Katakuri frowned as he listened. He wasn't worried that Marco would simply kill them all—after all, within the Big Mom Pirates, his strength ranked only second. The true pillar of terror was Mama herself, the Yonko Big Mom. His voice was cold as he asked,
"Then what exactly do you want?"
Before Marco could respond, Katakuri issued a warning, his tone sharp and heavy with menace.
"Marco, I admit your strength is impressive. But you haven't seen a true monster yet. If you truly anger Mama, your Phoenix Pirates will face real annihilation. Mama won't be as reasonable as we are."
Marco waved the threat aside with a dismissive smile.
"Save the intimidation. I'll have a proper meeting with Big Mom sooner or later. But before that, I need to settle things with you. Understand this clearly—you were the ones who provoked us first. This won't end without a conclusion."
His lips curved upward, playful yet dangerous.
"Right now, you have two choices. First—kneel and surrender. Second—I'll beat you until you do."
Katakuri's expression darkened instantly. His fists clenched as he spoke in a low, grim voice,
"Then it seems today will end in blood."
Around him, the members of the Big Mom Pirates bristled with anger. They felt utterly underestimated. Even after suffering heavy losses, they still held a numerical advantage.
"A bloodbath isn't necessary," Marco said calmly, clearly unwilling to let the conflict spiral further. "King versus king. Captain versus Captain. Normally, that would be the rule. But since it's you, Katakuri, I'll make an exception and give you the chance to face me directly."
Katakuri frowned slightly. Marco's tone grated on him—like a superior granting mercy to an inferior. Anger simmered in his chest, yet he didn't interrupt. Instead, he watched Marco in silence, waiting.
Marco continued, "We're pirates. In the end, everything is decided by strength. Don't say I didn't give you an opportunity. I know you're furious about your brother's injuries. So let's end this properly. The final battle will be just you and me."
His gaze sharpened.
"If you defeat me, the matter of your Big Mom Pirates provoking us ends here, and I'll hand Fish-Man Island over to you. But if I win—then Big Mom herself can come and speak with me."
To Marco, Katakuri was more than an enemy—he was the perfect whetstone. Ever since Marco began investing heavily in his mental strength, his progress in Observation Haki and Conqueror's Haki had accelerated dramatically, especially Observation Haki.
In the original story, Luffy had awakened future-sight by fighting Katakuri. That battle clearly illustrated how Observation Haki could evolve under extreme pressure. Marco wanted to test whether he, too, could reach that realm—by clashing with a master of Observation Haki like Katakuri.
After all, his mental strength was already nearing ten thousand points.
Katakuri hesitated.
As the Charlotte Family's "greatest masterpiece," he carried the weight of his titles—the strongest, the most reliable, the unshakable pillar. Yet he knew the truth. In his current injured state, fighting Marco would be no easy matter. Worse still, Marco's calm confidence made it feel as though he had already figured him out completely.
But when Katakuri looked around and met the expectant gazes of his siblings and subordinates, he knew he couldn't retreat. He couldn't betray their trust.
Against Ace, he had been held back by a Devil Fruit counter. Against Marco, that disadvantage wouldn't exist. That was his source of confidence. And more than that—he could not allow himself to disappoint the family that believed in him.
Katakuri exhaled slowly, then nodded.
"Very well. Years ago, we couldn't decide a victor. This time… we'll settle it."
He dared to accept for two reasons. First, his faith in his own strength. And second—even if he lost, he didn't believe Marco would kill him outright. As long as Mama still lived, Marco wouldn't dare push things that far.
Otherwise, this would no longer be a battle—it would become a war of annihilation.
The Phoenix Pirates were briefly puzzled by Marco's decision to duel Katakuri alone, but none of them voiced opposition. They trusted him. Ace, however, couldn't help but offer a serious warning.
"Marco, be careful. His Devil Fruit has already awakened. Even with my flames countering him, his strength is still terrifying."
"I know," Marco replied calmly, giving a small nod.
On the other side, Katakuri exchanged a meaningful glance with Smoothie. If there was still a chance to turn this situation around, it lay in reinforcements. If Mama arrived, every problem would vanish in an instant. If she didn't… then Katakuri would have to settle everything with his own hands.
Soon, the two stepped forward and faced each other.
Marco drew in a deep breath. Memories surfaced—of how Luffy had awakened his future-sight by battling Katakuri in the original timeline. Pushing all distractions aside, Marco steadied his mind and spoke with quiet resolve.
"Come on, Katakuri."
"Go, Katakuri-nii!"
"Show him your strength!"
Cheers immediately erupted from the Big Mom Pirates' side. In contrast, the Phoenix Pirates remained composed. To them, Marco could not lose. He was their captain—and he would never enter a battle without absolute confidence.
Katakuri frowned slightly.
'He's not moving?'
Marco stood there openly, his posture relaxed, leaving what looked like countless openings. It made Katakuri instinctively cautious.
Seeing that Katakuri still hadn't acted, Marco urged again, his tone unwavering.
"Come on. Let me see what you've got."
The cheers for Katakuri only grew louder.
At last, Katakuri exhaled slowly and calmed his mind completely. His Observation Haki surged to its peak. Though he had been wounded in his earlier fight with Ace, his stamina had not yet run dry.
Placing one palm firmly against the ground, he roared,
"Flowing Mochi!"
In an instant, the ground around them turned pure white, transforming into churning mochi. It writhed like a living thing, swelling and twisting before shooting upward. The mochi condensed into thorn-covered whips, each one hardened with Armament Haki.
"Mochi Thorns!"
The next heartbeat, the barbed whips lashed out, tearing through the air as they surged straight toward Marco.
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