PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

Boom!

The violent clash erupted like a hurricane, engulfing the entire grand hall in an instant.

Everything around was torn to shreds in a blink.

The sheer force of the shockwave sent the weaker ones flying, slamming them against the wreckage with brutal force.

As they struggled to stabilize themselves against the tempestuous wind, all eyes darted toward the heart of the battlefield.

The once majestic and ornate palace had been reduced to ruins.

And there, in the center, two colossal figures stood locked in a fierce standoff, refusing to give an inch.

Seeing Kaido—who was thought to have been sunk into the sea—alive and well in front of them caused many faces to go pale with shock.

"Kaido! I told you—if you ever set foot on my territory again, I would kill you where you stood! You were lucky to escape with your life last time. So why come here and court death again? Or did you forget you still owe me a promise?!"

Charlotte Linlin's face darkened as she bellowed in fury.

She remembered the past vividly—how she had gifted the rare Mythical Zoan Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon model, to Kaido. It wasn't just his potential that intrigued her.

She had believed that, with the power of that fruit, Kaido would one day become strong enough to fulfill the conditions she demanded in return.

But after Kaido rose to power as a Yonko, Linlin had visited him personally—only to be coldly turned away.

That incident shattered their former alliance, turning old comrades into bitter enemies.

"Shut your damn mouth, Linlin!" Kaido snarled, his face twisted with rage.

He had just been humiliated at Impel Down, escaping by the skin of his teeth, and his fury had yet to subside.

And now Linlin was dragging up old debts?

Kaido lost it—ready to attack again.

But just as he moved, a blazing figure streaked down from the sky, slamming into the ground between them like a meteor and halting Kaido in his tracks.

"Boss Kaido, calm down! Don't forget why we came here!"

It was King, his wings smoldering with flames, who spoke, turning to Charlotte Linlin with a stern voice.

"Charlotte Linlin, this isn't about past grudges. We came to Totto Land seeking an alliance."

"You must've heard—both the Beasts Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates were defeated."

"Right now, the Navy is riding a massive wave of momentum. Two of the Four Emperors have already fallen. Your Big Mom Pirates will be next on the chopping block. Instead of waiting to be hunted down, wouldn't it be better to strike first—together—and catch the Navy off guard?"

"As long as we kill that boy—the one who's throwing the world into chaos—balance in the New World will be restored."

As King spoke, he turned to Katakuri, standing silently at the edge of the battlefield.

"Katakuri, you're the eldest of the Sweet Commanders—renowned for your clarity and judgment. Surely you see the value in this alliance?"

"Two Emperors working together to take down one upstart... it would be effortless."

The crowd turned in unison toward Katakuri.

They knew well: if Linlin's most trusted son agreed, then she might truly consider it.

"No. I oppose this alliance. It is a sign of great misfortune," Katakuri said coldly, his voice grave.

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Eyes widened in shock—even Kaido, King, and Linlin herself were taken aback.

"Katakuri, what are you saying? Are you suggesting that even two Emperors can't handle one brat?" King demanded, his tone darkening.

Kaido bellowed in fury beside him, "You little punk! Are you mocking the strength of the Four Emperors?!"

"The fight three days ago—I underestimated him, gave him an opening, and suffered the consequences. Whitebeard was already a frail old man and walked into death of his own accord. That brat just took advantage of it."

"If I wasn't confident of utterly annihilating him—without giving him a chance to escape—I wouldn't have come here to propose a truce."

"Or are you suggesting that Linlin is too weak now to even handle one damn kid?!"

Kaido's words thundered across the ruins like divine wrath, shaking the air itself.

That last jab—Linlin instantly recognized it as a deliberate provocation.

Even so, she turned her head with a cold, eerie smile and said, "Katakuri... are you underestimating your own mother?"

"Tell me plainly—what exactly did you foresee?"

That smile chilled everyone to the bone.

They all knew: Charlotte Linlin's smile was never a good sign.

When she truly snapped, not even her children were spared.

"Katakuri..." Smoothe, another Sweet Commander, finally stepped forward, unable to stay silent.

Katakuri simply shook his head and stepped forward, face dark and voice low.

"No, Mother. I'm not questioning your strength. An alliance between Emperors would normally be ideal."

"But if we fight the Fourth Admiral... we won't just lose—we'll die."

Die.

The entire palace ruins fell into stunned silence.

Everyone stared at Katakuri, eyes wide, faces frozen in disbelief.

To them, two Emperors against one newcomer should have been an absolute victory.

Yet in Katakuri's mouth... not only would they fail, they would be killed?

"Katakuri... you're saying we'll die?" Linlin's expression went stiff.

If any other child had said such a thing, she would have slaughtered them on the spot.

But this was Katakuri—her most trusted son, who could see glimpses of the future.

That made his words carry a very different weight.

"That brat dares look down on me? He's begging for death!" Kaido roared, gripping his kanabo and preparing to strike Katakuri directly.

The sudden outburst made Linlin's expression harden. She was angry at Katakuri, yes—but letting Kaido lay a hand on her son in front of her?

That was unacceptable.

Before either of them could act, Katakuri calmly spoke again.

"Kaido, I'm simply telling you what I've seen. If you can't handle that truth, how can Mother ever agree to an alliance?"

"And besides... shouldn't you invite the people hiding outside in?"

"Or did you bring them here for a sneak attack—hoping to catch us off guard?"

With that final sentence, every muscle in the room tensed.

This was a dangerous moment.

Kaido was cornered, desperate. And a desperate Yonko was capable of anything. Even betrayal. Even blood.