Shiryu's figure swiftly retreated, his long blade carving crimson arcs through the air in an attempt to block Katakuri's assault.
But Katakuri's Dragon Halberd pierced through his defenses like thunder, striking Shiryu squarely in the chest.
"BOOM!"
Shiryu's body was sent flying backward by the tremendous impact, crashing heavily onto the ground.
The earth crumbled beneath him, forming a massive crater.
Blood spurted from his mouth, yet his eyes still blazed with a frenzied light.
Katakuri descended slowly, his Dragon Human Form gradually fading.
His gaze was stern as he raised his trident, pointing it directly at Shiryu's chest.
"It's over."
A flicker of unwillingness crossed Shiryu's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a maddened grin.
"Hahaha... cough... This is the fight I wanted!"
Then he lost consciousness.
Katakuri turned to Perospero, his expression leaving no room for doubt.
Perospero immediately understood, swiftly dragging World over with practiced ease.
Katakuri's eyes fell upon World as a trace of satisfaction flashing within them.
Though World's body was covered in wounds, his ability was an invaluable treasure, enough to double the worth of their mission.
"Mirror World!" Brulee's voice called out from the side,
She promptly utilized her Mirror-Mirror Fruit ability, swiftly opening an entrance to the mirror world.
The mirror surface shimmered with a faint blue light, like a gateway to another realm.
Katakuri tossed both Shiryu and World into the mirror world one after another, his movements crisp and efficient without the slightest hesitation.
Brulee quickly closed the mirror world's entrance, the glow on the mirror surface gradually fading as peace returned.
The three stood in the dim corridor, surrounded by the scents of blood and gunpowder.
Katakuri's gaze lingered on the mirror world's entrance.
Even if they found nothing further in the sixth level, World's ability alone meant their mission had already yielded immense profits.
"World's ability is enough to compensate for all our losses," Katakuri murmured with a hint of barely concealed excitement in his tone.
His mind began calculating—if Big Mom could absorb Bondrewd's ability, how terrifyingly powerful she would become.
By then, even Admirals would be nothing but ants before her.
Perospero stood nearby, his candy cane tapping lightly against the ground with a clear sound.
His eyes glittered with greed as he chuckled softly.
"Katakuri, we've hit the jackpot this time. Once mama gain World's ability, the entire New World will grovel at our feet!"
His voice carried a fanatical edge, as if he could already see the glorious future.
Brulee stood quietly to the side, her Mirror-Mirror Fruit ability faintly flickering.
A trace of concern showed in her eyes, as if she wasn't entirely at ease with the current situation.
Her gaze occasionally swept toward the depths of the corridor, as if wary of other unknown dangers.
Just then,
Her Mirror suddenly rippled, and an urgent voice came from the mirror.
"Brulee! Brulee! Respond if you hear me!"
The voice carried obvious anxiety, as if something important had happened.
Brulee quickly raised the Mirror and a family member's face appeared in the mirror.
His face was covered in sweat, his eyes filled with panic.
"Brulee, a large number of Marine reinforcements have arrived outside the prison! Mama is in a bad situation. When can you return?"
His voice carried a hint of tears, clearly frightened by the situation outside.
Katakuri's brow furrowed slightly with a flash of coldness in his eyes.
He turned to Perospero and Brulee and speak in a low voice.
"It seems the situation outside is worse than we imagined."
Perospero's expression also turned grave.
He tightened his grip on his Candy Cane, his tone tinged with unease.
"The Marines are serious this time. If we don't return quickly to support, mama might be in danger."
Katakuri nodded, his gaze sweeping over the dim corridor once more as he quickly analyzed the current situation in his mind.
He had witnessed Shiryu's bloodthirsty nature firsthand.
Since he managed to emerge from Level 6, there were likely no survivors left inside.
Even if they continued deeper, they probably wouldn't find any more valuable targets.
"There's no need to waste any more time here," Katakuri said coldly, his tone carrying an undeniable finality.
"Brulee, open a passage to the Mirror World. We're returning directly to our starting point."
Brulee nodded, and her Mirror quickly rippled.
The entrance to the Mirror World opened once more, blue light flickering like a passageway to safety.
Katakuri, Perospero, and Brulee entered one by one, their figures gradually disappearing into the dim corridor.
...
The light and shadow interwove in the Mirror World like a dreamlike maze, surreal and enchanting.
Flickering lights surrounded them like an endless tunnel, twisting time and space into chaos.
Katakuri's figure moved swiftly through the mirrors, his mind replaying the recent battle scenes.
Shiryu's madness and World's abilities stirred a flicker of excitement within him.
Though this mission was filled with danger, the rewards were equally substantial—enough to grant them rich returns from this venture.
"Katakuri, do you think mama will be satisfied with our gains this time?" Perospero's voice came from beside him, breaking the silence of the Mirror World.
His tone carried a note of anticipation, as if he could already see Big Mom's pleased smile.
A faint smile touched Katakuri's lips.
"World's abilities are enough to elevate mama's power to another level. By then, even Marine Admirals will be nothing but ants beneath mama's feet."
Hearing this, a gleam of excitement flashed in Perospero's eyes as he chuckled softly.
"Hahaha, you're right! mama will definitely be proud of us!"
"We need to hurry," Brulee said quietly, her voice tinged with urgency.
Katakuri nodded and quickened his pace.
The three figures darted swiftly through the shifting light and shadow, like a streak of black lightning.
The shimmering reflections of the mirror world flew past them, illusory radiance surging like tidal waves, enveloping them in an otherworldly atmosphere.
A few minutes later,
Their vision suddenly brightened as the exit of the mirror world appeared before them like a gate of light.