Chapter 392 The Lion's Power
When realizing an enemy was attacking, Katakuri had many guesses about the enemy's identity in that instant, but never once guessed this man—Golden Lion.
Since escaping Impel Down years ago, this man had vanished from the seas for over a decade.
No one knew where he'd gone. Some didn't even know if he still lived.
Who could guess he'd suddenly appear and launch an aerial assault?
At least Katakuri hadn't guessed it at all.
"Golden Lion?"
Perospero—who'd turned from darkness to light at Katakuri's invitation, deciding to help his brother manage this nation—stood dumbstruck. His tongue popped from his mouth, stretched straight from shock.
"This guy's still not dead!"
Perospero's impression of this man ran too deep.
He was the eldest Charlotte sibling, the first child Charlotte Linlin had borne.
Thirty-two years ago when the Rocks Pirates disbanded, Perospero had been twelve. His childhood was spent within that pirate crew.
Naturally he couldn't be unfamiliar with Golden Lion—a major Rocks Pirates officer.
Undoubtedly, in Rocks's era, the Rocks Pirates' three pillars were Rocks himself, Whitebeard, and this man before them.
As for their mother Charlotte Linlin and the even younger Kaido—in that era they could only occupy the back row.
"So this opponent is quite a remarkable old veteran!"
Cracker—just eating dinner—immediately donned his biscuit armor, tone somewhat grave.
The man called Flying Lion's peak wasn't with the Rocks Pirates, but afterward—the era when he contested the New World with Whitebeard and Roger.
Just a bit more—just slightly more and this man could have defeated the Pirate King, becoming that era's true hegemon.
Though he'd failed in that crucial war, he remained a monster on par with Whitebeard and Roger.
"So, Shiki—"
Katakuri's arms melted. A sharp trident materialized in his hands. "I can understand this as your intent to wage war, right?"
"Jihahahaha! What adult uses 'wage war' when talking to children?"
The Golden Lion laughed heartily. Golden hair danced in the wind. He even pulled a cigar from his pocket with interest and lit it.
After a deep drag, he blew a smoke ring. "There's only one way to make me leave."
"Hand over that stone Linlin held. That stone necessary to reach Laugh Tale."
Katakuri's expression turned somewhat odd.
Not because Golden Lion also coveted Laugh Tale's secrets.
But because this guy seemed a bit late.
Brett had already reached Laugh Tale. During recent contact, he'd even shared secrets seen on the island.
Though thinking this internally, Katakuri's tone answering Golden Lion remained quite calm. "I see. Because Mom stepped down, you saw an opportunity?"
"Looks like if you can leave here, you'll next find time to visit Wano."
"Because ignorant brats need to be taught a lesson."
Golden Lion held the cigar between right thumb and forefinger. While exhaling smoke, his lips curved into an unrestrained arc. "So, brat—if you don't want to suffer, hand over what I want."
"Very sorry."
Katakuri raised his hand. Surrounding mochi began surging toward the sky, even carrying him aloft.
Katakuri himself couldn't fly, but he could manipulate mochi he'd assimilated, achieving flight through this.
"There's nothing here to give you. All you can obtain is punishment."
"Jihahahaha!!"
Golden Lion showed no surprise, even laughing aloud. "I knew it! A brat who dared rebel against Linlin wouldn't submit so easily. Then let me give you a lesson, brat!"
"Zanpa—Sen-Giri-Dani!"
Right from the start—merciless slashes! Golden Lion's legs moved continuously. In an instant, massive slashes attacked Katakuri like a storm.
If Brett or Kaido were here, they might feel déjà vu. Wasn't this just like the Bad Wind they exhaled?
Except Shiki produced genuine flying slashes.
In the previous era, this man was also called the greatest swordsman.
Katakuri's trident wrapped in black lightning. Then, expression calm, he swung his weapon, easily shattering all incoming slashes. Not destroying one too many, nor one too few.
But distant Shiki frowned tightly.
What a joke! That was Conqueror's Coating!
Shiki naturally possessed sufficient discernment, immediately recognizing Katakuri's technique.
It had once been his own supremely proficient technique.
But that was "once."
Since gaining half a steering wheel in his skull, originally proficient Haki gradually became unusable. Now he could barely use it at all.
Never thought Linlin's rebellious son had mastered such techniques. No wonder he was called a new emperor.
If the current him wanted direct confrontation with this kid—probably not easy.
Golden Lion had always been as arrogant as a lion, but he wasn't a fool.
This difficult-to-win battle—he wouldn't fight it.
Winning had far simpler methods.
The next instant, Golden Lion began rapidly descending.
Red light flashed in Katakuri's eyes.
He saw an unfavorable future. Immediately he manipulated the sky-filling mochi to sweep toward Golden Lion.
But Golden Lion just kicked his legs, releasing grand slashes that directly shredded all the mochi.
Then he finally landed, pressing his hands to the ground too.
"This is bad!"
Katakuri's expression had greatly changed.
In direct confrontation, he was confident—even if unable to defeat Golden Lion, he absolutely wouldn't easily lose. Plus with siblings' help, repelling this guy wouldn't be difficult.
But now the most troublesome thing had happened. This bastard Golden Lion was using his ability!
"Jihahahaha!"
The landed Flying Lion laughed heartily. "Then—it's over!"
Accompanied by rumbling sounds, all of Whole Cake Island trembled.
"No way!"
Perospero's face instantly turned deathly pale. He understood Golden Lion's ability too well. "This guy wants to lift Whole Cake Island into the sky!"
He was absolutely right. The next instant, this massive island began rising into the air.
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