"Let's go!"
With that, Katorose took a step, leading the way toward the center of the island.
He hadn't been out and about for a very, very long time, having stayed in Mary Geoise. He never expected such a powerful monster to appear on the sea before his death.
"Interesting, interesting."
Looking at the mountain in the center of the island, a trace of madness flashed in Katorose's ancient pupils.
His final moments were here, he might as well have some fun!
After CP0 and Kuzan followed Katorose into the island.
A thick fog, seemingly appearing from nowhere, suddenly enveloped the entire uninhabited island.
The space around the uninhabited island began to distort.
If viewed from a distance, or from above, the island at this moment seemed to have detached from the world, existing in another dimension.
Before long, as the mist surrounding the island dissipated and the space around it returned to normal.
The island had completely transformed. It was now covered with buildings, and the streets between them were filled with people.
These people, just like ordinary civilians, included the elderly, children, women, and men.
Shouts, cries, laughter, scolding...
Countless voices merged, suddenly filling the entire island with a bustling, urban atmosphere.
In an ordinary tavern in the center of the island.
Katorose had completely changed his appearance.
He sat behind the bar counter, his eyes having returned to their normal color, and the arrogant aura of superiority he once possessed had vanished. If someone were to say he was a Celestial Dragon now, no one would believe them, even if they were beaten to death.
He now looked like nothing more than an ordinary tavern owner.
The tavern was not yet open, and only the five members of CP0 and Kuzan were inside.
They stared at Katorose, who had conjured a town from nothing, and were all stunned by his abilities.
Kuzan's red eyes faded. He withdrew his gaze and sat down on a nearby chair, shifting his weight.
*Creak, creak!!*
The chair let out a mournful groan under the strain.
"It's all real."
He looked up at the faintly glowing lamp above his head, his eyes filled with surprise.
He had just used his Kenbunshoku Haki to sense the island's aura and found that the people there were indeed real.
If he hadn't personally witnessed Katorose create this town and these people out of thin air, he would never have known that these people and buildings were actually illusions.
"Truly remarkable!"
The only explanation he could think of was the awakening of a Devil Fruit ability. Only after awakening a Devil Fruit could one affect the surrounding space and terrain.
He lowered his head, his gaze falling on Katorose, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"It's not truly created from nothing, but rather an influence on the surrounding space, affecting their real perception, even their minds."
Such a wide-ranging influence was incredibly monstrous. He deserved to be the World Government's secret weapon.
He considered his own Kenbunshoku Haki to be at the pinnacle of the world. While he might not have any special abilities, there were certainly very few people whose Kenbunshoku Haki surpassed his. Even he couldn't sense it, so he believed very few people in this world could.
So... could Silver Hair sense it? In his heart, the answer was a definite no. Although he hadn't fought Silver Hair before, he couldn't believe that such a young person could have superior Kenbunshoku Haki.
"A pity!"
Frankly, he admired the Silver Hair Pirate Crew's methods. He didn't dislike pirate crews that pursued adventure. With Katorose's vast illusionary power that could influence minds and space, combined with CP0 and himself, if Silver Hair had no other trump cards, he might very well be buried here this time.
He shook his head, dispelling his thoughts, and asked Katorose, "Your Excellency Katorose, what about us?"
"You."
Katorose looked up, his pupils instantly turning orange-yellow as he stared at Kuzan. His gaze calmly swept over Kuzan and the five CP0 members. The space around them twisted, and their appearances were covered by a silhouette, instantly transforming them into ordinary people.
"How magical."
Kuzan looked down at the shop employee attire he was now wearing, and Vivi blinked in surprise. From his perspective, he had indeed become someone else, even his height had changed. However, his inherent strength remained. If he couldn't even sense his own transformation, how could outsiders? As long as he didn't reveal the slightest bit of his aura, he was confident no one would recognize him.
"Alright."
Katorose's eyes returned to their black and white colors. He leaned back, settling into the chair with great ease. Then, from somewhere, he produced a pipe, put it in his mouth, and began to smoke.
The five CP0 members entered the kitchen. They were now the chefs and assistants of this establishment. Kuzan, meanwhile, walked to the door and pulled it open. The moment the door opened, the boisterous noise from outside flooded in, momentarily stunning Kuzan, who stood at the entrance.
Just then, a burly young man, leading a few subordinates, arrogantly strode past Kuzan. They entered the tavern and walked directly towards the bar counter, shouting as they went, "Old man, why are you opening so late today? You made us wait outside for ages."
*Bang—!*
With that, he reached the bar counter, slammed his hands on it, leaned forward, and stared fiercely at Katorose, "Old man, how should we handle this? And! You should pay the protection fee for this month, shouldn't you!"
Katorose put down his pipe, slowly took a stack of Berries from under the counter, and tossed it to the burly man. He then picked up his pipe, took a puff, and said slowly, "Counted. This is this month's protection fee. As for opening late today and making you wait, my apologies!" Katorose paused, then added, "I'll waive your drinks for today then!"
"Haha!!"
The burly man took the money, tossed it in his hand without counting, and tucked it into his pocket. He then turned with his subordinates and sat at a round table outside the bar counter, before shouting at Kuzan, who was still standing at the door, "Are you new here? Hurry up and serve the drinks."
"Oh..."
Kuzan came back to his senses. He scanned these people with his eyes, his expression filled with seriousness. "These guys must not be illusions. This is souls, true souls." He didn't believe illusions could reach this level. The island, which he had sensed to have thousands of people, if they were all as lifelike as this group, how strong would this old man's Devil Fruit ability and mind have to be? Therefore, he didn't believe these people were illusions. If not illusions, then they could only be souls.
"Then this town..."
Kuzan looked up and met Katorose's cold gaze. He already knew the answer.
"The World Government..."
He quickly averted his gaze, turned, and headed towards the kitchen to have the CP0 members serve the dishes and drinks. He hoped he was overthinking things. To retain so many souls, how many people would have to be killed! He knew that souls had strength. Although he didn't understand this knowledge, he knew that ordinary people who died couldn't leave souls behind. Only those with strong resentment and firm will, at the moment of death, could allow someone to use a Devil Fruit ability to leave their souls behind.
Katorose watched Kuzan's retreating back, the coldness in his eyes quickly receding. He smoked his pipe, resuming the harmless appearance of a tavern owner.