Capone-Bege decided to hide for now. If he kept running like this, Katakuri would eventually catch up to him.
Although Capone-Bege knew that his tank form could move very quickly, using it would leave traces on the ground, making it easier for Katakuri to track him down.
So Capone Bege hid behind a large tree and stayed completely still, even controlling his breathing.
During this time, Capone Bege remained calm, focusing on sensing the movement around him. He could hear Katakuri's footsteps constantly drawing closer.
"Brule, Brule!" Katakuri's voice was still-continuously shouting.
"Darn it, where did Capone-Bege take Brule? What's his purpose?"
Katakuri said anxiously, punching the tree beside him and knocking it down.
Suddenly, Katakuri felt something. His observation Haki alerted him to a slight abnormality in the surroundings.
Katakuri's expression suddenly changed, and he swiftly launched a barrage of attacks all around him.
Countless Mochi fist extended from Katakuri, knocking down all the surrounding trees. In this situation, Capone-Bege couldn't hide any longer and was finally discovered by Katakuri.
"Capone-Bege!"
Katakuri shouted after seeing him, his eyes filled with intense killing intent.
"Damn it!"
Capone-Bege muttered under his breath. Since he was discovered, there was no escaping it. He had to bit the bullet
"Katakuri, it's been a while," Capone-Bege greeted.
However, Katakuri glared at Capone-Bege and asked angrily, "Where's Brule?"
Capone-Bege's heart raced, and his brain started to think quickly.
"Miss Brule is in my castle. She's safe and sound. We didn't harm her," Capone-Bege replied.
"You didn't hurt her? Then why did you take her? And betray mother?"
Katakuri glared, his tone accusing.
"I..."
Capone-Bege hesitated, unable to explain. He couldn't just say outright that he wanted to escape.
"Release Brule right now!" Katakuri demanded firmly, his Haki emanating strongly.
Under this intense pressure, Capone-Bege dared not to move at all. Facing a master of Katakuri's level, his chances of survival were slim.
If surrendering Brule could save his life in this situation, Capone-Bege would naturally do so without hesitation.
The problem is that Capone-Bege sees the look in Katakuri's eyes, full of anger and hostility—it's like he's already been condemned to death.
So even if he handed over Brule, Katakuri would still come after him. In that case, why not use Brule as leverage.
"Can't hand her over, absolutely can't,"
Capone-Bege repeated to himself. Surrendering Brule would lead to a dead end.
"Katakuri, Miss Brule is in my castle. I can guarantee her safety. However, if any harm comes to me, I can't guarantee what my subordinates might do to her"
Capone-Bege stated.
Threatening Katakuri with Brule's safety could make him hesitate and refrain from acting impulsively.
Even though this might further enrage Katakuri, Capone-Bege doesn't care. He's not willing to end his life here; he still has too much to accomplish.
Hearing Capone-Bege's clear threat, Katakuri felt a twinge of anger because those words had crossed his bottom line.
Katakuri has always played the role of the big brother in the Charlotte family, and has been the object of admiration for all his siblings because he spared no effort to protect the family.
Threatening himself with his sister is like touching Katakuri's reverse scale, his ultimate point of sensitivity.
"Capone-Bege, you're quite brave. If any harm comes to Brule, I'll bury everyone related to you"
"Not just you and your Fire Tank Pirates, but also your wife. I heard you have a son too, right?"
Katakuri's eyes turned chillingly cold.
This sent a shiver down Capone-Bege's spine. With a grim expression, he asked, "Chifon is your sister!"
...
"People who betray have nothing to do with me!" Katakuri said angrily.
"If I hand over Brule, can you let me go?" Capone-Bege tried to negotiate with him.
"Do you think you have any right to negotiate with me now?"
Katakuri said coldly, vein already bursting in his head and has been ready to attack
"If you don't plan to let me go, what do I have to lose? It's a dead end anyway. Might as well use Brule as a bargaining chip!"
Capone-Bege exclaimed.
"How dare you!"
Katakuri glared at him fiercely.
After a moment of silence, Katakuri spoke again: "Release Brule now. I'll only capture you, and I won't harm your pirate group."
"Hmph," Capone-Bege couldn't help but snort. For his Fire Tank Pirates, he was their all. If their captain was caught, would they just sit idle?
And if those people were to come for him, Katakuri could openly take action. The outcome would be the same. Capone-Bege could see through such a trick at a glance.
"Katakuri, the two big pirates are currently in battle. You shouldn't waste time here with me. Your place is on the battlefield. Without your fighting prowess, Big Mom pirates will suffer heavy losses,"
Capone-Bege urged, trying to pressure Katakuri from this angle.
Indeed, this made Katakuri feel somewhat nervous and anxious. "Fine, hand over Brule, and you can all leave,"
Katakuri conceded, taking a step back.
Hearing this, Capone-Bege also breathed a sigh of relief and immediately released Brule from his body.
Brule, who had been tied up, appeared immediately in front of Katakuri, who quickly released her from her shackle.
"Brother, brother!" Brule immediately called out to Katakuri.
"It's alright, let's go back,"
Katakuri said calmly, his eyes soften a lot
"Brother, why don't you kill them? They betrayed mother!"
Brule said angrily, doesn't really understand why her big brother Katakuri would let Bege and his pirates crew go
As Katakuri glanced over, Capone Bege, a little nervously, said, "Uh, isn't it because Master Katakuri is still talking? I don't really care about you!"
After speaking, Capone-Bege transformed into his tank form and retreated on his own.
In the end, Katakuri didn't take any action against Capone-Bege. He was a man of his word.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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