"Your attack method is impressive. If you practiced swordsmanship more, that slash might even surpass Mama's own sword strikes. But right now it's still far too basic—doesn't even count as a true swordsman's strike. You just happen to be strong enough to force it out," Katakuri said calmly.
With his advanced Observation Haki, Katakuri naturally understood exactly what Rosinante's slash was all about.
When Rosinante had unleashed that slash earlier, Katakuri had been momentarily shocked. He knew Rosinante's background—his swordsmanship was nothing special. How could he suddenly produce such a domineering slash?
After a closer look, he understood.
"Hey, hey, I know my swordsmanship is terrible, you don't have to spill all my secrets. Even if they know the truth, so what? Do you think, with their current strength, they could withstand the Heavenly Collapse Slash? I was just testing this sword. I finally got my hands on a famed blade—it would be a shame not to try it out. But seeing that slash's power, I suppose I could train in swordsmanship later," Rosinante said.
"You bastard!" Cracker shouted furiously.
Just using them as a test for his sword?
"You'd have to have the talent first!" Katakuri replied.
"I just never had a good teacher in swordsmanship. Once this is over, I'll find the world's greatest swordsman and have him teach me. I refuse to believe my sword skills can't improve!" Rosinante glared at Katakuri.
"We'll see," Katakuri said evenly.
"You two seem to be getting along rather well, but I have to interrupt. This is the Big Mom Pirates, not a place for casual chatter!" Perospero said darkly.
"Not in the mood to spar with you today," Rosinante muttered irritably after Katakuri's words.
"Now, the real trouble is about to arrive." Rosinante ignored the rest of the Big Mom Pirates and stared seriously at the massive crater his Heavenly Collapse Strike had carved into the ground.
Hearing this, Katakuri also looked toward the hole with a solemn expression.
"BASTARD!" The roar arrived before the person did.
In the blink of an eye, the thundercloud Zeus carried Charlotte Linlin into the sky.
Her face was twisted with rage.
"Who was it? Who was it?!" she bellowed upon arrival, her tyrannical presence sweeping the area.
"You… who are you? Was it you?" Charlotte Linlin's gaze finally locked onto Rosinante.
Naturally—he was the only new, unfamiliar face here.
"Mama, that's Donquixote Rosinante!" Perospero said.
"So, you're Rosinante?" Charlotte Linlin asked in surprise.
"Hello, Auntie. My name is Rosinante, captain of your son Katakuri's crew. Your son is an exceptional talent, especially with Observation Haki—his gift is beyond ordinary. I value him greatly and have appointed him as my vice-captain in the Gray Kingdom Pirates. Now that our two crews have this bond, we can grow much closer in the future," Rosinante said with impeccable politeness.
Every member of the Big Mom Pirates froze.
First, he had drop-kicked Mama straight into the ground. Then, he had slashed Cracker and the others into coughing blood. And now—he stood there acting perfectly polite, talking about "growing closer." Who would believe that? Ghosts, maybe.
Even Katakuri turned his face away, unwilling to look. A faint blush colored his cheeks.
Humiliating—this was too humiliating.
"Don't try to fool me. Do you think saying that will make me let him go? If Katakuri wants to leave the Big Mom Pirates, he'll have to die first!" Charlotte Linlin said coldly after a moment.
"Oh? So there's no deal to be made?" Rosinante asked.
"Not necessarily. If your Gray Kingdom Pirates join the Big Mom Pirates, I can let Katakuri serve as your vice-captain," she said with a sudden smile.
"My, that's quite the dilemma you're putting me in," Rosinante replied.
"People who put me in a dilemma often regret it," he added lightly.
"Bastard! You think you can talk to Mama like that?!" Oven roared.
"Don't think that just because you have some strength, you can act arrogant. Compared to Mama, you're still far from enough!" Daifuku snarled.
"That slash earlier hurt a lot. This time my Biscuit Soldiers will give you a proper welcome," Cracker said coldly, ready to strike.
"Kill him! Who does he think he is? This is the Big Mom Pirates!"
The shouts from the crew grew louder until Rosinante frowned and barked, "Shut up!"
The roar carried a wave of overwhelming force, pressing down on everyone. Faces around him froze in shock.
"This is a conversation between me and your Mama—a captain-to-captain discussion! You lot yapping on the side are far too noisy!" Rosinante declared, his presence radiating raw, unyielding dominance.
The oppressive will shook the gathered pirates. Aside from Big Mom herself, every member felt cold sweat bead on their skin.
No one fainted, though—those who would have fainted had already been knocked out earlier by Charlotte Linlin's own Conqueror's Haki.
Now only the stronger fighters remained, and Rosinante's Conqueror's Haki wasn't quite enough to knock them unconscious.
"Such powerful Conqueror's Haki!" one of the Charlotte family exclaimed.
"A Conqueror's Haki user? No wonder he's achieved so much," said Baron Tamago.
"This Haki feels deep… there's another will within it. It makes me feel suppressed. Is it because of the injury seal on me?" Perospero muttered.
"I don't think so. I feel it too. Mama's Conqueror's Haki strikes directly at the soul, but his carries a kind of oppressive willpower," Daifuku said.
"Rosinante, who gave you permission to unleash your Haki here?" Charlotte Linlin snarled.
An equally overwhelming force erupted from her—this one pressing directly against the soul, far more intimidating than Rosinante's. It was Charlotte Linlin's own Conqueror's Haki.
The two waves of dominance collided in midair, black lightning crackling wildly between them. The impact of their wills alone made those around them pale in fear.
- - - - - - -
T/N:
I have posted a new fanfic today, titled - Cyberpunk 2177. The story is great, check it out!