he roared, unleashing a torrent of Frostfire that forced the Big Mom Pirate Commander to take a defensive stance.
The battle raged around him, a chaotic maelstrom of clashing weapons, exploding Devil Fruit powers, and the roars of enraged pirates. Regulus fought with a ferocity he hadn't known he possessed, his every move fueled by a desperate need to survive and to prove his worth. He was pushed to his absolute limits, forced to tap into reserves of strength and skill he hadn't realized he had. He felt his Haki growing stronger in the heat of the battle, his Observation Haki allowing him to anticipate attacks he previously wouldn't have seen coming.
In the midst of the chaos, as he clashed with another powerful member of Big Mom's crew, a sudden surge of energy coursed through him. It felt like a dam had broken within, releasing a torrent of raw power. His muscles felt stronger, his senses sharper, his connection to the Fenrir deeper.
The system notification flashed briefly in his vision, almost lost amidst the intensity of the battle: [Garp Template Integration: 65%]
Three percentage points in the span of a single, intense battle. Regulus felt a surge of exhilaration amidst the chaos. This was the true crucible, the forge where his power was being tempered and strengthened at an accelerated rate.
The encounter with the Big Mom Pirates was fierce but relatively brief. Neither Yonko crew was looking for a full-scale war. After a series of intense clashes and displays of power, a tense standoff ensued. Shanks and Big Mom exchanged a few more heated words before both crews, with a mutual understanding of the potential cost of a prolonged conflict, began to disengage.
As the "Mama Mama" sailed away into the stormy horizon, the Red-Haired Pirates let out a collective sigh of relief, albeit one tinged with the thrill of the recent battle. Regulus, still in his Hybrid Form, stood panting on the deck, his fur slightly singed in places, but his eyes shining with a newfound intensity. He had faced a Yonko crew and survived. He had been pushed to his limits and had emerged stronger. The Grand Line was indeed a different beast altogether, and Regulus was beginning to understand just how much he still had to learn, and how much he was capable of achieving.