Doflamingo was also very surprised when Katakuri appeared, and his expression flickered.
However, he quickly regained his composure and began to laugh relaxedly.
"Fuffuffuffu, Taro, as a Marine Vice Admiral, you're really unqualified. Katakuri is the head of the 'Four Sweet Commanders'!"
"It is indeed the 'Three Sweet Commanders', Taro. On that point, you're correct!"
Katakuri's expression grew even gloomier upon hearing Mingo's words.
"To think you already knew about something that happened only the day before yesterday!"
His tone was extremely cold, and as he spoke the latter half of the sentence, the skin on his forehead trembled.
Stussy!
That woman!
From the moment he heard Taro's first sentence, Katakuri thought of Stussy.
He had suspected back then that Stussy had other motives, and seeing Taro call them the "Three Sweet Commanders" now only confirmed it.
Taro looked at the enraged Katakuri, internally on guard, his tone also cold and indifferent.
"What happened the day before yesterday? I don't understand what you're talking about!"
With a flick of his wrist, Katakuri gripped his trident, "tsuchiryū," in his hand.
"Taro, it's too late to try and deny it now!"
Taro's expression was tense as he gripped thunderstorm, not daring to be even slightly careless.
Katakuri's precognitive Observation Haki made Taro hesitate to strike easily. Facing both Mingo and Katakuri at once, he only sought to respond carefully; if things really went south, he could always back off.
"What am I denying? If you want to help Doflamingo, just strike. Why bother looking for excuses?"
Katakuri's face contorted for a moment. If it weren't for his habitually calm and steady personality suppressing the anger in his heart, he would have attacked already.
"The 'queen of pleasure street,' Stussy—surely you know her!"
What did this have to do with Stussy?
Taro frowned, feeling confused. "I know her."
Hearing this, Katakuri nodded in acknowledgment. "At least you're honest."
He paused, still somewhat puzzled by Stussy's intention in asking Mama to deal with Taro.
Then he asked, "Do you have a grudge?"
CP0 has targeted me repeatedly; that counts as a grudge, right?
Taro thought about it and gave an affirmative hum. "Yes!"
Katakuri's brow twitched; he felt that things were not simple.
"You have a grudge, yet she told you about Snack being stripped of his title as a 'Sweet Commander' by Mama. It seems your relationship is quite unusual!"
Snack was stripped of his title?
Has that guy already been defeated by that winged Supernova?
Taro was stunned for a moment, then shook his head.
"I have a grudge against her. How could she possibly tell me these things?"
"Then how did you know that there are currently only 'Three Sweet Commanders'?"
Katakuri naturally didn't believe Taro.
This... damn it, can I say it's just habit?
In the original story, the term "Three Sweet Commanders" was used most frequently!
Taro remained silent for a long while, not knowing how to answer. Finally, he said helplessly,
"Whether you believe it or not, in short, Stussy didn't tell me this!"
Katakuri studied Taro carefully for a while, thinking to himself: It seems Stussy's true identity is extraordinary!
"Stussy wishes you'd die immediately, yet you still want to cover for her?"
Taro looked at Katakuri in confusion, not understanding what he meant.
I can imagine Stussy wanting me dead.
But isn't Stussy good friends with your Mama? What do I need to cover up?
"Katakuri, I'm understanding you less and less. Can you speak more clearly?"
Katakuri shook his head slightly, and the "tsuchiryū" in his hand began to spin at high speed, the trident's head looking like a whirling wheel.
"I thought you were somewhat honest. Forget it! Right now, my coming here has nothing to do with Stussy's request or Doflamingo."
"I came only for you!"
Both Taro and Doflamingo were stunned upon hearing this.
"Stussy's request?"
"It was related to me before?"
The two asked almost in unison, then glanced at each other.
Finally, both gradually sensed that something was wrong.
Mingo first glanced at Katakuri before staring back at Taro.
"You don't need to look at me with suspicion. I said I don't need help from others. I didn't call Katakuri here!"
Taro stared at Mingo for a long time, weighing the truth in Mingo's words. Finally, he let out a light chuckle.
"Heh, I prided myself on being a smart man, but now it seems someone has been playing me for a fool!"
Taro was referring to himself.
However, to Mingo and Katakuri's ears, it sounded more like he was mocking the two of them.
Katakuri turned his head to look at Doflamingo.
"Joker, Stussy's request for Mama to send someone to assist—was that not your doing?"
Katakuri's question was practically questioning Mingo's character. Mingo's cheek twitched as he said angrily,
"Why would I need your help to deal with Taro?"
Katakuri's face also turned as black as the bottom of a pot, fury rising in his chest.
That bitch actually played three different factions at the same time!
The three looked at each other's expressions and all fell silent.
Taro thought to himself: judging by Mingo's reaction, he really didn't plan on finding other helpers. So who was the helper he mentioned before?
Also, Katakuri appearing here was actually due to Stussy's meddling. Is this the World Government's intention?
If it is the World Government's intention, do they have no other backup plans?
His thoughts swirled through a hundred turns. Taro felt uneasy and sensed it was time to retreat.
As long as the green hills remain, there will be wood to burn—it's better to save my life first!
Just as Taro was thinking this and about to make a move, Katakuri rubbed out a jellybean-sized piece of mochi in his hand.
Swoosh
With a flick of his finger, that Mochi Ball flew toward him like a bullet.
Alert, Taro dodged to the side.
"You are not allowed to leave yet!"
Katakuri intercepted Taro and said deeply:
"I said, even without considering their involvement, I came for you."
Taro stared at Katakuri for a while before nodding.
"I understand. You came for Charlotte Brulee."
"It seems you still remember!"
"Of course. I said I would come to the New World to find you, I just didn't expect you to find me first!"
"A chance encounter!"
With things having reached this point, there was no choice but to fight.
Taro held his blade, Katakuri held his trident, and the two began their standoff.
Mingo watched them with a sinister smile.
"My duel with Taro is a battle between men. If you dare to interfere..."
Katakuri glanced at Mingo. He didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Mingo was not one to take threats. He laughed maniacally,
"Fuffuffuffu, what I do is not for you to dictate! Katakuri!"
Katakuri no longer paid Mingo any mind. His attitude toward combat was extremely serious; he would face every opponent head-on.
Now, he only had eyes for Taro.
Just as their great battle was about to begin, the three of them simultaneously looked toward the depths of the island.
Mingo had initially sensed someone approaching and felt a surge of joy, but then he realized only one person was coming, and his expression instantly turned cold.
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