"Ah, ah, this is a big deal—a major figure! The Gray Nation's vice-captain, second son of Charlotte Linlin, Mochi Fruit user… Charlotte Katakuri!" Borsalino tilted his head and smiled, looking up at Katakuri perched in the tree.
Borsalino wasn't surprised by Katakuri's appearance; in fact, he had noticed him a long time ago.
"Right now, the Gray Nation is at war with the Flying Sky Pirates. As the Flying Sky Pirates' vice-captain, aren't you supposed to be helping them?" Borsalino teased.
"My task is to keep an eye on you," Katakuri said calmly, staring at Borsalino.
"Without the Golden Lion, the Flying Sky Pirates are just a bunch of scattered sand, merely tools for Gray Nation's training exercises," Katakuri continued with an indifferent tone.
"Compared to the Flying Sky Pirates, you're far more dangerous!" Katakuri.
"Quite bold… Using the Flying Sky Pirates for training, huh? But you're right: without Golden Lion, they're like a toothless tiger—looks fierce, but not really a threat," Borsalino replied with his usual nonchalant smirk.
"But I'm a Marine Admiral of the 10th rank. Not just anyone can keep an eye on me, and being watched is annoying. Maybe I should just take you out?" Borsalino said.
As he spoke, Borsalino raised his hand. Light gathered around his fingers, ready to attack.
Particles of light compressed and concentrated on his fingertips, forming a deadly beam aimed at Katakuri.
"Is this really wise? The Gray Nation is currently in a period of cooperation and peace with the World Government. Taking me out might trigger a war instantly," Katakuri said coolly.
"Indeed… with your captain's temperament, if you die at my hands, it could spark a war. But I don't like being watched, and it's boring just staring!" Borsalino said.
"As Gray Nation's vice-captain, you probably won't die so easily. How about keeping me entertained a bit? Honestly, even if we go to war, I don't care," he continued.
Meanwhile, the laser of light shot instantly toward Katakuri.
The speed was incomprehensible—few could dodge it without predicting it in advance.
Katakuri remained seated on the branch, unmoved. In an instant, the laser pierced his chest.
"Are you Marines ready to start a war?" Katakuri asked calmly.
"How strange… I thought you weren't a Logia-type Devil Fruit user. How are you elementalizing?" Borsalino muttered, fascinated by Katakuri's ability to become an element despite not being Logia.
"Does the Marine Headquarters allow you to do this? Or does the World Government?" Katakuri asked again.
"Oh my… so curious! How can you, not being Logia, become elemental? Truly bizarre," Borsalino continued, pretending ignorance.
"Looks like you insist on fighting!" Katakuri leapt from the branch.
"Well, I have to satisfy my little curiosity," Borsalino teased, as if he genuinely wanted to see how Katakuri could transform into a fluid to dodge attacks despite not being Logia.
"Then I'll go all out. I also want to test my current strength!" Katakuri said, raising his gaze to Borsalino.
"Testing your strength on me? That's… troublesome. I'm taking this seriously, one slip and you could die!" Borsalino said.
"Actually, I'm very serious!" Katakuri replied.
At his words, the area around Katakuri gradually transformed into mochi. His Devil Fruit had awakened!
"Oh? I've really stirred up a monster… Devil Fruit awakening? Nowadays, youngsters are this crazy? So young and already achieving Devil Fruit awakening?" Borsalino said, tilting his mouth in surprise.
"Although the awakening is still shallow, it's perfect for testing what a Devil Fruit's awakened power can truly do," Katakuri said.
Ever since returning from Whole Cake Island, Katakuri had been researching Devil Fruit awakening.
He had already sensed a hint of it on Whole Cake Island. After returning, he continued his research until finally mastering the full awakening of his Devil Fruit.
Knowing Katakuri had awakened his Devil Fruit, Rosinante trusted him to handle Borsalino. With his future sight and the awakened Devil Fruit, even if he couldn't defeat Borsalino, he wouldn't lose!
Katakuri threw a punch into the air. Several mochi fists appeared, covered with Armament Haki, and shot toward Borsalino.
"Really… I came here in a good mood, ready to teach you a lesson for what you did to Rosinante, and now I've run into this… Devil Fruit awakening, huh? You won't go down without a real fight!" Borsalino said.
In an instant, Borsalino transformed into light and shot toward Katakuri.
Katakuri's eyes glowed red as visions surged through his mind.
"Coming from this side? Unrivaled Mochi Donuts!" Katakuri raised his hand, summoning mochi donuts to block Borsalino's incoming attack.
"Future sight? What a pain! Light-speed kick!" Borsalino's attack was stopped, forcing him to halt and gather light in his leg before kicking instantly.
"Boom! Boom!" Explosions rang out. The two clashed violently, light and mochi flying everywhere.
Though Katakuri hadn't reached admiral-level strength, his unique Observation Haki allowed him to glimpse the immediate future.
Combined with his Mochi Fruit's transformative abilities, he could evade nearly any attack—far more versatile than Logia elements.
Even with strong Armament Haki, Borsalino's elemental attacks could barely land on him. Katakuri's mochi transformations rendered them almost untouchable.