83. Undercurrent

"Katakuri! You can't defeat me, even with the ability to foresee the future!"

Katakuri stayed silent, merely observing Atlas, who spoke to himself with no discernible emotion.

Atlas paid no mind and continued, "Even if you can spar with me for days and nights, you'll undoubtedly be the one exhausted in the end, and... I don't wield the power of a Devil Fruit!"

Katakuri didn't doubt it. A man of such courage would disdain lying. Besides, he was well aware that his impulsive move this time, with a female swordsman keeping watch over Marine, would inevitably result in his defeat in the end.

"Bring it on! Deliver your final blow!"

Katakuri ripped off the tattered clothes from his body, revealing his muscular upper body. Swiftly, he generated numerous glutinous balls on his person, simultaneously enveloping himself in armor!

"Bring it on!"

Atlas took a deep breath, activating his observation Haki to its ultimate level. His muscles tightened, and the intensity of his armament color heightened. He understood that if Katakuri decided to retreat, he wouldn't be able to stop him now. The gap in strength between them was not substantial.

Bakuhatsu ken (Explosive Fist)

Zan Giri Mochi (Slicing Mochi)

As the high-temperature explosive force clashed with the peculiar mace-like fists in a fierce collision, the horrifying shockwaves battered their bodies relentlessly. The surrounding air appeared to be drawn into a vacuum zone amidst the chaotic exchange.

Both were violently propelled backward, yet Katakuri seized the opportunity from the impact and soared away.

Atlas refrained from advancing to intercept but instead forcefully stabilized his body mid-air, silently observing Katakuri's retreating figure.

"How's it going, Brother Kanos?"

Back on the ship, Gion looked Atlas up and down, noting his disheveled state, and spoke with a slight smile.

Atlas casually brushed off the gray stains on his body, then removed the 'cloth strip' hanging on him. He turned to the adjutant beside him and said, "Bourdon, please fetch me some clothes."

"Yes! No need to be so formal, Commodore Atlas!"

Bourdon felt a bit excited. In just a few days of following Atlas, he was thoroughly impressed by Atlas's strength.

This is a whimsical stretch of sea, permeated with the aroma of sweet desserts, bubbling cream, and colossal ships humming in an unusual tune!

This is the flagship of the Big Mom Pirates - the Queen Mama Chanter! Surrounded by distinct squadron ships, with the outermost being numbered egg tart vessels, these fleets collectively constitute the formidable New World overlord pirate group!

Big Mom, her expansive belly taking up the throne, sits in the uppermost position. Her typically fierce visage is notably somber at the moment. On the left side of the lower tier, Katakuri remains silent, while on the right, Perospero extends a colossal lollipop, his scarlet tongue visible.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall had solidified. Perospero didn't dare to even lick the lollipop, cautious that any inadvertent provocation might cost him his life in the wrath of Big Mom. They had received disconcerting news that shook them - Charlotte Oven, the fourth son of Big Mom and their brother, had met his death!

It might sound absurd to label the Big Mom Pirates as a formidable crew constructed around family bonds, but the truth is that Big Mom's children have never experienced even a trace of genuine love from her. A mother's affection in this crew is as severe as that of a tyrant.

"Ma~ma Ma~mal! Are you telling me that Oven met his end at the hands of a Marine? Katakuri!"

Big Mom's eyes, adorned with purple eyeshadow, widened to the size of copper bells. Her plump face leaned in toward Katakuri, who could distinctly see the scarlet beads on her eyeballs. They were bloodshot, resembling an ominous specter from hell.

Katakuri stayed silent, meeting Big Mom's gaze without fear. However, the seriousness in his expression betrayed his mood.

Despite Katakuri, who harbors deep affection for his younger siblings, undoubtedly experiencing grief no less than anyone else, the tyrant before him is not one among those in mourning. She merely exudes an air of embarrassment!

"Ma~ma Ma~ma! You're such a disgrace, bringing shame upon me! Katakuri, why didn't you bring that Marine back?"

"Sorry, Mama, that Marine is not weak. I couldn't avenge Oven," Katakuri replied.

Perospero was taken aback. Despite being the eldest among Big Mom's children, Katakuri stood as the most formidable one before him. It was the first time he heard such words from a man often referred to as the Charlotte family's finest masterpiece, someone whose back never touched the ground!

"Ma~ma Ma~ma! You're a disappointment as well. Are you prepared to be killed by me?"

Big Mom was so enraged that she laughed; her hefty face became even more fearsome, and her wide, grinning mouth resembled the entrance to a legendary hell!

"Mama, please calm down. Katakuri can't die. We'll have numerous chances in the future to eliminate the Marine and uphold your reputation!"

Perospero, on the side, broke into a cold sweat, feeling immense pressure as he tried to placate the enraged Big Mom. As he mentioned, if Katakuri were to perish at Big Mom's hands, not only would it severely weaken the pirate crew, but it would also lead to estrangement among the younger siblings. Katakuri was their most revered brother, a fact Perospero had to acknowledge.

Moreover, the bond between Perospero and Katakuri runs deep. In the early days of the pirate group, they, along with several of their elder siblings, underwent life-and-death trials, forging a strong connection.

"Ma~ma Ma~ma! I'll spare you this time. Remember to bring me that Marine's head, Katakuri!"

Big Mom also ceased activating her Devil Fruit ability after hearing this. Despite her volatile mood, as a shrewd and cunning pirate queen, she could still rein in her emotions at crucial moments. After all, ascending to the position of overlord in the New World is no simple feat.

Even Kaido of the Beasts, who appears the most reckless, has his own tricks.

"Yes! Mama!"

...

New World, G-5 Base.

"Hahahaha! Atlas, you really are something else. Big Mom is likely going to lose it now."

No need for explanation; just by hearing the voice, one could recognize it as Garp's. At this moment, he was energetically tapping Atlas on the shoulder, sporting an excited expression.

Meanwhile, Atlas reported the mission to Vice Admiral Tsuru, who sat in an office chair, wearing a look of exasperation on his face.

With the dissemination of this news, the New World at this moment can be described as simmering with undercurrents.

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