Chapter 360 Destination—Laugh Tale
The massive dazzling pillar of light gradually dissipated.
But enormous waves still surged violently across the ocean's surface.
The Red Force—which had conquered countless storms during the Red-Hair Pirates' rise to Emperor status—now rocked precariously in these waves, seeming ready to capsize at any moment.
"That's way too strong!! Brett, you bastard!!"
Shanks, serving as referee, stood dumbstruck, shouting involuntarily.
If that attack had landed on the island, wouldn't it have punched straight through?!
Just throwing a punch could unleash such power—Brett, this guy!
He's too strong!
Shanks felt absolutely certain that if he'd taken that attack head-on, he'd be severely injured at minimum!
This was power that completely transcended the Emperors.
"Phew—"
Brett slowly exhaled, releasing his ability and returning to his original form. "That should be enough, right?"
Though he'd only used half his stored energy, at his current level, this degree should be sufficient for Hawkeye to recognize the gap.
"Of course. The victor is decided."
Before Brett, a massive trench extended outward, stretching all the way into the sea.
At the trench's edge, Hawkeye had calmly returned his blade to his back.
He bore no injuries whatsoever—because that attack hadn't struck him at all, but had roared past beside him.
"This level of power—the current me absolutely cannot defeat it."
Hawkeye shook his head. Then a brilliant smile bloomed across his face. "Truly remarkable, Brett! Your complete victory."
Refusing to acknowledge defeat—that's what weaklings do.
Never abandoning the desire for victory, yet never denying the arrival of defeat—that's the mentality befitting the strong.
"This is wonderful! To think someone as powerful as you still exists in this world!"
Hawkeye walked over while continuously praising. "I haven't felt this world was so beautiful in ages!"
Finding the world beautiful because someone stronger exists—alright, alright, already understood you're an extraordinary battle maniac.
"Red-Hair, even Roger in his prime wasn't as strong as Brett, was he?"
Hawkeye turned to ask Shanks.
"Well."
Shanks scratched his hair, then sighed helplessly. "I'm afraid that's true."
Even Captain Roger, even Whitebeard in his youth—neither possessed strength to completely overwhelm Pirate Emperor-level monsters.
Brett, you—
Shanks couldn't help laughing. "Without question, Brett's already the strongest!"
"The strongest?"
Hawkeye laughed heartily. Brett noticed his gaze burning intensely. "Isn't that perfect! Seeing a higher peak only makes me want to continue climbing!"
Looks like he'd been marked.
Though Brett didn't particularly care.
After all, he already had the Giant King, didn't he? One more Hawkeye made no difference.
"Well then, time to say goodbye."
Brett stretched lazily.
Things here were finished.
"Eh? Leaving so quickly? The banquet's only been going one night!"
Shanks protested with dissatisfaction.
Brett glanced at him. This guy and his little apprentice Straw Hat were cut from the same cloth—the type who could party for days and nights continuously.
"There's no time to waste right now."
Brett shook his head. "I still have something very important to do."
"Something important?"
Shanks raised an eyebrow.
He didn't ask, but Brett smiled and revealed it anyway. "I'm heading to Laugh Tale next."
"Eh??"
Shanks gaped. Even Hawkeye's expression froze.
Both doubted whether they'd heard correctly.
Had Brett just said he was going to Laugh Tale?
Brett chuckled. "What do you say, Shanks? Want to come along?"
"Ah, well—"
Moments later, on the Red Force's deck, Shanks watched Brett soar skyward, vanishing into the clouds in an instant. He sighed somewhat wistfully.
"Luffy—looks like we're too late."
Brett didn't return directly to Fish-Man Island. He went to Whole Cake Island.
Totto Land.
This nation had undergone tremendous change.
The expedition fleet had returned—and precisely because of their return, the nation had been turned upside down.
The Charlotte Family ministers announced that Queen Charlotte Linlin had fallen ill and abdicated to recuperate, with the family's second son Katakuri inheriting Totto Land's throne.
He'd simultaneously become captain of the Big Mom Pirates, inheriting the Pirate Emperor title.
The nation's residents felt somewhat anxious about this sudden change, but news soon emerged from the palace.
From now on, while people living in this nation still needed to pay taxes, the payment would no longer be extracted from their lifespans.
Thus—
The previously apprehensive citizens immediately began cheering "Long live King Katakuri!"
However, more important than ordinary residents were naturally the Charlotte Family officers—The King's siblings.
"So?"
Along a deserted shoreline on Whole Cake Island, Brett sat on a reef, asking with interest. "Running into trouble?"
Katakuri stood on another reef behind and to his side. The man just crowned Totto Land's king showed no joy or excitement on his face. He simply said calmly,
"Turns out my siblings trust me more than Mama."
"Oh, naturally."
Brett nodded.
Naturally, Katakuri was the most beloved figure among Charlotte Family members.
The Charlotte siblings felt awe toward Charlotte Linlin, but affection toward Katakuri.
"The Government's already contacted me without delay."
Katakuri said. "They want me to join hands with them like Mama did—to deal with you together."
"I agreed."
"Excellent."
Brett laughed heartily. "Then we'll definitely give the Government a huge surprise."
He turned to look at Katakuri. "But you'd better be careful too. The Government might have ideas about your mother."
Katakuri nodded. "I know. I had Brûlée imprison Mama in the Mirror World. No one except Brûlée can access her."
He paused, then added, "As for Brûlée, I'll keep her by my side constantly."
Wow, obsessive sister complex.
Brett clicked his tongue.
"Oh right, what you wanted."
Katakuri tossed a stack of papers to Brett.
"Oh! Thanks!"
Brett caught the papers. The smile on his face was impossible to hide.
This way, all four stones were assembled.
Only the person to decipher their contents remained.
***
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