PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

"No… this is a sign of great calamity."

A sudden voice cut through the room like a blade of ice.

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over everyone's heads.

The joy and hopeful vision for the future that had just begun to blossom—vanished instantly.

The timing of such a remark was jarring.

Had those words come from anyone else—

They would have been met with ridicule or even violence.

But as they turned and saw the lone figure standing at Charlotte Linlin's side—

None dared speak.

Because standing before them was none other than Katakuri—the undefeated war god, the top commander of the Big Mom Pirates, and the one closest in strength to Linlin herself.

Even the impulsive, tyrannical Linlin was known to heed his words.

That alone was enough to prove how overwhelmingly powerful Katakuri was.

"Katakuri, what are you talking about—'a sign of great calamity'? I've gone through all this trouble to gather reinforcements for Mama. This is the best way to strengthen the Big Mom Pirates!"

Perospero's face darkened.

As the eldest son, he had always lived in Katakuri's shadow.

He acknowledged Katakuri's strength—but that didn't mean he had given up the ambition of reaching the position of Emperor himself.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been the center of the infamous rejection scene in the original story.

He'd thought that by rallying this new force of pirates, he could earn some favor in front of Linlin.

He hadn't expected Katakuri to undercut him like this.

"Enough, Perospero," Linlin said, after gulping down the cake in her hands and letting out a loud belch.

"Katakuri must have his reasons."

She laughed.

"Don't forget—Katakuri is the one I trust most."

"Go on then, Katakuri—tell us why."

Perospero's face turned iron-blue. The unwavering trust in her voice made him deeply bitter.

Still, seeing the calm expressions on everyone else's faces told him this wasn't new.

He knew it was pointless to argue, so he snorted coldly and said:

"Katakuri, I'd like to know—how does strengthening our crew turn into a 'calamity' in your eyes?"

All eyes turned to Katakuri.

Even Charlotte Linlin watched with keen interest.

Surrounded by piercing stares, Katakuri showed no reaction. He sat calmly, trident in his arms, expression cold.

"There are rumors spreading across the seas of a pirate winter," he said flatly. "You've gathered a massive number of pirates. Sure, our forces have grown…"

"But that also puts a massive target on our backs."

"If the Navy decides to move against the pirates—the Big Mom Pirates will be first on their list."

"Big Brother Perospero, surely you don't want to see that happen."

"Most importantly…" He paused.

"My instincts are screaming at me—this path is dangerous."

Instinct?

Everyone's faces shifted instantly.

If Katakuri had merely been offering an opinion a moment ago, they might have dismissed it.

But now—he invoked his instincts.

That changed everything.

Because Katakuri wasn't just strong—his Observation Haki had reached the level of precognition.

He could see not just glimpses—but clear visions of the future.

Movements, words, outcomes—he could perceive them all before they happened.

That's why, when Katakuri said it was his instinct—none could take it lightly.

"I haven't seen far into the future yet," he continued quietly. "But this feeling… unsettles me."

"So to be safe—we need to tread carefully."

"Carefully?" Perospero's expression froze, his voice rising.

"Are you saying I should send away the pirates I worked so hard to recruit?"

"We're talking tens of thousands. If word of this spreads, what happens to Mama's reputation?"

"And what about the Navy? They're stronger than ever—what are we supposed to do, wait for them to come to us? Or go crawling to that Red-Haired brat for an alliance?"

Perospero was visibly panicking.

His words stirred unease among those gathered.

After all—Luoyu's performance three days ago couldn't even be described as brilliant. It was monumental.

After a brief silence, Charlotte Linlin finally spoke again.

"Perospero, don't be hasty. Let Katakuri think."

"And remember—we are the Big Mom Pirates. We're not some pushover waiting to be crushed."

Katakuri fell silent.

But then—his brow suddenly twitched, his eyes filled with shock.

"Katakuri… you saw something?" Linlin immediately noticed the change in his expression.

"Mama… your most hated guest has arrived." Katakuri slowly looked up, staring toward the ceiling.

Everyone froze, then followed his gaze upward.

Even Linlin did the same.

ROAR!!

A dragon's cry tore through the heavens.

A massive form burst through the clouds, descending at full speed toward the palace.

That colossal shape—

Identical to the one they had seen three days ago, during the transponder snail broadcast.

But this time—it wasn't an image.

It was real.

"Linlin! I've come to see you!"

Kaido's roar shook the skies as he transformed midair, landing in human form with his kanabō raised high.

With a battle cry, he dove straight down.

The kanabō in his hand came crashing down with earth-splitting force.

"Kaido! I told you—if I ever saw you again, I'd kill you!"

"I thought you'd drowned in the sea, that I wouldn't even get the chance—but it seems fate has gifted me the pleasure!"

Linlin's eyes burned with fury.

"Napoleon!"

BOOM!!

Two towering figures collided with a deafening crash.

The resulting shockwave surged outward like a hurricane, blowing everyone off their feet.

The grand palace shattered under the force.

Amid the storm of chaos, only a few remained standing.

Katakuri was one of them—unmoving, completely shielding himself from the blast.

But as he looked at the uninvited guest before him, his face darkened.

The omen had come true—and it was worse than he imagined.

Kaido, who should have been dead, stood here alive and unscathed, having blocked Charlotte Linlin's strike head-on.

This wasn't just a surprise.

It was a calamity in the making.

Katakuri couldn't even force a smile.

Only a growing, silent dread filled his heart.