Chapter 333: Changing Sides

"Smack!"

Katakuri quickly covered Brûlée's mouth, trembling as he pleaded,

"Please... can you spare my sister?"

Carl looked down at Katakuri, his hand emitting a dark aura as he spoke softly,

"Even now, you're thinking of your sister? You're quite the good brother. But... do you think you're in any position to make demands of me?"

Faced with Carl, who stood so close, Katakuri—who had never faltered even before Big Mom's soul curses—felt a deep, soul-crushing fear. He lowered his head abruptly and dropped to his knees with a heavy thud, gritting his teeth.

"Please... spare my sister's life! I'll do anything for you—even give my life!"

Katakuri knew he had no leverage to negotiate with Carl. The only thing he could offer was his loyalty.

Brûlée, nestled in Katakuri's embrace, started sobbing uncontrollably at the sight of her brother in this state. If her mouth weren't tightly covered, she would have begged Carl to spare her brother instead.

Lucia stood quietly, observing Carl. Knowing him as well as she did, she was certain that if Carl truly intended to kill this sibling pair, he would have done so long ago. The fact that they were still alive meant he had no intention of ending them.

Carl raised his hand to clasp Lucia's on his shoulder. Understanding his silent gesture, Lucia immediately stopped her massage and stepped back lightly.

To any observer, this wouldn't seem like the mighty Admiral Hakutsuru of the Marines.

In truth, Lucia had never cared about her title. She had joined the Marines solely for Carl. In her heart, wherever Carl went, she would follow. Whatever Carl wanted her to do, she would do without hesitation.

Regardless of her status in the world, even as an Admiral in the Marines' power structure, she always cherished her role as Carl's devoted attendant above all else.

Carl rose from his chair, looking down at the kneeling Katakuri. Slowly, he said,

"I'll spare your sister."

Katakuri's eyes widened in disbelief, his face filled with surprise. He hadn't expected Carl to agree so easily.

Recovering quickly, he lowered his head to the ground with a heavy thud.

"Thank you!"

Still stunned, Brûlée was pushed into bowing by Katakuri.

Carl's lips curled into a faint smile as he said,

"Don't thank me just yet. I have something I want you to do."

Katakuri's body stiffened. Slowly raising his head, a determined look appeared on his face.

"Say the word! No matter what it is, even if it costs me my life, I'll do it!"

Carl chuckled.

"No need for your life. I just need you to join the Red-Haired Pirates."

"...What!?"

Katakuri stared blankly at Carl, completely dumbfounded. His brain momentarily froze.

Then, as if a realization struck him, he asked,

"You mean... as an undercover agent?"

Carl tilted his head, giving Katakuri a look as if he were an idiot.

"Do you really think someone like me needs an undercover agent to gather intelligence?"

"Uh..."

Katakuri froze, realizing how foolish his question was.

Carl was someone who had just taken on three Emperor-level combatants single-handedly. Combined with his absolute authority as Fleet Admiral, there wasn't a force in the world he needed to spy on.

If he wanted to destroy someone, he could simply crush them.

Understanding this, Katakuri mentally berated himself for his earlier stupidity. Judging by Carl's displayed power, he might even be able to take down the Red-Haired Pirates by himself.

Carl gestured for Katakuri to stand.

"Don't overthink it. When you meet Shanks, just tell him I sent you. He'll gladly let you join. All you need to do is follow him wholeheartedly. He won't treat you poorly."

Katakuri grew increasingly confused but quickly grasped one key detail: Carl and Shanks had an unusual relationship—perhaps even an intimate one.

If that was the case, it explained why Shanks had rejected an alliance with Whitebeard and even defeated Dragon during peace talks.

Whitebeard had mentioned this incident when he visited Totto Land to speak with Big Mom, and Katakuri had been present to hear it.

Sensing the deeper implications, Katakuri wisely chose not to ask further questions and simply nodded firmly.

Carl, being someone who had seen One Piece from a godlike perspective, knew Katakuri's character well. He was a man of his word.

Back when Carl watched the anime, Katakuri had been his favorite among Big Mom's crew.

However, sparing Katakuri wasn't just out of admiration. Carl intended to send a capable "Admiral-level" fighter to his younger brother Shanks, making it easier for him to face Blackbeard.

From personality to strength, Katakuri was an ideal candidate.

Carl believed that once Katakuri joined the Red-Haired Pirates, Shanks' charisma might even win Katakuri's unwavering loyalty.

Smiling at the thought, Carl glanced at the timid Brûlée standing beside her brother. Without warning, he struck out, stabbing her neck with his extended fingernail.

"Brûlée!"

Katakuri's expression changed drastically. He instinctively tried to stop Carl, only to be knocked down by a punch to his stomach from Lucia.

Already heavily injured, Katakuri crumpled to the ground, clutching his abdomen in pain. He shouted hoarsely,

"Why...?"

"Brother!"

Hearing Brûlée's cry, Katakuri struggled to raise his head, only to freeze in shock.

Brûlée's previously dull and wrinkled face was rapidly becoming bright and smooth before his eyes.

"This... How is this possible?" he murmured in disbelief.

"Pop!"

Carl withdrew his fingernail from Brûlée's neck. She now looked twenty years younger, her transformation from a haggard crone to a stunning woman complete.

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