Chapter 185 Little Rice Ball (12,000 words)
It's really hard to say exactly how much alcohol pirates can drink.
Gold was more valuable in this era than it was in Violet's time; that bag of gold coins was enough to buy out the entire stock of this little tavern.
After briefly thanking Violet for her generosity, the pirates began clinking glasses and drinking without any hesitation. Shanks didn't stop the now-adult Violet from drinking this time. Although Violet could practically drink endlessly thanks to her various foods that could remove negative status effects, making all the pirates at the table cry for their mothers, she herself didn't particularly like the taste of alcohol.
So after drinking until her sanity and health started to drop, Violet left the space to the three people to catch up... well, or perhaps look to the future? She left the tavern alone and sat by the door, leaning against the wall in a daze.
There are so few people; everyone seems to have been drawn away by Ms. Shaki's tavern.
Slightly tipsy, Vera's sense of time became blurred, and she only groggily opened her eyes when she heard a noisy commotion.
"Don't come any closer, monster! You catfish-mouthed monster, stay away from me!"
"Ahhh, the catfish-mouthed monster is coming to eat us! Help!"
"Stop him! Stop him! As long as we work together, everything will be alright!"
The sound of a child? Why are there children on Beehive Island?
If it were two adult pirates arguing, Violet wouldn't even bother to lift her eyelids, but when it came to a few children arguing and even showing signs of fighting... Violet couldn't help but recall the scene when Luo Xiaoxiao drifted to R'lyeh, so she shook her head to clear her mind a little and walked towards the direction from which the sound came.
The guy who was given the unpleasant nickname "Catfish Mouth" was either bad at talking or intimidated by the other side's imposing manner; at least, Violet didn't hear him utter a single word of rebuttal as she rushed over.
Until a series of clanging and clattering sounds of battle rang out, Violet clicked her tongue in annoyance and quickened her pace to the ruins of a building left behind by someone in a fight.
When Vera arrived, she saw a little boy with amaranth-red hair wielding a weapon and beating up all the other kids.
Wait a minute, amaranth-red hair?
The rather rare hair color made Vera pause for a moment, and the little boy who had single-handedly killed a group of people turned around at that moment.
"K-Katakuri?"
Completely unaware that someone was approaching from behind, Katakuri gripped his weapon and looked at Violet warily: "Who are you?"
Those familiar sharp canine teeth and the sutures on both sides of his cheeks—this little boy really is Katakuri?
It's surprising that Katakuri had sutures on his face at such a young age. If you count the time, Katakuri is probably not even ten years old yet. At this time, he hadn't yet worn that iconic scarf like he would later, but his superior height inherited from Big Mom was already evident.
Seeing that Violet did not answer him, Katakuri lowered his brows and became even more wary.
Although he is Charlotte Linlin's child, his mother returned to Whole Cake Island to give birth, leaving only her children, Perospero, Katakuri, and Owen, on Beehive Island.
In this pirate paradise, even children learn early on to use their fists to confirm their status time and time again.
Katakuri didn't care about the nickname those people gave him; it was just a bunch of losers trying to comfort themselves after failing to face reality. He chose to beat them up not because he disliked the nickname, but because their act of giving him a nickname and gathering together to try to rebel against him made Katakuri instinctively feel provoked.
As one of the higher-ranking children, Katakuri was born before Big Mom had conquered Whole Cake Island. He and his brothers could truly be said to have been born and raised on a pirate ship.
Although as Linlin's child, his safety and living conditions are considered top-notch among pirates, and he is still old enough to evoke Linlin's maternal love, he still regards the words "survival of the fittest" and "winner takes all" as the truth of the world.
Because he is stronger, Katakuri can disregard the ridiculous nicknames given to him by the losers; because he is stronger, Katakuri can beat those people up whenever he wants.
But now, since Violet can appear behind him without him noticing, there is no doubt that Violet occupies the position of "stronger" between the two of them.
With his mother not on Beehive Island, Katakuri was worried that his mother's name might scare this guy away.
"Me? You can just call me Vera."
The more Violet looked at Katakuri, who still had a bit of baby fat, the more interesting she found him. By the time she met him, Katakuri had already evolved into a reliable older brother who never showed his emotions. The only time he would show a satisfied and relaxed expression while eating donuts was in the mochi shop.
Seeing the miniature Katakuri so openly displaying wariness and anxiety in front of him, it's hard for Violet not to imagine what it would be like for a ferocious beast that has become a silent killer in the jungle to suddenly shrink and wave its pink claws in front of you.
“Vell…” Katakuri recalled the name, his expression turning even uglier.
He knew the name; a new member of his mother's Rocks Pirates crew, a guy who did whatever he wanted.
Why did she come to find him? Was it just a chance encounter or did she have ulterior motives? Could she hurt her other brothers and sisters...?
"Katakuri, are they bullying you?"
Katakuri: "..."
Katakuri gave Violet a strange look. Even someone as unreasonable as him couldn't bring himself to say that they had bullied him when he saw the corpses lying all over the ground.
"Haha, don't worry about the details. This isn't a courtroom where both sides have to present evidence and arguments." Vera waved her hand casually. "But I thought you would just take care of them directly."
"...They're just foul-mouthed." The implication was that it wasn't necessary to escalate to the point of causing death.
"So, would you like some ice cream?"
Katakuri: ?
Although he had long heard that Violet was a very independent person who did things based solely on her mood, Katakuri still showed genuine confusion when he saw Violet pull out ice cream from who-knows-where.
Isn't this topic jumping around a bit too fast?
Violet: "Are you going to finish them off?"
Katakuri: "No."
Vera: "So you're planning to recruit them as your subordinates?"
Katakuri: "No..."
Vera nodded in confirmation: "Is there anything else you need to do now?"
Katakuri: "No, no, wait."
Violet held out the ice cream in her hand to Katakuri: "So, the most important thing now is to eat this bowl of ice cream quickly, otherwise you'll just have to watch it melt."
It is indeed a very cruel thing to make a dessert enthusiast watch a bowl of delicious ice cream melt right in front of them.
But Katakuri did not lose his vigilance.
"Why...why did you treat me to ice cream?" Katakuri paused, guessing a possible answer, "You...have a good relationship with Mom?"
“Lingling, our relationship… I attended the same wedding as her.”
"I see." Katakuri naturally equated Violet's "attending the same wedding" with "attending Linlin's wedding."
The two walked to a slightly flatter spot and sat down. Violet handed Violet the ice cream she was holding.
Katakuri, who had just received the ice cream, wanted to ask a few more questions, but Violet's bright and expectant expression was too intense. He opened his mouth, then suddenly lowered his head, grabbed the spoon, and stuffed a big mouthful of ice cream into his mouth to cool down.
Vera: "How is it? Is it delicious? Is it delicious?"
Katakuri: "...Delicious."
It was so delicious that even though Violet's character and the timing of her appearance were quite suspicious, he couldn't help but take another bite under her encouraging gaze.
"Are you living alone on Beehive Island? Where is Perospero now? What about Owen and Dafu? And Cracker Smoothie?"
Katakuri: "..."
How would she know so much? Is she and her mother that close? No, given her mother's personality, she wouldn't introduce her children so clearly to the people on the ship.
"Who exactly are you?"
“Me?” Violet thought for a moment. “I guess I’m a traveler who has wandered into this place by mistake.”
"Don't be nervous, I'm here. I have nothing to do with Linlin or your brothers and sisters." Violet looked at Katakuri with a grin. "I'm here to see you, Katakuri."
"There's nothing important or serious going on, we just sit together, enjoy the breeze, and eat something nice together."
It's really strange. Katakuri believes that apart from the title of "Linlin's Son," he has nothing that would make such a strong person pay attention to him. But it seems that there is no point in her lying to him. So, is Violet really just here to sit with him?
It's unbelievable, but...
Katakuri, who hadn't yet mastered the ability to manage his future expressions, quickly took another bite of ice cream to hide his happy mood.
"Katakuri, what do you usually do on Beehive Island? Do you train hard? Katakuri, what did you eat when you were little? How come you're so tall at this age? Katakuri, you..."
While eating his ice cream, Katakuri slowly answered all of Violet's strange questions.
Once Violet was finally free of problems, Katakuri opened his mouth, looked up at Violet, and found her tilting her head back with her eyes closed, enjoying the feeling of the wind blowing in her face.
Black strands of hair brushed gently against her cheek, and Katakuri keenly detected a faint scent of sake in the air.
Was she drunk?
Katakuri held the ice cream bowl, his mind wandering, the sound of the wind and Violet's breathing echoing in his ears.
So quiet, so... sleepy.
Katakuri blinked hard.
“Speaking of which…” Violet said with her eyes closed, “those guys seem to have woken up.”
woke up?
Katakuri turned to look at the group of defeated men still lying on the ground, unable to tell from their condition whether they were awake or unconscious.
Such a clear difference in strength made Katakuri reluctantly clench his fist.
"How...how did you know?"
"Hey, don't you know about Observation Haki?"
"Observation Haki?"
Vera: "...Didn't Lingling teach you guys Observation Haki, Armament Haki, Conqueror's Haki, and stuff like that?"
“No.” Katakuri shook his head firmly, then looked at Violet. “Can you teach me?”
Wow! Katakuri has been smart since he was little! This is malicious cuteness, absolutely malicious cuteness!
Violet raised her hand to cover her nose, looking like she couldn't stand it, while Katakuri tilted his head in confusion, causing Violet's health bar to be further depleted.
"Okay, okay, I mean no problem."
Violet coughed lightly, recalling what Dragon had told her: "Simply put, Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki are the so-called three types of Haki. And Observation Haki..."
That was precious knowledge that Katakuri would have a hard time obtaining in his current state. Linlin might protect her children out of maternal love when it was convenient, or search for Devil Fruits for them in order to establish a harmonious coexistence among all races in the Whole Cake Island, but she would never teach them this knowledge like a teacher.
"...That's roughly the theory, but just like Devil Fruit abilities, the most important thing to master Haki is constant practical training."
But Violet thought Katakuri didn't need to worry about that. Beehive Island had everything, but it didn't lack opponents.
Katakuri paused, then nodded seriously: "I've got it."
"If you have any questions, you can come find me here while I'm on Beehive Island."
Katakuri memorized the address Violet had given him, then looked at her solemnly and said, "Thank you, Violet. This knowledge... is very important to me."
With the birth of his younger siblings, Katakuri felt an increasing urgency to improve his strength.
On Beehive Island, Lingling's children are sometimes a talisman, and sometimes a death knell. With their mother away from Beehive Island for extended periods, these older brothers must grow up quickly to protect their family.
"Hmm... Is thanking someone just something you say?"
"Actually, I have a small request, and I hope Katakuri will grant it."
Katakuri paused for a moment: "...No, no need to make requests. Please feel free to say anything as long as it doesn't involve harming my family."
Oh my, how cute! It's a plain, white-cut Katakuri.
With a smile, Violet took out the photo dennis: "It's nothing difficult, just cooperate with me to pose for a few photos together."
Katakuri glanced at the very high-end and expensive Den Den Mushi in Violet's hand, and nodded seriously: "No problem."
...
"Why are you clenching your fist next to your face and making a 'meow' sound?" Katakuri asked, "Isn't that a little strange?"
Looking at Katakuri, who was completely bewildered, the evil photographer, Violet, cursed inwardly that these actions were really out of character on Katakuri, while wiping the suspicious red mark on her nose and continuing to direct Katakuri to make cute cat gestures.
"This is art, art! Hmm, lower your head a little more, look up, yes, that blank expression..."
Katakuri: "..."
Okay, fine.
...
"Goodbye Katakuri!"
Having successfully taken dozens of photos that would make Katakuri blush so much he'd want to disappear into the ground, Violet bid farewell to Katakuri with satisfaction in the twilight of the setting sun.
The two left the ruins in opposite directions. Those cannon fodder who had long since awoke from their unconsciousness and been beaten up by Katakuri finally dared to raise their heads. They carefully looked around to confirm that Wilkes and Katakuri had indeed left, before grimacing and getting up from the ground.
"I never expected that despicable catfish-mouthed monster would have companions!"
"That's so despicable! That guy actually ambushed us. If he hadn't attacked us while we were discussing tactics, we would have beaten him down and taught him a lesson so he would understand that even Charlotte can't do whatever she wants on Beehive Island."
"Will we have to go up against Katakuri again? He seems to have a good relationship with that woman named Violet."
"Yes, yes, and that Violet is very strong, right? She seems to be a full-fledged member of the Rocks Pirates."
After these two men showed signs of backing down, the mob fell silent for a moment.
As official members of the Rocks Pirates, they were synonymous with power, terror, and cruelty in their minds. Perhaps they occasionally fantasized that one day Rocks would see their "unappreciated talents" and invite them to join the Rocks Pirates, but fantasies are just fantasies. Once they experienced the sensation and fear-awe caused by the massive Sword of Gybeck landing, they would understand that the difference between them was like divine retribution.
"As pirates, is your first thought when faced with a challenge to back down?!" The man who seemed to be a leader glared at everyone. "If that's the case, wouldn't it be safer to just stay at sea and be a fisherman for the rest of your lives?!"
"We go to sea to gain a higher status, to seize more money and more women, right?!" He deliberately ignored the momentary fear he himself felt towards Vera, and angrily berated his underlings, "Do you think you can get all this by just cowering in fear?"
"Lord Shakky's arrival on Beehive Island is an opportunity. Because of her, most of the world's powerful pirate crews have come. If we can seize this opportunity and make a name for ourselves, we might be able to join the Rocks Pirates or the Roger Pirates and become a great pirate feared by everyone!"
"Then, countless gold, jewels, and women will all be ours!"
Clearly, with Linlin temporarily away from Beehive Island, teaching the "children of the great pirate Linlin" a lesson was the most opportune moment for him to make a name for himself.
If this is accomplished, people won't delve into the fact that the "children of the great pirate Linlin" are children who are not even ten years old. They will only think that they have courage and pirate-like madness, and are talents worth recruiting.
As for Lingling's possible retaliation later... well, they'll already be at sea by then. The New World is so vast, Lingling won't be able to find them anyway. Besides, given how fast Lingling gives birth, it's hard to say how much affection she actually has for her children, or whether she'll waste time on such a "trivial matter."
"We're just teaching that arrogant brat a lesson!"
"That's true. They're all sons of pirates, so what's a little injury... But judging from what they just said, Katakuri will probably be training that thing called Observation Haki and Armament Haki for a while. How do we get him to come out?"
After being defeated by Katakuri alone, even if they challenged Katakuri to a duel, he probably wouldn't be interested anymore.
“It’s simple. There’s more than just Katakuri on Beehive Island. Judging from how much he values his so-called family, if we capture one of his brothers or sisters, Katakuri will definitely come to keep his appointment.”
"And you can also use this method to threaten Katakuri, making him hesitant to use his full strength, and ultimately leaving him no choice but to let you defeat him, right?"
"That's right, that's it... Wait, who are you?"
That was a woman's voice? He didn't remember when a woman had joined their small group!
The group, who were secretly discussing how to deal with Katakuri, turned around in alarm and saw Violet staring at them with a smile.
"Sorry, sorry, I was just curious and overheard a bit." Violet took a few steps closer to them amidst their horrified gazes, then gestured for them to continue. "About you, about your plan to defeat Katakuri, I'm really curious..."
"Why are you so determined to defeat Katakuri? Who do you want to capture to threaten him?"
Although Violet acted as if she was just having a casual chat with them, the group was still hesitant to treat her questions as mere "casual conversation" given their close proximity to a powerful figure.
"Because, because he ate a Devil Fruit, everyone knows he ate a Devil Fruit. Defeating Charlotte, who ate a Devil Fruit, will make it easier for us to make a name for ourselves."
“I see.” Vera nodded. “And the second question?”
The group exchanged glances: "We haven't quite decided yet, it should be one of Katakuri's other younger siblings?"
"You guys are very cautious," Vera commented with a smile. "You have clear goals and ruthless methods, willing to use all sorts of underhanded tricks and dirty tricks to achieve your objectives..."
"Although you don't have an official name yet, you've already mastered the cunning and treachery of pirates to perfection."
Hearing the certainty in Vera's words, the group's eyes lit up: "Sir, you mean..."
What does she mean?
Violet smiled and drew her Shadow Sword.
"Don't be afraid, it's normal to feel pain," she said perfunctorily. "But I believe it's nothing to you."
"After all, you guys... are pirates."
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Author's Note: After reading the latest information, Shanks looks so handsome in his God Pack outfit! [doge emoji] And Shanks, your acting is so good!
After reviewing the outline, it seems we'll be nearing the end after God Valley. Currently, the main characters I'm considering for spin-offs are Shanks, Law, and Katakuri.
Whether Rosinandi and Jhin will be added depends on the situation [shy]
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