Charlotte Katakuri—a name so renowned that even the Five Elders, the highest authorities of the World Government perched atop the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, are far from unfamiliar with it.
With a bounty of 1,057,000,000 Berries and mastery over all three types of Haki, Katakuri—recognized as the second strongest member of the Big Mom Pirates in every sense—enjoys far greater notoriety throughout the New World than most Vice Admirals of the Marines.
Though his status in Totto Land may not quite rival Red-Haired Shanks' first mate, Benn Beckman, or Whitebeard's former First Division Commander, Marco, he's only marginally behind Kaido's "Conflagration" King.
The difference? Katakuri commands the full backing of the Charlotte Family, whereas King is constantly fending off subordinates plotting to overthrow him.
Powerful, ruthless, calm, and tactically brilliant—his strength and intellect in battle are both top-tier.
He has been hailed as "the greatest masterpiece of the Charlotte Family." A man with the potential to ascend to the ranks of the Four Emperors themselves.
"Big Mom is dead. Totto Land has fallen. And Katakuri… instead of seeking revenge or vying for the title of Yonko, he wants to join the Seven Warlords?!"
Even the typically composed Five Elders could not help but be shaken.
"Are you certain?"
"Absolutely," Wright replied, tapping the armrest of his chair with a faint smile.
"Katakuri is not the man he once was."
"With Big Mom and her eldest son dead, and Totto Land in ruins, it's only natural that Katakuri—the second son and strongest surviving member—should assume leadership of the remnants of the Big Mom Pirates."
"But what you may not know is that Katakuri deeply, deeply cared for his siblings. And now, his older brother and most of his younger siblings... were slaughtered by Big Mom herself."
"A tragedy beyond reckoning, wouldn't you say?"
The Five Elders exchanged glances. Even for them, usually so cold and unfeeling, a flicker of sympathy passed through their eyes—only to be extinguished just as quickly.
Wright continued, unconcerned with their expressions:
"Katakuri now stands alone. He fled at the moment of Big Mom's death, but during our operation to seize Totto Land, we still managed to capture several of Big Mom's non-combatant children."
"At present, they, along with a small number of remnants from the Big Mom Pirates, are held in Impel Down."
"Most of Big Mom's crew either died or fled. The pirate world is like that, after all, especially when their captain was never known for protecting her subordinates."
"So Katakuri's current priority isn't revenge…"
The Five Elders began to grasp his implication. The bald elder with glasses, evidently the most focused on the Seven Warlords initiative, leaned forward.
"Then his true goal… is to rescue his imprisoned siblings and subordinates in Impel Down?"
"Exactly. And becoming one of the Seven Warlords is the fastest, most effective way to do it."
Wright nodded and crossed his legs.
"Just like Jinbe back in the day. When he accepted the title of Warlord, his primary aim was to use that status to negotiate a pardon for the imprisoned members of the Sun Pirates."
"Katakuri's aiming for the same thing. Though his original plan was to eliminate the weakest of the current Warlords, Urouge, and then submit an application to us."
"…"
The Elder with the curled mustache snorted.
"Outrageous. Urouge may be weaker, but he still meets the standards. And he's only been appointed for a few months. Replacing him this quickly would be a public embarrassment."
"Which is precisely why," Wright said, with an expression of exaggerated empathy, "I took the initiative and cleared a spot in advance."
His smug face made the Five Elders momentarily wonder if they had only imagined his earlier display of solemnity and presence.
"Hmph. At least you're making yourself useful to the government."
"Then it's settled," declared the Elder with the long beard.
"With Jinbe officially inducted into the Navy, the vacant Warlord seat will go to Katakuri."
"His appointment will further elevate the World Government's prestige."
"The Big Mom Pirates are finished. Might as well put what's left of them to some use."
"A wise decision," Wright replied smoothly, though something about his tone grated on the Elders, even if they couldn't fault his logic.
"Since it's decided, Wright, you'll be in charge of security for the upcoming Reverie. See to it that nothing goes wrong."
"Keep a low profile until then."
"Understood~ Farewell!"
Once Wright departed, the Five Elders remained seated, the atmosphere thick with tension.
"What do you make of him?"
The long-bearded elder was the first to speak after a long pause.
"He's shown signs of unpredictability… but for now, he doesn't pose an immediate threat."
The black-hatted elder tapped his cane thoughtfully.
"He's young and impulsive, yes, but he knows how to read the winds of change."
"His reputation has grown enormously," mused the curled-mustache elder.
"The World Government gained unprecedented prestige from the fall of Totto Land, but his and Marine HQ's fame have soared even higher."
"Even the kings of our allied nations, normally wary of our intentions, are surprisingly united in support of him. That's a first."
"Heh… if someone with that much power and popularity didn't stir up a little trouble, I'd be more concerned he was hiding something deeper."
The blond, square-faced elder chuckled.
"CP's internal assessments show this young Fleet Admiral is merely restless and acting out."
"If he were truly calculating, would he have openly tightened control over the Sabaody Archipelago? Would he have dared to unleash his Conqueror's Haki on us?"
"Let's keep watching for now. The balance of the New World still holds."
"Red-Haired" at least propped up Marco, giving the three remaining Yonko a measure of stability.
The bald, glasses-wearing elder tapped the scabbard of his blade.
"But if there's another incident… we may need to 'take action.'"
"That individual… their attention no longer seems fixed on the Navy."
"That clan's growth is progressing rapidly… and they seem to have discovered something they were never meant to know. That… is what could truly threaten the foundations."
A long silence fell, broken only when someone muttered:
"By the way… there were two notable intruders at Big Mom's tea party."
"'Straw Hat Luffy' and the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff…"
"Hmph. Even in semi-retirement, Garp keeps drawing attention back to himself."
"His son is the Revolutionary Army's leader. His disciple is the Fleet Admiral. His biological grandson is a pirate from the Worst Generation. His adopted grandson is the youngest Vice Admiral in the Navy. And now, his disciple's disciple is the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff…"
"Ever since God Valley, I knew Garp would become a problem."
"But his achievements and reputation are too great. And since he keeps refusing promotion to Admiral, he's not under the World Government's direct command…"
"He was protected by two generations of Fleet Admirals—Sengoku and Kong. Now it's three. Even with all the trouble his family's caused, we can't touch him."
"Tch. No matter. As long as he remains a Marine, he's not a threat."
"Heh… That's true enough."
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