Capítulo 254: Chapter 253
"What is this sound?"
When the war drums echoed through the air, Katakuri froze for a moment. His Observation Haki, honed to near-perfection, quickly pinpointed the origin of the sound—it was coming from Luffy. However, the sound wasn't just ordinary drumming. There was something primal about it, something infectious. Like everyone else, Katakuri felt his blood stirring, as if a fire had been lit deep within him.
The feeling was strange yet exhilarating—a pure, unbridled sense of freedom. For a fleeting moment, Katakuri could almost taste it. Freedom... The word resonated in his mind, a luxury he had long since abandoned. As the leader of the Sweet Commanders and a vital pillar of the Charlotte family, Katakuri had been shackled by the weight of duty and expectations for as long as he could remember. Though feared and respected, he was never free.
in the One Piece series, when Luffy defeated Katakuri, he had let himself fall, not because he lacked the strength to continue, but because he was exhausted—tired of the weight on his shoulders, the constant need to be perfect. Lying on his back, touching the ground for the first time, he had felt a strange kind of peace. For once, he had let go.
And now, hearing the drumbeat of freedom from Luffy, it stirred something deep inside him. Katakuri felt an overwhelming resonance. This boy, this reckless pirate captain, had what Katakuri longed for but could never grasp—true freedom. It was a tantalizing concept, always within reach but never his to claim.
Suddenly, laughter filled the air, breaking his thoughts.
"Ahahahaha~~~"
The mochi that had swallowed Luffy transformed, its pliable texture shifting into something rubbery, like a thick elastic band stretched to its limits. With a loud duang!, the mochi peeled away, and Luffy emerged, his laughter infectious and carefree.
"Wow, Ahahaha!!! It's the same heartbeat sound again! So funny~~~" Luffy exclaimed, his hands on his head, laughing like a child discovering a new game.
Katakuri's eyes narrowed, his usually stoic demeanor cracking with surprise. "What's happening with his hair?" he murmured, noting the strange, almost ethereal white ribbon-like substance floating around Luffy's body.
"And what's with that white ribbon? Is this a new form?" Katakuri's voice betrayed his confusion as he stared at Luffy, now fully transformed.
Luffy's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Wow, Ahahaha!!! Come on, let's have a good fight now!"
Without warning, Luffy launched himself at Katakuri, his arms stretching into rocket-like punches that tore through the air with raw power.
"Is he trying to aim for my chin?" Katakuri thought, instinctively activating his advanced Observation Haki. He could see it clearly—the trajectory of Luffy's attacks, the exact moment his fists would connect. With his devil fruit ability, Katakuri morphed into mochi, effortlessly dodging Luffy's punches, each strike missing by mere inches as he predicted the boy's every move.
The rubber fists grazed Katakuri's body, leaving indentations in the mochi form, but nothing that couldn't be repaired. He smiled grimly as his body reformed from the battering. "Boy, no matter what your abilities are, my Observation Haki has been honed to predict the future. No matter how much you want to attack me, I will see it coming."
Katakuri's body shifted as he regenerated, replenishing his form with more mochi until he looked as fresh and imposing as ever. His stance was firm, his expression one of confidence. You cannot hit what you cannot catch.
"Awesome..." Logan, watching the battle unfold from the sidelines, couldn't help but admire Katakuri's skill. This was a man who had pushed his Observation Haki to the absolute limit, capable of seeing moments into the future. Katakuri wasn't just relying on talent—he had trained, refined, and perfected his abilities through sheer force of will and relentless perseverance.
In a world filled with pirates and warriors, many had talent, but few had the discipline to push themselves to their ultimate potential. Katakuri was one of those rare individuals who had earned his place at the top through both natural ability and unyielding effort. He truly deserved to be called strong.
As Luffy continued to laugh, his footsteps seemed to sink deeper into the mochi beneath him. His weight seemed to increase with each step, yet he moved as lightly as ever.
Duang!
The rubberized ground beneath Luffy's feet bounced, launching him high into the air. His body twirled like a spinning top, his arms winding back as he prepared his next move. "Dawn Gatling!!————"
Luffy's fists multiplied, raining down from the sky like a barrage of missiles, each one aimed directly at Katakuri. The sheer volume of attacks was overwhelming, and the speed at which they flew made it seem as though hundreds of fists were coming at once.
Katakuri remained calm, his body shifting into mochi once again as he used his Observation Haki to predict each strike. "I've already told you," he said, his voice steady. "No matter where you attack from, I can predict your moves."
Once again, he dodged effortlessly, his body twisting and morphing to avoid Luffy's Gatling assault. But as he prepared to launch his counterattack, a sudden sensation gripped him—a sharp, dangerous feeling.
Something's wrong.
Katakuri's eyes widened as his heartbeat quickened, his Observation Haki screaming at him that something had changed. Despite avoiding the direct strikes, he realized that Luffy's punches were bouncing off the rubberized mochi ground and redirecting back at him.
Luffy's fists, having sunk into the rubber ground, were bouncing back unpredictably with even more force. Hundreds of fists, each rebounding at different angles, ricocheted toward Katakuri from all directions, faster than he could predict.
"What!?" Katakuri gasped as the flurry of punches, now unpredictable and wild, rained down on him. His Observation Haki, usually flawless, faltered under the chaos of Luffy's rebounding attack.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Several of Luffy's Haki-infused punches landed solidly on Katakuri's body, sending waves of pain crashing through him. His mochi form, though resilient, couldn't stop the onslaught of Haki-coated blows.
Katakuri's body trembled, and his knees buckled as he fell to the ground, blood dripping from his mouth. He knelt, using his hands for support, his face covered in bruises and scars from the relentless assault.
"What... what just happened?" Katakuri muttered, his voice shaky. He coughed, spitting more blood onto the rubberized ground, his confusion evident. "Why... why couldn't I predict your attacks...?"
Before Luffy could respond, Logan stepped forward with a smile. "It's simple, Katakuri. Luffy wasn't aiming at you directly. His punches were meant to hit the ground, to use the rubber's rebound force to strike you in unpredictable ways. Your Observation Haki is strong, but it can't predict something that's not initially aimed at you."
Katakuri's eyes widened in realization. "He... wasn't attacking me directly? He used the environment..." His body trembled as he tried to rise to his feet, but his injuries were too severe. The damage was far greater than he had anticipated.
"Cough..." A violent cough wracked his body, and another mouthful of blood spilled from his lips. "How... how could this happen? When did I become so fragile?"
Luffy, standing before him with his signature grin, scratched his head sheepishly. "Ah~ Sorry! That last punch was a serious punch, Shishishi."
Katakuri stared at Luffy, processing his words. Serious punch? he thought. Is there even such a thing as a 'serious punch'? Aren't all punches supposed to be serious? He tried to smile but felt an unsettling sense of defeat. How could he have been so thoroughly beaten?
Little did Katakuri know, this was the first time Luffy had thrown a serious punch in his Nika form—the result of training in the world of One Punch Man. It was a punch of pure strength, backed by his enhanced abilities.
Katakuri took a deep breath, forcing himself to stand, his willpower stronger than his body's current state. He may have been beaten physically, but his spirit remained unbroken.
"Boy," he said, his voice regaining some of its former strength, "I want to know your name."
Katakuri's eyes blazed with newfound determination as he looked at Luffy. This boy, this force of nature, was now his target. No matter how strong Luffy was, Katakuri's ambition burned brighter than ever. I, Katakuri, will never admit defeat.
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[More Chapter Available at p@treon.com/goldengaruda]
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Capítulo 255: 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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[More Chapter Available at p@treon.com/goldengaruda]
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