The ground began to writhe, as if an invisible hand were kneading strips of mochi.
Crack—crack—crack!
Large quantities of mochi tendrils surged upward, each coated with a faint layer of black—clear proof of just how formidable Charlotte Katakuri's Armament Haki control was.
"Impressive."
Karl's figure flickered continuously. Relying on Observation Haki and sheer speed, he dodged Katakuri's attacks—but there were simply too many. One of the mochi whips grazed him.
"Hiss—"
"Hmph! Looks like your strength isn't all that great after all!"
Karl quickly steadied himself. A cluster of white holy light condensed and flowed into his body, instantly healing the minor wound.
"That light…!"
The moment Karl manifested holy light, Katakuri felt as if a thunderclap had exploded in his mind.
That healing power… the same one I felt earlier!
Not only could it heal—but it could also enhance physical strength!
"It was you!" Katakuri shouted. "Why did you help us?!"
Karl spread his hands helplessly.
"My mission is to make sure the Red-Haired Pirates aren't defeated by you. So they needed to lose a few people to ignite their fighting spirit—makes sense, right?"
"Besides, I didn't help for free. Didn't I just kill a few of your brothers and sisters to balance the books? So no need to thank me."
Crack—crack—crack!
Katakuri clenched his fists, his arms trembling with rage.
This Marine was—was simply too despicable.
Is this what Marine 'justice' looks like?!
"Power Mochi!!!"
Mochi erupted from the ground, forming over a dozen donut-shaped rings. From each ring extended massive, mochi-reinforced arms, all coated in Armament Haki, attacking Karl in unison.
The technique was eerily similar to Gear Fourth, and every punch carried terrifying force.
Karl didn't speak.
He calmed his breathing, weaving flawlessly between the arm thrusts while rapidly closing the distance.
"Elbaf Spear · Ikoku Sovereignty!"
For Karl—whose swordsmanship had reached Lv.4—this technique wasn't difficult. The only requirement was sufficient physical strength. After his buffs, he could use it with ease, though the stronger version, Hakoku, would drain enormous stamina.
"A Giant technique?! How can you—?!"
PUH—!
A massive golden flying slash severed several mochi arms and then struck Katakuri head-on, dealing devastating damage.
It wasn't that Katakuri didn't want to dodge—
he couldn't.
Otherwise, Karl would never have dared use such a move at this distance.
The once-invincible Katakuri collapsed.
Blood poured from his chest as he struggled to rise—then his consciousness faded.
He had already been pushed hard fighting Benn Beckman earlier. His stamina was nearly exhausted, and he had even used Devil Fruit Awakening. He was completely spent.
"Brother Katakuri!!!"
"Brother, are you okay?!"
"Don't come closer! If you want to hurt Brother Katakuri, you'll have to get through me first!"
Karl casually twirled his blade, then tossed Raven skyward.
"Now," he said calmly, "can we stop?"
"Scary~" a lazy voice sounded from behind.
"To defeat the strongest of BIG MOM's Sweet Commanders… looks like I arrived too early."
Borsalino appeared without warning behind Karl, clicking his tongue as he looked at Katakuri with apparent regret.
"Y-Yellow Monkey… he really came!"
"Damn it! The Marines planned this from the beginning!"
Karl pointed irritably toward the still-clashing Shanks and Charlotte Linlin.
"That side's yours. I can't handle it."
"Sigh~ we're both Marines—no need to be so distant. Come along with me."
"Alright."
Together, Karl and Borsalino strolled openly toward the battlefield. The Charlotte siblings didn't dare block them.
An Admiral was still an Admiral—no one wanted to risk 碰瓷.
"Woh~ they're really going at it," Borsalino remarked.
"That Red-Haired boy is surprisingly tough."
Karl shook his head.
"Shanks is strong, sure—but his talent is nowhere near Big Mom's. That woman gives birth every year and still fights like this—she's a monster."
Borsalino blinked, staring at Karl.
What kind of angle is that?
But after thinking it over, he had to agree.
"That woman truly is a monster. Alright—my turn."
"Yasakani no Magatama!!!"
Borsalino raised his fingers delicately. Countless light bullets rained down on Big Mom, triggering a chain of explosions.
"Borsalino!!! What are you trying to do?!"
Big Mom glared at him, murderous intent completely undisguised.
"Kowai~ you're still as fierce as ever, woman."
Big Mom retaliated instantly—two massive Ikoku Sovereignty slashes. Borsalino dispersed into light, dodging easily, then dusted himself off.
"Hey, hey~ don't be so excited. I'm not here to fight you."
Big Mom glanced at the heavily panting Shanks and roared,
"Then get lost! My business is none of the Marines' concern!!!"
Borsalino and Big Mom began arguing verbally, trading lines back and forth.
Shanks seized the moment. He glanced once at Karl and Borsalino—then ran.
Didn't look back even once.
"The Marines will never allow the Red-Haired Pirates to join BIG MOM!"
"Damn it! I said I do whatever I want—your Marines don't get a say!!!"
"All of you—die!!!"
"Narukami Sword!!!"
A composite technique of lightning, fire, and swordplay—energy rings gathered along Napoleon's blade, releasing a terrifying flying slash when swung.
Borsalino scratched his head helplessly and instantly dispersed into photons, dodging the attack and leaving Karl alone on the spot.
Karl: ???
I haven't even gotten on the bus yet!!!
With no other choice, Karl threw himself into desperate evasions. An attack of this level would obliterate his current body.
"Shanks has already escaped," Borsalino called out.
"I'll cover you—leave first!"
Karl nodded hard. Raven rapidly enlarged and crouched on the ground.
Karl jumped on its back and shouted,
"Go! Fly as fast as you can!"
"Gaa gaa gaa!!!"
Raven flapped its wings furiously, shooting more than fifty meters in the blink of an eye and quickly escaping Big Mom's attack range.
Once Karl was safe, Borsalino happily resumed harassing Big Mom.
Come hit me~
Oops, I ran~
Try again~
Nope, missed~
Can't hit, can't hit—does it make you mad?
Whether Big Mom was mad or not didn't matter.
Borsalino was having a great time.
Eventually, he got bored and simply vanished—Big Mom couldn't even catch his exhaust trail.
After all that effort, she gained nothing.
How could she not be furious?
"DAMN YOU, BORSALINO! ONE DAY, I'LL MAKE YOU PAY!!!"
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