— — — — — —
Splashhhh—
The Queen Mama Chanter sliced through the waves, gliding smoothly across the open sea.
Tap!
Charlotte Compote's heels echoed on the deck as she approached Katakuri. "Katakuri, are we finally heading back?"
Katakuri gave a slight nod. "Yeah, Sis. We've been out here four years. It's time to return home."
Compote smiled faintly. "Mm. It's been a long time."
Four years. In all that time, they'd only returned home for New Year gatherings.
The rest of it? Spent out at sea—fighting, searching, growing.
In that time, the Big Mom Pirates had become one of the most terrifying crews in the world—recognized as one of the four legendary pirate crews
But still...No matter how strong they were, deep down, everyone knew the truth. What they wanted most was to go home.
And now, it was finally time.
[Beep!]
The family Crest rang out unexpectedly.
[Ding!]
Katakuri picked up the video call. "Second Bro? What's going on?"
Perospero's face appeared on screen, his tone serious. "Katakuri! There's been a sighting near Kaner Island—not far from your position. A top-tier Devil Fruit just showed up!"
Katakuri's expression immediately darkened. "What kind of fruit?"
Perospero's eyes gleamed. "A Paramecia-type... the Copy-Copy Fruit."
Both Katakuri and Compote froze.
"The Copy-Copy Fruit?" Compote repeated in surprise. "Is that real?"
Perospero nodded. "As far as we can tell—yeah, it's the real deal. I can't believe it either... but this legendary fruit actually exists."
Suddenly, every member of the crew listening in had the same fierce glint in their eyes.
The Copy-Copy Fruit—a fruit straight out of legends.
Of course, as powerful as it was, it still couldn't compare to that fruit... the one Katakuri had spent years searching for their big brother, Joey.
Still, the Copy-Copy Fruit was wild.
Just like the name implied, it let the user copy other Devil Fruit powers.That's right—copy them.
Up to three Devil Fruits could be copied at the same time.
However—There were limits.
Say a certain fruit had a power ceiling of 100.
If the original user had only unlocked 60% of that potential, then the Copy-Copy could only reach 42% at most—70% of that original 60.
But if the original user had fully mastered the fruit to 100%? Then the copy could reach 70%.
In other words, the copy's power was capped based on how much the original user had developed their fruit.
So, to really make use of the Copy-Copy Fruit...You needed:
Strong talent. Powerful original fruit users. And powerful fruits to copy in the first place.
Otherwise, you'd just waste the fruit on weak powers that didn't go anywhere.
It was still legendary. But not without its strings attached.
Compote's expression grew serious. "Kaner Island, huh? Got it. We're heading there now."
Perospero nodded with a grave tone. "Be careful. I've got word that the Whitebeard Pirates are also heading that way."
"Oh?" Compote raised a brow and smiled with interest. "What a coincidence. Looks like we're about to cross paths again."
Katakuri's tone was calm but sharp. "Good. If the world still doubts whether we deserve to be called one of the Four Legendary Crews, then it's about time we reminded them."
He and Compote shared a grin.
Perospero continued, "Daifuku, Oven, Custard, and Angel are already en route to support you. Be ready."
Katakuri nodded. "No worries, Second Bro. We're on it."
[Ding!]
The call ended.
Katakuri turned to the crew. "Change course! We're heading to Kaner Island. Prepare for battle! Our opponent is the Whitebeard Pirates. Let them see the true strength of the Big Mom Pirates!"
"YEAHHHH!" The crew roared in response.
Splashhhh—
The ship spun around and tore through the waves toward their new destination.
Standing at the bow, Katakuri's eyes gleamed with deadly focus.
A battle was coming.
And he wasn't backing down.
---
Splashhhh—
Far across the sea, another ship was approaching—huge and whale-like in shape.
"Gurararara—!" A booming laugh echoed across the water as Edward Newgate, the Whitebeard himself, stood tall, gripping his naginata, Murakumogiri, with pride.
"So... the Big Mom Pirates, huh?" he sneered. "Perfect. Been a long time... It's about damn time they returned that Devil Fruit they stole from me!"
"Boys!" he shouted. "Get ready for war!"
"RAHHHHHH!" Marco, Jozu, Thatch, Vista, and the rest of the crew roared back.
Among them, a man dressed like a lizard bared his fangs with a twisted smile. He had joined Whitebeard's crew to become stronger—And now, his moment had come.
Two great ships.Two legendary pirate crews.
The Moby Dick. The Queen Mama Chanter.
Both heading straight for Kaner Island.
Tension thick in the air—The clash was inevitable.
---
Three hours later, Kaner Island came into view.
But neither side was looking at the island. They were looking at each other.
Splashhhh—The two ships closed in.
Thud!
A heavy boot hit the moby deck.
"Gurararara—!" Whitebeard let out a wild laugh. "Katakuri, you little brat! What, you come alone?"
"Where is that crazy woman?"
Katakuri smirked. "Who said I need anyone else? I'm all you need."
BOOM! SWOOSH!
The two of them launched from their ships like cannonballs.
CRACKLE!
Armament Haki surged. Conqueror's Haki clashed violently.
No holding back.
BOOOOM!!!
The ground cracked apart, the sheer force of their clash splitting the land like a spiderweb.
Within seconds, everything within a thousand meters was reduced to rubble.
But—It was clear to anyone watching—Katakuri was getting slightly overwhelmed.
Whitebeard grinned, pressing his naginata down. "What's wrong, Katakuri? Looks like you still ain't ready to face me!"
Katakuri growled, pushing back with his trident. "Guess we'll see about that after I'm done with you!"
"Gurararara—!"
"Hahahaha—!"
Both of them burst into wild, almost feral laughter.
Whoosh!!
Without warning—The two of them leapt apart at the same time.
Their weapons gave a slight shake—
BOOM!!!
The ground beneath them instantly caved in, cracks spiderwebbing outward like an explosion had gone off.
It was obvious.
Just in that short exchange—
Their monstrous strength had been fully displayed.
And yet—Neither of their blows had actually connected.
This was the terrifying result of Conqueror's Haki clashing with Armament Haki — perfectly combined.
The hardening of Armament Haki + The overwhelming pressure of Conqueror's Haki.
When those two forces entwined—
They created this absurdly destructive aura that could tear the world apart without even touching it.
On the seas…
There were only a handful of people capable of wielding this terrifying technique.
Sengoku, Whitebeard, Roger, Garp, Big Mom, Shiki...
And—A very rare few others.
And of course—Katakuri was one of them.
A sixteen-year-old monster of a young man.
Katakuri rested his trident casually on his shoulder. "Whitebeard, huh? Been a few years since we last crossed paths."
Edward chuckled, clearly entertained. "Kid, you're right about that. Oh? Looks like you're on your way back home? And looks like you've got a pretty nice haul there too."
Edward's grin turned sharp. "Hand over your cargo, kid."
Katakuri sneered, not backing down an inch. "Whitebeard... you're dreaming."
As the two of them smiled wider and wider—
All around them—Members of the Whitebeard Pirates. Members of the Big Mom Pirates.
Everyone—Without exception—Had already gotten into battle stance.
...
"Hehehe..."
"You guys didn't come here for a friendly chat, huh?"
Daifuku, Oven, Custard, and Angel appeared, arriving on the battlefield.
Compote chuckled."Not too late at all. Looks like the war's about to start."
"Gurarara~ Alright, boys! Take everything that's not nailed down!"
"Hmph! It's war!!"
"RAAAHHH!!!"
"GRRRROOOAAAHHH!!!"
As soon as Katakuri and Edward both gave the order—War broke out in an instant.
Whitebeard Pirates Vs. Big Mom Pirates.
Everything happened at lightning speed.
In just moments—The battlefield had exploded into chaos.
"ORA!!!"
Jozu, like a living iron ball, charged forward at full speed, roaring—"Brilliant Punk!!!"
BOOM!!!
"Get out of my way!"
But unbelievably—Jozu's massive, terrifying body was stopped dead in its tracks—by a man standing there with his arms wide open.
"Hah!" Oven sneered. "Trying to mess with my little brothers and sisters? Over my dead body!"
"Heat Fist!"
BOOOM!!!
Both Oven and Jozu staggered back from the impact.
---
"Oi!"
Clang!
Vista stepped forward to block Daifuku's path, a sly grin on his face. "Hey now, aren't you forgetting something? I'm your opponent. If you just walk past me like I'm nothing, I'll be pretty embarrassed here."
"Hehehe..."
Daifuku sneered. "Seems like you're pretty confident. You really think you can take me on knowing what my fruit can do?"
Vista laughed. "Your Puff-Puff Fruit is definitely impressive, no doubt about that... but from what I've heard, it's not perfect either. No ability is without its weaknesses."
Daifuku's expression didn't change.
There were really limits to his power.
His Demon Labyrinth — the combined product of his Devil Fruit and stand-like summoned entity — could only cover an area of about a kilometer radius.
And more importantly—It didn't discriminate between friend or foe.
If he couldn't catch everyone in his range, there were always people outside who could strike him down.
Shing!
Daifuku drew his serrated blade.
"You think that's all I can do, Vista?" he said coldly. "My fruit's power isn't that simple. I can still kill you right here and now."
"HAH!!!"
With a roar, the terrifying shadow of his Genie loomed behind him, monstrous and intimidating.
At the same time, Daifuku swept his serrated blade through the air.
Vista's eyes narrowed slightly.
Daifuku was strong — not someone you could take lightly.
Clap!
Right then, Thatch landed beside Vista with a grin. "Vista, looks like this guy's a little too much for a solo fight. Mind if I join in?"
The two exchanged a look—then attacked together without hesitation.
Daifuku didn't back down either. "Come on, then!" he bellowed. "You think two-on-one is gonna save you? Bring it!"
"Hehehe..."
---
Meanwhile, Cracker, carrying his massive sword on his shoulder, raised his hand and roared— "Alright, boys! Time to clean this place out! Chop them all down and grab every last bit of treasure!"
"RAAAHHHH!!!"
Right here, right now—The war had truly begun.
Big Mom Pirates vs. Whitebeard Pirates
Katakuri Vs. Whitebeard
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