One Piece: Investing In Whitebeard At The Start.

The next morning, Katakuri and his five-person team arrived at the eastern coast of Dressrosa, where they waited.

Katakuri, Bree, Oven, Perospero, and Cracker—five in total. Two Sweet Commanders, four fighters. Bree's Mirror-Mirror Fruit could be used for retreat if necessary.

Of course, retreat was only a contingency. Katakuri had never once entertained the thought of fleeing. He had never suffered defeat in his entire record.

If the full might of the Charlotte family's elite couldn't suppress Vane and his group, they might as well give up their pride altogether.

Katakuri said coldly, "There are only two of them. That woman likely won't be of much use. The 50 million bounty is based on Vane's name. There's no mention of her abilities, so we can assume she's not a threat. The only one we need to worry about is Vane—a dual Devil Fruit user with two terrifying powers."

Oven muttered, "We should treat Vane like a freak—someone on the level of Whitebeard or Aokiji."

Cracker scoffed. "Maybe, but I don't believe he's as strong as Whitebeard. If he were, we wouldn't even stand a chance."

Katakuri nodded. "Bree handles the woman. Cracker, Perospero, and I will take on Vane. Oven, you release Smoothie. Once we're all in position, our combined strength will overwhelm him. I don't believe even Vane can resist that."

With such a lineup, even someone like Akainu would be forced to kneel.

Cracker smirked cruelly. "So, do we hand him over to the Navy, or capture him ourselves?"

Oven shrugged. "Let Big Mom decide."

Each of them had their own plans, but none of them expected what was coming.

Two hours later...

"Why haven't they arrived yet?"

Katakuri was sweating under the blazing sun. It was already one in the afternoon. They had agreed to meet at noon, but Vane and the others were nowhere to be seen. And it was summer—the heat soared past forty degrees.

There was no shade on the eastern coast, just brutal sun. Returning to the ship? Not an option.

Oven asked, "Should we call?"

Cracker growled in frustration. "Damn it, I feel like we've been played. Just look at his picture—he reeks of trouble. Not that I'm any better…"

Katakuri pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed.

Brr... brr...

The line rang for ten minutes. No answer.

"We've been fooled," Katakuri muttered darkly. "This was supposed to be an agreement between men."

An hour earlier...

Vane and Esdeath had already left. Kalifa remained at the hotel, guarding Smoothie.

Vane guessed that Katakuri and the others hadn't brought any Devil Fruits with them. He had thought it over last night—so many of them together probably meant they were planning to capture him.

They assumed Vane had only one ally, but they didn't know about Esdeath. After all, she was new here.

But that was a good thing.

Esdeath was a trump card. A woman, yes—but one with immense power. Cold-blooded, cruel, and ruthless. She wouldn't even blink while killing someone.

They stopped for lunch at a nearby restaurant before heading to the coast.

By one o'clock, Vane and Esdeath finally appeared on the horizon.

Katakuri's eyes narrowed. He remained calm, unlike the others who were growing impatient.

"There he is, finally!" Cracker stood up, cracking his knuckles, eager to test himself against Vane.

Oven frowned as he saw them walking closer. "Where's Smoothie?"

Katakuri raised his voice. "Vane! Where is Smoothie? You broke your word?"

His tone grew sharp.

Vane smiled. "Didn't bring any Devil Fruits with you?"

Esdeath added, "Smart choice."

Who was this woman? This wasn't the blonde they expected. Who was this blue-haired woman in a black suit?

Confusion spread through the Charlotte team.

Katakuri demanded, "What are you playing at? We have no quarrel with you. You captured my sister Smoothie. Even if we didn't bring any Devil Fruits, that doesn't justify this."

Esdeath replied coldly, "She tried to ambush us and steal our ship. So taking her was perfectly reasonable."

Then she glanced sideways at Vane. "These guys all look like clowns, don't you think?"

"Pretty much."

"You!" Oven clenched his fists. "You're asking for it!"

Katakuri raised his trident, pointing it at Vane. "So this fight is inevitable?"

Cracker cracked his knuckles again. "Been a while since I had a good scrap."

Oven sneered. "I wonder what'll happen if we hand this brat to Marine Headquarters?"

Vane smirked. "I wonder what'll happen if I capture you all and use you to threaten Big Mom?"

"You bastard!"

Perospero raised his candy staff. "Enough talk. Let's fight!"

Katakuri's eyes narrowed. "Watch out for that woman. I can feel it—she's strong."

Years of battle experience told him she was dangerous. Her presence alone carried weight.

Oven eyed her curiously. "A new recruit? Never seen a woman this pretty in our crew before."

Bree confirmed, "She's not in the bounty records. Definitely new."

Vane added, "Women in black suits aren't to be messed with."

Then Esdeath moved. With a single step forward, a jagged forest of ice spikes erupted from the ground. Each was taller than a man and razor-sharp.

"So close!"

Katakuri's face turned pale. They leapt out of the way just in time. Owen's leg was grazed, and Bree was shoved clear by Katakuri.

"What the hell? Ice?!"

Oven stared in disbelief. The freezing air poured out from the spikes—it was definitely ice.

Perospero's face darkened. "Yeah. It's ice. That's her ability."

Katakuri's brow furrowed. "What is going on? I thought Vane was the one with ice powers. Who is this woman?"

"Surprised?" Esdeath sneered. "Bunch of weaklings."

She moved again.

Above them, a massive ice sphere began forming in the air—like a meteor made of frozen death.

"What the—?!"

Katakuri's face twisted in shock.

"Move!"

The five dodged quickly. The sphere crashed into the earth with a thunderous impact, shattering the ice spikes and obliterating everything in its path.

---

100 Powerstones = 1 Bonus Chapter

200 Powerstones = 3 Bonus Chapters

Let's gooooo.