Chapter 391 The Lion Returns to Sea
After imprisoning Kaido in the deep-sea bubble prison, Brett's life returned to tranquility.
The World Government remained inactive. Without sufficient certainty, they naturally dared not act against Fish-Man Island.
The New World had completely calmed as well. After all, all four current emperors were Brett's—Fish-Man Island's—friends.
As for Paradise and the Four Blues beyond the Grand Line—those lay too distant from Brett. He didn't care, nor had any major incidents occurred.
For a time, the entire world seemed relatively quiet.
Though one should say it had finally quieted down. After all, this past year had witnessed far too many shocking major events.
Emperors successively falling. Three emperors ascending. All New World monsters except Whitebeard replaced.
"Now people worldwide are saying a new era has arrived."
At the Mermaid Cafe, Brett ate while sighing somewhat.
Of the pirate powerhouses who'd walked from the previous era, only Whitebeard remained. The other four monsters called emperors—the eldest Katakuri was only forty-something, not even from Whitebeard's era.
And the youngest—Brett and Yamato—were barely in their twenties. Genuinely the new generation.
Traces left from the previous era were gradually fading in the pirate world.
People at sea had begun speculating when Whitebeard would be pulled down.
"That won't happen, right? After all, isn't Fish-Man Island friends with Whitebeard-san?"
A mermaid lady asked with a smile.
Before Brett's rise, this island had indeed relied on the Whitebeard Pirates' protection. Though a World Government member nation, the Government had never protected this country.
"Generational change cannot be stopped. No one can prevent the world from advancing."
Brett smiled. "But one can slow the pace somewhat, right?"
"I knew it."
The mermaid lady smiled. "Brett, you can accomplish anything!"
"But it can't be delayed much longer, right?"
Shyarly behind the bar didn't look up, her voice calm as she tallied accounts.
"Yes."
Brett sighed somewhat.
Yes—no matter how much obstruction, it couldn't last long. This era would soon welcome massive transformation. The profession called pirate might cease existing afterward. Whitebeard-san's pirate family couldn't continue much longer either.
The previous era's remnants would be swept into history's dustbin. Approaching the seas was a brand new era—
Brett thought this. Irresistible. Unstoppable by anyone.
Right as he thought this, a call suddenly came.
"What? You said—Shiki?"
Brett was greatly shocked.
---
Time rewound slightly earlier. The New World. This sea area people called Totto Land—territory of new pirate emperor Katakuri. Undoubtedly one of the most dangerous sea areas in these waters called the most dangerous.
Though the Charlotte Family had just welcomed a leadership change this year, actually this had little significant impact on the family.
After all, Charlotte Linlin hadn't managed affairs much anyway. She'd only cared about major decision-making. As for the nation and family's minor matters—all decided and executed by the family's various ministers.
Though Charlotte Linlin was imprisoned, the family officers remained intact. The governing apparatus could still efficiently rule the nation.
So this nation remained as always. Aside from changing kings, seemingly unchanged.
Then, this day's evening. Everyone thought this day no different from the past. Just an ordinary evening.
But change appeared abruptly.
At Totto Land's center—Whole Cake Island's palace—Katakuri was dining with family siblings.
Katakuri loved his brothers and sisters. He tirelessly held various activities enhancing sibling bonds. Gathering dozens of siblings for banquets had become daily routine.
Usually cold-faced Katakuri would also show gentle smiles at these times. Brothers and sisters were all adorable, mutually caring.
In some sense, he and Whitebeard might share common ground.
This evening, Katakuri likewise conversed cheerfully with siblings.
However, suddenly in one instant—red light flashed in his eyes.
"Not good!!"
This man stood directly. His right hand suddenly raised high.
Siblings hadn't even realized what happened when surrounding walls and ceiling all began melting instantly. No—the entire castle directly melted into white mochi.
This mochi surged upward under Katakuri's control, condensing into a massive rotating drill. After wrapping in pitch-black Haki, it blasted upward.
"Katakuri-niisan??"
Siblings looked bewildered, not understanding what their brother was doing.
But Katakuri naturally hadn't suddenly lost his mind. He'd simply foreseen something terrible!
In the sky above, sharp wind sounds howled. A massive object was falling at jaw-dropping speed.
It was a ship. A massive vessel!
Named the Queen Mama Chanter—originally Charlotte Linlin's flagship.
This enormous vessel stretched hundreds of meters. If allowed to fall freely—naturally a disaster.
But fortunately, the drill came.
The black drill rotated, howling upward. The instant it struck the ship, it gutted it, then pierced straight through.
Massive ship fragments shot in all directions. Falling into forests surrounding the castle, they resembled a meteor shower—thunderous sounds continuous.
"What?"
Only now did the Charlotte siblings realize something wrong. Someone was attacking.
They watched Katakuri raise his head, eyes fixed on the sky.
The massive drill in the sky dispersed, transforming into black mochi serpents coiling midair.
"Jihahahaha!! Not bad at all!"
Loud laughter came from above. Accompanied by gales, golden hair flying—an aged lion slowly descended.
His laughter scattered across every corner of the island. "Katakuri! That brat who used to follow behind Linlin—now you can stand on your own!"
Katakuri's eyes gradually widened. Shock surfaced uncontrollably on his face.
He truly hadn't anticipated that appearing before him now would be this person.
"Golden Lion!"