A faint murderous aura spread through the darkness, gradually thickening until it felt almost tangible.
"It's been a long time since we last met, God of War of the Charlotte family."
Liu Feng gazed calmly at the cold figure before him—a man with long, unkempt hair draped over his shoulders, resembling a red-haired demon. A subtle smile curled at the corner of Liu Feng's lips.
In such a short time, Katakuri had grown significantly stronger.
From what Liu Feng could sense through his Observation Haki, Katakuri's combat power had likely reached the threshold of an admiral.
He was a truly astonishing genius.
It seems that the disastrous defeat in the battle of Whole Cake Island, the death of his family, his capture, and the torture in prison during this period have completely made him recognize himself again.
No matter in which world, there were always some people who could draw enough strength from suffering and life and death to make their lives shine again.
Of course, more people will die on such a disaster-filled road. After all, not everyone has the courage to overcome suffering and failure.
But Charlotte Katakuri was not such a weak person.
In this regard, Liu Feng believes that his vision was definitely not wrong.
Even in the long run, he thinks Katakuri's development and height will be higher than his mother's.
Although Katakuri doesn't have that kind of... natural iron body and abnormal strength, he has something that others don't have.
The indomitable will and perseverance, the calmness and rationality that will not change even in desperate situations, and the free and heroic state of mind.
In time, Katakuri's achievements will definitely be higher than his mother's; at least he will be a big man like Whitebeard.
"You said you can bring our family back to life?"
Katakuri's voice was as cold as ancient ice. The moment he spoke, the expressions of those around him changed slightly.
They all turned to him in surprise—his murderous aura was rarely this intense.
Liu Feng smiled. "You don't believe me?"
Katakuri stared at Liu Feng in silence for a long time.
Liu Feng remained unbothered, meeting his gaze with calm indifference.
Then, suddenly, Katakuri laughed.
His laughter dripped with mockery and scorn before growing into a wild, almost unhinged cackle.
"Hahahaha!!"
"Interesting!!"
"Liu Feng, so this is the dirty trick you're resorting to now?"
"Resurrect my brothers and sisters?"
"Revive our family?"
"I haven't forgotten; we haven't forgotten who killed them—it was your so-called new navy!!"
Katakuri's roar shook the room, his bloodshot eyes bulging with rage. His long red hair whipped wildly behind him, making him look like a vengeful demon.
"So what?"
Liu Feng suddenly smiled.
The calmness in that smile made Katakuri freeze, the madness on his face vanishing in an instant.
Shaking his head slightly, Liu Feng spoke.
"That was war. In war, there are only two outcomes—you die, or I live."
"This is the cruelest yet fairest rule of the sea."
"From another perspective, if your pirate crew had won, wouldn't my entire new navy have been slaughtered instead?"
Katakuri was momentarily stunned.
Liu Feng continued, "But that didn't happen."
"As a navy, even when facing the most ruthless of the Four Emperors, we still showed mercy."
"Charlotte Linlin, you, Charlotte Katakuri, and many high-ranking members of the Charlotte family—we chose to capture you alive rather than execute you."
"If you can't even recognize that, then perhaps I need to reassess you."
Katakuri gritted his teeth. "So now you're using our dead brothers and sisters to threaten us? Forcing us to die for your so-called new navy?"
Liu Feng's voice remained calm. "Katakuri, stop dwelling on what you've lost. Focus on what you still have to gain."
"I'm not threatening you."
"You can see for yourself." He spread his arms. "Do you really think our new navy needs you? Right now, you're just a group of broken pirates."
Katakuri clenched his jaw so tightly it nearly bled, but he fell into deep silence.
He knew Liu Feng was right.
Whitebeard, Koshiro, Roger, Zephyr, Byrnndi World, and Golden Lion—each of them possessed admiral-level strength. The new navy was already a dominant force in the world. No existing power could rival them.
And with Liu Feng, a monster wielding countless terrifying abilities, their victory was inevitable.
In comparison, what remained of the Charlotte Pirates was nothing more than an insignificant afterthought