BOOM!
The clash between the two titans unleashed a hurricane-force shockwave that tore through the entire hall.
Everything around them was instantly shredded.
The violent blast of air sent the weaker ones flying, unable to resist the force.
Once they managed to stabilize themselves, they all turned their eyes toward the center of the battlefield.
The once-opulent grand hall had been reduced to rubble.
Two mountain-like figures collided again, neither yielding an inch.
Seeing Kaido—who was believed to have been sunk and lost to the sea—alive and standing here sent a chill through many spines.
"Kaido! I told you—if you ever set foot on my territory again, I'd kill you! You barely escaped with your life, and now you come here to die? Don't forget—you still owe me a promise!"
Charlotte Linlin's face darkened as she roared in fury.
She recalled the day she gifted Kaido the rare Mythical Zoan Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon.
She had seen potential in him.
But more than that, she believed that once Kaido awakened the fruit's power, he would become strong enough to fulfill her ambitions.
Unfortunately, when Kaido rose to the rank of Emperor, Linlin came to collect on that promise—only to be turned away at the door.
That betrayal tore apart their old alliance.
"Shut up, Linlin!" Kaido snarled, his face twisted with rage.
He had just barely escaped Impel Down with his life, and now she was dragging up old wounds.
He couldn't hold back anymore and was about to strike again—
But before he could move, a blazing figure descended from the sky, landing between them.
"Boss Kaido, don't be rash! Don't forget why we're here!"
"Charlotte Linlin, we didn't come to stir up old grudges. We came to propose an alliance."
"You must've heard—both the Beasts Pirates and Whitebeard's crew have been crushed."
"The Navy is on the rise. Two Emperors have already fallen. Your Big Mom Pirates will be next. Instead of waiting to be picked off, why not join forces with us and strike first?"
"If we kill that brat—the biggest variable—the New World can return to balance."
With that, King turned to Katakuri, who stood at the edge of the battlefield.
"Katakuri, as the top Sweet Commander, you've always been clear-headed. I believe you'll support this plan."
"Two Emperors joining forces—it'll be easy to kill that brat."
All eyes turned to Katakuri.
They knew that if he agreed, Charlotte Linlin might actually go along with it.
"No. I oppose this alliance. It's a dire omen."
Katakuri's voice was low and firm.
Everyone's expression changed. Even King, Kaido, and Linlin were visibly shaken.
"Katakuri, what are you saying? Are you implying that even two Emperors can't kill that brat?" King asked, his face darkening.
Kaido roared, "You brat! Are you underestimating the power of the Emperors?"
"Three days ago, I was caught off guard—that's the only reason I lost. Whitebeard was old and sick, and he chose to die. That's the only reason that brat got the spotlight."
"If I wasn't sure I could kill him without giving him a chance to escape, I wouldn't be here proposing an alliance!"
"Or are you saying Linlin's gotten so weak she can't handle a mere brat?"
Kaido's voice thundered across the skies.
That last jab was clearly a provocation, and Linlin knew it.
Still, her face turned cold, and she smiled sweetly as she turned to Katakuri.
"Katakuri, are you underestimating your Mama?"
"Tell me what you've seen. Speak plainly."
That smile sent chills down everyone's spine.
They knew it well—it was Linlin's infamous fake smile.
When she truly snapped, not even her own children were safe.
"Katakuri…" Smoothie, another Sweet Commander, couldn't help but speak up.
But Katakuri shook his head and stepped forward, face grim.
"No, Mama. I'm not questioning your strength. An alliance between Emperors is powerful indeed."
"But if we go up against the Navy's Fourth Admiral… we won't just lose—we'll die."
Die.
The word echoed through the ruined hall.
Everyone stared at Katakuri in disbelief.
In their minds, two Emperors joining forces to kill a single upstart should've been a guaranteed victory.
But now Katakuri was saying not only would they fail—they'd be the ones to die.
"Katakuri… you're saying we'll die?" Linlin's expression froze.
Had anyone else said that, she would've killed them on the spot.
But this was Katakuri—the one she trusted most, the one who could see the future.
His words carried weight.
"That brat dares to look down on me? He's asking for death!" Kaido roared, gripping his kanabo and preparing to charge at Katakuri.
Linlin's face darkened. She wasn't happy with Katakuri's answer either.
But letting Kaido attack her son in front of her? That was unacceptable.
Before either of them could act, Katakuri spoke again, his voice steady:
"Kaido, I'm only telling you what I've seen. If you can't accept that, how can Mama possibly ally with you?"
"Also… shouldn't you bring out the ones hiding outside? Or are you planning to ambush the Big Mom Pirates and catch us off guard?"
At those words, everyone tensed.
These were dangerous times.
And with Kaido backed into a corner, betrayal wasn't out of the question.