Chapter 254

"Boy, I want to know your name!" Katakuri's voice trembled with both fatigue and determination. His eyes, despite the punishment he had endured, gleamed with curiosity and newfound respect.

These words touched a core in Luffy, stirring his ever-burning passion for adventure and his dreams. His eyes lit up with excitement, and he struck a proud stance, his legs apart as if he were standing at the helm of his ship.

With a broad grin, he pointed his thumb at himself and declared, "My name is Monkey D. Luffy! I am the man who will become the Pirate King!!"

Katakuri blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sheer confidence and audacity of Luffy's words. The idea of becoming the Pirate King seemed ludicrous, even arrogant. But, as he considered it, Katakuri's confusion gave way to contemplation. The Pirate King? How absurd... Yet, why does this boy speak as if the title is already his?

The more Katakuri thought about it, the more he envied Luffy. As the son of one of the Four Emperors, Big Mom, he had been bound by the expectations and responsibilities of the Charlotte family his entire life. His strength, skill, and authority were both his gifts and his chains. He could never dream of something greater, never challenge the very foundation that had shaped his existence.

But here stood Luffy—uninhibited, driven, with a boldness that knew no limits. Luffy's declaration wasn't just youthful bravado. It was a testament to his spirit, a defiant proclamation of a dream he would chase no matter the odds. That kind of freedom, that kind of courage, was something Katakuri could never have. In that instant, Katakuri felt a pang of envy deep in his heart.

"Will you defeat Big Mom one day?" Katakuri asked, the question escaping his lips before he could even think. There was something almost desperate in his voice, as if he needed to hear Luffy's answer, to believe that this reckless boy could accomplish what he never could.

Luffy's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with unwavering confidence. "I'll defeat all my enemies," he said softly, yet with a strength that made his words carry weight. There was no need for shouting or bravado—just pure, unshakeable belief.

For a moment, Katakuri just stared at him, feeling a sense of understanding wash over him. The answer was simple, yet profound. Luffy wasn't just talking about power. He was talking about his will, the boundless ambition that drove him forward.

"That's it..." Katakuri whispered, a tired but peaceful smile crossing his face. He had held on for so long, but now his body finally gave in to the immense toll the battle had taken. With a heavy thud, he collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.

The surrounding pirates gasped, their eyes wide with disbelief. The invincible, undefeated warrior of the Charlotte family had fallen. They stared at Katakuri's limp body in shock, their minds reeling. This was a man who had never known defeat. He was their god of war, their symbol of power and strength.

Yet now... now, that very symbol lay broken before them.

"Defeated... Katakuri-sama... defeated?" one pirate muttered, his voice trembling with disbelief.

"This is impossible...!" another whispered, his face pale. "Katakuri-sama is invincible...!"

Charlotte Brûlée, tears streaming down her face, rushed to her brother's side, kneeling beside him. "Brother!" she cried, clutching his hand, her heart breaking at the sight of him like this.

Luffy, meanwhile, stood scratching his head, looking a bit confused. "Heh~?" he muttered, clearly not fully grasping the gravity of the situation. "Did I win?"

"Let's go," Logan said, breaking the tense silence. He gestured toward the Whole Cake Chateau, his voice calm but firm. "It's time to find Big Mom."

As always, the plan was simple: some of the crew would stay back on the ship, while the others would head to the frontlines. Franky, Chopper, Usopp, and Kaya remained aboard the Going Merry, while the rest of the crew set off for the imposing castle that loomed ahead.

Inside the Whole Cake Chateau, the atmosphere was festive, the air thick with the sweet scent of desserts. Guests from the underground world mingled, indulging in the grandiose banquet Big Mom had prepared. Vinsmoke Judge, sitting beside her, raised his glass in a toast, the two families sealing their alliance.

But then, the doors to the banquet hall burst open.

"Mama! Something terrible has happened!" A pirate stumbled in, panic written all over his face as he panted heavily.

The joyous atmosphere shattered. The room fell silent, every guest turning their gaze to the trembling pirate. Big Mom's once jovial expression twisted into a dark scowl.

"Idiot!" she snarled, her voice dripping with malice. Her eyes blazed with fury, casting an almost palpable shadow over the room. Big Mom despised interruptions, especially during her precious banquets. Nothing less than a catastrophe could excuse this breach of decorum.

The pirate trembled under her gaze, his knees buckling. "L-Lord Katakuri... h-has been defeated!" he stammered, his voice cracking with fear.

For a moment, the entire room froze.

Katakuri... defeated?

Everyone in the room stared at the pirate, their faces filled with shock and disbelief. It was as if time itself had stopped. They couldn't process what they were hearing. Katakuri, the undefeated god of war, defeated? It was unthinkable.

Big Mom's eyes widened slightly, her face darkening. The very idea that her most powerful son had been beaten—it was a direct assault on her pride. In an instant, her rage exploded. She grabbed the pirate by the neck, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. His soul began to drift out of his body, drawn toward her as she prepared to claim his life for daring to bring her such news.

But before she could finish, the doors to the banquet hall creaked open again, and the Straw Hat Pirates walked in. Luffy, Logan, Zoro, and the others strode into the hall as if they had not a care in the world.

"I know you!" Big Mom's voice thundered across the room as her eyes locked onto Luffy. "I remember your face from the Battle of Marineford...!"

Luffy grinned widely, clearly pleased by the recognition. "Ahaha~ So you know me!" he replied, scratching his head. Then, without missing a beat, he added, "We came to borrow your Poneglyph!"

Logan buried his face in his hand. Seriously? Luffy's bluntness never ceased to amaze him. Asking the Empress of the Four Emperors to "borrow" something? The other guests were just as stunned, their jaws dropping at Luffy's audacity.

"You... want to borrow my Poneglyph?" Big Mom's voice was low and dangerous, like a storm about to break. Her towering figure cast a shadow over the Straw Hats as she took a few ominous steps toward them.

Luffy stood his ground, his grin never faltering. "Yep! We need it!"

The guests were aghast. How could anyone be so bold, so reckless, as to demand something from Big Mom? And yet, here was Luffy, standing before her, completely unfazed.

Big Mom's eyes narrowed to slits. "Boy... do you even know what you're asking?" Her voice was laced with venom as she began to activate her Soul-Soul Fruit power. This was more than just intimidation—it was an attack, a direct challenge to Luffy's spirit. If even the slightest trace of fear entered his heart, she would tear his soul from his body, claiming it as hers.

The room seemed to darken as the power of her devil fruit enveloped Luffy, the guests watching in horror, certain that this would be the end for the young pirate captain.

But Luffy, to everyone's astonishment, merely grinned wider. "Hehe~ Auntie, we just want to borrow the Poneglyph from you!"

Big Mom froze. Her power had no effect. Luffy stood before her, his heart free of fear, his grin as wide as ever. Even she, one of the Four Emperors, was taken aback. How could this boy stand there, smiling, unaffected by her terrifying ability?

Her confusion turned to anger as she bellowed, "Boy! Are you ready to exchange your life just to borrow something from me!?"

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