Chapter 348 Katakuri Decides to Act
Reaching the Final Island required four Road Poneglyphs.
Only by gathering these four red stones could one pinpoint the Final Island's location.
But naturally, stones alone weren't enough.
The text carved on them used ancient writing lost to the current era.
Deciphering them wasn't simple either.
Brett had already obtained one Road Poneglyph rubbing from Zou. Even earlier, when visiting Wano Country, he'd acquired the one from Kaido's possession.
Add the Road Poneglyph that had always existed on Fish-Man Island—secretly preserved by the Ryugu Palace government.
Brett now held three targets.
Only one remained—the one in Charlotte Linlin's possession.
Honestly, this wasn't particularly difficult.
The Charlotte Family was no longer an insurmountable barrier for Brett.
Years had passed. Brett was no longer that person who'd felt anxious over Charlotte Linlin's tea party invitation, who'd racked his brain simply to prevent Charlotte Linlin from attacking Fish-Man Island.
With the power now in his hands, defeating the Charlotte Family—or rather, defeating Charlotte Linlin—wasn't difficult at all.
However, stones alone weren't enough. Brett still needed someone to translate the text.
Fortunately, this also wasn't particularly difficult for Brett.
Though the World Government vigorously hunted all scholars who understood ancient writing and investigated the Void Century's blank hundred years—resulting in virtually no one left who could read ancient script—
Brett knew of at least two people who could translate the Road Poneglyphs for him.
One was the former Shogun of Wano Country currently disguising himself as a tengu—Kozuki Sukiyaki, that old father of Kozuki Oden.
Though that old man was useless—after Kozuki Oden's death, he'd lost heart and hidden away from worldly affairs—ultimately he shouldn't have forgotten the Kozuki Family's hereditary ancient writing.
Besides that guy, the other person was naturally the sole survivor of the scholars' nation Ohara and a member of the original story's protagonist crew—Nico Robin.
Speaking of which, this woman should have entered the Grand Line from the West Blue this year.
Soon after, she'd receive Crocodile's invitation to join Baroque Works.
So someone to decipher the Road Poneglyphs wasn't a concern.
Better to first figure out how to obtain that final stone.
Once they reached the Final Island, they could clarify the cards the government held.
More crucially, whatever the government desperately wanted to hide about the Void Century—that blank hundred years must contain events the government feared exposing above all else. Once revealed, it would inevitably deal a massive blow to the government's prestige.
So should he move against the Charlotte Family now while Kaido fought Red-Hair?
This was indeed an excellent opportunity.
After all, Kaido and Charlotte Linlin had already sided with the World Government. They were united in opposing him.
However, if the commotion grew too large, the government would certainly notice. That would probably directly evolve into the final decisive battle.
Going to war with the government before obtaining both Plutons seemed rather unwise.
So should he first acquire that final stone through Katakuri?
Brett thought thus.
Regardless, they should visit the Final Island first.
At minimum, they needed to clarify exactly what power the government held. One should understand their opponent.
Brett pulled out a Den Den Mushi and called Katakuri.
Obtaining the final stone didn't necessarily require a decisive battle with Charlotte Linlin. Simply asking his good friend might work.
Good friend Katakuri only cared about protecting his siblings—completely uninterested in the Pirate King position. He wouldn't begrudge that stone.
The call connected.
"Brett?"
Katakuri's voice was calm as always. "Is this about Kaido and Red-Hair's war? Your call comes at the perfect time."
"Oh?"
Brett raised an eyebrow. "So your mother's also preparing to get involved?"
"Kaido and Red-Hair's battle is intense."
Katakuri said. "The Beasts Pirates alone can no longer defeat the Red-Hair Pirates. Previously, he contacted Mama wanting to cooperate against Red-Hair together."
"Kaido said Red-Hair was the Pirate King's crewmate—he knows the Final Island's location. If they can capture him, they won't need to painstakingly collect stones anymore. Mama was tempted."
"I see."
Brett sighed softly.
He'd still underestimated Kaido's limits.
This man indeed pursued fair one-on-one combat, but didn't reject using some methods.
Probably thinking he'd scheme against the Red-Hair Pirates strategically, then finish with a one-on-one duel against Red-Hair himself.
"Brett—"
Katakuri said. "Will you act?"
"Shanks is my friend. I can't stand idle."
Brett didn't hide anything, speaking directly.
Shanks was indeed very powerful, but absolutely couldn't be a match for Kaido and Charlotte Linlin together.
As he'd told Tesoro earlier, intervention was necessary.
Just hadn't expected it to come so quickly.
Had Kaido grown anxious after seeing Red-Hair called the new Emperor?
"If that's the case, then Brett—"
Katakuri's voice lowered. He said gravely, "We can begin."
"Hmm?"
Brett sat up straight, urgently asking, "Katakuri, do you mean?"
"The timing is ripe."
Katakuri said. "The time to overthrow Mama's rule has arrived."
Brett froze slightly, then his expression relaxed completely. "Is that so?"
Since Katakuri had decided to act, that meant he felt he possessed sufficient strength to protect the family even after separating from Charlotte Linlin, right?
This was truly excellent news.
"Katakuri, are you certain?"
Brett said seriously. "Once we begin, there's no turning back."
"I've never thought I'd regret this."
Somewhere in Totto Land, hiding himself in darkness, Katakuri spoke calmly. "In any case, next I'll contact my siblings. Then in the coming war, I'll find the best opportunity."
"Alright."
Brett's voice came through the Den Den Mushi. "I'll coordinate with you."
"That's settled then."
Katakuri hung up.
"Haa—"
He slowly exhaled. Though he'd long made his decision, when truly preparing to act, he still felt immense pressure.
Katakuri had another reason for rebelling against his mother that he hadn't mentioned.
He felt that if the Charlotte Family continued fighting Brett, they would suffer tremendous misfortune.
That Brett fellow was a true monster.
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