Bullet's eyes narrowed as he scanned the battlefield. He has already cast such a wide net… and only petty gangsters are participating in this competition. In his mind, Luffy and the others were nothing more than low-level thugs.
"I remember the Four Emperors were supposed to be here… Why can't I see them?" Bullet muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.
A figure appeared, arms crossed, standing proudly atop a mountain of treasure — it was Katakuri. "Looking for me?" he said calmly, his gaze like still water.
Bullet smiled wickedly, holding the Eternal Pointer in his hand. "Is this what you want? You think you can take it from me? I'll let you have fun… or maybe I won't — even if I destroy everything."
Suddenly, Bullet's footsteps slammed into the ground. Cracks spider-webbed outward as he launched himself at Katakuri like a sharp arrow.
His black-iron fist gathered power, brimmed with violent energy that crackled through the air like thunder.
Katakuri's right eye flickered red.
Bullet roared, activating his ability. The air around him twisted into a tornado, swirling violently as he drove his iron fist straight through Katakuri's midsection.
Bullet's grin widened. "Impressive. For Big Mom's second-in-command, you're not bad."
But Katakuri didn't flinch. With a roar, he retaliated: his mochi ability awakened, and from his feet erupted a massive black whip — his limbs stretching and morphing into a giant pillar of sticky, glutinous mochi.
The ground groaned, the air thickened, and the space around them felt heavy with power.
Bullet's excitement grew. "Good, very good. As expected of an emperor's lieutenant. Those little guys don't compare!"
He raised his palms, surging with power. The ground beneath him shattered. A monstrous storm billowed, dust filling the air, shrouding them in a haze so thick nothing could be seen inside.
Bullet's voice cut through the chaos. "Not enough! More! I want to feel your strength!"
Haki and blood surged — from both hands erupted waves of force, pushing upward. Two giant black pillars of power snapped into existence, spinning and tearing through the sky and earth as Bullet hurled them with devastating force.
Mid-air, Katakuri remained composed. He retracted his mochi limbs like rubber, returning them to their normal form. With calm precision, he extended his right hand, his mochi transforming into a flexible rope that wrapped around Bullet tightly.
"Hand over the Eternal Pointer," he said evenly.
Bullet sneered. "You think this is enough to stop me? Don't underestimate me."
In an instant, the rope shattered — shattered by an explosive surge of power from Bullet. A terrifying aura erupted from him, shifting the very clouds above. The ground cracked, ripples of force formed a hurricane that engulfed the island.
Katakuri's face remained composed — but beneath his calm, he braced himself. He had sensed this moment coming: the full force of Bullet's Haki was about to break free.
A tremendous wave of willpower burst from Bullet, darker and heavier than before.
The sky blackened, the earth trembled, cracks spidered across the ground. Trees swayed, rocks tumbled, and a storm of unimaginable fury consumed everything.
Yet at the center stood Katakuri, his expression unflinching, his gaze still as clear as water. He was like an ancient mountain, unshakable.
Lightning crackled — not ordinary lightning, but deep crimson arcs of energy dancing between them. Their wills collided with the force of an army, two titans pushing against each other in a clash of spirit.
Then — a shockwave exploded. Black-red energy shot into the sky, tearing apart clouds, revealing a scorching sun behind.
The onlookers gasped. Through the haze of power, they glimpsed the phantom of Katakuri's mochi constructs, tremors of energy that seemed to pulse with life.
Silence fell over the crowd.
"This… what is this? Is that… the legendary Conqueror's Haki?" Modirat shouted, his voice trembling as he dragged the stunned audience back to their senses.
As more recovered, the pirate spectators erupted in excitement.
"Look! Conqueror's Haki!"
"That force… it covers the whole island!"
"This is real fighting! What we saw before was just child's play!"
On the edge of the island, the Big Mom Pirates watched in awe. Cracker, Praline, Owen, and the others stared at the distance, shock written on their faces.
"That… that man can match Katakuri's strength?" Charlotte Praline whispered, disbelief in her voice. In the Big Mom crew, Katakuri was second only to their mother in power.
"He's powerful," Cracker said quietly. "Very powerful. Not someone to take lightly."
Praline looked at him, wide-eyed. "You… you know him?"
"A long time ago," Cracker replied, his voice solemn. "He's not ordinary. Katakuri may not be his match."
One by one, the younger Big Mom members — ones who had never heard of Bullet before — gasped.
"How is this possible?" one cried.
"The sea riot he once caused… after Roger's death… Mother still talks about it," said Owen gravely.
Cracker nodded. "If Katakuri loses… we'll support him. Always."