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Chapter 265: Three Emperors Gather
The Red Hair Pirates walked on the left, wearing relaxed expressions as if they were just visiting a neighbor.
Behind Katakuri's mountain-like figure, a little girl in a frilly dress with a jagged scar across her face followed closely, matching his steps.
Charlotte Brulee.
She clutched the hem of her brother's coat tightly, her large eyes filled with curiosity and fear of her surroundings. When she saw the Red Hair Pirates, she instinctively shrank behind Katakuri.
Katakuri seemed to sense his sister's nervousness. His cold, steady pace paused for a fraction of a second. He lowered his head. Those crimson eyes, capable of seeing the future, were now filled with tenderness.
He reached out with a large hand—one capable of crushing steel—and gently placed it on Brulee's head, stroking it slowly.
"Don't be afraid, Brulee."
Katakuri's voice was deep and steady, carrying a reassuring power.
"This place... is different from Totto Land."
"There are rules here."
"No one dares to hurt you here."
Brulee looked up at the brother she worshipped most, the fear on her face fading slightly. But then she touched the ugly scar on her face, and her eyes dimmed again.
This scar was the greatest nightmare of her childhood, and the eternal pain in Katakuri's heart. To protect her, Katakuri had hidden his mouth behind a scarf, becoming the "Perfect Man" who intimidated the seas. But only Brulee knew that her brother carried guilt in his heart because of it.
"Big Brother..." Brulee's voice was as quiet as a mosquito. "Is my face... very ugly?"
"Does it bring shame to you... and Mama?"
Hearing this, Katakuri's heart trembled. He slowly crouched down, his massive shadow enveloping Brulee completely, shielding her from all external gazes.
He stared into his sister's eyes and spoke with absolute solemnity.
"No."
"Brulee is not ugly at all."
"You are my cutest little sister."
"And..." Katakuri looked toward the unassuming tavern at the end of the street, his eyes flashing with unprecedented determination. "I brought you here to heal your face."
"Trust me. That man... Boss Blake. He will have a way."
"Here, you will find your miracle."
Brulee's eyes lit up instantly, as if starlight was dancing within them.
"Really? Big Brother!"
"Mm." Katakuri nodded heavily.
If a cripple like the Golden Lion, beaten by Garp, could regenerate his limbs and return to his prime... what was a mere scar to the merchant who sold miracles?
Receiving her brother's affirmation, a brilliant smile finally bloomed on Brulee's face. She nodded vigorously, no longer afraid. She took the initiative to hold Katakuri's hand and walked forward with big steps.
This scene naturally fell into the eyes of the Red Hair Pirates.
Lucky Roux, gnawing on a chicken leg, mumbled, "That big guy doesn't look so scary after all."
Yasopp whistled. "Iron man with a soft heart? Rare sight."
Benn Beckman puffed on his cigar, his gaze deep. "Charlotte Katakuri... Big Mom's strongest son. The man who sees the future. It's a pity. If he were born anywhere else, his achievements would be far greater."
The smile on Shanks' face remained, but his eyes held a playful glint. He didn't speak, only quickening his pace.
Foosha Village. It was no longer the Foosha Village he knew.
An image of a silly boy with a straw hat and a missing tooth involuntarily surfaced in Shanks' mind.
"Luffy, that guy..."
"I wonder how he's doing now."
He murmured softly, but Benn Beckman caught it. Beckman exhaled a ring of smoke.
"Times have changed, Shanks."
"Ever since that 'Boss' appeared, nothing can go back to how it was."
Shanks fell silent for a moment, then laughed freely. "Yeah, we can't go back. But isn't this more interesting?"
On both sides of the street, the wealthy merchants, nobles, and pirates who had come from all over the world were pressed against the walls, silent as cicadas in winter. They didn't dare breathe too loudly.
These were two Emperors! The Rulers of the New World! Seeing just one was enough to brag about for a lifetime, but now two top-tier crews appeared in this small East Blue village simultaneously. This scene was more absurd than a myth!
However, when they passed through the crowd and reached the village plaza, even Shanks and Katakuri were stunned.
The plaza, where villagers used to dry clothes and children played, had transformed into an incredibly lively—and incredibly bizarre—open-air market.
Stalls were set up everywhere. The vendors were a motley crew: pirates in rags, merchants in suits, and even a few guys in Marine uniforms selling goods furtively.
And the things they sold were bizarre.
"Step right up and take a look! From the Jujutsu Kaisen Dungeon, the Special Grade Cursed Tool 'Playful Cloud'! It's a replica, sure, but the durability is top-notch! Ten million Berries, no bargaining!" A one-eyed pirate shouted, spittle flying.
"Nichirin Swords from the Demon Slayer Dungeon! Useless without a Breathing Style, but they cut iron like mud! Great collector's item! Guaranteed to give you face!"
"Selling medicine! Senzu Beans! Anyone want a Senzu Bean?! Only one left! One bite and you revive with full health on the spot!"
Shanks and Katakuri stopped in their tracks. They looked at the grotesque and gaudy scene before them, shock evident in their eyes.
Dungeon?
Jujutsu Kaisen?
Demon Slayer?
What are these things?
Although their intelligence networks had informed them of the existence of "Dungeons," witnessing items from "otherworlds" being sold like street-stall trinkets delivered a massive impact.
This world... had truly changed completely while they weren't looking.
Benn Beckman took a deep drag of his cigar and exhaled slowly, his gaze behind his lenses grave.
"It seems Boss Blake doesn't just sell 'tickets'."
"He allows the 'players' who clear the dungeons to bring items out and trade them."
"A brand new economic system with 'Dungeons' at its core... is quietly forming."
Shanks' smile vanished, replaced by unprecedented seriousness. He finally understood why the Five Elders and Imu would wash the Celestial Dragons in blood just to move the Holy Land here.
Because right here, new rules capable of overturning the old order of the entire world were being born!
Just then, a commotion erupted from the other end of the market.
"Make way! Get out of the way!"
A rough shout rang out as the crowd was shoved aside by brute force.
A man with blonde hair and a "Whitebeard" tattoo on his chest, built like a fortress, strode forward. Behind him followed Diamond Jozu, Flower Sword Vista, and the other Commanders.
Whitebeard Pirates, First Division Commander, Marco!
They had arrived too!
"Gurararara... It's lively here!"
Accompanying a heroic laugh, a figure like a demon god appeared in everyone's line of sight.
Edward Newgate!
The World's Strongest Man, Whitebeard!
Although his face still held a trace of sickly pallor, his aura of ruling the world had not diminished in the slightest!
The Third Emperor!
The air in the plaza seemed to solidify completely. Everyone felt as if their hearts were being squeezed by a giant hand, making it impossible to breathe!
Three...
The core forces of three Emperor crews had gathered here!
═════ To Be Continued ═════
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