"Our objective?"
The corner of Red's mouth curled slightly as he replied with a calm, indifferent smile,"At a time like this, you're still asking such a childish question?"
"Katakuri, you're not naïve enough to ask something like that… are you?"
"..."
Katakuri's eyes darkened at Red's mockery. After clicking his tongue inwardly, he lifted his head once more.
"Don't think you've already won."
"Mother's power is far beyond what people like you can imagine!"
This wasn't empty bravado.
At least in Katakuri's view, the strength Red had displayed during his sneak attack was nowhere near enough to earn Big Mom's attention.
Their captain, Monkey D. Luffy, might be stronger—but how much stronger could he really be?
Once Mother wiped out all the enemies, victory would inevitably return to the Big Mom Pirates.
After all…
From the day they were born until now, they had never once seen Mother lose.
That deeply ingrained belief made them certain—Big Mom could defeat anything.
"So what are you trying to say?" Red raised an eyebrow, asking curiously."You want me to let all of you go?"
"No!" Katakuri immediately denied it. He raised his head and stared straight at Red with unwavering eyes, speaking each word slowly:
"What I mean is…"
"If you don't intend to slaughter us all…"
"I'm willing to join you."
"What!?"
"Brother Katakuri!?"
"Katakuri, you—"
"..."
"..."
The moment Katakuri finished speaking, the once-silent upper ranks of the Big Mom Pirates instantly snapped out of their feigned unconsciousness and erupted in furious shouts.
They never imagined that the strongest member of the crew besides Mother herself would choose to defect at a time like this.
Especially when—they hadn't defected yet!
Although most of the Big Mom Pirates' upper ranks were Big Mom's children, in this family ruled by strength, genuine affection was rare.
Blood ties were merely tools to maintain trust.
And yet, the Katakuri they all respected had chosen to surrender to the enemy!
It was utterly incomprehensible.
But Katakuri's next words silenced them all.
Ignoring the curses behind him, he continued:
"I'll join you—whether or not you defeat Mother. I'll even help you fight her if needed, and escape Whole Cake Island together."
"But on one condition…"
"You must guarantee the safety of everyone else in the Big Mom Pirates. You are not allowed to lay a hand on them!"
"Brother Katakuri…"
Brûlée, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, her expression conflicted as she gazed at his back.
From the very beginning, she knew—Katakuri would never betray them.
But…
"You're offering your loyalty in exchange for your comrades' freedom?"Red raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
Through Aura, he could clearly sense that Katakuri wasn't lying.
When he spoke those words, his heart was filled with sincerity—and urgency.
That meant…
Even while firmly believing Big Mom would ultimately win, Katakuri still chose to make this deal to protect his siblings from the Straw Hat Pirates' retaliation.
Loyalty was likely the only bargaining chip he had left.
Perhaps he had already made up his mind the moment he saw his brothers and sisters being bound and tossed here one by one.
Trading his loyalty for a promise that the Straw Hats wouldn't harm the Big Mom Pirates while Big Mom was absent…
It was an incredibly naïve deal.
But if Katakuri truly intended to betray Big Mom, even fight her for the sake of his siblings—
"Truly worthy of being called a real man, Katakuri."
Having gleaned most of Katakuri's thoughts through Aura, Red silently admired him.
Then he pondered further.
Katakuri had never considered another outcome.
What if—Luffy defeated Big Mom?
In that case, the Straw Hat Pirates would officially take over Whole Cake Island and occupy Totto Land.
And the first to pledge allegiance—Katakuri—would become the most important authority in the region.
As for the homeless remnants of the Big Mom Pirates, they would either leave Totto Land or fall under Katakuri's banner and reform as a crew subordinate to the Straw Hat Pirates.
In other words—
From beginning to end, only one side could win this deal.
With that realization, Red's smile widened.
"Sure. I accept your deal."
Just as Katakuri firmly believed Big Mom would win, Red couldn't imagine how Big Mom could possibly defeat a Pokémon-ized, Nika-awakened, Conqueror's-Haki-infused Luffy.
That outcome was… highly unlikely.
After agreeing, Red turned his back, leaving Katakuri with a mysterious silhouette.
No one saw the grin he struggled to suppress.
"I'm really looking forward to Katakuri's expression later."
Smiling playfully from an unseen angle, Red called out to Usopp:
"Usopp, untie him."
"Ah… okay."
Usopp nodded and calmly pulled a Sea Prism Stone key from the storage pores in his arm, unlocking the cuffs around Katakuri.
"..."
Clack.
Even Katakuri—who had proposed the deal—couldn't hide his disbelief as his restraints were removed so easily.
Red simply smiled and dropped into a tea party chair, calling out:
"Law, bring a chair for our new partner."
"He's going to be a key member of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet. Get to know each other."
Law: "..."
Do you think I can't tell what you're up to!?
Though confused, and unaware of Aura's lie-detection ability, Law still used his Devil Fruit power to swap a chair beside him for Katakuri.
"Here."
Despite lingering doubts, Law offered Katakuri a neutral smile.
Katakuri, however, found Red even harder to understand.
Still, as Big Mom's strongest subordinate, he stepped forward.
And then—
He suddenly lashed out.
Freed from Sea Prism Stone, he transformed his arm into mochi, hardened it with Armament Haki, and shaped it into a pitch-black spear.
The tip stopped inches from Red's forehead.
"Katakuri!!!"
The prisoners erupted.
Some looked ecstatic, hoping Katakuri would punish the arrogant enemy.
Others panicked, fearing retaliation if Red were killed.
A few simply stared at Katakuri's towering figure with worry.
Because no matter what choice he made—the first one to suffer would be Katakuri himself.
"Brother Katakuri…"
Brûlée whispered.
All eyes locked onto Red's face.
"Kill him!"
"Katakuri, stab him already!"
"Hah! Attacking the Big Mom Pirates—how absurd!"
The weaker members, bound in chains, cheered loudly.
And then—
A surge of Conqueror's Haki swept overhead.
One by one, they rolled their eyes and collapsed.
"Silence."
Katakuri withdrew his Haki and looked at Red.
"Why didn't you dodge?"
Red clasped his hands and tilted his head with a grin.
"Dodge? Why would I?"
"You don't seriously think that thing could hurt me, do you?"
"Enough. The farce is over."
"Sit down. I'll explain the Straw Hat Pirates' rules."
"Per the deal, I guarantee your siblings' safety."
"I just hope you don't go back on your word."
Red smiled knowingly.
...
...
A short while later.
After explaining the role of a Trainer and earning recognition from the crew and Law, Katakuri gained access to the Pokémon world.
Red's interface displayed Katakuri's status panel.
[Pokémon: Charlotte Katakuri]
Level: 76
Gender: Male
Nature: Calm (+Sp. Atk / −Speed)
Type: Fighting / Dark
Ability: Sticky Hold
Experience: 0 / 14046
Total Stats: 1368
...
"What… what is this power?!"
Feeling the unfamiliar Pokémon energy and Sticky Hold ability within him, Katakuri stared at his hands in disbelief as thick white substance oozed from his palms.
When smeared on the wall, it stuck fast—completely immobile.
This was not the power of the Mochi-Mochi Fruit.
Realization dawned.
The Straw Hat Pirates' strength… finally made sense.
Bad news: they possessed a method to rapidly grow stronger.
Good news—
The Straw Hat Pirates… include me now!?
"Welcome aboard, Katakuri."
"Let's work well together."
...
...
"Damn it! Did Brother Katakuri really betray us!?"
"No! He's buying time!"
"Once Mother returns, the Straw Hats will crumble!"
"Exactly!!!"
As murmurs spread, one officer suddenly looked skyward.
"What… is that?!"
A massive white rocket descended like a blazing meteor.
BOOM!!!
It slammed into Whole Cake Island.
Then—
It coughed.
And spat out a massive, drooling figure.
The Big Mom Pirates froze.
Because that figure was none other than—
One of the Four Emperors—Charlotte Linlin!!!
(End of Chapter)