Chapter 355: Katakuri's Power
Katakuri's expression remained utterly calm.
Even as he now openly declared his rebellion against his mother—the leader of the Charlotte Family, that monster revered and feared as a Pirate Emperor—Charlotte Linlin.
"Worororororo..."
Even at this critical juncture, even though the situation was unfavorable for them, Kaido couldn't help laughing aloud.
"What fine children you've raised. Finally my heart feels balanced."
Kaido's tone carried complete mockery.
After all, until now only his daughter had been rebellious. Everyone else—whether Whitebeard's adopted sons or Charlotte Linlin's biological children—had been obedient.
"Seems like good news for us."
Hawkeye held his great blade, speaking calmly.
Since Katakuri and his siblings weren't here to help Charlotte Linlin, naturally this was good news for their side.
"Appears so."
Shanks chuckled softly.
Hawkeye noticed something off. Why didn't this bastard seem surprised?
Charlotte Linlin's children betraying her—surely this wasn't something easily guessed?
"Red-Hair, you—" Hawkeye raised an eyebrow.
Did you already know about this?
"Well."
Shanks just grinned, offering no direct answer.
Right now, aside from Hawkeye, no one cared about his reaction. Charlotte Linlin's face had already turned ashen. Veins bulged on her forehead. She clenched her jaw so tightly the fat on her face trembled.
She looked as vicious as an evil witch from fairy tales.
"Katakuri, what are you saying? Did I mishear? Say that again!"
"Mama, I'm very sorry. Your reign over the family ends here."
So Katakuri said. "From now on, I'll protect all my siblings."
"You bastard!!"
Charlotte Linlin immediately roared. The Haki that had been nearly depleted suddenly seemed to recover somewhat from her fury. Violent presence instantly transformed into a hurricane, sweeping directly toward Katakuri and the siblings.
Katakuri stepped forward. His trident swung casually. Red light flashed in his eyes as equally astonishing presence surged forth.
Two powerful forces collided in midair. Between crackling black lightning, the ground shattered directly. Massive amounts of rock and earth flew skyward as if gravity had vanished.
"Oh! Amazing Conqueror's Haki!"
Shanks couldn't help but exclaim with shining eyes. "As expected, Katakuri's quite a powerful man!"
"Indeed."
Hawkeye nodded in complete agreement. "This level of Conqueror's isn't something ordinary people possess."
Conqueror's Haki differed from both Armament and Observation—it couldn't grow stronger through subjective training. It only strengthened as its user grew stronger.
Meaning the stronger someone was, the stronger their Conqueror's would be.
Unlike the technique of Conqueror's Coating, this simple direct clash between two Conqueror's users best revealed strength differences.
At least from this display, Katakuri's presence didn't fall short of Charlotte Linlin's.
"Katakuri!!"
Charlotte Linlin's Conqueror's quickly subsided. After all, during the previous battle, her losses had been too severe. She shouted sharply,
"Fine! You bastard! Think you can exploit this moment with some strength and overthrow me?!"
She looked at the children following behind Katakuri. "You bastards! If you repent now, I might reluctantly consider pardoning you!"
Silence.
Only silence answered Charlotte Linlin. Those children who'd previously shown her complete respect, never daring to show the slightest resistance to her commands—now every single one remained silent.
"No need for verbal probing anymore, Mama."
Katakuri said. "Everyone appeared here with me for only one reason—to bring a new dawn to the family."
"Dawn? Mamamama!!"
Charlotte Linlin suddenly burst into laughter. "I see? You're comparing me to the night shrouding the family! Then don't blame me for being rude!"
Her gaze suddenly sharpened. "Hand over your souls!!"
The world's strongest woman shrieked.
The Soul-Soul Fruit Charlotte Linlin possessed could not only bestow souls—it could steal them.
As long as someone harbored any fear of her, Charlotte Linlin could instantly seize their soul.
The Charlotte Family officers understood her ability far too well. Their expressions involuntarily changed slightly.
Having lived under Mama's shadow for decades—how could they overcome their fear of her in such a short time?
However—
"Too naive, Mama."
Katakuri's expression remained unchanged. Having decided to betray Mama, naturally this matter had long been within his contingency plans.
Then Charlotte Linlin watched her children pull out earplugs from their pockets and insert them into their ears.
If they couldn't hear her soul incantation, the ability wouldn't take effect.
Though they couldn't silence her, they could simply wear earplugs themselves, right?
"..."
Charlotte Linlin nearly ground her teeth to dust.
These damn brats had truly come prepared. This way her ability wouldn't work.
"I have no intention of interfering in your battle."
Katakuri surveyed the battlefield, focusing particularly on Kaido and Shanks. He said, "I only want to settle matters between us and Mama. I hope you won't interfere with me."
"I certainly have no problem with that."
Shanks laughed heartily. "Rather, you've taken a huge burden off me. I'm quite grateful. Interested in having a drink after the battle ends?"
"Worororororo! Linlin, seems you're being looked down upon."
Kaido laughed loudly. "Does this dutiful son of yours think he's got you figured out?"
"Katakuri!!"
Roaring, Charlotte Linlin's fury finally could no longer be suppressed.
Forget Red-Hair and Hawkeye. Forget the Final Island and great treasure. Everything was cast aside.
Charlotte Linlin only wanted her dear son to pay the price.
Though already extremely weakened, when Charlotte Linlin exploded with physical power driven by raging fury, her obese body still moved fast as lightning.
In just the next instant, her massive blade was already cleaving down toward Katakuri.
But—
CRACK!
Pitch-black lightning suddenly crackled around Katakuri's trident.
"What?!"
As Charlotte Linlin's expression changed, the trident thrust forward.
"Mochi Thrust!!"
CLANG!
Accompanied by a violent crash, the great blade spun through the air.