A chill filled the air. Shiryu's dark eyes fixed on Katakuri, and the hilt of his sword slid slightly from its sheath.
"Trash, who do you think you're talking to?" Bullet's foot pressed down harder, and the diamond-hard shell of Pekoms's body shattered, a mouthful of blood spurting from his lips.
"Bastard, I haven't said a single word since I came out!"
"Yes… I'm sorry, Your Majesty, please don't kill me..." Baron Tamago and Pekoms weakly begged for mercy from the ground. It was obvious they were on the brink of death.
Before the two powerful generals, Bullet and Redfield, the two of them weren't even qualified to resist.
The entire port fell silent. All eyes were on Katakuri. Even the civilians, who had no combat power, cast a hostile look at the man with a bounty of over one billion berries.
Before, faced with this situation, they would have only run away with their heads in their hands. After all, in front of such a strong person, they weren't even worthy of being cannon fodder.
But now, it was different. Although Adrian had ruled the country for less than a month, the great changes he brought were something the people would never forget.
Equality, justice, freedom, prosperity, civilization, harmony, rule of law, dedication, integrity, friendliness, unity… Adrian's prestige had long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. And after several consecutive wars, the people of Dressrosa no longer feared anyone.
As long as His Majesty the Emperor directed his troops, even the Four Emperors were no different.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry. We didn't intend to offend you. Please forgive Baron Tamago for his indiscriminate words!" Even Katakuri had no choice but to bow his head. He said apologetically, "Once I get back, I will definitely punish them with the most severe punishment."
Adrian embraced the furious Empress, who immediately became a docile kitten. The change was so fast that Katakuri, standing opposite, suspected what he had just seen might have been an illusion.
Then, Adrian said nonchalantly, "Katakuri, are you interested in joining me?"
Katakuri's face twitched. What kind of bizarre move is this? I am the son of Big Mom, the true second-in-command of the emperor, and he wants to recruit me?
Bullet and the others all showed a knowing look. They knew that this was their captain, who loved talented people. A man with a fox brain, he didn't care what side you were on. As long as you had the talent he needed, he would sincerely extend an olive branch.
"Your Majesty, you really know how to joke…" Katakuri steered the conversation back on track. "On one hand, I'm here to convey my mother's idea of a marriage alliance. On the other hand, I want to ask when the 'Human Gigantification Experiment' that my mother funded will have results. After all, Your Majesty has now fully taken over the Joker's business."
"Hmph, he doesn't know what's good for him," Bullet grumbled with a look of disdain. Then, under Adrian's signal, he and Redfield retreated behind him again.
"Forget about getting married. You know what Big Mom is planning." Adrian looked at Katakuri with a piercing gaze and said meaningfully, "Besides, the man who I personally regard as a tool has no credibility with me at all."
"As for the experiment… it has already entered a critical stage, but due to a previous battle, the Punk Hazard research institute was destroyed, and many important materials were lost. To restart it will require a lot of manpower and financial resources."
Katakuri's face instantly became incredibly ugly. He squinted at a small island floating on the side of Dressrosa in the distance, where the words "Institute No. 3" suddenly became especially glaring.
Is this making me blind? You want to extort money, but can you at least use a more plausible excuse?
"Your Majesty, what do you mean?"
"Tell Big Mom that if she wants the experiment to be on the agenda as soon as possible... she needs to pay more!" An evil smile appeared on Adrian's face.
"This… I'm afraid I can't make the decision. I have to ask my mother for instructions." Katakuri took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed out. Soon, the slightly annoyed voice of the Yonko came through. "Katakuri, why did you make me wait so long? What did the brat say?"
"Big Mom, I'm not interested in your daughter," Adrian said first, addressing the Den Den Mushi. "As for the experiment... you need to pay more!"
There was a moment of silence on the other end.
Immediately afterward, Big Mom's unique, disgusting laugh came through. "Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma, you dare to reject me... Do you, a brat, think you can act recklessly in front of me just because you've done a few big things recently?!"
Big Mom said sullenly, "You want to blackmail me using money? Have you already thought about the consequences?"
Adrian smiled fearlessly. What kind of ulterior motive do you have for me by marrying your daughter? Do you think I don't know? I'm not some Vinsmoke Judge. You want to play this game with me?
"Just talk about business. If you threaten me again," Adrian said flatly, his smile unwavering, "your son Katakuri may not be able to go back."
The audience was suddenly silent. Katakuri, Baron Tamago, and Pekoms were stunned. He's threatening Mother face-to-face? Is this guy crazy? Doesn't he know that Mother has the worst temper in the New World?
Even Big Mom, on the other end of the phone, didn't expect Adrian to dare to talk to her like that. Her face became extremely ferocious in an instant, and she roared in a low voice, "Little brat, do you know who you are talking to? My anger's is not something you, or your little Dressrosa, can bear!"
"It seems that you don't care about your son's life or death at all." Adrian looked at Katakuri with a half-smile. The latter's face was full of helplessness.
Although Big Mom's Whole Cake Island seemed to be a monolith, the internal hidden dangers were greater than those of the Whitebeard Pirates. This was because, unlike Whitebeard's infinite doting on his "sons," Big Mom simply did not treat her own children as human beings. In her eyes, they were all just tools that could be crushed to death at will.
But she ignored the most important point. Tools also have feelings... These children of the Charlotte family had almost never received the warmth of a home from Big Mom. All that kept them loyal was endless fear.
Adrian, of course, was not going to miss such a good opportunity to intensify the conflict.
"Big Mom, if you want the experiment to proceed normally, you'd better send someone to bring over 2 billion berries immediately."
"Otherwise, the contract that Doflamingo signed with you before… I don't recognize it!" After Adrian finished speaking, he hung up the phone directly, not giving Big Mom a chance to even bark.