Two hundred miles away from the waters beneath Wano Country, two Marine warships carrying Sengoku and the others were sailing back toward Marine Headquarters in the New World.
Originally, Garp had planned to go alone to Wano to check on Luffy situation.
But the mont he voiced this idea, Sengoku harshly shot it down.
The reason was simple.
"You're the Marine hero, yet you're thinking of saving a pirate who's now one of the Yonko. Besides Wano is a dragon's den right now—no matter how strong you are, Garp, you're not as young as you used to be. Going alone would be asking for trouble!"
Thus, Sengoku imdiately ordered a retreat, first leaving Wano's dangerous waters to return to Marine Headquarters.
From there, they could formulate a strategy against Caesar and the others based on further intel.
The Marine warships weren't moving very fast, as part of their propulsion systems had been damaged in the earlier tsunami.
For now, they mostly relied on the wind to fill their sails.
"Huh? There's a ship approaching" Garp suddenly exclaid in surprise while strolling on the deck.
"Oh? Let see." Sengoku also found it strange—what ship would be approaching these waters at this ti?
When he raised his binoculars to look, the iconic pirate flag of the Big Mom Pirates fluttered in the wind on the opposing ship.
Sengoku expression darkened as he said gravely.
"It's the Big Mom Pirates. Seems they're heading to Wano to find Charlotte Linlin."
Garp nodded in agreent. "No doubt. A few days ago, we leaked the news of Kaido and Big Mom defeat. Even though that damn newsmonger Morgans exposed Luffy—er, Straw Hat's involvent, this ship must be trying to rescue Big Mom."
Watching the pirate ship draw closer, Sengoku stroked his chin, deep in thought.
After a mont, he clenched his fist and turned to Garp.
"We can't let Caesar's forces grow any stronger. Kaido and Charlotte Linlin have already been confird to join him. Garp, get ready—once they're in range, we'll strike them down with overwhelming force! I'll notify Kizaru imdiately to assist in this operation!"
Garp cracked his knuckles, grinning fiercely.
On Katakuri pirate ship, only Oven and Katakuri were present, along with a dozen or so navigators and deckhands responsible for the ship's propulsion, supplies and steering.
The mont Sengoku issued the kill order, Katakuri—who had been lounging leisurely on a deck chair, basking in the sun—suddenly his observation haki kick in as he felt a chill run down his spine.
His hair stood on end as an inexplicable sense of danger surged through him.
"Trouble, Oven!"
Katakuri abruptly stood up, his voice low but urgent as he called to his brother.
Oven had absolute faith in Katakuri instincts and imdiately grabbed his weapon.
The two of them quickly spotted the two Marine warships ahead.
'It's the Marine. Why would they be in Wano waters? Are they targeting Mama and Kaido? But why are they heading toward us? Are they retreating? Did the Marines complete their mission? What's Mama current status?!'
Katakuri frowned deeply.
"Katakuri, should we turn around? If we get any closer, we'll be in firing range" Oven said nervously, watching the approaching warships.
Oven ability is the Heat-Heat Fruit, but being on a ship limits his power, as using too much could easily destroy the vessel.
Katakuri was fully focused, his Observation Haki capable of foreseeing the future pushed to its limits, firmly locking onto the opposing warship.
"Hiss, not good. On that ship are Admiral Kizaru, Forr Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and the Marine Hero Garp" Katakuri muttered, his expression shifting slightly as his fingers clenched involuntarily.
Oven paled instantly, panic flashing across his face.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's turn around and leave! Who in their right mind would approach such a lineup?"
Yet Katakuri hesitated, his gaze fixed intently on the enemy ship.
"There's no escaping, Oven. If we turn now, we'll face utter annihilation."
Oven's face twisted in dread, his voice hoarse.
"Katakuri... did you see the future?"
Katakuri nodded solemnly, taking a deep breath before speaking slowly.
"Since we can't flee, we must fight. Oven, we have only one chance. I need you to hold off Garp imdiately. anwhile, I'll destroy their warship in that instant. If we miss this opportunity... we die."
Oven expression darkened with resolve, gritting his teeth as steam began rising from his upper body.
Strangely, the once-churning sea gradually cald as the two sides drew closer.
The air itself seed to thicken, growing oppressively heavy.
The two warships split slightly, forming a pincer formation—one to the left, one to the right—closing in on Katakuri pirate ship!
500 ters.
400 ters.
300 ters.
...
100 ters!
Too close.
Now, those aboard could clearly see each other's faces.
Just as Sengoku raised his hand to give the order, Katakuri suddenly stepped forward.
His right arm swelled hundreds of tis its size, sprouting razor-sharp spikes coated in pitch-black Armant Haki, before splitting mid-air into two colossal limbs—each hurtling toward a separate warship!
"Mochi—Mochi—No—Mochi—Gari!!!"
BOOM!
Katakuri attack shattered the sound barrier, the air compressing and exploding from the sheer speed!
Sengoku command died in his throat, unspoken.
CRASH!!!
Two monstrous, spiked arms—like gigantic spiked clubs—slamd into the warships with lightning speed, obliterating the towering masts before crashing down onto the decks!
"It's Katakuri! Damn it, he dared to strike first?!" Sengoku composure shattered, his balance lost as the warship rocked violently, sending him tumbling onto his backside.
"How terrifying~ A top executive of Big Mom's crew" Kizaru mused, standing nonchalantly beneath the descending mochi arm, watching the mast collapse with amusent.
At the last possible mont, Kizaru body erupted in blinding light, golden beams fanning outward like a radiant explosion!
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Countless beams pierced through Katakuri massive arm in an instant, riddling it with holes like a sieve, draining its power until it dissipated harmlessly into the wind.
On Sengoku ship, an earth-shattering explosion erupted as Katakuri massive arm shattered into countless fragnts the mont it neared the deck, scattering in all directions.
Garp stood with clenched fists, still maintaining his skyward punching stance.
Though Katakuri's expression remained grave, he hadn't lost his composure and continued analyzing the battle situation.
"Oven! Be alert! What cos next will decide life or death. If we can hold out just a little longer, a ooportunity will appear!"
Katakuri suddenly shouted.
Oven gritted his teeth but frowned. "What opportunity? We're trapped at sea with no land in sight—nowhere left to run!"
"Instinct!" Katakuri eyes blazed with light as he pushed his Observation Haki future-sight ability to its limit, seemingly breaking through so barrier to glimpse further ahead.
Through the unseen threads of fate, Katakuri sensed an incredibly familiar presence—a power sharing the sa bloodline as his own—approaching rapidly!
"Yata no kagami!"
"Geppo!"
From the warship, two figures—one golden, one black—streaked across the sky toward Katakuri vessel.
"Kizaru! Garp!"
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