The Iconic Double Reversal

Objectively speaking, Katakuri did not regard Ma Qiao as a threat to him.

Katakuri, a man with a bounty of 1.057 billion Beli, hasn't encountered a man worth his full effort in a long time.

Of course, the strength of Tahm Kench's tongue and Ma Qiao's bizarre unlocking of his mochi chains still slightly surprised Katakuri.

But that's all.

He didn't think the man jumping up and hitting his knee would cause him any harm.

"Chop and slice the rice cake!"

Katakuri decided to ignore Ma Qiao's attack, inflating his arm into a spiked club made of mochi, and combining it with Armament Haki to end this somewhat boring battle.

He could already sense that his sisters in the distance were in trouble.

However, just as Ma Qiao, imbued with a series of basic attack-enhancing skills such as [Decisive Strike (Garen Q)], [Spellblade (Iceborn Gauntlet passive)], [Last Rites (Yorick Q)], [Shock Concussive Blows (Braum passive)], [Three Talon Strike (Xin Zhao Q)], and [Empower (Jax W)], was about to hit his knee, Katakuri, out of habit from years of fighting, instinctively activated his top-tier Observation Haki, glimpsing the future a few seconds later.

This glance had a surprising and astonishing result.

If the future he saw with his Observation Haki before was very blurry, the scene that Katakuri was seeing now was completely beyond his imagination.

The footage shows him fracturing his patella with what appears to be an ordinary punch, then slamming his body heavily onto the ground.

How is that possible!

Without a second thought, Katakuri quickly turned his knees into mochi.

The soft, sticky rice cake dissolved rapidly like a liquid before Ma Qiao's fist touched him.

Although this may seem similar to the passive evasion of the Logia, it is actually a completely different process.

Ma Qiao's powerful strike completely missed, and he staggered forward. If Tahm Kench hadn't caught him with his tongue in time, it would have been Ma Qiao himself who fell to the ground.

However, Katakuri did not take the opportunity to swing his mochi spiked club, causing Ma Qiao to miss his chance to learn the ropes.

This guy, like Kaido, is a responsible and good teacher.

In order to teach King Luffy the ultimate level of Observation Haki, he spent a lot of time and effort during their battle, ultimately achieving the goal of King Luffy quickly mastering Observation Haki.

But people of the same kind have different fates.

Ma Qiao didn't receive the treatment of Sun God.

Katakuri dodged Ma Qiao's carefully prepared attack using his super-powerful Observation Haki, but offered no explanation whatsoever.

Not to mention any cultivation methods.

However, Katakuri's character design remains very solid.

He did not seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Ma Qiao, believing that such a victory would be dishonorable.

This is why Ma Qiao only brought Tahm Kench onto the field.

It's normal to ride a mount when it's a one-on-one fight.

Naruto and Sasuke often do this kind of thing.

However, bringing along Xin Zhao and Jax would raise suspicions of ganging up on the few.

At least for now, Katakuri has accepted Tahm Kench's status as a mount and pet, so he adheres to his own fighting principles.

"Damn it, it was so close!"

Ma Qiao jumped back onto Tahm Kench Katakuri's forehead, looking him straight in the eye.

To be honest, given that Ma Qiao rarely uses his skills and his special abilities, especially his silence ability, are not yet widely known, this combination of Toad Dive followed by Toad Leap and Knee Strike is quite powerful.

It's fair to say that if Ma Qiao hadn't encountered Katakuri, a prodigy with top-tier Observation Haki, that punch would have been fatal.

For example, Ma Qiao's former boss, Crocodile, didn't see through the deception.

In Crocodile's memory, Ma Qiao is still that newcomer he picked up from the South Blue talent market back then.

The scene of the kid's eyes shining as he pestered him about whether Baroque Works offered the five social insurances and one housing fund, annual leave, maternity leave, and parental leave seems to be right before my eyes...

In the blink of an eye, the once green newcomers have become capable of standing on their own and have built up a respectable business.

All of this makes it impossible for Crocodile not to feel some emotion.

However, no matter how much Ma Qiao grew, Crocodile still considered himself his old boss and believed he understood Ma Qiao.

That guy is just a Salted Fish who ate a useless fruit and ruined it.

Crocodile didn't believe that Ma Qiao's strength could improve in any substantial way.

He laughed loudly, "I never imagined that the pride of the mighty Big Mom Pirates wouldn't even dare to take a Riot Games from one of my subordinates—no, from a young man! Truly, their reputation is undeserved!"

Katakuri ignored Crocodile's taunts.

This domineering CEO who could make Doflamingo a Doflamingo wasn't popular with a reserved guy like Katakuri.

Moreover, in Katakuri's eyes, Ma Qiao's level of danger far exceeded that of Shichibukai.

If the world of One Piece had a battle stat detector like the Saiyans in Dragon Ball, then in Katakuri's eyes, Crocodile's actual bounty wouldn't exceed 300 million Beli.

And this Ma Qiao's worth is definitely over 500 million.

But...

That's not enough!

"You are indeed an interesting opponent."

Katakuri nodded, a look of approval on his face, but then he changed the subject, looking up at the bustling city in the distance.

There, serious chaos ensued due to shootings and fighting.

Even Katakuri's Observation Haki couldn't clearly grasp the movements of his sisters.

"Unfortunately, I met you at the wrong time and in the wrong place."

As he spoke, Katakuri threw off his cloak, revealing his upper body, which was only covered by an unbuttoned leather jacket, exposing large, muscular muscles.

According to the rules of the Jianghu, ripping off someone's clothes increases their strength by three points.

Their momentum suddenly surged.

This made Crocodile's face darken.

This shows that the bastard wasn't serious at all when they fought before.

What annoyed Crocodile even more was that Katakuri pulled out an iron trident from behind his back, its black blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Do you have any weapons you wish to use?

Katakuri asked.

Ma Qiao nodded.

He had already donned the Iceborn Gauntlets, Ma Qiao's most comfortable weapon.

Other equipment is worn as accessories.

However, since the opponents have already brandished tridents, it would appear weak in terms of presence if I didn't use a long weapon.

Ma Qiao pulled a long, double-edged axe from behind his back.

It was entirely black, with only the blade reflecting a chilling glint that seemed to prey on its prey.

The Black Cleaver, once the most beloved item among warriors.

League of Legends was once jokingly referred to as the "Black Cleaver League".

Of course, the Black Cleaver in Ma Qiao's hands is also quite impressive.

With its effects of increasing health, physical attack, skill speed, and reducing the target's armor, it can be considered an all-around powerful weapon.

Of course, the most important thing is length.

This long, Black Cleaver, with its cool and aloof demeanor, makes it seem no less formidable than the Black Trident of the Rice Cake Bro.

However, the usually aloof Katakuri's attention wasn't on Ma Qiao's carefully chosen cool weapon this time, but rather on the wide-open Kog'Maw beneath the thick scarf that unconsciously formed an "o" shape.

He simply couldn't understand how this 1.9-meter-tall human (Teacher Ma's exact height is 188.8cm, 7.8cm taller than Zoro) could pull out a three-meter-long axe from behind his butt.

Katakuri didn't even dare to think about what had happened.

"It's wrong to pry into other people's secrets, especially their physical anatomy!"

After repeatedly mentally preparing himself, Katakuri finally suppressed his curiosity and nodded. "Then... let's begin!"

As he spoke, his arm transformed into a rice cake once more, enveloping the trident.

Then, the arm rotated continuously and thrust forward.

The whistling rice cake, like a nuclear motor, generated immense kinetic energy, instantly transforming the surrounding airflow from a calm state into a horizontal tornado.

If Vivi were here, she might find this scene somewhat familiar.

Katakuri's [Mochi Thrust] technique is strikingly similar to that of the Drill-Drill Devil Fruit User she encountered in her first battle.

However, its power is certainly not comparable to what it was before.

Devil Fruit User can transform their arms into tungsten steel drill bits; Katakuri's drill bit was indeed formed by a trident wrapped in mochi.

However, the rice cake, which should have been soft, was now more than ten thousand times stronger than the incredibly hard tungsten steel.

This is the best example of how individual skill determines the potential of a Devil Fruit.

Of course, Katakuri wasn't the only one who pushed the limits of his Devil Fruit to a level it shouldn't have.

The man standing before him Ma Qiao, is the one who has raised the bar for the entire One Piece world.

Faced with Katakuri's powerful attack, Ma Qiao had no intention of dodging.

On the one hand, it is objectively difficult to dodge; on the other hand, Katakuri, who possesses top-tier Conqueror's Haki, can not only predict the enemy's attack and dodge in advance, but also predict the enemy's dodge, allowing his extremely soft yet strong mochi arm to turn rapidly.

So there's no way to hide, no way to avoid, the only option is to tough it out...

Of course, it wasn't Ma Qiao himself who stubbornly resisted!

"Go, Tahm Kench!"

With a loud shout, or rather, long before Ma Qiao gave the order, Tahm Kench extended his two clam claws, crossed them in front of his head, and completely protected Ma Qiao.

This isn't about Ma Qiao being despicable; it's simply that as a support, and especially a tank support like the River King, it's only natural for him to help his teammates absorb damage.

A fully upgraded, Thick Skin is no small matter.

Tahm Kench partially acquired the skin he wore when he was a demon.

With the addition of the Warmog's Armor, Randuin's Omen, Thornmail, Tahm Kench's health and armor have reached terrifying levels.

Katakuri Mochi Thrust slammed violently into Tahm Kench's forearm.

The scorching rice cakes pounded against Tahm Kench's skin like a torrent, cutting tiny wounds into it.

However, the tip of the trident was firmly blocked by Tahm Kench, and it never pierced Tahm Kench's skin even a fraction of an inch.

This greatly surprised Katakuri.

Of course, from Ma Qiao's perspective, it was clear that the level 12 Tahm Kench with three pieces of gear took a small skill from Katakuri, and his health instantly dropped by 1/3.

This guy is way more powerful than Baron Nashor!

As expected of a true Yonko Emperor's Deputy, a top-tier fighter in the One Piece world!

At the same time, besides being surprised that his attack had been blocked by the Fish-Man with his bare hands, Katakuri was also struck by a tremendous force, like a heavy Katakuri.

However, he merely gave a slight snort, without even frowning.

This is reflected damage from the Thornmail.

Ma Qiao frowned. He couldn't see his opponent's health bar, which was the biggest disadvantage of real combat compared to games.

Without knowing Katakuri's health bar, it's impossible to estimate the enemy's strength based on damage conversion rate.

No matter how thick the health bar is, you still have to cut it down first.

Ma Qiao leaped high into the air, raising the Black Cleaver to cleave it down towards Katakuri's head.

This time, Katakuri didn't turn his body into a rice cake; instead, he raised his trident with both hands to block the attack.

The Black Cleaver axe struck the metal handle of the trident, producing not only a piercing noise but also a burst of blinding sparks.

Bang!

With a forceful push, Katakuri pushed Ma Qiao away.

He looked at the obvious cutting marks on the metal hilt of the trident and a knowing expression appeared on his face.

In fact, he had already foreseen this outcome using his Observation Haki before the exchange even began.

However, this trident was forged from the finest meteorite iron by artisans from the most renowned forging race in the Totto Land, and over the years Katakuri has used it to defeat one enemy after another.

So far, it has no injuries.

He simply couldn't believe that the axe he'd pulled from Ma Qiao's backside could possess such power.

The facts before him proved that his Observation Haki was not wrong.

Moreover, when the two clashed weapons just now, Ma Qiao's amazing arm strength had left a very deep impression on Katakuri.

To possess such immense strength, comparable to that of the Giant Tribe, one must either be exceptionally gifted like one's mother or have undergone extremely brutal training.

Katakuri doesn't seem like a humanoid monster like his mother at Ma Qiao, so the answer can only be the latter.

This filled Katakuri with awe, and he couldn't suppress his inner desire to teach.

"Your weapon is powerful, and you possess great strength, but your skill is insufficient to unleash the full power of this battle axe..."

"Of course, if you're only doing strength training, you've probably used up all your time outside of eating and sleeping, so it's understandable that your technique might be lacking..."

With an appreciative attitude, Katakuri once again raised his trident and engaged Ma Qiao in battle.

Next, Katakuri did not try to block Ma Qiao's axe with his trident. His mochi-like body, like a Logia ability, could easily dodge Ma Qiao's Riot Games and axe, as well as Tahm Kench's Tongue Lash.

This meant that despite having strength and the ability to silence, Ma Qiao was unable to touch Katakuri's body.

Meanwhile, Ma Qiao couldn't dodge Katakuri's attacks at all, and could only rely on Ma Qiao and Tahm Kench to take turns enduring the attacks.

Although Ma Qiao is not exactly a tank hero, he wears three pieces of Berserker Warmog's Armor, which greatly increases his defensive stats, making him Katakuri cannot kill in one hit.

However, simply passively taking hits puts them in an extremely passive position.

If Ma Qiao hadn't made an excuse to banter with Katakuri along the way, using his Warmog's Armor passive to fully recover his health, the master and servant would have been forced to use their Guardian Angel and gray shield by Katakuri.

However, while Ma Qiao was frustrated, Katakuri wasn't in much better shape either.

Anyone who finds themselves dominating their enemy in every way, yet unable to defeat them no matter how hard they try, will not be in a good mood.

Time ticked by, and the situation remained tense.

Finally, a tall, thin, and withered figure slightly distracted Katakuri.

Charlotte Brulee ran over, carrying the unconscious Flampe, the anesthetized Cobra, and the infatuated Pudding.

Behind Charlotte Three Sisters, Chaka, Vivi, and Nami, in their jackal forms, followed closely behind riding Karoo.

However, Brûlée is tall and has long legs, so even Chaka and Karoo can't catch up with her.

"Katakuri- san!"

"There's a navy in the city, let's head out!"

Brûlée ran and shouted, holding up a mirror.

Her voice made Katakuri slow down his movements slightly.

This subtle change was immediately noticed by Crocodile was watching from the sidelines.

He was shocked by Ma Qiao's resilience, and coupled with his own injuries and the fact that his attacks couldn't reach Katakuri, he refrained from making a move.

At this moment, he noticed that Brûlée's appearance caused Katakuri had been flawless, to experience a drastic fluctuation in his emotions.

"So this old and ugly woman is your Achilles' heel..." Crocodile's face revealed a sinister sneer.

Although Crocodile was redeemed along with the main characters in the original story, and hasn't had a chance to do anything truly heinous in this timeline, it would be a big mistake to think he's a good person.

Using any means necessary is the normal mindset of a ruthless and ruthless figure like him.

"Sables!"

Crocodile conjured a miniature sandstorm in his left hand, then hurled it at Brûlée.

Soon, the miniature tornado grew to the height of a person and, like a moving "blade storm," shattered rocks and snapped trees wherever it went.

Crocodile's timing was also excellent.

Just as Ma Qiao raised the Black Cleaver to slash at Katakuri.

"Brûlée!"

Katakuri, of course, couldn't let his beloved little sister get hurt.

He quickly transformed his right hand into a rice cake and compressed it.

Rice cakes act like an air compressor, constantly compressing air.

The air grew increasingly scorching, eventually transforming into the much-anticipated "Flame-Flame Fruit, even dogs wouldn't eat it."

The Riot Games, wreathed in flames and heat, struck like a rocket, instantly shattering Crocodile's "Sables".

But at the same time, Ma Qiao's Black Cleaver inevitably struck Katakuri in the waist.

Hehehe!

Crocodile let out his signature villainous laugh.

Blood first flowed drop by drop, then in large swathes, from Katakuri's waist.

"Katakuri- san!"

Brûlée ran towards Katakuri crying, her voice rough and unpleasant.

But Katakuri stood still, affectionately hugged his younger sister tightly, and stroked her head.

"What are you waiting for? Get started!"

Crocodile, in the distance, shouted anxiously at Ma Qiao.

Vivi, Chaka, and the others, unaware of what was happening, also stopped in their tracks.

However, Ma Qiao suddenly took a few steps back.

Katakuri looked up at Ma Qiao, his gaze now filled with contempt, devoid of the previous admiration.

However, just when he thought Ma Qiao would join Crocodile in attacking his sister's weakness, Ma Qiao raised the Black Cleaver at himself.

A memorable scene from the world of One Piece has been created.

But this time, it wasn't Katakuri stabbed himself in the back, but the "male lecturer who was well-versed in human nature."

To Katakuri's shocked and incredulous gaze, Ma Qiao thrust the Black Cleaver through his own waist.

"Now... we're even..."

Ma Qiao looked up at Katakuri, revealing a genuinely innocent smile with eight teeth, "You're an interesting opponent too... Now... let's start again..."