At that moment, Usopp added, "And there's also Cracker, another one of the Three Sweet Commanders, with a bounty of 860 million Berries!"
Two major figures had arrived!
Yet, the Straw Hats remained unfazed, confident in their two members with the fighting power to rival a Four Emperor!
However, what no one anticipated was Carl casually summoning a recliner, lying down with a yawn, and saying, "Momoo and I will keep watch on the ship this time. Everyone else can handle things. Just call me if it gets too rough."
Oh, dear...
Everyone froze, one of their potential Four Emperors-level assets suddenly deciding to take a backseat.
What are we supposed to do? Waiting for instructions online, this is urgent!
Luffy grinned nonchalantly. "Then let Mr. Carl watch the ship. We've trained for so long; this is the perfect opportunity for a real fight! Let the Four Emperors see our strength!"
"That's right!"
Zoro's gaze locked onto the bearded Cracker. "That Cracker looks like a swordsman. Leave him to me!"
Carl gave the bearded Cracker a knowing once-over. He found him a bit odd for a moment, then it clicked. This Cracker was terrified of pain, which was why he preferred to hide within his Biscuit Soldier creations. Even the Marine's wanted poster only featured this bearded Biscuit Soldier. Few knew his true appearance.
Sanji immediately protested, "Hey! Moss-head, are you getting cocky now? That Cracker has a bounty of over 800 million! He's not someone you can handle right now!"
Zoro looked relaxed. "Who said I can't handle him? Even if I can't beat him yet, I can definitely stop him!"
"Black Leg Sanji is right!"
Trafalgar Law interjected from the submarine deck, "This Cracker is very strong. I've heard he possesses near-Admiral level strength. Zoro shouldn't underestimate him. I should join forces with you to hold him off. Katakuri will be the Straw Hats' opponent."
Regarding Law's combat proposal, no one in the Straw Hats objected.
This division of labor made perfect sense!
Carl also took a closer look at the individuals on Big Mom's ship. Aside from Katakuri and Cracker, the rest were just relatively unknown fighters. While the combatants under Big Mom's banner were undoubtedly strong, the Straw Hats' current fighting capabilities should be sufficient.
If things went awry, he could always intervene at a critical moment.
Thinking this, Carl felt much more at ease and simply closed his eyes to bask in the sun.
Soon, the Big Mom Pirates' ship arrived a short distance away.
Katakuri was slightly perplexed. He noticed that the Straw Hat Pirates hadn't fled; in fact, they were actively approaching. Not only the Straw Hats but also the lesser-known Heart Pirates.
When did rookies become so bold? Not even afraid of the Four Emperors!
"Straw Hat Boy, we are the Big Mom Pirates! Mama asked me to deliver this invitation to her tea party. You must accept it and arrive in Totto Land on time to attend!"
Katakuri got straight to the point, without any preamble.
"Invitation? What invitation?" Luffy looked confused.
"Straw Hats, the Big Mom Pirates want you to join their ranks and become their subordinates. This tea party invitation is a summoning order. All those who receive it must attend the tea party on time, or face serious consequences!" Law explained.
Katakuri glanced at Law but remained silent.
While the captain of the Heart Pirates possessed a certain spirit, he seemed far inferior to Straw Hat Luffy.
Meanwhile, Luffy adjusted his straw hat, obscuring his expression. "Your subordinates? The Four Emperors want me to be their subordinate? Go back and tell that old hag not to be so self-righteous! Even if she comes here herself, I'll fight her!"
After saying this, he suddenly lifted his head, a powerful intensity blazing in his eyes.
A wave of Conqueror's Haki surged outwards, pressing towards the Big Mom Pirates' ship.
Crack! A fissure appeared on the side of their vessel!
Katakuri was startled and immediately unleashed his own Conqueror's Haki, colliding with Luffy's Haki in mid-air.
Thunderous cracks echoed through the air as two invisible forces clashed, creating massive waves on the sea. Yet, the Big Mom Pirates' ship continued to groan and crack, clearly suffering significant damage.
Furthermore, many of the crew members on board fainted on the spot.
"To possess such potent Conqueror's Haki... I underestimated you!"
Katakuri's face was grim. He had initially anticipated a smooth interaction, but now it seemed utterly impossible. Not only that, but the Big Mom Pirates and the Straw Hats were already on the verge of open conflict. They might not truly desire to go to war.
Bang! The two Conqueror's Haki bursts finally dissipated.
Katakuri took a step back, his foot landing firmly on the deck.
However, Luffy remained seated on the Sunny's figurehead, ready to pass judgment!
"Brother Katakuri?!"
Cracker and the other crew members who hadn't succumbed to the Haki clash were all shocked. Their powerful second brother had actually been matched in Conqueror's Haki by a rookie pirate! It was unbelievable!
"The majesty of the Big Mom Pirates cannot be desecrated!"
Katakuri suddenly roared and leaped towards Luffy. But Luffy wasn't foolish; he knew the opponent wouldn't treat the Thousand Sunny as a battlefield. So, he too sprang into the air, even faster than Katakuri.
Bang! A fist connected squarely with Katakuri's face.
Katakuri was sent hurtling backward like a cannonball, crashing directly through the ship's cabin.
Luffy used Moonwalk to propel himself onto the deck of the enemy ship, ignoring the other pirates, and charged towards the gaping hole in the cabin. He intended to give this arrogant foe a thorough beating.
The bearded Biscuit Soldier was about to intercept him, but suddenly three figures appeared before him, blocking his path.
Law silently deactivated his ROOM, revealing that he had used his Devil Fruit ability to transport himself, Zoro, and Sanji onto the enemy ship moments ago. As for why Sanji was also there, Law figured a three-on-one scenario was safer.
Zoro had already adopted his "Three Sword Style stance. "Hey! Beardy, don't bother our captain!"
With that, he unleashed an upward slash with one of his swords.
The Biscuit Soldier was impatient. He first blocked Zoro's blade with a biscuit shield, then the sword held in his other hand suddenly spun rapidly like a top, imbued with Armament Haki, and thrust towards Zoro.
"Roll... Pretzel!"
Zoro felt the immense power of the rotating sword's energy, and his expression turned incredibly serious.
He truly deserves that bounty of over 800 million. He thought to himself. This strength is indeed formidable. Even if Ghost Spider were here, he might not be a match.
However, Zoro would not back down!
He coated all three of his swords with a thick layer of Armament Haki, and Wado Ichimonji and Sandai Kitetsu in his hands spun like fans.
"Three-Sword Style Secret Technique! Nine Mountains and Eight Seas, Those Who Have No Ego... Three Thousand Worlds!"
Clang!
The sword energies of the two sides collided, unleashing a powerful shockwave.
Zoro was forced to take several steps back, while the Biscuit Soldier retreated two steps. Although the Biscuit Soldier appeared to have the upper hand, he wasn't entirely unscathed.
The hand gripping his sword audibly cracked, revealing numerous fissures.
Zoro laughed. "It turned out to be a puppet! The great pirates under the Four Emperors don't even dare to show their faces. Could it be that the subordinates of the Big Mom Pirates are all gutless cowards?"
In an instant, the Biscuit Soldier trembled with rage.
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