Katakuri's attack was scattered by Tsugikuni Yoriichi. A terrifying slash swept past his side, sank into the wall, and vanished without a trace.
As the black slash flew past him, Katakuri could feel the terrifying power within it. With his level of Observation Haki, he knew clearly that he could not block such a strike.
What Tsugikuni Yoriichi had said was not a lie.
But—
Would he retreat in the face of a powerful enemy?!
That was clearly not Katakuri's nature. What was more, Tsugikuni Yoriichi had reached his "demonic claws" toward his family. No matter what, he could not allow someone like that to move freely within Whole Cake Island.
"I won't lose."
"No matter what kind of opponent I face, I won't lose. And I can't lose!"
Katakuri rose to his feet. The tension in his face eased at that moment, and the unease and shock in his heart vanished without a trace.
The instant he stood up, he had already confirmed his resolve.
Facing a powerful enemy like Tsugikuni Yoriichi, Katakuri had already prepared himself mentally.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi's gaze fell on Katakuri. The smile on his face did not fade, and a hint of appreciation appeared in his eyes.
"Is that so?"
"I can feel your resolve."
Facing a pirate, Tsugikuni Yoriichi rarely showed such appreciation. The last time he had displayed such feelings toward a pirate had been a long time ago—
Back when he had personally killed Senior, one of Doflamingo's officers, Tsugikuni Yoriichi had once felt something similar.
After killing Senior, Tsugikuni Yoriichi had even felt some regret.
If he had met Senior before the man became a pirate, if Senior had not taken part in Doflamingo's scheme to steal a nation, Tsugikuni Yoriichi would have wanted to bring him into the New Marines.