Chapter 259: We Attack! The Wrath of the Curtain Call!
"I will win!" Jack roared, pounding his chest. "Leave him to me, Big Sis!"
"..."
Kuina was silent. She knew this stubborn fool would say that. But... she also knew the reality. Katakuri... was a monster. He had been Big Mom's second-in-command for years, his Devil Fruit was awakened, and his Observation Haki could see into the future. Jack, for all his strength, was still too young, too inexperienced. Of course... Jack would charge headfirst at Kaido himself without a second thought...
"Jack," she began, but Shane's voice cut her off.
"Let Jack handle it," he said with a smile.
"Sir," she said, surprised. "He's going up against Katakuri..."
"And Katakuri is going up against Jack," Shane laughed. "Don't forget, he's just trying to take some of the pressure off of you. Let him have his chance. The fight isn't over until it's over. And taking down one of our top officers... is never an easy thing to do."
The boss's trust... my confidence is soaring! Jack's eyes burned with a fiery determination, and steam puffed from his nostrils.
"But," Shane said, his expression growing serious, "this will be a difficult fight for you. His Mochi-Mochi Fruit and his level of Observation Haki are a direct counter to your brute-force style. Don't just charge in blindly. If you exhaust yourself too quickly, the tide will turn against you."
"Don't worry, Boss!" Jack slammed his fists together with a grin. The boss and the big sis had entrusted him with this. He would not fail. He would stake his very life on it. He would not let Katakuri interfere with his comrades' battles.
"Jack versus Katakuri. It's decided," Kuina said with a small smile. She turned to Kuma. "Of the remaining Commanders, Smoothie and Cracker are roughly equal in strength. Kuma, which one do you want?"
"..."
Kuma, who had been silent since the meeting began, finally looked up, the light glinting off his glasses. "Either one is fine," he said, his voice cold and flat.
He's in that state again, Jack thought, a shiver running down his spine. The last time he had seen Kuma like this was on Sabaody. Ginny and Bonney... they really are his weak spots. Whoever Kuma's opponent was... Jack already felt sorry for them.
"Then you'll take Cracker," Kuina said. His ability to create endless biscuit soldiers would give Kuma plenty of targets to vent his rage on.
"Understood," Kuma said. He saw the worried looks on his comrades' faces and forced a small smile. "Don't worry. I'm fine."
"That leaves Smoothie for me," Kuina said, turning to the last two wanted posters. "Perospero and Snack... they're a step below the others, but still formidable. Any volunteers?"
"I'll..." Zoro began, but was cut off by a sharp kick to the shin from under the table. He glared at Sanji.
What do you think you're doing, you idiot? Sanji mouthed, gesturing to the veteran members of the crew. Let the seniors pick first.
Zoro reluctantly sat back. Just then, Tashigi, who was sitting next to him, started to stand up. He reflexively stuck out his foot and tripped her.
"What was that for?" she said, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes.
"Know your place, rookie," he grunted, turning away. If I can't have a go, what makes you think you can? You've got Kuina's face, but none of her strength... It's just... annoying.
"...He's right," Tashigi said, a look of dawning realization on her face. She bowed to him. "Thank you for your guidance."
...Why is she apologizing? Now I feel like a jerk.
"Perospero, 700 million Belly?" Nojiko's voice cut through the tension. "To have a bounty that high and not even be a Sweet Commander... this old man is mine!" Her own bounty was only 400 million, but she had been training relentlessly. This was her chance to prove herself.
"Then I'll take Snack," Smoker said, stubbing out his cigar. "It's time to see what all that training with the Z-hologram was worth."
"Good," Kuina nodded. "That takes care of their core forces. The rest will be handled by the Combat Corps. As for Big Mom herself..." All eyes turned to Shane.
"This will be my first real fight with a Yonko," Shane said with a smile. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous."
The room erupted in laughter. Nervous? Him? The man who had fought two Admirals to a standstill and gone five days and five nights with Kaido?!
"It seems you all have a lot of faith in me," he said, standing up, his black coat swirling around him. "Then... the meeting is adjourned. Return to your posts. Full speed ahead!"
"Our target is Whole Cake Island!"
"This is a rescue mission. But it is also a declaration to the world—no one touches the Curtain Call crew!"
"OOOOOH!!!"
The room roared with a thunderous cheer. The largest war in the history of the Curtain Call crew... had just begun.
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