Chapter 190 : Fifth Emperor?

[At that moment, Katakuri's expression brimmed with excitement!]

[For he realized he had finally encountered a worthy foe!]

[It was Luffy right before him...]

[Katakuri swiftly advanced, in a mere instant!]

[His entire body enveloped in Armament Haki, with myriad mochi spikes extending from his arms!]

[These spikes were so keen that even a slight touch to the ground caused myriad fractures!]

[And in that instant.]

[Luffy assumed the form of Snakeman, his speed and power greatly augmented.]

[Thus, when confronted with Katakuri's lightning-fast assault, he dodged adeptly.]

[Then promptly countered!]

["Rubber Snake Cannon!"]

[In that moment, Luffy replicated the earlier attack once more!]

[I witnessed his arms whirling through the air incessantly, their velocity too swift to perceive!]

[This is the dread of the Snake Cannon. Not only does its might inspire terror, but it also affects Luffy, its wielder.]

[No one can anticipate its ultimate destination!]

[For its essence lies in utilizing nearby walls and ground to propel itself continuously.]

[And during this propulsion, its force steadily amplifies!]

[Even at such velocity, not even Katakuri's Haki can accurately foresee.]

[Boom!]

[With a resounding crash, Katakuri was sent hurtling backwards by the fist!]

[Hewas once more injured.]

[Yet, the astonishment in his heart far surpassed the agony of his body!]

[For he realized Luffy's talent was truly staggering!]

[The techniques wielded in this so-called serpent-man form were beyond extraordinary!]

[He couldn't even wholly grasp the potency of his own Conqueror's Haki.]

[It's truly chilling!]

[Without hesitation or a wasted breath, Katakuri rose and charged towards Luffy once more!]

[He hurled myriad mochi into the air, coalescing them into a sphere!]

[His entire form spun like a top, ceaselessly rotating]

[At that moment, hurtling towards Luffy at breakneck speed!]

[Not to be outdone, Luffy struck once more!]

[Countless fists converged like raindrops, hammering towards Katakuri!]

[At that moment, the two engaged in an unrelenting exchange!]

[Blood splattered freely, yet neither wavered]

The aerial battle was simply savage to the utmost!

In a word, it's beyond spectacular!

Let all viewers worldwide tuning into this live broadcast be on the edge of their seats!

Be it Luffy or Katakuri... they epitomize the epitome of strength!

True champions among champions!

Witnessing the relentless clash between these two titans in the heavens, neither willing to yield an inch, leaves countless viewers in awe!

What an awe-inspiring showdown!

This is the stuff of real men!

It's truly exhilarating to behold!

Even seasoned veterans of the sea couldn't help but be moved by it!...

Revolutionary Army!

"The intensity of their battle is simply awe-inspiring!"

"Yes, their prowess seems to surpass even ours!"

"It's astonishing how Luffy's strength has surged from the tenth to the sixth level without us noticing!"

"To go toe-to-toe with the right-hand man of the Big Mom Pirates, Luffy has undeniably embraced the path of a true warrior!"

"Truly fitting for the leader's heir, his growth and power are staggering!"

The Revolutionary Army's top brass sighed in admiration, their faces reflecting sheer disbelief.

Luffy's might had left them speechless.

And the fervor of this battle stirred their souls!

Even Dragon and Sabo on the sidelines... were completely engrossed in the spectacle!

Though renowned for his strength, Dragon's expression betrayed sheer astonishment!

"The Straw Hat lad..."

"How is he holding his own against Katakuri to this extent?"

At this moment, Kaido wore a look of utter disbelief!

As one of the Four Emperors with the closest ties to the Big Mom Pirates,

Kaido knows better than anyone the might of Big Mom's underlings. Katakuri is one of the strongest men on the seas, nearly invincible among those below the Four Emperors!

Even Kaido's own crew pales in comparison to him. Yet now, the supposedly unbeatable Katakuri is locked in such a fierce struggle with Luffy?

Kaido found himself incredulous, his disbelief palpable. Despite witnessing Luffy's numerous battles and his gradual maturation over time, Kaido still regarded him as nothing more than a novice pirate, too feeble to be of any significance. In his eyes, Luffy lacked the potential to become a formidable force.

Yet here he was, watching as Luffy willingly endured a slap to the face, utilizing his own strength in the process. This display of resilience surpassed the abilities of many so-called strong individuals in the sea.

"Garp's grandson is proving to be quite the nuisance," Kaido muttered through gritted teeth, his expression darkening with each passing moment. 

Despite avidly following every live broadcast, Kaido couldn't shake the realization that the Straw Hat boy's growth had far exceeded his expectations. Unbeknownst to him, Luffy had evolved into a formidable foe, a realization that spelled trouble for Kaido.

However, Kaido's discontent paled in comparison to that of Akainu, stationed at the Navy Headquarters.

Observing Luffy's burgeoning combat prowess, even Katakuri found himself at a loss. But it was Akainu who felt the greatest unease. Witnessing his grandson's newfound strength, Akainu's mood darkened considerably. 

Amidst the chatter within the navy headquarters, Katakuri's excitement was palpable, while Sengoku wore an expression of contemplation. Kizaru and Aokiji were visibly stunned by Luffy's display.

In stark contrast, Akainu's countenance grew increasingly somber, his body trembling with an unsettling intensity. He couldn't shake the feeling of regret for not eliminating Luffy earlier. If he had insisted on Luffy's demise despite Sengoku's objections, perhaps the subsequent events could have been averted.

Now, faced with the undeniable reality of Luffy's astonishing growth, Akainu couldn't help but entertain a foreboding notion. Luffy's progress had far surpassed his wildest imaginations, prompting fears that he might not only rival the Four Emperors but even surpass their most formidable deputies.

Suddenly, a chilling premonition gripped Akainu. With four emperors reigning over the sea, the thought of Luffy's exponential growth rate raised a troubling question: could it be long before a fifth emperor emerged to challenge their dominance?

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