New World, Totto Land
Reports arrived in rapid succession.
"Brother Katakuri, Umit, the Sea Transport King, demands we return all prior goods and cede him the Eastern Island."
"Brother Katakuri, Gluttonous Lamis, the 350 million bounty pirate, claims one of his subordinates went missing in Totto Land, suspecting our BIG MOM Pirates' involvement."
"Brother Katakuri, urgent news from Cotton Candy Island: the sea can no longer withstand the pirate invasions."
Katakuri's brows furrowed deeply.
The day after Charlotte Linlin's death, pirates were arriving one after another, vying for her territories.
Even minor crews once loyal to the BIG MOM Pirates had defected.
Suddenly, Totto Land was engulfed in chaos.
Without BIG MOM, even the strongest of her lieutenants—Perospero, Smoothie, Cracker, Snack, and the others—remained seriously injured from yesterday's battle.
Most had yet to regain consciousness.
The fleet's strength had fallen to less than a tenth of its former glory.
Yet Totto Land held vast resources, and word of their vulnerability spread quickly.
Rival crews launched attacks immediately, seeking to claim them.
Katakuri's own strength was formidable; in the entire New World, only a few could challenge him.
The Senzu Bean Rolan had given him restored him to peak condition, yet he could not be everywhere at once.
His mind raced, forced to consider strategies he had once taken for granted.
Finally, he issued the hard command: "Shrink all battle lines, retreat to Cake Island."
Even his reluctant subordinates had no choice but to comply.
But before they could move far, urgent news arrived:
"Brother Katakuri, Umit, the Sea Transport King, and his crew have arrived outside Cake Island!"
Katakuri's face darkened.
He had anticipated a base assault, but not so soon.
Four leaders approached—Umit the Sea Transport King, Giberson the Storage King, Dorag Pieckro of the Grand Funeral Home, and Du Field, the Usury King.
Their posture was confident, yet a flicker of apprehension passed in their eyes; Katakuri was not a man to underestimate.
Pieckro spoke first.
"Katakuri, we are here to ease your burden. Managing such a large territory must be difficult."
"So as good friends, we offer to share some resources," he added, his tone deceptively cordial.
Katakuri studied them, seeing the hidden knives behind their smiles.
A refusal would inevitably lead to conflict.
He exhaled, recalling the Senzu Bean Rolan had entrusted to him.
Without that aid, he would have been overwhelmed.
Charlotte Komira leaned close.
"Brother Katakuri, perhaps we should retreat first. The situation is dire."
Katakuri shook his head, his eyes sharp and unwavering.
"It's fine, I've got this."
"For the sake of our past friendship, I'll give you four a chance," he announced to the intruders.
"Leave Cake Island now, or I will show no mercy."
Giberson scoffed.
"You're bluffing. All of you are injured; if it were before, we might fear you, but now you likely can't stand steady."
Katakuri's eyes flared crimson.
Pieckro would be first to challenge him.
He spread a majestic aura through the air, Conqueror's Haki radiating in all directions.
Within moments, the enemy's minions collapsed, foaming at the mouth, unconscious.
"Impossible! Weren't you injured? How could you still wield such power? Are you…?" Pieckro stammered.
Katakuri ignored their disbelief, advancing with his trident.
The four kings, even with their subordinates, were no match.
"Don't… don't kill me! We can provide resources!" one pleaded.
Katakuri, decisive and ruthless, had no mercy for those whose intentions he had identified.
His figure flashed through the crowd; three kings and their capable subordinates fell before him, all decapitated.
Umit trembled, fear overwhelming him.
"I… I have ties with other Four Emperors and even the World Government. Consider the consequences!"
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