Chapter 326: The Fall of Poken and the New Emperor’s Reign
"Hahaha, you're scared, Poken."
Big Mom easily saw through Poken's test. She laughed loudly, flames and thunder entwining her punch as she struck out with immense force.
"I'm not afraid!" Poken shouted in a deep voice, launching his own punch to meet her attack head-on.
Another earth-shattering collision cracked the ground beneath them.
A savage grin spread across Big Mom's face. She sneered, "Really? Then let me tell you something. You're going to die today. Even if I don't kill you, Black Crow will. Do you know why he joined this fight? It's not just for the five Devil Fruits. More importantly—both you and Saya were meant to die by his hands."
"In other words, you're not getting out of here. You're just another stepping stone for me to ascend the throne."
As her voice fell, she swung her right hand. A massive whip of flame burst forth, lashing toward Poken.
"Damn it!" Poken dodged the strike with a flash, his expression dark and grim.
He glanced at Mio, clearly not expecting this to be the true reason Black Crow hadn't left. Doubt and dread began to bloom in his heart.
Retreat.
That thought crept into his mind. He wanted to be Emperor—but not at the cost of a meaningless death. Especially one without hope.