Charlotte Linlin's face drained of all color. Her large frame, which once exuded nothing but monstrous strength, now trembled as if she had been struck by lightning.
Her knees buckled.
She fell.
The impact echoed in the cold prison, but she didn't seem to notice.
Katakuri's breathing turned ragged, his crimson eyes bloodshot with rage and disbelief. The air crackled with his suffocating murderous aura, his Conqueror's Haki surging like a violent storm. The very walls of the prison groaned under the invisible pressure.
And yet, Liu Feng remained unfazed.
His smile was calm—too calm.
"How do I know?" His voice was even, almost teasing. "That doesn't matter."
"What matters is…"
"Do you want to know?"
"Aren't you curious?"
"Don't you want to understand why that nun suddenly disappeared?"
Silence.
A silence heavier than iron, colder than death.
Then—
Charlotte Linlin shuddered uncontrollably, her massive hands clutching the ground. A strangled breath left her lips, her eyes wide with something she had not felt in decades.
Fear!!
"Impossible"
"Impossible"
Liu Feng's gaze lingered on Katakuri, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
'So, this was the push he needed,' he thought.
The air in the prison was still charged with the remnants of Katakuri's Conqueror's Haki. Dust floated down from the trembling walls, the sheer force of his willpower distorting the air like ripples on water.
Byrnndi World chuckled. "Heh… Not bad, kid."
Whitebeard crossed his arms, nodding approvingly. "Looks like the Charlotte family still has some backbone."
Zephyr and Koshiro exchanged glances, their expressions showing a mix of surprise and respect.
Katakuri stood tall, his breathing heavy, his crimson eyes locked onto Liu Feng. "We will join you," he said, his voice firm. "But if you go back on your word—"
Liu Feng cut him off with a smirk. "I won't."
His tone was calm, unwavering. The confidence in his voice sent another wave of unease through those listening.
Charlotte Linlin still sat on the ground, her massive body trembling slightly. Her dilated pupils reflected a storm of emotions—fear, confusion, and something else. Something much deeper.
Liu Feng took a step closer. "Now, shall we talk about the nun?"
Linlin flinched.
Liu Feng's words lingered in the air, carrying an inexplicable weight.
Katakuri caught the two cube-shaped hearts midair, his hands trembling slightly. He could feel the familiar warmth pulsing within them—his own heart and another.
Charlotte Linlin, still slumped on the ground, looked up with wide, hollow eyes.
"You…" Katakuri's voice was hoarse, his fingers tightening around the hearts. "You think this is enough to make us loyal?"
Liu Feng chuckled. "Loyalty? No, that's something you'll decide for yourself."
He took a step closer, his eyes sharp as blades. "But I will say this—you and your family have been shackled by the past for too long. If you want to break free… if you want to truly change something, then follow me."
Katakuri's jaw clenched. His mind raced with conflicting emotions, but deep down, a part of him already knew—this was the only choice he had.
Behind him, Golden Lion patted his shoulder with a grin. "Heh, don't think too hard, kid. Just see where this road takes you."
Katakuri exhaled sharply, his grip loosening slightly.
'Let's see just how far this madness will go,' he thought.
This guy actually dared to underestimate himself!!
Liu Feng paid little attention to Katakuri's blatant killing intent. At his current level, many things no longer held much significance.
For Katakuri, his curiosity was piqued by how far the true potential of this vice-captain—who had once been "forced to teach" Luffy's Observation Haki—could go.
At the very least, this man had already taken the first and most crucial step.
He had truly surpassed his limits and become the true king of the pirate crew.
Liu Feng believed that, with a little more time, Katakuri could indeed become one of the most brilliant figures on the seas.
After addressing the pirate crew's issues, Liu Feng slowly turned to face Blackbeard, and everyone else followed suit. Blackbeard stood frozen for a moment, then forced a stiff, sycophantic smile.
"Well... I'll also join the new navy," he said.
Liu Feng sneered. "I don't plan on inviting you."
Blackbeard was taken aback.