One Piece : From Slave to Fleet Admiral

At the entrance of Gourmet Town stood a somewhat frail elderly figure, his already small frame appearing even more gaunt.

"Katakuri-sama, we've searched everywhere near the warehouse but found nothing. On all paths someone might have taken, there's not even a footprint or signs of disturbed plants. We truly have no leads left. Could you please give us two more days?"

Katakuri looked at the old man before him, his expression unchanged.

Truthfully, he'd already used Observation Haki to survey the fire scene that night.

If even he couldn't find any clues, expecting these villagers to discover anything was nearly impossible.

However, the reason Katakuri allowed the villagers to do this was quite simple.

Currently, he was very interested in the person who dared to burn down the granary and unless something unexpected happened, that person was most likely from the Marines.

So what was the Marines' purpose in doing such a thing?

If the villagers couldn't produce the cake, he would slaughter them in a fit of rage and then the Marines would have a legitimate reason to take action against the Big Mom Pirates—or even declare all-out war?!

Katakuri had pondered this all night and countless possibilities had flashed through his mind.

Now, as he watched the Marine soldiers preparing to enter the town, the most terrifying of those speculations was about to become reality.

Seeing those Marine soldiers—disciplined, orderly and brimming with fighting spirit—Katakuri's unease grew even stronger.

Instead of immediately entering the island to capture him and his crew, these Marines had stopped outside the town.

Their purpose was simple: they were waiting for his group to retreat.

For most Marines, who upheld simple values of justice, such behavior was highly unusual.

What kind of leader could command these Marines to carry out such orders meticulously, without a single complaint?

Why were these Marines deliberately leaving time for the pirates to escape?

Were they waiting for something?

Waiting for his crew to slaughter civilians, just to give the Marines a legitimate reason to strike against the Big Mom Pirates?

At this thought, a faint trace of seriousness crossed Katakuri's face.

Damn these cunning Marines!

If the group he led was already under Marine surveillance, then his other siblings' movements were likely being watched as well.

Worse still, there might even be spies from the Marines or the World Government infiltrating this year's Totto Land tea party!

Could it be that the Marines were truly preparing to move against Big Mom?!

The tangled web of possibilities in his mind gave Katakuri a headache.

He expanded his Observation Haki, enveloping the distant Marine warship entirely.

On the entire ship, only two individuals could detect his Observation Haki and put up slight resistance.

No one else was worth noting.

So what gave such weak Marines the confidence to block the ship of a Yonko?

Something was wrong! Something was definitely wrong!

That warship must be hiding a terrifying presence capable of shielding itself from his Observation Haki!

A Marine Vice Admiral? Or perhaps... an Admiral?!

Black Arm Zephyr? Or Garp the Fist?! Or maybe even the "Buddha" Fleet Admiral Sengoku?!

Watching the Marines charging onto the island without the slightest hesitation, Katakuri grew increasingly convinced his speculation was correct.

Thus, he once again urged his subordinates to return to the ship as quickly as possible.

Just then, a slender woman approached Katakuri.

Frowning slightly, she asked him, "Brother, those Marines don't seem particularly strong. Should we really recall all our crew members on the island? Why not let them stay there and kill both the Marines and villagers when they enter the town?"

The speaker had pink hair, red eyes, wore lipstick and had fair skin.

Dressed in a purple cloak, red miniskirt and high heels with brown head ornaments, she was clearly Charlotte Galette, the 18th daughter of the Charlotte Family.

Hearing Galette's words, Katakuri shook his head.

Though his tone remained largely unchanged, a subtle softness could be detected.

"No. According to my Observation Haki, those on that warship are pathetically weak. But think—why would such weak Marines dare to confront members of an Emperor Crew?"

"Brother Katakuri, are you suggesting... there's a powerful fighter hidden on that ship, one even your Observation Haki can't detect?!"

Galette covered her rosy lips, staring at Katakuri in shock.

Among all Big Mom's children, none doubted Katakuri's strength.

He was a genuine monster—the strongest in the entire Crew after Big Mom herself!

If even Katakuri couldn't sense someone, their power must surpass that of a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral!

"It's just speculation, but I'm likely right. Galette, go hurry those guys up and get everyone back on the ship. We'll stay for three days—I want to see what tricks these Marines are playing."

"But Brother, if there really is such a strong opponent, wouldn't staying here be dangerous?"

At Galette's confusion, Katakuri glanced at her and explained.

"It's precisely because it's dangerous that we need to stay here. If we leave, the Marines will have one more person who can pose a danger to Mama. If we stay here, in case a situation arises where the Marines launch a full-scale war against Totto Land, we can also restrain, or even eliminate their Admiral in time.

After that, we'll take the special sea current, use a coated ship to pass through the Gates of Justice, and then attack Marineford! This will attract the Marines' attention and share the pressure for Mama."

[Katakuri think there was at least an admiral hiding in the marines here]

Galette was speechless.

She'd only come out to prepare cakes for Mama's tea party—how had it suddenly escalated to attacking Marine Headquarters?

Staring at Katakuri, she felt her head spinning.

Brother Katakuri... you're joking, right?

Us? Attacking Marineford?

If I had that ability, Big Mom should be the one calling me Mama...