The quiet voice echoed through the ruined palace like a cursed chant, lingering in the air long after it was spoken.
Everyone stared at Katakuri in disbelief.
Even Charlotte Linlin and Kaido were no exception.
Left auspicious, right ominous?
Still destined to die?
That answer was beyond anything they had expected.
Especially Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, who had just moments ago been smiling and praising Katakuri's mastery of Observation Haki.
Now, his expression was frozen, his face darkening to an ashen hue.
He had expected his dramatic entrance to tip the scales, to become the stabilizing force everyone could rally behind.
Instead, it felt like he'd slapped himself in the face—twice.
"Katakuri, are you joking?" Nusjuro growled, barely containing his fury. "You should know when to speak—and when to hold your tongue."
"I'll give you one more chance. Say it again."
"With me included—what's the outcome?"
His voice thundered with finality.
Everyone tensed.
Even Kaido and Linlin, for once, didn't bicker. They stared at Katakuri, waiting.
If it had just been one of them facing Admiral Luoyu alone, death might have been believable.
But now?
Two Emperors. Two Warlords. And one of the Five Elders.
And still, Katakuri said they would die?
That couldn't be real.
But Katakuri's expression didn't waver. He spoke slowly, clearly:
"No. No matter how many times you ask, the answer is the same. In that moment, I saw Mama and Kaido fighting together…"
"You were all coughing up blood."
"The vision was brief—I couldn't see it clearly. But left is auspicious, right is ominous… and the omen only grows darker."
Shock rippled through the room.
They had expected Katakuri to back down under Nusjuro's threat—to say something more palatable.
Instead, he delivered an even more terrifying answer.
Two Emperors, beaten bloody?
Could that really happen?
Even Linlin and Kaido didn't want to believe it.
"You arrogant brat! I thought your Observation Haki could glimpse the future, but you're just spouting nonsense!" Nusjuro roared, gripping his katana.
In a flash, he vanished.
When he reappeared, he was right in front of Katakuri.
"If you're useless, then die!"
Katakuri's trident shot forward to meet the strike—he had clearly anticipated this.
BOOM!
The clash of their weapons unleashed a hurricane-force shockwave.
Katakuri was forced back seven or eight steps, each one shattering the floor beneath him.
Dust and debris swirled as Charlotte Linlin stepped between them, Emperor's Sword in hand.
"Nusjuro, don't forget—this is Totto Land. Katakuri is my precious son. Attacking him out of nowhere is a bit much, don't you think?"
"Besides, you saw it yourself—he blocked your strike. He foresaw it. He's not joking."
"If you dare act out again, don't blame me for what happens next."
Nusjuro's face was as dark as thunderclouds.
He had struck to test Katakuri's foresight—and the result was clear.
Katakuri wasn't bluffing.
But to believe that even with all of them combined, they'd still be killed by a mere upstart?
He refused to accept it.
"Everyone, let's not get carried away," King suddenly interjected.
"If I recall correctly, the future isn't fixed. Even if you can glimpse a piece of it, whether it happens is another matter."
"Since we all share the same target, this plan must go forward."
"If one person can't change the outcome, then we'll bring in more. I refuse to believe that even that won't shift the future."
At those words, everyone's eyes lit up.
It felt like a breakthrough.
No—more than that, it gave them the reassurance they desperately needed.
They had never truly believed that such a god-tier lineup couldn't kill one brat.
Now, King's proposal gave them a psychological foothold.
"I support King's idea. That brat's getting way too much credit. If word of this spreads, where would our pride go?" Kaido growled.
"Linlin, don't tell me you've gotten too old to take a gamble."
"Tch. Shut up, Kaido!" Linlin snapped. "Don't forget—I used to ride you like a beast and beat you senseless. Me, afraid of some brat? Don't make me laugh."
"Count me in."
"Me too!" Blackbeard and Doflamingo quickly chimed in.
Nusjuro, face still cold, sheathed his blade.
"Hmph. I'll prepare the time and place. I'll make sure that brat walks right into our trap. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."
With that, he turned to go.
Kaido, suddenly remembering something, tensed and quickly tried to follow.
But just as he moved, Linlin's voice rang out:
"Kaido, did you forget our vow? That we'd never cross paths again—and if we did, it would be to the death."
"If we can't settle this with blood, then you owe me something else. Don't forget—when I gave you the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Model: Azure Dragon, you made a promise."
"You said that once you were strong enough… you'd give me a dragon child."