Chapter 43 – The Three Sweet Commanders
The reason why the Big Mom Pirates were targeting Tachibana Kyūjō was actually pretty simple.
They were pirates—not fools.
The New World was vast, with countless routes and territories, yet the Marines had chosen to build a brand-new base right next to Totto Land?
To the Yonko of the New World—Big Mom herself—this was nothing short of a direct slap to her face!
Why didn't the Marines challenge Kaido or Whitebeard? Why did they plant a base right at the edge of her empire instead?
Wasn't that basically saying, "Of all the Yonko, you're the weakest"?
What else could she possibly take from that?
...But what Big Mom conveniently forgot was this: the Marines already had bases in front of both Whitebeard and Kaido's territories.
Totto Land had only been untouched because the Marines lacked an Admiral-level powerhouse stationed in that sector.
Back then, the area was monitored only from afar—by none other than Akainu himself.
Now, with the arrival of Tachibana Kyūjō, the Marine strategy in the New World was finally complete.
With him in play, would the Navy still lose their grip over the New World, like they did in the original timeline when Shanks rose to power and the Yonko split up the seas?
Back in the original manga, the main reason the Navy withdrew from the New World was due to Fleet Admiral Sengoku's strategic decision—to preserve Marine strength and avoid an all-out war.
If they had charged in recklessly, all four Yonko—seeing the Navy as a common threat—might've actually united.
And if that had happened, the Marines would've been their first shared target.
But by withdrawing first, Sengoku played a smarter hand. The egos of the Yonko, so massive and incompatible, would naturally lead to infighting. Then, the Navy could return and clean up the mess.
It was brilliant. Logical.
But sadly… the world doesn't always follow logic.
— — —
Whole Cake Island.
After lowering Kemm to the ground, Kyūjō immediately turned and dashed toward the presence he had sensed: Charlotte Katakuri.
— — —
Through his own Kenbunshoku Haki, Katakuri felt the incoming pressure clearly.
His brows furrowed.
So he's coming straight at us, huh?
As expected of the man who killed the Golden Lion… he wasn't some random big shot.
His Observation Haki was sharp. No—absurdly sharp.
At this distance—over ten kilometers away—he could already pinpoint their location?
Even with all his own skill and preparation, Katakuri wasn't confident he could sense someone landing on the island from that far out.
But this man, Tachibana Kyūjō, had done just that the moment he set foot on the island.
That alone said everything about how terrifying his Kenbunshoku Haki was.
Still—Katakuri wasn't afraid.
He was the second-in-command of the Big Mom Pirates!
A man with a bounty over a billion! Towering at over five meters tall!
In this world, there was only one person who could make Katakuri feel fear.
His mother, Charlotte Linlin.
— — —
Charlotte Katakuri
Title: Eldest of the Three Sweet Commanders, Minister of Flour
Devil Fruit: Special Paramecia – Mochi Mochi no Mi
Bounty: 1,200,000,000 berries
Height: 509 cm
— — —
The second son of Big Mom and the Minister of Flour in Totto Land. Considered the pinnacle of the Charlotte family.
Not only had he awakened Haoshoku Haki—a gift of one in a million—but he was also a master of both Busoshoku and Kenbunshoku Haki, to the point where he could glimpse moments into the future.
His Mochi Mochi no Mi allowed him to shift into mochi, granting Logia-like evasion despite being Paramecia-class.
A perfect fighter—without flaws. Katakuri was the true hexagonal warrior.
He was, without a doubt, the strongest among Big Mom's children.
— — —
Katakuri turned to his siblings and spoke calmly.
"He's here. I'll go meet him. You two stay behind."
As soon as he finished speaking, both of his feet turned into sticky mochi.
In a flash, they were reinforced with jet-black Busoshoku Haki, compressed to the limit—then exploded with powerful force, propelling his body like a cannonball.
"Mochi Launch!"
— — —
Seeing this, Cracker and Smoothie exchanged glances.
And of course, they completely ignored his order.
Without hesitation, they took off in pursuit at full speed.
As for Opera the Minister of Cream and Moscato the Minister of Ice Cream? Their power wasn't enough to make a difference.
They weren't worth worrying about.
Even if they had faith in Katakuri's strength, caution was wise. After all, this man had taken down Golden Lion Shiki, even if Shiki was well past his prime.
— — —
Charlotte Smoothie
Title: One of the Three Sweet Commanders, Minister of Juice
Devil Fruit: Paramecia – Shibo Shibo no Mi
Bounty: 830,000,000 berries
Height: 464 cm
— — —
The 14th daughter of Big Mom and a master swordswoman. Her Shibo Shibo no Mi allows her to "squeeze" liquid out of both living beings and objects.
She could unleash gigantic flying slashes, with a range of over a kilometer.
— — —
Charlotte Cracker
Title: One of the Three Sweet Commanders, Minister of Biscuits
Devil Fruit: Paramecia – Bisu Bisu no Mi
Bounty: 860,000,000 berries
Height: 307 cm
— — —
The 10th son of Big Mom and the Biscuit Knight. Cracker usually hid within a biscuit warrior of his own creation, which even appeared on his wanted poster.
He could generate an army of biscuit soldiers with multiple arms, earning him the nickname "Thousand Arms Cracker."
His attacks carried devastating force, strong enough to blow back Luffy in both Gear 2 and Gear 3—and he still stood his ground against Gear 4: Boundman.
Of course… he eventually lost to Luffy's main character aura.
— — —
As Katakuri flew down like a deadly comet, his massive trident glowing with battle intent, Kyūjō stood firm.
He came to a halt.
Then, raising his right fist, he calmly clenched it tight.
In the next instant—
Advanced Busoshoku Haki enveloped his arm in a wave of invisible pressure.
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