Chapter 208 – Conversations That Promote the Times (Part 2)
"So, Charlotte Katakuri, do you want to replace Big Mom and become the next Emperor of the Sea?"
Ace leaned back in his chair, his tone calm but piercing as his gaze locked onto Katakuri.
Katakuri was silent for a long while. Then, his deep voice finally sounded:
"I don't understand. Why are you so desperate to overthrow the current balance of power?"
Though he didn't answer directly, his stance was clear enough.
Ace smiled faintly. "It's not desperation. It's necessity. The time left to us by the World Government is running out."
"Their recent 'World Military Draft' will dramatically increase the strength of the Marine Headquarters. And on top of that, the 'new combat force' that the World Government has been secretly developing for years… is almost complete."
He leaned forward slightly.
"If we cling to the current structure, then once their preparations are done, the era of pirates—the entire age of the Great Pirate Era—will be over."
"Impossible!" Katakuri retorted sharply, his usually calm face darkening.
"Even if the Draft doubles Marine strength, and even if the World Government has hidden some new weapon, they could never wage war against all Four Emperors at once! Ending the entire age? That's absurd."
Ace chuckled softly. "Of course, the Navy alone can't end it. But…" His eyes gleamed dangerously.
"What if there's a traitor among the Emperors—someone who sides with the World Government?"
Katakuri froze. "…No. At the level of a Yonko, no one would ever lower themselves to be a dog of the World Government."
"Then," Ace said, his smile widening, "what if one of the Emperors was already connected to the World Government?"
"Impossible—" Katakuri began, but the word died halfway through. His lips trembled slightly as his thoughts caught up to Ace's meaning. His confident expression vanished, and he sank back into his seat, stunned.
Ace walked over and gently patted his shoulder.
"So, you've realized it now, haven't you?"
He spoke softly, but each word struck like a hammer.
"Except for Whitebeard, the remaining three Emperors are all deeply entangled with the World Government in one way or another. The so-called 'balance' of the New World was built with their silent approval."
Ace raised a finger. "Take the red-haired one, for example. Shanks may have become an Emperor only a few years ago, but the World Government has always tolerated his influence. Their relationship is far too friendly to be coincidence."
He raised another. "Kaido—his Beast Pirates have long been trading with the World Government. Their weapons, materials, even his experiments—none of it happens without government involvement. And his origin… well, let's just say it's not unconnected to them either."
Finally, he looked directly at Katakuri. "And as for Big Mom… you know better than I do how deep her deals with the Government run."
Katakuri's fists clenched, but he said nothing.
"Even Whitebeard's crew," Ace went on, "has unavoidable infiltration from the Government. No pirate crew is immune. During the Paramount War, we were nearly crushed because of that."
"I see now." Katakuri's voice dropped low, his gaze intense. "So this is your goal—to destroy the current order of the New World and overthrow all existing Yonko?"
"That's right." Ace nodded firmly and sat back down opposite him.
"If you only topple one Emperor, someone else will immediately take their place. The system will restore itself."
He folded his hands together.
"But if we can overthrow two or more Emperors at once… if we can shatter this cycle completely—then the seas will finally have room for a new era to rise."
Katakuri was silent again, then finally let out a small, amused snort.
"I'll admit… your words are compelling."
He lifted a teacup, took a slow sip, and said,
"But I haven't seen this 'power of the new era' you speak of. Among all the new pirates that have emerged recently, aside from you—the so-called Fire Emperor—there doesn't seem to be anyone capable of living up to that title."
Ace smiled, his eyes narrowing.
"Don't worry. You'll see soon enough."
"The power of the new era is already growing. In one or two years at most, the next generation—those who will carry the tide of the new age—will reveal themselves to the world."
Then, Ace's tone hardened as he stared directly into Katakuri's eyes.
"So, what will you do, Katakuri? Will you stand as part of the new era… or cling to Big Mom's banner and be swept away by it?"
Katakuri stood slowly, his tall figure casting a long shadow. A powerful, oppressive aura burst from him—Conqueror's Haki, dense and overwhelming.
The air crackled. The entire room shook, furniture splintering under invisible pressure.
"Do you even need to ask?" Katakuri said, his voice like rolling thunder.
"Of course I'll aim for the Pirate King's throne!!"
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Ace applauded lightly, unfazed despite the roaring Haki around him.
"What an incredible Conqueror's Haki," he said with a faint smile. "At this level, it's no weaker than any of the current Four Emperors."
He gestured around at the ruined furniture and walls. "To think you can release such power and yet keep it completely contained within this room… your control is truly frightening."
Indeed, Katakuri's control over his Haki was absolute. Despite the sheer force, not a single trace of his aura leaked outside.
Katakuri's expression softened slightly. "Isn't it the same for you?" he said, his eyes narrowing.
"No… I can sense it. Your Conqueror's Haki surpasses mine, doesn't it?"
He smirked. "Why don't you let me feel it, Ace? Let me feel your Haki."
Ace shook his head. "Now's not the time."
He smiled faintly. "It's not that I want to hide it, but if two Conqueror's Hakis at our level collide, the very sky will split apart. The celestial phenomena will change. You know that."
Katakuri crossed his arms but gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
"Don't be so eager," Ace said with a grin. "We'll have our fight eventually—when we've both reached the top."
Outside, the Singing Doughnut—Katakuri's ship—cut swiftly through the waters toward Totto Land.
But Big Mom could never have imagined that her invitation to Ace that day would plant the very seed that would one day bring about her downfall.
No one yet knew that this conversation—between the Fire Emperor and the Man of Mochi—would one day become the turning point that propelled the world into a new era.
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