*Chapter 102: The Powers Fail*

"It's a trick from that group. Be careful, oven," Katakuri said gravely.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! A series of sharp sounds filled the air.

The crew on the ship instinctively prepared to dodge, looking for cover to protect themselves.

But the expected attack didn't come! Instead, the enemies weren't aiming at them—they were targeting their ship.

Thunk, thunk, thunk.

A row of exploding talismans was driven directly into the ship's hull.

"What are these guys up to? The ship is covered with these hidden weapons."

"Do they really think they can defeat us with these childish tricks?" oven picked one up, looking down at it with disdain.

To him, these devices seemed like toys for children. How could they pose any real threat?

But unlike oven, Katakuri had already reacted. In that instant, he saw the future.

He saw the ship being destroyed, sinking into the sea with both of them. The enemy would then trap them in water bubbles and take them ashore. These guys had been hiding underwater the whole time, using underhanded tactics against them.

But as pirates, they couldn't exactly ask for a fair fight. Fairness was not something they were familiar with.

"It's that explosive from earlier!" Katakuri's pupils shrank suddenly. He hadn't expected their methods to be so vicious.

They intended to destroy the ship and send them plunging into the sea. He had personally tested the power of one of those exploding talismans earlier—it was almost as strong as a regular cannonball. But with so many packed into the ship, if they all went off together...

Katakuri's Haki had already shown him that future.

"oven!" Katakuri shouted, launching himself into the air with Moonwalk. oven followed closely behind, leaving the ship.

The others weren't so lucky. They could only watch as their two leaders left them to face their doom on the ship.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

In an instant, the entire ship was engulfed in fiery explosions. The sound of screams echoed across the sea. Within seconds, the ship was reduced to floating debris, with a few survivors clinging to life in the water.

They were the lucky ones, but no one was coming to save them.

Thud! A sticky mochi mass fell from the sky, pulling the shattered pieces of the ship together.

The white mochi had a strong adhesive quality, holding everything together unless it got wet.

Thud!

Two figures descended from the sky—Katakuri and oven. They looked at the scene before them, hearts pounding. They hadn't expected their enemies to be so treacherous. They hadn't even seen them before their ship was destroyed.

These guys were more skilled at this than pirates themselves. Who exactly were they, and why were they acting so strangely? Was this the way ninjas usually operated?

"We're in for a tough fight now. oven, bring out the men from the sea," Katakuri said, glancing at oven. The makeshift platform held together by mochi wouldn't last long.

It might hold out for one more battle, but they still had other ships behind them. If they all went down, it would be a disgrace.

The Big Mom Pirates putting everything on the line just to take down a small nation? Even if they won, Katakuri doubted Mama would be pleased.

"Leave it to me!" oven rubbed his fists together before plunging them into the water.

His fists turned red-hot, and the water began to steam as the temperature rose. Fish floated to the surface, cooked by the heat.

"It's so hot! That's Charlotte oven, the Heat-Heat Fruit user."

"Heat-Heat Fruit? What kind of power is that?"

"Damn it, aren't Devil Fruit users supposed to be powerless in the sea? How is he still using his abilities?"

The ninjas in the water jumped out, landing on the surface. They didn't dare stay underwater any longer. If they did, they'd be cooked alive. The temperature at the bottom of the sea was unbearable—just look at all the fish floating up!

The ninjas gripped their weapons, eyeing the group warily. If not for their quick actions, the entire fleet might have been wiped out.

"Ninjas?" oven muttered to himself. They could dive like fish and walk on water—abilities anyone would envy, especially those who feared the sea like Devil Fruit users.

"Stay alert," Katakuri said, standing shoulder to shoulder with oven. His eyes focused on the figures behind the ninjas.

Two figures stepped forward, walking on the water. One of them, cold and imposing, was someone Katakuri had only seen in the newspapers.

After all, he had tried to enter Dressrosa but was stopped, so he had never seen Raijin in person.

"Uchiha Raijin!" Katakuri thought to himself. He hadn't expected this man to show up in person.

"So, this is the ninja's way? It's quite despicable. But it won't work on us. If this is all you've got, you might as well come with us and apologize to Mama," Katakuri said coldly, his eyes fixed on the approaching figure.

Even in this disadvantageous situation, Katakuri didn't believe he would fail. He had easily dealt with that girl last time, and this time would be no different.

Boom!

Suddenly, a storm began to brew over the sea. The once-clear sky darkened with ominous clouds, as if the entire world was being shrouded in darkness.

A storm was brewing above them, and if that man got angry, a terrifying thunderstorm might descend.

"Charlotte Family? Who do you think you are, talking to the Uchiha like that?" A voice filled with anger echoed across the sky, lightning crackling in response.

Waves crashed against the sea, which was no longer calm. A violent storm was about to hit.

"You!" oven growled, struggling to keep his composure. Despite the strange scene before him, he gritted his teeth, glaring at the ninjas.

What was this no-name family, daring to speak to them like this?

"Conqueror's Haki!" Katakuri's focus was elsewhere—he sensed the overwhelming aura. This man's Conqueror's Haki was terrifying. Without even trying, his anger resonated with the world.

If he unleashed it fully, the force would be overwhelming. Perhaps it could even rival Mama—no! No one could compare to Mama.

Someone like this, a small figure on the sea, couldn't possibly be compared to Mama.

"What's wrong? Weren't you looking for me?" Raijin asked, crossing his arms as he looked down on them. "Here I am, but now you’re silent. Are you afraid?"

The two members of the Big Mom Pirates stared in silence, unsure how to respond.

---

"This guy's level!

If it weren't for the fact that his subordinates were short-handed...

He wouldn't have had to step in at all!

That guy wouldn't even have made it in front of him.

'Hey, hey, aren't you being a bit too arrogant? You bunch of nobodies dare to provoke the Big Mom Pirates?'

'Who gave you the guts? Today, we're here to wipe out you ignorant fools.'

'We'll send you all straight to the bottom of the ocean.'

'Especially you, Uchiha Reijin! Mama specifically wants your head.'

'I don't want to kill you so easily. How about I capture you and let Mama have some fun with your soul first?'

Oven grinned savagely, rubbing his fists together as he sneered.

To dare provoke them—they must really think of the Big Mom Pirates as mere lackeys.

'…!'

Reijin stopped Uchiha Izumi, who was about to rush forward.

Their audacity is off the charts.

But what makes you think you have the guts to say something like that?

'Well then… bring it on. Show me what you've got.'

Reijin looked at Oven with a disdainful smile.

This attitude was incredibly arrogant, causing Oven's anger to rise.

His entire aura became more intense, and flames ignited on his fists.

'Oven, don't!'

Katakuri's face changed dramatically—this guy was clearly using provocation tactics.

How could you not recognize that?

And you're still thinking about charging in?

In the future, he saw Oven getting crushed instantly.

In front of this guy, Oven had no power to resist at all.

'Bang!'

In an instant!

Oven leaped up, using Moonwalk to propel himself in midair.

His figure was like a shooting star, charging straight at Reijin.

It was as if he hadn't heard Katakuri's warning, his face full of excitement.

His fists were covered with Armament Haki. If he landed a blow...

Even a mountain would tremble in front of him.

'So stupid.'

Reijin sneered, his chakra surging.

A massive wave rose beneath his feet, his chakra seemingly endless.

It continued to surge, gradually forming a physical body.

A giant skeleton appeared before him.

Next, flesh began to wrap around it.

The giant's fist clenched tightly and suddenly swung forward.

'Boom!'

Shockwaves erupted.

'This is far from enough.'

'Is this all you can do?'

Reijin stood inside the Susanoo, looking at Oven, who was struggling in the air.

And this guy dared to act tough in front of him?

You must not know how terrifying an Uchiha fused with the power of the Senju is.

Although Reijin couldn't use Wood Release, the power of Ashura was always about chakra and physical strength.

This was the source of Reijin's immense confidence. This power would continue to grow endlessly.

It might even surpass the likes of Kaido the Beast.

'Splash!'

The chakra continued to expand!

In just a moment.

Oven looked at the giant before him, now over a hundred meters tall and still growing.

The size already exceeded normal imagination.

A string of tomoe rotated on the giant's back.

A huge sword hung in its hand, capable of tearing the sea apart.

'This is the fourth stage of Susanoo.'

'To witness the godlike power of the Uchiha Clan is an honor for you. You should be grateful to die by this power.'

'So... Big Mom Pirates, are you ready to die?'

At that moment, it was as if a god had descended.

Reijin's voice echoed from within the giant monster.

'This is a monster on par with Mama.'

Oven's face showed terror.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this way.

But at this moment, seeing Reijin's Susanoo, Oven was terrified.

His expression crumbled.

How were he and Katakuri supposed to handle this kind of monster?

Shouldn't Mama be dealing with this herself?

'Oven!'

Katakuri ran rapidly, the mochi in his hand twisting into a tornado.

He looked like a tornado as he rushed toward Oven.

His figure became completely indistinguishable!

'Die!'

The giant sword in Susanoo's hand was drawn!

In an instant!

It was as if the sky had collapsed.

The dark clouds above were split by a huge rift.

The sea surface was also torn apart.

And that was just the sword's energy.

Oven's figure was sent plummeting into the deep, dark sea rift.

'Bang!'

The tornado crashed into the Susanoo's blade.

Sparks flew, but the blade remained unscathed.

However, the sword didn't fall as expected.

'Katakuri, why stop me? I just wanted to kill Charlotte Oven.'

'Weren't you just talking big? Now you're scared, having someone else take the hit?'

Reijin frowned slightly, increasing the pressure.

Katakuri was under immense pressure, falling to the sea.

But his combat instincts were strong, and he had prepared well.

The floating wooden planks on the sea became his cushion.

He added mochi to increase elasticity.

It would help him dissipate more force.

'That's my brother, not your punching bag!'

Katakuri took a breath, looking gravely at Reijin.

This guy was stronger than that girl.

Especially when using that giant.

It felt like he was facing a monster, not a human.

No wonder he dared to challenge Mama.

So, he had such confidence.

Luckily, Oven wasn't dead.

This made Katakuri sigh in relief.

Oven had only fallen into the sea because of the air pressure caused by Reijin's sword swing.

As long as Oven wasn't dead, it was fine. They had people in the sea.

Thankfully, he brought Praline, the only half-mermaid in their pirate crew.

She was also his sister, but now she could be of great use in saving Oven.

'Angry? Facing you, I can't even muster any emotions! What makes you think you deserve my anger?'

'Have you ever seen an adult throw a tantrum with a child? Don't overestimate yourself.'

Reijin's cold voice rang out.

Instantly, Katakuri was on the verge of losing his temper.

Such an arrogant attitude.

'Well! Since you're in my way, I'll just kill you.'

Reijin felt that using Susanoo was a bit overkill.

It felt like bullying.

Reijin could say he had everything in his favor here on the sea.

Katakuri could only rely on his Haki.

Unless his Haki could shatter Susanoo, he would die here today.

'Fire!'

'Fire!'

'Bang!'

'Bang!'

'Bang!'

A barrage of explosions rang out, with cannonballs flying from the distant fleet.

The black cannonballs traced arcs in the sky, smashing into Susanoo.

But it was like a child throwing cotton candy at an adult.

Soft.

No feeling at all.

But Reijin didn't mind getting rid of these small fries.

'Boom!'

The Susanoo blade swung.

It swept across the sea.

'Boom!'

'Boom!'

Susanoo was too massive.

These small boats were like sandcastles in front of an adult.

A casual kick would break them apart, with no resistance.

Screams echoed across the sea.

There was no need for mercy toward pirates.

Moreover, Reijin was not someone who would easily show mercy.

The small fry was cleared out instantly.

Only some wreckage floated on the sea.

'Now, it's your turn.'

Reijin once again turned his gaze toward Katakuri.

The chakra around him kept swelling, and the power within Susanoo continued to intensify.

“There’s no way I can fight this guy here and win!”

Katakuri's expression kept changing. He wanted to use the power of his Devil Fruit’s awakening.

But there was nothing around for him to use, and seawater couldn’t be part of his ability.

As for Armament Haki, if it didn’t strike the actual body, it wouldn’t have any effect.

This guy was too well-protected by that armor on the outside.

"Brûlée, it looks like we have no choice but to retreat! This Uchiha Reijin is far stronger than us."

Katakuri pulled out a mirror from his coat, speaking with a serious tone.

Now, he was completely isolated, fighting alone.

If he kept going, Uchiha Izumi was still watching him closely, waiting for an opportunity.

He was bound to lose; there was no chance of victory.

Unless he could exhaust this guy until he was completely drained.

But there wasn’t the slightest sign of fatigue on his opponent’s face.

Unlike the girl, this guy had much more control over his powers.

"Nii-chan, I’m coming right away."

Brûlée had been watching Katakuri's situation closely the entire time.

This was their only escape route, Katakuri’s last hope.

“Whoosh!”

A mirror was thrown from the distance.

Brûlée crawled out of the mirror’s surface, her face filled with urgency as she looked at Katakuri.

“Brûlée! Watch out!”

Katakuri's pupils suddenly contracted.

He had seen the future.

His eyes filled with blood as he went completely berserk.

He charged towards Brûlée in the distance.

These bastards...

Damn it!

Their target was never him.

It was Brûlée all along.

They just wanted to cut off all of the Big Mom Pirates’ means.

Knowing these guys would stop at nothing, why did I bring Brûlée here?

In an instant, Katakuri was flooded with endless regret.

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

But the future he had seen with his Observation Haki was certain.

“We've finally got you!”

A figure leaped up, holding a long sword, striking down on the mirror.

“You... you're the girl who fought with Nii-chan back then!”

Brûlée stared in shock at Uchiha Izumi, who had appeared before her.

She never expected this girl to show up here.

Why would she come for her?

But Brûlée knew her role well.

She didn’t have the strength like her brother.

So she could only assist.

At the very least, she couldn’t be a burden to Katakuri.

Without hesitation, Brûlée turned and opened a mirror, trying to dive into it.

“Sever!”

A soft sound rang out.

The mirror shattered as Brûlée collided with it.

Brûlée stood there, dumbfounded, watching the mirror fragments fall into the sea.

What just happened?

Her Devil Fruit power...

Did her ability just fail?

Brûlée realized that in that split second, her Devil Fruit powers had stopped working.

That’s why she ended up smashing the mirror.

“Goodbye!”

Uchiha Izumi flicked her blade.

Splat!

A head flew high into the sky.

A fountain of blood sprayed out.

The headless body slowly and weakly fell into the sea.

(End of Chapter)

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