Chapter 299: The New King

A few days later.

The Rip-off Bar.

A crowd of drinkers gathered around the counter, vividly recounting the great battle that had occurred a few days prior.

"These two represent the twin peaks of the Sword Dao, beings standing at the very apex of the seas!"

"As for that battle..."

There was no need for elaborate description; everyone only needed to glance out the window, looking at the nearly flattened forests surrounding them and the series of ferocious slash marks scarred across the earth, to glimpse the brutality of the event.

Many people had watched that fight from afar, and they all wore expressions of shock and fear.

"Those were absolutely not monsters that should exist in this world; swords, guns, and even rare Devil Fruit abilities held no meaning before those two."

"Moreover, the most astonishing part is that Hawkeye lost to Knight Gao Wen, who seized the title of the World's Greatest Swordsman; it is foreseeable that his name will soon spread across the entire world!"

Accompanied by cries of amazement and praise, the entire bar became lively.

In a corner.

Hawkeye and Lei Li sat opposite each other, watching the surrounding drinkers with keen interest.

Hawkeye could not help but speak:

"Has that fellow left?!"

"Ah."

Lei Li nodded:

"After commissioning me to coat his ship, he already departed."

"Did you not ask him?!"

Hawkeye looked slightly surprised.

During this period, his relationship with Lei Li had grown increasingly close, due partly to Shanks, but also stemming from the curiosity and respect two legends from different eras held for one another.

In short, while the two might not be called partners at this moment, calling them friends was not an exaggeration.

Hawkeye could also vaguely sense that Lei Li's willingness to remain on the Sabaody Archipelago was because he was waiting for someone, so he could not help but say:

"Perhaps he is the very person you are waiting for."

Lei Li shook his head:

"No, the one I await lies in the future, whereas the emergence of Knight Gao Wen was an accident."

"I spoke with Gao Wen at length."

"I originally thought his purpose for setting sail was also the One Piece, but it turned out not to be."

"Although he did not state it explicitly, I could see that his ambition might even be greater than that fellow Luo Jie's."

"In the eyes of such a man, one can see this entire world!"

Hawkeye paused for a moment, slowly setting down the wine glass in his hand; he was not actually surprised by Lei Li's answer.

Originally, in his view, Gao Wen had abandoned his former will and convictions in his pursuit of power, becoming eager for quick success and instant benefit, going so far as to consume a Devil Fruit.

But this crushing defeat a few days ago undoubtedly proved that Gao Wen had never forgotten his original intention.

Even to some extent, Gao Wen's refusal to utilize his Devil Fruit ability was a proof to himself that he had never forgotten that disastrous defeat back in the East Blue.

Now that Gao Wen had reclaimed everything that belonged to him, the reason why he would consume the Red Dragon Fruit was worth deep contemplation.

What exactly was this man plotting? What kind of world was he anticipating?!

The more he pondered, the more Hawkeye felt he could not see through him.

This young man, once so weak, had in just two short years grown to a level that even he could no longer comprehend.

While lost in thought.

Hawkeye also recalled how, back in the East Blue, Gao Wen had chosen to face a battle with no chance of victory all alone for the sake of his companions, and the answer in his heart became almost obvious:

"I do not know what he is plotting, but given that fellow's character and style, he would absolutely never let this world become worse."

"The most benevolent and righteous man of the East Blue?!"

Lei Li murmured.

Just then, an urgent ringing sound from a Den Den Mushi came to his ears.

He patted himself up and down but could not find the source of the ringing; only when he looked up did he realize the one ringing was Hawkeye's Den Den Mushi.

Very quickly.

The Den Den Mushi connected.

A voice, careless yet filled with immense surprise, came from the receiver:

"Mihawk, you actually lost to the junior you had your eye on?!"

"Shanks?!"

The familiar voice made Lei Li pause slightly; silence reigned on the other end of the line for a few seconds before erupting into an extremely excited voice:

"Mr. Lei Li? Are you with Mihawk? Does this mean that fellow really lost to Knight Gao Wen?!"

"Ah."

Lei Li nodded:

"The two made a huge scene, nearly tearing apart half of the Sabaody Archipelago."

"It even alarmed the nearby Marine Headquarters; fortunately, the one who came was a reasonable marine soldier, otherwise, even I would have found it difficult to extricate myself."

"However, I have met Knight Gao Wen; he is quite an interesting young man."

"Is that so..."

Red Hair calmed down.

He still remembered.

Back when Hawkeye had rushed over excitedly to tell him that he had found an exceptionally promising talent in the East Sea.

The excitement in his eyes had been impossible to conceal.

Yet less than two years later, that young man had already stepped on Hawkeye's shoulders to reach the pinnacle of the sword path.

Such a growth speed was nothing short of a genuine monster!

Red Hair did not know how strong Gao Wen was, but he knew exactly how strong Hawkeye was.

Before losing his arm, Red Hair's swordsmanship alone was on par with Hawkeye's.

In other words.

Even if he encountered any of the other Emperors of the Sea or a Marine Admiral alone, Hawkeye would still have the power to fight them.

The fact that Gao Wen could defeat Hawkeye meant that Gao Wen was stronger, even overwhelmingly so!

"Truly a young man worth looking forward to; does this mean the difficulty of seizing the One Piece has increased again?!"

"Yahahahaahaha...!"

Red Hair laughed loudly a few times, then casually teased Hawkeye:

"Now you won't be lonely anymore, you guy."

"Ah."

Hawkeye raised his hand to adjust his hat.

His fingertips rubbed against the wine glass, causing the red wine inside to sway gently, leaving a layer of red halo on the cup's walls.

Hawkeye's gaze also sharpened at this moment:

"It has been a long time since I felt such boiling blood, as if even my soul were burning; in order to defeat that guy..."

"Red Hair, I need you to assist me in my cultivation!"

Red Hair replied with a hint of helplessness:

"Don't make such decisions on your own~"

"I will find you."

"What a hassle; you're still as single-minded as ever!"

The two began arguing through the receiver of the Den Den Mushi.

Rayleigh, sitting nearby, felt as if time had suddenly returned to more than twenty years ago.

It was just that the person arguing fiercely with Red Hair back then had been Buggy.

However.

This time, there was little nostalgia or sadness in Rayleigh's eyes; instead, there was only anticipation for the future and for the new era.

"After the Great Pirate Era pushed forward by Luo Jie ushers in a monster-like newcomer like Knight Gao Wen, where exactly will it head?!"

"Just thinking about it makes my blood boil."

"After all, whether for good or ill, this world is about to reach its end, and the wills of all people will converge at that time."

"Everything that guy failed to see, we shall witness with our own eyes."

Totto Land.

Whole Cake Island.

After Katakuri and Perospero fled back to the Totto Land headquarters, they immediately sealed off the news that Big Mom had been defeated and captured, lying to the outside world that she was injured and recuperating.

Immediately afterward, the two brothers moved to quell the internal unrest within Totto Land; after losing some territory, the interior of Totto Land barely stabilized.

But both Katakuri and Perospero knew clearly that all of this was merely temporary.

Once the news of Big Mom's disappearance spread, without the suppression of absolute military force, a far greater crisis would inevitably erupt within Totto Land, even tearing the entire nation apart!

At this moment.

Katakuri sat in Big Mom's original seat, holding intelligence that a subordinate had just delivered.

The more he read, the tighter his brows furrowed.

"That Hawkeye has been defeated, beaten by Knight Gao Wen."

Everyone's faces showed shock, even revealing a hint of unease.

Gao Wen had first slain Shiki in Water Seven, and now, having stepped on Hawkeye's shoulders to reach the summit as the World's Greatest Swordsman, he had become Totto Land's most obvious threat!

"What do we do? What do we do?!"

"If that guy attacks at this time, we will all die~!"

A minister panicked and spoke without thinking, but was restrained by someone beside him the moment the words left his mouth.

Yet the panic in everyone's eyes had already begun to spread.

Cracker, standing nearby, rose to his feet, his eyes filled with indescribable horror as he said in disbelief:

"This is impossible; you haven't fought against that Hawkeye, so you don't understand just how terrifying that guy is; even if it's Mama—!"

"Cracker!"

Katakuri's tone was stiff, filled with an air of unquestionable authority.

With Big Mom now missing, he, as Totto Land's second-in-command, had naturally taken temporary command.

Yet as he looked at the intelligence in his hand, his heart was filled with uncontrollable horror.

When he had first learned from Big Mom the news that Gao Wen defeated Shiki, it had already shocked him speechless.

But now, after only a few short months, Gao Wen had defeated Hawkeye and reached the summit as the World's Greatest Swordsman.

Nowadays, Gao Wen has become the greatest threat to Totto Land, especially under the current circumstances of Big Mom's disappearance.

"I was impulsive, Brother Katakuri."

Cracker lowered his head in gloom, yet could not help but speak:

"Has Mother's injury still not healed?!"

"At a time like this, only Mother's power can completely suppress the internal turmoil within Totto Land."

"What we are doing now can only temporarily suppress it; given enough time, those scum will inevitably lose their patience again."

Katakuri fell silent for a moment.

He swept his gaze around, seeing only faces marked by exhaustion amidst panic.

These people were all his younger brothers and sisters; to him, they were family who must be protected.

After several breaths.

Katakuri spoke:

"During the battle in Water Seven, Mother sustained serious injuries; her mental state is also unstable, and she needs time to recover."

"Just hold on a little longer."

Katakuri's Adam's apple bobbed, his tone gaining a hint of difficulty:

"Once Mother recovers, nothing will be a problem."

The expressions of the crowd eased slightly, and a glimmer of hope appeared in their eyes.

Katakuri observed all of this.

Before his eyes, the image of that man from Water Seven once again floated up—the one who, for the sake of his people, had stood alone before him.

His name was... Bingshan, was it not?!

If you were faced with such a situation, would you not make the same choice as I did?!

No, how is the situation you face any different from mine?!

It is truly a pity that I could not save you back then.

Hiss—!

Katakuri took a deep breath and added:

"I guarantee it."

"We believe in you, Brother Katakuri!"

"That's right!"

"As long as Brother Katakuri and Mother are here, everything will be fine; all difficulties can be overcome!"

The crowd forced their spirits up, compelling themselves to perk up and join hands to tide over the upcoming hardships.

After Katakuri made detailed arrangements for everyone, this impromptu meeting came to a complete end.

A few minutes later.

The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Smoothie, Cracker, and Perospero sitting in their seats, not rising.

"Is Mother... truly still recovering from her injuries?!"

Smoothie frowned tightly, unable to resist looking up at Katakuri:

"Brother Katakuri, we all know that given Mother's constitution, no matter how severe the injury, as long as she is alive, she can heal within a few days."

"It is simply impossible for her to be recuperating for this long."

Katakuri raised his hand to adjust his collar, intending to explain, but his movement was interrupted.

Bang!

Perospero swung his cane, striking the conference table heavily.

"Brother Perospero?!"

Katakuri froze on the spot.

Concealing the truth from his younger brothers and sisters, first stabilizing the overall situation, then finding an opportunity to rescue Mother.

This was the plan Perospero had agreed upon with him long ago.

But now, he sensed that some kind of change had occurred in Perospero.

He felt somewhat uneasy.

"You..."

"Smoothie, your guess is correct."

Perospero took a deep breath.

His heart, which had originally been somewhat wavering, became completely firm upon seeing the scene of Katakuri comforting the crowd.

"Mother was not injured; rather, she has been captured by a mysterious force."

"In other words, even we do not know where she is right now."

As soon as the words landed.

The office instantly fell silent.

Smoothie and Cracker's faces turned deathly pale, unable to utter a single word.

Big Mom's power is the foundation upon which Totto Land survives; once something happens to Big Mom, Totto Land, having lost the combat power of the Emperor of the Sea, will inevitably become a delicacy in the eyes of various forces.

Compared to that, mere domestic turmoil counts for nothing!

Those pirates will devour the flesh and blood of Totto Land like a pack of wolves, and countless brothers and sisters will die in war!

"What kind of joke are you making!"

"Perospero!"

Katakuri couldn't help but interrupt Perospero's words; this was even the first time he had addressed his elder brother by name!

It was simply because the situation had already spiraled out of control.

But when he looked up at Perospero, he saw only a pair of bloodshot eyes filled with red veins.

Cracker, standing aside in a daze, likewise showed a look of panic at that very moment.

Before the three could react, Perospero continued:

"I know, of course I know!"

"But without that woman, Totto Land might endure growing pains and lose much."

"Yet as long as we can endure this period, everything will be fine; Totto Land will have a new king, and that is you, Katakuri!"

"Haven't you always been curious about what exactly happened after Knight Gao Wen's attack?!"

There was already a hint of madness in Perospero's tone, yet his words made the hair on the spines of the three present stand on end:

"After that explosion, most of our younger brothers and sisters were still alive, but in the end, they all ended up in the stomach of Mother, who had lost her reason—no, that monster!"

"Now, whenever I close my eyes, all I see are the death throes and wails of our younger brothers and sisters; I never want to endure such torment a second time!"

"I am cowardly, I am incompetent, I am not a worthy elder brother, but Katakuri... you are!"

(End of Chapter)