Katakuri took a rather pessimistic view of the Big Mom Pirates' prospects. Mama had been tricked by the Marines and struck by her own attack, falling into a coma. While her life was not in danger, the Big Mom Pirates had lost an Emperor-level combatant and were now thoroughly on the back foot.
If they had only needed to face the Marine Headquarters forces led by Kuzan, Katakuri was confident that they could win this war through sheer numbers and the strength of their officers. But the New Marines' sudden involvement had completely tipped the scales of war toward Marine Headquarters.
After only a brief exchange, Katakuri had clearly realized Mihawk's strength. Together, they could hold back Kuzan and briefly stall Mihawk, but if those two joined forces, all of them would likely be left here for good.
The Big Mom Pirates did indeed have a great many people, but in a war of this level, numbers could no longer decide everything. Top-tier combat power was the key factor determining the direction of the battle.
Katakuri had spent many years with the Big Mom Pirates and knew the strength of his crew's officers and subordinates well. If he and his brothers were defeated, no one would be able to stop powerhouses on Kuzan and Mihawk's level.
Besides—
Katakuri stood in front of Mihawk and Kuzan, ordering his brothers to take Mama and leave first. While remaining wary of the enemy, he slightly turned his head toward the sleek warship beyond the battlefield.
His Observation Haki allowed him to sense that there was another person with an extremely powerful aura aboard that warship, guarding the vessel without joining the battle.
Katakuri guessed that the powerhouse remaining aboard the warship was probably Tsugikuni Yoriichi's most capable subordinate, the former Marine Vice Admiral—Issho.