For a moment, an eerie, deathly silence fell over the tea party hall in front of Whole Cake Chateau.
Every Charlotte child present stared at the unbelievable scene before them, dumbstruck.
Their brother Katakuri, whom they considered invincible, always calm and dependable, the very pillar of their family,
had recoiled like a startled beast at nothing more than a glance and a single sentence from the other man.
He had even taken a full combat stance as though facing a formidable enemy, cold sweat beading on his forehead!
It shattered everything they thought they knew!
No matter how powerful his opponent was, even if he might ultimately lose, their brother Katakuri would never be cowed to this extent by someone's presence and killing intent before the fight even began!
Because... he was Charlotte Katakuri!!
"Brother Katakuri, wh-what's wrong?" one of his siblings couldn't help asking in a trembling voice, utterly bewildered.
"Everyone!!!"
Without looking back, Katakuri barked at them with unprecedented severity, his voice carrying an unmistakable urgency that brooked no argument.
"Get out of here! Now!!!"
The order left them even more stunned.
Even Cracker, who already had some understanding of Gern's strength, knitted his brows.
He knew Gern was strong, but he felt Katakuri's reaction was a little too extreme.
"Katakuri," Cracker couldn't help saying, trying to salvage a little dignity, "aren't you overreacting?
I exchanged a few blows with that man just now. He's strong, but he's not as..."
"Cracker!!" Katakuri abruptly turned, his red-glinting eyes fixed firmly on Cracker.
His gaze was grave and stern, almost warning, as he cut Cracker off.
"Shut up."
"Because you don't understand at all..." Katakuri's gaze returned to Gern's still faintly smiling face.
Recalling the terrifying future he had just foreseen, in which he was beheaded in an instant, he