Surrounded by so many people, Katakuri remained calm and composed, showing no trace of fear. He stood there with arms crossed, completely at ease.
"You're Katakuri, one of the Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates? Why are you here?" Bins stared at him in astonishment.
"How could a Sweet Commander from the Big Mom Pirates show up here? Don't tell me the Big Mom Pirates are launching an attack?" Hearing Bins' words, the pirates who had just joined the Kingdom of Joromia began to panic.
"Idiots. If the Big Mom Pirates were attacking, would it still be this quiet? Get out of here. All of you, out now."
A domineering aura burst forth from Rosinante, crashing down on everyone like a tidal wave.
"Y-yes, sir!" The pirates, sweating profusely under the pressure of his Conqueror's Haki, scurried out one by one, leaving only the five officers: Jack and the others.
"I suggest you take your people and leave the New World as soon as possible. With this disorganized bunch, you won't stand a chance against Mama. Right now, the New World is in turmoil. Countless newcomers are rising to challenge Mama's position. She has no time to deal with matters beyond the New World. As long as you leave this place, Mama won't be able to get to you—at least for now," Katakuri said calmly.
"Calling us a disorganized bunch? That's quite the insult," Hemmie said coldly, glaring at Katakuri.
"I can't pretend I didn't hear that," Jack added with a frosty tone.
The group all stared darkly at Katakuri, as if ready to pounce on him the moment he failed to explain himself properly.
"They are a disorganized bunch—it's not an unfair assessment. But how much better is the Big Mom Pirates, really? In the end, we're all pirates. The pot shouldn't be calling the kettle black." Rosinante raised a hand to stop Jack and the others from acting rashly.
He understood that although these pirates were currently under his control, without proper training they couldn't truly become a force. Most of them were captains in their own right—individualistic and headstrong by nature. It wouldn't be easy to change their ways overnight.
Still, Rosinante had made up his mind. From now on, these men would receive formal military training. They were no longer pirate captains—they were soldiers of the Bloodsworn Royal Guard.
If he called them a royal guard, they'd better look and act like one. Otherwise, people would just laugh at him. That was exactly why Rosinante had given a Devil Fruit to Bince—so that he would have the power to keep these pirates in check. Without that, Rosinante wouldn't even be able to manage Bince, let alone train the others.
"Mama's power is beyond your imagination. You cannot defy her—not even with all these people behind you," Katakuri said seriously.
In truth, he hadn't expected Rosinante to have gathered such a formidable force.
Raelmana the Detonator, Jack the Mammoth, Crazy Axe Burs, Bartley the One-Eyed Wolf, Hemmie the Bloodsword—each of these men was a known name in the chaos of the New World. And now they all stood under Rosinante's command. Including Rosinante himself, this was no small force.
"Judging by your tone, you seem quite worried I might head to Totto Land. What's wrong? Are you planning to defy Big Mom's orders?" Rosinante smirked.
"I just don't want our younger siblings to fall under your control," Katakuri replied, his face darkening.
He had a feeling that one day Rosinante's power would surpass even Mama's. If that day came and no method had been found to counter the Silent Seal, then Rosinante would become a catastrophe for Totto Land.
So even before coming here, Katakuri had resolved to prevent Rosinante from heading to Totto Land at all costs.
"Sure, Totto Land is dangerous—but the potential rewards are even greater. And when everyone treats me like clay to be molded, do you really think I'll just tuck tail and run from the New World?" Rosinante sneered.
Hearing this, Katakuri furrowed his brows, his expression turning gloomier.
"How about this—we strike a deal. If you don't want me going to Totto Land, fine. Then you have to join us. If we don't go, you'll have a hard time explaining that to your mother anyway. So why not use this opportunity to officially switch sides? That way, your siblings won't have to worry about being marked with the Silent Seal." Rosinante's voice was slow but firm.
Katakuri's face darkened, but he didn't immediately reject the idea.
Though he was the most capable of Big Mom's sons, that title only went so far. He had just been stripped of his Commander position by Big Mom herself. She was the kind of person who wouldn't hesitate to take the life of her own son if he disappointed or disobeyed her.
"Well, no need to rush your decision. Think it over—I'm not in a hurry," Rosinante said with a grin.
If he could recruit Katakuri, that would be a huge win.
"Your Majesty, bad news! Th-the Navy is here!" Just as Rosinante was happily envisioning his future, Felost burst in, visibly panicked.
"The Navy? Who is it?" Rosinante asked casually. As long as it wasn't a Marine Admiral, he wasn't too worried.
"It's Vice Admiral Garp from Navy Headquarters," Frost said.
At this, Rosinante's eyes bulged, and he nearly jumped out of his chair. Jack and the others looked equally horrified.
"You didn't see it wrong? That mad dog is here? What the hell does he want?" Rosinante asked in disbelief.
"No way I got it wrong! Vice Admiral Garp is a legendary figure in the Navy—we've all seen his face in the papers! And judging by what he said, it sounds like he's here to capture Your Majesty," Felost added, though his voice faltered at the end.
Rosinante was stunned into silence.
What did I ever do to deserve this? All I wanted was a place to quietly build up my own power. But first I attract Big Mom's attention, and now Garp shows up? Can a man catch a break? Rosinante wanted to cry.
"He really isn't going to let me live in peace, is he?" Rosinante muttered through gritted teeth.
"They're demanding we hand over the pirate Rosinante. They're stationed at the port, Your Majesty—you should escape while you still can!" Felost said urgently.
The name "Garp the Hero" carried enormous weight. The moment they realized he had come for Rosinante, everyone had been struck with fear.
At the port of the Kingdom of Joromia, three massive Navy warships were docked. A group of marines had disembarked and formed a defensive perimeter. Then, a dashing middle-aged man in a Vice Admiral's coat stepped forward with several naval officers in tow.
"So this is the Kingdom of Joromia? Doesn't look like it was recently ransacked by pirates," Garp said with a grin.
"Vice Admiral Garp, this is indeed the Kingdom of Joromia. According to our intel, it was recently looted by the Jack Pirates. Then Rosinante appeared, defeated Jack, and took the throne of this kingdom. But interestingly, he hasn't oppressed the citizens—in fact, he used the treasures stolen by the fleeing nobles to rebuild and improve the kingdom," Garp's adjutant reported.
"Oh? So Rosinante is in the royal palace now? And he's king of this place?" Garp frowned.
"Have we informed the kingdom's ministers yet?" Garp asked.
"We've sent word, but won't that just alert them and give Rosinante time to escape?" the adjutant replied.
"No problem. If he runs, it actually makes it easier to catch him. Technically, Rosinante's kingship hasn't been recognized by the World Government—but he has been accepted by the people. Arresting him inside his own kingdom might provoke resistance. And what are we going to do—shoot civilians?" Garp said.
"Understood, sir," the adjutant responded.