One Second!

"Albert Nicholas!!! We must avenge our brother Opera!! Be prepared!"

Standing not far from Charlotte Katakurri was a massive and sturdy man, his face filled with resentment as he glared at Nicholas.

He was Charlotte Gala, Opera's younger brother and the ninth son of the Charlotte Family.

Not long ago, his brothers, Opera, Counter, Cadenza, and Cabeletta, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth sons of the Charlotte family, were all taken out by Nicholas.

If it weren't for him being occupied with something on Cake Island, all five of the quintuplet brothers would probably have been wiped out.

Because Nicholas personally killed Opera and the others, Gala, as Opera's brother, harbored a deep-seated hatred towards Nicholas.

After all, blood ties were significant within the Charlotte Family. Originally, the quintuplet brothers had significant influence even among their numerous siblings. Now, with only him remaining, it's imaginable that his days within the Charlotte Family would be far from pleasant.

"I'm going to kill you!!! Aaaah!!!"

Gala, proficient in martial arts and Armament Haki, his eyes filled with killing intent, suddenly swelled up his already robust legs, veins bulging, and was about to launch himself towards Nicholas.

But just as he was about to spring into action, two incredibly sticky rice cakes shot out from underfoot, wrapping around Gala's waist like tentacles, halting his aggressive momentum.

"Katakuri brother? Why are you stopping me!?"

Caught off guard by the sticky rice cakes, feeling the tremendous force transmitted through them, Gala couldn't help but be momentarily stunned, then looked at Katakurri with a puzzled expression.

He wanted to know why Katakurri was preventing him from avenging his brothers.

But Katakurri's pupils were faintly glowing red, staring fixedly at Nicholas standing there, completely ignoring Gala's questioning gaze.

"One second."

He suddenly uttered a phrase that left Gala and the surrounding siblings bewildered.

One second?

What one second?

Just as everyone was puzzled, Katakurri began to explain.

"Just now, if you had rushed over... that man would have taken your life within 'one second.'"

"What!?"

Upon hearing Katakurri's explanation, everyone understood the meaning of 'one second,' and Gala was even more shocked.

Although he knew he wouldn't be a match for Nicholas, he never thought he would be taken out within one second.

"Gala brother's strength and martial arts have even been praised by Mom..."

"Gala is so strong, yet he can't even last 'one second' against that man!? What kind of monster is he?"

"..."

Gala deflated like a balloon, while the faces of the other Charlotte siblings turned pale.

In other words—

As Katakurri said, with the current strength of most people present, they couldn't even withstand a single move from Nicholas!

They were informed of the outcome even before he made a move.

This feeling...

It made them experience a kind of despair that couldn't be described in words.

After all, they had never experienced such powerlessness before.

As for doubting Katakurri's judgment, no one had such a thought.

They knew very well that Katakurri's Observation Haki had developed to the point where he could briefly foresee the future. Since he said so, it absolutely wouldn't be wrong...

After developing Observation Haki to a high level, one could glimpse into the future.

Although only for a brief moment...

And Katakurri's Observation Haki was of that level.

He could see the development of events in the next few seconds in an instant.

And just now, he "saw" Gala using his long-practiced ultimate move, transforming his entire body into a ball of flesh and charging towards Nicholas at an extremely fast speed.

Facing Gala's attack, Nicholas seemed to have no reaction at all,

Just stood there quietly, seemingly not intending to counter Gala's assault.

Then, when Gala's attack was about to touch Nicholas, he moved.

His right leg, charged with lightning, met Gala's ball-form, and they collided.

For an instant, it was as if time had frozen—

That lightning-charged leg, like an axe, directly exploded Gala into the air.

Even Gala, who was originally thick-set, turned into thousands of pieces, falling with the raindrops in the air, scattering everywhere.

Although this scene didn't actually happen, the cruel and bloody image was deeply imprinted in Katakurri's mind.

It was because he saw Gala's future that he intervened in time to stop Gala's reckless behavior.

Otherwise...

The scene of Gala being exploded would have happened according to what he saw.

In front of Nicholas, their siblings almost didn't even have the qualifications to challenge. They couldn't even last a second.

But it wasn't that their strength was too weak, it was that the enemy was too strong!

Katakurri didn't have time to comfort them, but took big strides, walking directly towards Nicholas.

With each step, the metal ornaments on his body collided, making a clattering sound.

"Nicholas is different from any enemy you've faced before. He's undoubtedly a monster-level opponent, so brace yourselves. Otherwise, you'll really die."

Katakurri's wrist turned slightly, holding his Trident diagonally at his side, step by step approaching Nicholas, while saying in a deep voice:

"There's no room for luck in this battle. A single moment of mistake will cost you your life!"

...

The solemn reminder caused everyone, including the eldest daughter, Compote, to have a slight change in expression.

It could be said that since they were born, they had encountered formidable enemies, and even when they were weak, they faced stronger opponents.

But as the family prospered and Charlotte Linlin became stronger, they had never faced such a life-and-death crisis.

They had never lost so many siblings before.

And even Katakurri, the most outstanding and powerful member of the family, almost perfect, said so...

This made them feel even greater pressure.

Katakurri paid no attention to the reactions of his siblings, but took the lead in facing the most powerful opponent he had ever encountered.

In this battle, even if Charlotte Linlin were here, he wouldn't have confidence in winning.

All he could do was to try to share the pressure brought by Nicholas in the battle and give his siblings a glimmer of hope.

"Katakurri is right. That guy won't care about Mom's attitude, and he's as strong as a monster. He might really die."

Cracker stopped making biscuit soldiers, looked up at the rain falling from the sky, and clenched his sword tightly.

Nicholas was right; the rain restrained the abilities of many of them.

And changing the weather in the Charlotte Family, currently, only Mom could do it.

But obviously, Mom couldn't spend too much energy changing the weather now.

Perhaps in Mom's view, even if most of the children present died, as long as they could take out Nicholas, it would be within her acceptable range.