Chapter 396: Volume 3 – Chapter 39: Planting a Seed

The Vice Admiral's speed exploded to the limit—within a second, he had vanished without a trace.

All that remained was a white contrail slicing through the burning clouds of the sunset, like a jet streaking across the sky.

Katakuri, bloodied and broken, stared blankly in that direction. The corner of his eye twitched involuntarily.

That arrogant Marine... just ran off like that?

But along with the disbelief came a heavy wave of helplessness.

Now that his mind had cleared, his Observation Haki returned to normal. And in that moment, Katakuri realized—Daren's final burst of aura was even stronger than during their fight...

Which meant he hadn't even gone all out.

Fingers soaked in blood dug deep into the cracked soil as Katakuri lowered his head, gritting his teeth hard.

Could he really defeat that man... and avenge his fallen siblings?

"Ma ma ma ma... what a heartless man."

A voice echoed as Big Mom descended from the churning clouds above, thunder rumbling and lightning cracking in her wake.

She looked toward the direction Daren had fled and let out a sultry smile, her crimson lips curling.

"Even the way he runs away is so charming. Truly the man I've set my sights on."

Charlotte Linlin licked her lips.

She leapt down from the thundercloud Zeus, long legs clad in high-heeled boots stepping rhythmically as she approached Katakuri.

"Katakuri, do you understand now?"

He froze.

Still kneeling, head bowed, he spoke between gasps.

"Mama... I don't understand what you mean."

Charlotte Linlin giggled.

"Now that you've fought Daren, you should realize why I chose him, right?"

"His strength, his body, his perfect physique and genes... Ma ma ma ma... our union will create the strongest warrior the seas have ever seen!"

"He'll have the mightiest body, unmatched talent, power surpassing even the giants. He'll be the most powerful soldier in the Charlotte family's conquest of the world!"

Katakuri's bloodshot pupils shrank violently.

The Vice Admiral's mocking words echoed once more in his mind:

"Don't you see, Katakuri... She thinks you're too weak. That's why she wants to have a stronger son—to replace you."

"To replace the so-called greatest masterpiece of the Charlotte family..."

Katakuri's bloodied fists clenched tight. Veins bulged on his back. His knuckles turned white from the pressure.

"So... Mama..."

His voice suddenly became eerily calm, a rasp drifting into the smoky air.

"You mean... just to get his bloodline... even if so many of us had to die—my brothers, your children—it didn't matter?"

Charlotte Linlin smiled.

"Of course. The weak don't deserve the Charlotte name."

"Only those who are strong enough are worthy of being called my bloodline."

"You, Katakuri, are the best example of that. That's why I trust and rely on you the most..."

The words hit like a bolt of lightning.

Katakuri knelt there, frozen. His hands trembled.

In his eyes, the last flicker of hope and light faded away—like the dying glow of the evening sun on the far horizon.

So that's how it is...

That damn Marine... he wasn't wrong after all...

So this is what you truly believe, Mama...

In the end, all of us—my brothers and sisters, even me—we were just weapons to you, weren't we?

Tools to be used.

And once a more powerful "tool" shows up, we're all disposable.

Even me—your most trusted child—was only valued because I was stronger than the rest.

Everything that Marine said... was true.

Even after so many of your children died, all you could say was, "It doesn't matter."

You've truly... disappointed me.

"Ma ma ma ma, Come on, Katakuri, get up..."

Big Mom saw Katakuri kneeling there motionless and chuckled.

"Don't just kneel there and make a fool of yourself. You're the face of the Big Mom Pirates."

"No need to be so down. Once I get Daren and bear a powerful child with him... you'll have a brother to help shoulder your burdens. You'll even have an adorable little brother."

"He'll get along with you just fine. After all, you're the perfect big brother, aren't you?"

"When that time comes, both of you will bear my flag and uphold the glory of the Charlotte family... helping me build a magnificent kingdom!"

"Mamahahahaha..."

With that, Big Mom burst into laughter, stepped onto Zeus, and soared into the sky, vanishing swiftly into the clouds.

Katakuri was left alone, standing in place with a blank expression.

For a long, long time.

"No..."

Suddenly, Katakuri gritted his teeth. His defeated look was swept away as his eyes ignited with a sharp, murderous gleam.

He clenched his fists tightly, blood dripping steadily from his arms.

His bloodshot eyes locked onto the direction where Big Mom had disappeared.

"Mama, I'll protect my family—my way!!"

As the words fell—

Boom!!

An even more overwhelming, fierce, and explosive aura erupted from Katakuri's body, sending his hair and clothes whipping violently in the wind. The surge nearly engulfed the entire island.

A tangible wave of Conqueror's Haki swept out, stirring up winds like a purgatory storm across the land.

If Daren had been there, he might've sensed it...

Katakuri's Conqueror's Haki—had surged again!

It had broken past the 50-point threshold!

Amid the roaring tempest,

Katakuri slowly stood up from the rubble, lifted his trident in one hand, and walked away, his figure desolate and solitary.

Like a wild wolf cast aside.

No longer lost.

His eyes were firm.

As if he had found a reason to live.

...

High above.

The sea of clouds receded swiftly behind him.

Now certain he was clear of danger, Daren slowed down, adjusting his slightly ragged breath.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

This assault on Totto Land had not only achieved its objectives, but brought plenty of unexpected gains.

Katakuri's "lessons" were self-explanatory—such a satisfying leap in power made every pore in his body feel like it was breathing, leaving him completely reinvigorated.

Most importantly, Daren had planted a seed in Katakuri's heart.