"We'll win!"
Jack bared his teeth and thumped his chest with unshakable confidence. "Leave it to me, Big Sis!"
"..."
Kuina remained silent. She had expected this kind of reaction from the fool.
But no matter how hard he pounded his chest, she couldn't bring herself to believe it immediately.
Though their bounties were both around one billion, the gap in combat prowess was undeniable.
Katakuri...
That man, as the second-in-command of the Big Mom Pirates, had been renowned for years. His Devil Fruit was already Awakened, and his Observation Haki had reached the level of foreseeing the future, placing him among the world's strongest.
Jack, barely in his twenties, was still too green to face such a monster.
Of course.
This was Jack. Even if he were sent to fight Kaido, he'd charge in without hesitation...
"Jack."
Kuina was about to say something when Xiano, seated at the head of the table, raised his hand to interrupt, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Let Jack handle it."
Huh?
Kuina turned to Xiano in surprise. "Sir, the one Jack would be facing is Katakuri..."
"And Katakuri would be facing Jack."
Xiano laughed heartily. "Don't forget, this kid's original intention was to share your burden. Let him give it his all! Without even clashing yet, who can say who'll win? Taking down one of our Curtain Closer's top executives has never been an easy task!"
Ooooooooh——!!!
The trust from the boss instantly multiplied—no, exploded—his confidence!
Jack's blood boiled with excitement, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit as twin plumes of steam shot from his nostrils.
"Still, this battle will be tough for you."
Xiano turned to Jack and added, "Both the Mochi-Mochi Fruit and that level of Observation Haki are quite effective against brute force. Don't just charge recklessly, or you might exhaust yourself too quickly and turn the tide against you."
"Don't worry, Boss!"
Jack slammed his fists together, grinning widely in response.
The boss and Big Sis had entrusted him with this crucial task.
Then he'd stake his life on it!
No matter what, he wouldn't let Katakuri have a chance to interfere with his comrades' battles!
"Jack versus Katakuri—it's settled then."
Seeing Jack's determination, Kuina couldn't help but smile before turning to Kuma.
"Among the remaining three Sweet Commanders, Smoothie and Cracker have similar bounties and strength. Kuma, which one do you want?"
"..."
Kuma had remained silent since sitting down, arms crossed.
At these words, he finally lifted his head, the overhead light casting a cold gleam across his glasses.
"Either is fine."
That same expressionless face, yet the killing intent radiating from him was barely restrained.
Jack gulped nervously from his seat beside Kuma, feeling it all too clearly.
This was the second time. The last time Kuma had looked like this was during their clash with those Celestial Dragon God Riders in Sabaody.
Ginny and Bonney were truly Kuma's two forbidden topics...
Touch them, and even the gentlest, kindest man could erupt.
Recalling those two Celestial Dragons whose bodies had been blasted apart eight hundred times, Jack couldn't help but feel a moment of silent mourning for whoever would be assigned as Kuma's opponent.
"..."
Kuina also noticed Kuma's unusual state. After a brief contemplation, she spoke up, "Then let it be Cracker."
According to intelligence, that guy enjoyed mass-producing Biscuit Soldiers, wearing down and tormenting his enemies before finishing them off personally.
Though his tactics were despicable, they provided plenty of living targets—perfect for Kuma to vent his frustrations.
"No problem."
Kuma's response was brief and icy.
He initially wanted to close his eyes and rest, but noticing the concerned gazes from his comrades around him, he forced a faint smile: "Don't worry, everyone. I'm fine."
Only then did Xiano and Kuina withdraw their gazes.
"In that case, Smoothie will be mine to handle."
Kuina looked up at the remaining two bounty posters on the whiteboard. "As for the last two, Perospero and Smo—"
"Huh?" Smoker turned his head in surprise.
"Sorry, Snack."
Just one character difference—easy to mix up. Kuina remained unflustered and continued calmly:
"These two have bounties of 700 million and 600 million respectively, clearly a tier weaker, but still formidable. Any volunteers?"
"I—"
Zoro, who had been holding back for a while, couldn't restrain himself any longer. He straightened up, about to speak, when Sanji kicked him hard under the table from across.
What the hell?
Zoro sucked in a sharp breath from the pain, glaring furiously.
What do you think, idiot?
Though the meeting room was filled with smoke (from others), Sanji didn't dare smoke in Kuina's presence. He chewed on a toothpick and gestured subtly toward the seats at the front.
Zoro followed his gaze and immediately hesitated.
Having grown up together and knowing each other so well, they often didn't need words—a single glance was enough. Sanji was reminding him that the other veterans of the Curtain Closer headquarters hadn't spoken yet.
As newcomers who had just joined, with bounties barely over 100 million and only a rudimentary grasp of Haki, it would be sheer arrogance to take on such opponents.
"I—"
Zoro ultimately swallowed his words reluctantly. Just then, Tashigi, who had been silent all along, leaned forward as if about to stand.
Zoro reacted swiftly, stretching out his foot without hesitation to trip her back into her seat.
"You?"
Tashigi widened her eyes, staring disbelievingly at her fellow Swordsman.
"Learn some manners, rookie. Let the seniors pick first."
Seventeen-year-old Zoro had a certain cool-guy edge to his words. He crossed his arms and snorted, then turned away, ignoring her.
Tch, even I didn't get a turn.
This woman—her swordsmanship wasn't even as good as his. What right did she have?
Know your place!
Having the same face as Kuina but none of the strength or talent, wearing the visage of a powerhouse while acting all meek and airheaded...
It was inexplicably infuriating!
"..."
Meanwhile, Sanji on the opposite side was grinding his teeth in frustration.
Damn Mosshead, how dare you treat the kind and gentle Miss Tashigi so rudely? Once this war was over, he'd make sure to teach that bastard a proper lesson!
"That does make sense."
Tashigi looked enlightened and bowed slightly to Zoro, apologizing, "I'm truly sorry, and thank you for the guidance."
"Wrong direction, he's over there." Robin chuckled.
"Ah, my apologies, Senior Robin!"
Tashigi hastily turned and bowed again. Zoro glanced sideways, gritting his teeth.
Seriously... Why apologize again? Now he felt guilty too.
Even more annoyed now!
"Perospero, 700 million Berries?"
The commotion at the children's table went unnoticed as Nojiko stared at the whiteboard, narrowing her eyes:
"Not even listed among the Sweet Commanders, yet still has such an outrageous bounty. That old bastard—leave him to me!"
Her current bounty was 400 million Berries.
On paper, it seemed incomparable to Perospero's 700 million.
But thinking that way would be a huge mistake!
Back when the Curtain Closers weren't so numerous, she had been a pure combatant—unlike her sister Nami, she was undeniably one of the crew's core fighters!
After entering the New World, she had also been the most diligent in training with Dream Mirage Grass.
Since the Dressrosa War, her bounty hadn't risen much simply because recent battles hadn't given her a chance to shine.
But now…
This was the perfect opportunity to prove herself again and boost her reputation!
"You beat me to it."
Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke at that moment. He shook his head but didn't argue, instead turning to the last wanted poster on the whiteboard:
"Speaking of which, this guy is a young and strong Sweet Commander. Compared to that old candy man, he might be a more worthy opponent. I'll take him—perfect chance to test my recent training results."
His training had been grueling too… Getting beaten daily by Teacher Zephyr in the Dream Mirage Grass. After enduring so much, it was time for payback!
Smoker's gaze hardened as he forcefully stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray.
"Good."
Kuina nodded slightly, sweeping her eyes over the group. "With this, the Charlotte Family's core fighters are all assigned. The remaining officers and grunts will be handled by the Combat Corps squads as previously discussed. As for BIGMOM herself…"
The rest went unsaid.
Soldiers fight soldiers, generals fight generals, kings fight kings!
—This was the unchanging rule of the seas!
All eyes turned to Xiano.
"Come to think of it, this is our first real battle against a Four Emperor."
Xiano smiled. "What if I said I'm actually a little nervous? Would you believe me?"
Pfft— The room erupted in laughter.
As if!
The World's Greatest Swordsman, the man even the Marines had begun calling the "God Slayer"—how terrifying his strength was, they knew all too well!
He had clashed with Navy Admirals repeatedly without a single loss, and against Kaido, hailed as the world's strongest, he fought for five days and nights to a standstill!
BIGMOM had absolutely, definitely picked the wrong enemy!
"Seems you all trust me quite a bit. Well then, everyone…"
Xiano stood, his icy gaze sweeping the room as his black cloak billowed without wind:
"The meeting is adjourned. Return to your posts and prepare for full speed ahead!"
"Destination—Totto Land!"
"This battle is not only to rescue Bonney, but also to declare to the world—no one has the right to touch the people of the Curtain Closer!"
"Otherwise, just like the Charlotte Family, be prepared to be uprooted by us!"
"Ohhh—!!!"
The meeting room instantly erupted like a roaring tidal wave!
The largest-scale war since the founding of the Curtain Closer had now begun!
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