Chapter 353 Katakuri Waits
The war on the island continued.
At the island's center, monsters slaughtered each other. On the shore battlefield, officers from both pirate crews fought desperately.
"Damn it! What the hell is the Charlotte Family doing?!"
The obese Queen had transformed into a massive brachiosaurus. From his mouth, tail, and even his braids, he could fire dazzling lasers.
Each laser striking the ground triggered massive explosions.
Unfortunately, though his opponent was also fat, he was far more agile.
Lucky Roux's stubby legs moved rapidly, making him bounce around like a ball. The bullets he occasionally fired made Queen extremely wary.
Queen complained loudly. "What are they even doing? Why haven't they joined the fight yet?!"
They'd clearly already reached this island, hadn't they?
Even if interfering in the monsters' war was difficult, if they joined their side, crushing the Red-Hair Pirates' officers should be easy.
So why? Why were they still holding position even now?!
"Indeed."
The Red-Hair Pirates' strategist—Ben Beckman, who fired sporadically at the sky to keep King occupied—murmured softly. His lips curved slightly. "Just why would that be?"
At the island's center, on the monsters' battlefield—
Two monsters swung their blades in passionate exchanges.
"Ohh, this power truly is extraordinary!"
Hawkeye's face showed excitement. He laughed while swinging his blade. "Just the collision of swords makes my arms feel numb!"
Though he said such things, Hawkeye's clashes with Charlotte Linlin showed no disadvantage whatsoever.
In raw power, he truly wasn't Charlotte Linlin's match. But his swordsmanship honed to perfection and the Haki that had forged the strongest black blade completely compensated for his power deficit.
"Looks like he's having fun over there."
Shanks chuckled softly.
"Hmph!"
Kaido only responded with a cold sneer, then forcefully swung the iron club in his hands.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Continuous explosions made the entire island tremble constantly. The island's center had even sunk dozens of meters, becoming an enormous crater.
The clashes between monsters could truly be described as natural disasters.
During this fierce combat, Charlotte Linlin noticed.
"Why are they still holding position?"
During a gap in combat, she couldn't help turning toward the distant shore.
Katakuri, you damn brat—what the hell are you doing right now?
I already gave orders to help the Beasts Pirates crush that Red-Hair brat's subordinates! Why aren't you moving?!
Are you trying to defy my orders?
"An opening."
A soft chuckle. Green sword light flashed. Charlotte Linlin grunted, her body retreating backward.
A wound had been carved into her arm by the sharp blade.
Even her so-called steel balloon invincible body couldn't truly withstand a top-tier expert's full assault.
"Bastard!"
Charlotte Linlin couldn't spare much thought now. All she could do was fight.
The enemy before her wasn't ordinary trash from the seas. When crossing swords with him, she couldn't afford even slight carelessness!
Meanwhile, in the distance—on the Charlotte Family's large ship on the sea surface—
Katakuri stood at the ship's rail, calmly gazing toward the distant island. Though his eyes couldn't see, his Observation Haki let him clearly perceive the monsters' fierce battle on the island.
"Katakuri, what the hell are you trying to do, you bastard!"
Behind him, Perospero—bound by chains and slumped on the deck—roared through gritted teeth. His forehead dripped with cold sweat. His expression showed complete disbelief mixed with three parts panic.
"Do you actually want to defy Mama's orders?"
Even now, Perospero's heart felt somewhat dazed.
Just when he'd prepared to follow Mama's orders and lead the siblings to reinforce the Beasts Pirates, this bastard Katakuri had suddenly struck, capturing him and others who were equally bewildered.
Facing Perospero's interrogation, Katakuri showed no reaction. He didn't even turn his head.
Perospero continued his loud questioning. "You surely understand what happens when you anger Mama, right? Do you want everyone to lose their lives with you?!"
This time Katakuri finally responded. He paused, then turned around.
"Perospero-niisan, precisely because I know what happens when Mama's angered—that's why I'm doing this now."
Katakuri said.
"What?"
Perospero wished his ears had gone deaf.
This bastard Katakuri—did he truly want to resist Mama?
No! No!
Not just resist—he wanted to betray Mama!
"I'm tired of worrying that my siblings will be harmed not by external enemies but by Mama herself."
Katakuri said calmly. "Starting today, I'll lead the family."
Perospero was nearly dumbstruck. "Katakuri..."
Crazy. This bastard had gone crazy. He actually thought he could oppose Mama!
Who do you think you are, Katakuri?!
Yes, you're certainly the most outstanding among us siblings, but don't think you can stand as Mama's equal!
How could such a thing be possible?!
"So you're all helping him?"
Perospero looked blankly at the younger siblings standing behind Katakuri.
Oven, Daifuku, Cracker, Smoothie...
The family's most elite members—all supporting Katakuri!
He'd known this kid's prestige was high, but this degree was excessive!
Did none of them put Mama in their eyes?
"We also want to see the future Katakuri describes."
Daifuku said steadily. "Siblings united. No longer needing to walk on eggshells within the family. If it's Katakuri, he might accomplish such things."
"..."
Perospero had no words.
A bunch of bastards!
Every single one of you has incredible guts.
And more importantly—Katakuri, you bastard! You've already rallied so many siblings, yet from start to finish you never mentioned any of this to me!
Perospero fumed inwardly.
"So then, Katakuri—what exactly do you plan to do?"
Perospero asked irritably.
Though captured, he wasn't worried. Katakuri wasn't someone who'd harm his older brother.
"What's next?"
Katakuri paused. "Just wait."