Chapter 34: Tension
"Why can't I be at this table with my brothers? We should kill him now that he's not protected," exclaimed Flempe, a fourteen-year-old girl with black hair, in a childish manner.
"Don't be childish, Flampe! You know very well the weight of this table," grumbled Canelle, her younger sister, crossing her arms.
"But if he's not protected, we could threaten him," Pudding thought, considering the different possibilities.
"You still have much to learn... None of the Emperors are ordinary people," sighed Canelle.
Back at the main table
As the snack began, laughter echoed in the room. Suddenly, Gojo, sitting quietly, stood up and walked towards the wall.
Gojo's action puzzled some of Big Mom's children, while others were outraged. For them, their mother was the only one who could move around the room at will, but they dared not say anything. Big Mom, on the other hand, watched the scene in silence, a mysterious smile on her face.
Gojo stood in front of the wall, hands in his pockets, lost in thought. All eyes were on him. Then, he took something out of his pockets and began manipulating the object, creating pressure with his hands until they met. The others remained perplexed, but the shamans seemed to understand the significance of this gesture. Suddenly, the door opened and a chess soldier of Big Mom entered.
"Chess 1: The slavers are attacking us!" he announced, causing a slight surprise. But soon, another chess soldier appeared.
"Chess 2: All the slavers have been defeated, they are all dead!... We don't know what happened, but it seemed like the space around them was bending," he explained with terror.
"What!" exclaimed Daifuku, but, recalling what he had seen before the arrival of the chess soldiers, he turned to Gojo, who was returning to his seat, a smile on his lips.
None of those present dared to express their thoughts. They were all torn between amazement at his power and the fear that enveloped them. But it was undeniable that his demonstration had proven his power with brilliance.
"Mamamamama, I see you've taken matters into your own hands," said Big Mom calmly. "And now, why not talk about what's important..." she added, her eyes gleaming greedily.
"What do you want to talk about?" asked Gojo, leaning his elbow on the table, fixing Big Mom with his gaze.
"You should have guessed, shouldn't you?! The Road Poneglyph, give it to me," she declared. After that, silence and tension became palpable.
Choso and Yuki looked at her with anger, but left it to Gojo to make the decision, being the captain.
"I refuse," Gojo categorically replied, without hesitation, despite Big Mom's diabolical smile that seemed unchanging.
"Do you dare to reject mommy's request?" Daifuku, already irritated, exploded in anger, gritting his teeth.
"Calm down, Daifuku," intervened Compote, observing her brother's behavior.
"You have the courage to refuse me something, but I always get what I want," affirmed Big Mom, fixing Gojo who, by lowering his headband, revealed his intimidating blue eyes, intimidating some of the present children.
The shamans swallowed their saliva. They knew that when their captain removed the headband, it meant he was taking the situation seriously.
"None of your children have died yet," he declared in a cold voice, plunging the assembly into a tense silence. "That's the advantage you get. Do you think I would ignore the comments of some of your children?" he said, rising from his seat.
"I see," replied Big Mom with a smile, also rising. "Hey, Napoleon!"
Napoleon: "Yes, mama."
A total silence fell, fear reigning over the entire snack table. The members of the Charlotte family and the shamans stood still, facing their respective leaders, motionless, anxiously awaiting the outcome.
Suddenly, Gojo and Big Mom issued a clear and concise order: "Stand aside," they said with a smile. The mere voice of the captain was enough to make everyone obey immediately.
Gojo and Big Mom then lunged at each other. When their attacks crossed, a sonic roar rang out. Although they never physically touched, the air ignited with colors: red and blue lightning burst from their fists and swords. This collision caused violent gusts of wind, overturning tables and the weaker guests, and even damaging some walls. While facing each other without faltering, the gazes of the two adversaries never wavered.