Katakuri's Anger

After the meeting at Skull Building ended, the officers returned to their respective camps and began preparing to set sail.

No matter how fast they moved, they could not leave immediately. No matter how strong humans were, they were still only human; without food and fresh water, they simply could not survive.

Only a very small number of Devil Fruit users, such as Aramaki, "Ryokugyu," from the original timeline, could go without eating and replenish the energy needed for activity simply by basking in the sun.

Besides, strictly speaking, the Rocks Pirates should have been called the "Rocks Pirate Alliance."

Rocks and the officers did not have a clear superior-subordinate relationship, and the officers never called Rocks "Captain." They had always addressed him directly by name.

Without sufficient profit to motivate them, no one would listen to Rocks's commands.

Every officer had their own faction and subordinates, each occupying their own territory on Hachinosu.

Many pirates who had just joined the Rocks Pirates often misunderstood one thing: they thought that once they gained Rocks's recognition and joined the Rocks Pirates, they could call the officers brothers.

In reality, the officers did not care at all about the small fry who had thrown in with Rocks. The only one worth their attention was Rocks himself.

This time, the shared goal in going to God Valley was naturally Shakuyaku, but there was no way to divide those Devil Fruits equally. The same went for the treasure—everyone wanted the largest share.

So naturally, a round of preparations was unavoidable.

Before long, news that Rocks intended to go to God Valley to rescue Shakuyaku spread across all of Hachinosu.

"Rocks is making his move?"

"The Marines and Cipher Pol will undoubtedly appear in the West Blue too, right?"

"I can smell the storm brewing!"

"The seas are about to change!"

"Who will be the winner?"

"Who cares? We can't stay on this island anyway!"

"We're setting sail! We're going to see Shakuyaku! I don't care if I die! Who's coming with me?"

"Me!"

"I'm going too!"

Whether Rocks's true goal really was to rescue Shakuyaku no longer mattered...

What mattered was that Rocks had decided to set out!

The pirates sensed that something major was about to happen and began preparing for the future in advance.

Throughout the island, hurried pirates could be seen everywhere.

Not every pirate on Hachinosu belonged to the Rocks Pirates. More people on this island had gathered because of Rocks's notorious name. They were not qualified to join the Rocks Pirates, but they were unwilling to leave, so they remained on the island.

Among them were some criminals who had originally been imprisoned on the island.

Although Rocks had occupied the place back then, he had not killed them all. Quite a few had survived and continued living on the island.

These criminals were also stirred into action by the news. One group of them set their sights on a girl who was still wandering the streets.

"That kid is the little sister of that 'Eel Swallower' who loves donuts, right?"

In the darkness of a deep alley, a fat great white shark fish-man took a bite from the meat-covered bone in his hand and questioned the criminals behind him.

"Yes, Boss Fat Shark. She's the sister of that brat we have a grudge against!"

"Hmph! He dared to bully my men! Since the Rocks Pirates are about to sail out, we'll use this chance to get revenge on him!"

"After this, we probably won't be returning to this island..."

"Let that bastard have a taste of what it feels like to have something important destroyed!"

As they spoke, the criminals led by the fish-man Fat Shark emerged from the alley and surrounded the girl. Pitch-black shadows swallowed the last trace of light in her eyes.

"W-Who are you...?"

Young Charlotte Brulee blinked her lovely big eyes.

"Hehehe, you're so innocent, little girl. I almost can't bear to hurt you~"

"If you want someone to blame, blame your brother Katakuri!"

"Such a pretty little face—if we cut it up, that guy will be heartbroken for a long time, won't he?"

A sharp blade suddenly slid free from its sheath and slashed across the young girl's face, carving a deep scar diagonally across her entire face. Blood flowed like water, staining the ground red.

Charlotte Brulee crashed heavily to the ground, trembling from fear and pain as she let out a piercing cry.

"Run! We're close to that monster woman Charlotte Linlin's nest! If that monster gets here, it'll be too late to escape!"

With that, the criminals fled the scene at high speed.

In the distance, some passing pirates saw what had happened, but instead of meddling, they silently moved away from the area.

Scenes of revenge like this played out every day on this pirate island. This time, the target merely happened to be the daughter of that woman Charlotte Linlin.

Not long afterward, Charlotte Brulee's cries drew over the nearby members of the Charlotte Family.

"Brulee is badly hurt!!"

"What happened? Don't be scared! Tell your brothers!"

By the time young Katakuri rushed over, Brulee had already been placed on a stretcher, ready to be carried back to the Charlotte Family camp for emergency treatment.

"The people you beat up came back for revenge!"

Young Perospero's words exploded in Katakuri's ears, and cold sweat gradually appeared on Katakuri's once-confident face.

"How could this happen... If they wanted revenge, they should have come after me..."

"Don't you understand, Katakuri?! You hurt Brulee! If you had hidden your mouth like I told you to, this never would have happened!"

Katakuri's mind was completely blank. His body felt weak as he kept doubting himself.

I hurt Brulee...

I hurt her...

"Brother..."

That weak, timid voice pulled Katakuri's soul back into reality. He lowered his head and saw Brulee on the bloodstained stretcher, enduring the pain and overcoming her instinctive trembling to show him a pure smile.

"It's okay. It doesn't hurt at all. Brother, you don't need to change anything either..."

As Katakuri's younger sister, Brulee knew Katakuri's personality well. He was proud and confident, the kind of man who would start a fight if anyone mocked his appearance.

But when those comforting words entered Katakuri's ears at that moment, they were no different from a thousand needles piercing his heart.

I'm a hopeless idiot...

I hurt Brulee!

It's my fault! It's all my fault!

I was... too naive!

Katakuri gently wiped the blood from Brulee's face.

"Don't worry, Brulee. I'll avenge you!"

Tearing off a strip of cloth, Katakuri covered his mouth for the first time since he had been born—the mouth full of terrifying sharp teeth, along with the horrific scar that had split it open when he opened too wide while eating donuts and could never be erased after healing.

That year, Katakuri was ten years old.