"Katakuri San?" Cracker muttered, puzzled.
"Go!" Katakuri's voice carried authority, sharp and commanding.
"Understood!" Cracker shot a fierce look at Kaito, a mix of unwillingness and tension in his eyes.
"Wait! Did I say you could go?" Kaito turned calmly, his tone flat and unreadable.
Silently, Redfield appeared in front of Cracker, his paper umbrella in hand.
Clang!
With a faint smile, he drew a bamboo sword, the cold gleam of steel reflecting a deadly intent.
Katakuri and the others stepped forward cautiously, taking in the situation.
Casting a deep glance at Redfield, Kaito turned as Cracker asked coldly, "You know this is going to start a war with the Big Mom Pirates, don't you?"
"Big Mom Pirates? Fine! If it's war you want, then let's have it," Kaito sneered, giving a cruel smile.
"Alright! Let's see how strong you really are, a pirate with a 1.5 billion Berries bounty! Are you really as formidable as the rumors claim?" Cracker asked, a wicked smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Silence, Cracker!" Katakuri interjected solemnly.
"And what exactly do you want?" Cracker pressed.
"Apologize, and I'll let you go," Kaito said with calm indifference.
"What did you say? Apologize?" Cracker's expression darkened. In an instant, he flashed before Kaito, his long sword gleaming with deadly light.
Clang!
The dull clash of metal echoed, yet Kaito's expression remained serene. Standing beside him, Redfield effortlessly parried Cracker's attack with his bamboo sword, smiling.
"Hey! You all started it! Don't blame me," Kaito said coldly.
Katakuri turned to his subordinates, a solemn expression on his face. "We apologize. This time it was our fault. I am sorry," he said, bowing 90 degrees to Kaito. His companions flushed red, a mix of unwillingness, anger, and shock crossing their faces.
"Fine! I'll let you go this time. Go back and tell Big Mom that in a few days, we'll visit Cake Island personally, and we'll have a long talk," Kaito said, giving Katakuri a long, piercing look.
Beside him, Redfield remained standing silently, a faint smile on his face.
"Katakuri San!" Cracker muttered, his pride wounded, watching the scene unfold. The same was true for the other Big Mom Pirates. In their eyes, Katakuri had always been invincible. Today, however…
"Let's go!" Katakuri ordered solemnly. He led his crew away safely.
From a distance, Kaito's indifferent voice echoed. "Next time! Hehe!"
"Take care of Bullet! Let's finish this farce," Kaito commanded.
"Understood!" Bullet walked beside Kaito with a confident smile.
"Kaito-kun, you don't have a ship right?! Follow this concubine!" Boa Hancock called out urgently.
"No need! We have our own ship," Kaito replied, shaking his head. His mind was focused on the series of matters awaiting him, and he had no interest in flirting with Boa Hancock.
As they departed, Hancock's frustration was evident. "[Damn it!]" she muttered, stomping the ground before vanishing in a flash.
"Yo! Let's move! What a pity! I wanted to see their fight!" Kizaru said, disappointment lacing his tone as he watched the now-quiet island.
"Kizaru-san! Even if no deal was made, the Eternal Pointer has already been secured! It's only a matter of time," Momousagi said with a laugh, her beauty captivating.
"True! Let's go," Kizaru nodded in agreement.
With their departure, the once-turbulent Treasure Island fell silent.
At sea, the Big Mom Pirates aboard their ship, led by Katakuri, were subdued, faces heavy with unease.
"Katakuri San! I don't understand. What are you apologizing for? We couldn't beat Kizaru, but does that mean we couldn't defeat Kaito?" Cracker asked, frustration evident in his tone.
Though the others stayed silent, their expressions mirrored Cracker's. The Big Mom Pirates, among the Four Emperors, hardly needed to apologize. If they were incapable, they would fight—who else could they fear? Unless the person is Big Mom herself?
The realization left them embarrassed and resentful. If today's incident spread, it would be a huge embarrassment for the Big Mom Pirates across the New World.
"If we hadn't apologized, everyone would have died, myself included! Even if Mother came, the result would be the same," Katakuri said as he walked toward the cabin. Much had happened today, and he needed to report back clearly, no matter the mission's failure.
After Katakuri left, the crew turned to Owen, eyes filled with curiosity, hoping he could provide clarity.
Seeing their expressions, Owen frowned and sighed. "Katakuri is right. If he hadn't apologized, we would have stayed here."
"And it's true, even if Mother intervened, the outcome would be no different."
"How is that possible? Owen San! You're lying, right?" Cracker exclaimed, disbelief clear in his voice.
Owen glanced at the group solemnly. "Do you recognize the man with the paper umbrella and red cloak?"
"Yes! That guy is incredible!" Praline exclaimed.
"Incredible barely covers it," Owen said, eyes distant as memories surfaced. "His name is Redfield! Known as the Red Earl, Peter Redfield. He was from the same era as Whitebeard and Roger."
"Peter Redfield? Him? Isn't he dead?" Cracker stammered, shock and disbelief etched on his face.
"Cracker San! You know him?" Praline asked, confused.
Cracker remained silent, eyes narrowing at Owen like a predator. "Owen San, are you certain this is the Red Earl?"
"Yes! Absolutely!" Owen confirmed with conviction.
"It's him! If so, an apology wouldn't be so bad," Cracker muttered, tension easing slightly from his shoulders.
"Owen San! Cracker San! Make it clear! Don't confuse us!" Garrett, the eighteenth daughter of the Charlotte family, frowned, frustration and curiosity mixing in her mind.
____
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