Chapter 94 - Katakuri: I’m supposed to call Ozz Daddy?

Yes.

Even for the colossal entity that is the World Government, the potential of this child who might one day surpass Rocks himself was enough to spark ambition. Even though, at this moment, he didn't even exist. Not even as a fetus.

But the very idea was bold enough to cause tremors. If Ozz ever caught wind of it…

He'd probably call them up himself, questioning the highest of powers directly:

"What the hell is this supposed to mean?"

And it wasn't just the World Government or the Marines.

"Wororororo… That old hag and Ozz? Now that's an interesting combo! Hic!"

In the depths of Onigashima.

Still counted as tall, but not yet having developed the monstrous frame he would be known for, the world's future number one mentor Kaido was downing sake while listening to a subordinate's report.

"How could we not join in on such fun? Perfect chance to slug it out with that bastard Ozz. What was his title again…

Something like 'King of the Eras'?"

He snorted, cracking his knuckles.

"He's not becoming any kind of king without my say-so!!"

Standing nearby with arms crossed and clad in armored hide, the ever-calm King finally stepped forward to advise:

"Boss Kaido, if Big Mom really is teaming up with Ozz, storming in recklessly might mean facing both of them at once."

"Wororororo…"

Kaido didn't back down in the slightest. If anything, his eyes gleamed with a wild light eager, feral.

"If they've got what it takes, let 'em try! Let's see if they can kill me!!!"

His boisterous roar shook the walls, and, ignoring all attempts to dissuade him, a great azure dragon soon rose into the clouds, vanishing from the skies above Onigashima.

…

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

If the ambitious forces of the sea and titanic powers like the World Government were taking a wait-and-see approach to the meeting between Ozz and Charlotte Linlin…

Then the crime lords of the New World's underworld felt straight-up betrayed.

What the hell kind of game was this?!

They had just decided to throw their lot in with Big Mom a former captain under Rocks and one of the current emperors of the sea to help offset the crushing pressure of "Black Emperor" Ozz…

And in the blink of an eye, those two went and became in-laws?! Now they were the outsiders.

"HEY!!! KATAKURI! We're supposed to be strategic partners of the Big Mom Pirates!!!"

"Yeah! Most of your funding, intel, and gear we gave you all that!!!"

The merchants from the shadows raged at the man before them, some even pointing flintlocks, faces twisted in fury.

But standing in their way was a monster from the New World.

The number two of an emperor-class pirate crew.

Charlotte Katakuri.

"This is Mama's will."

He didn't waste a word on them. Katakuri's eyes glowed crimson as he strode directly into the hail of gunfire.

Not a Logia but bullets were useless against him.

One shot per man. Wielding his earthen dragon spike, Katakuri began cutting through the traitorous brokers like grass.

Even the bodyguards with over 100 million berry bounties were dispatched in a single blow.

Only after flattening every last one of them did Katakuri start dragging their unconscious bodies back for Mama.

With his towering 5-meter frame, icy demeanor, and striking appearance, Katakuri was considered the perfect man. The aesthetic bonus points alone were off the charts.

Outside the Cake Castle, countless locals watched in awe as Katakuri marched past, dragging a long chain of limp bodies and holding his spear high.

"As expected of my most accomplished child Katakuri."

Big Mom beamed with delight at his efficiency, ordering her Homies to take the schemers away.

But perhaps because of her overwhelming joy or simply due to the sharp instincts that came with an advanced Observation Haki Katakuri still felt something off.

He hadn't interacted much with Ozz, but from what he did know…

That man did not seem like the kind who'd agree to have a child with Mama.

After some deliberation, Katakuri finally decided to probe, cautiously:

"Mother… I'd like to know how exactly did Ozz respond to your proposal?"

Big Mom's pupils shifted ever so slightly at the question, her gaze turning toward Katakuri with a tinge of displeasure.

"Katakuri, you…"

"Should be calling him Daddy, shouldn't you?"

"???"

Katakuri froze completely.

Wait what?

No, seriously what?!

That guy's gotta be at least ten years younger than me!!

His face stiffened. One eye twitched uncontrollably.

But from Big Mom's point of view, differences in generation could easily be overridden by strength.

And when it came to power and talent, Ozz was absolutely a monster even more so than herself.

At least in Charlotte Linlin's eyes, she wouldn't have stood a chance against Ozz if she'd fought him at seventeen.

Forget beating him. She'd have ended up like Rocks subjugated.

So

If Ozz were willing to ally with her, then by the virtue of co-parenting a child together, surely he was qualified to bear the title of "Daddy."

Perhaps something like…

Big Dad?

The Grand Papa?

Katakuri fell silent.

Thankfully, Big Mom didn't press the point. She understood her second son meant well for the crew, so she offered a more… "rational" explanation:

"Ozz, that brat… back when we met all those years ago, he couldn't take his eyes off me."

"Mamamamama"

Charlotte Linlin looked back fondly.

"Only later did I learn Ozz actually grew up watching stories about me."

"We're the same kind of people, after all."

"So, of course…"

"Ozz had looked up to me since he was a boy!"

"Which is probably why he was so eager to rush over the second we hung up. Mamamamama"

As a tragically rotted-out old flame, Big Mom clearly had no idea just how deeply Ozz's obsession with looks and cleanliness ran. She still thought he was that same boy from back then.

Katakuri lowered his head, contemplating for a moment.

He had never realized Ozz had such a past.

"…If that's the case, then I suppose I can rest easy."

If their relationship had such a deep foundation, then he had no more room to argue.

For the strength of the Big Mom Pirates.

For their future…

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