Chapter 186 Vinegar-Flavored Glutinous Rice Balls
After receiving guidance from Violet and the promise that "you can come to me anytime if you have any questions," Katakuri was like a desert plant that had been parched for a long time suddenly seeing rain, and began to frantically absorb all kinds of knowledge and combat experience.
On this vast ocean, teachers like Long or Violet, who are so selfless and adapt their teaching methods to their students, are extremely rare. Most so-called "teachers" are far inferior even to John and Lox, who appeared as ghosts in Violet's dreams; they lack both teaching experience and the ability to guide others.
Katakuri knew that this kind of teaching was unsustainable. He didn't know when Violet would leave Beehive Island, so he needed to seize this hard-won opportunity to absorb as much as possible to become stronger.
Vera was a little moved. She began to understand why John and Lox, who clearly weren't cut out to be teachers, were still willing to teach her after she was freed from the constraints of "sisterly affection" in the game.
It's really hard not to spoil a studious and talented student!
Sheathed her ordinary iron short sword and reached out towards Katakuri, whom she had just knocked down.
Katakuri, who was pondering the move of Violet's final attack and how he could dodge it next time, paused for a moment, tilted his head slightly in confusion, but still wiped his hands on his clothes and then took Violet's hand and stood up.
"You've worked hard. I made pumpkin cookies. Would you like some before you go?"
Katakuri, who had already bothered Vil for most of the day under the pretext of seeking her advice, felt a little embarrassed, but the desserts Vil made were so delicious that just thinking about the taste of those delicious cookies and candies made his mouth water.
At this age, Katakuri couldn't control his cravings for sweets very well, otherwise he wouldn't have torn his mouth open because he was too excited while eating a donut.
Katakuri, covered in dust from a fight, entered the room behind Violet, whose clothes were still relatively intact. After washing his hands and sitting down, he glanced at Violet, who was carrying a plate, then clapped his hands after a moment's thought and displayed his latest invention: donuts made using the Mochi Mochi Fruit.
When Vera returned, she was stunned for a second when she saw the various donuts that had recently appeared on the table. However, having been invited to several enjoyable afternoon teas with Katakuri in the future, Vera quickly understood where those little things came from.
"Did you make this?" Vera asked with delight, naturally picking up a piece and putting it in her mouth. "Hmm? It tastes pretty good!"
She had initially thought that Katakuri, at his age, hadn't fully mastered his Devil Fruit ability and that his donuts wouldn't taste very good. Now, however, while they were indeed somewhat different from the ones he made later, they were still quite delicious.
That's probably what talent is.
With Katakuri looking on expectantly, Violet obligingly finished the donut in her hand and then took a new flavor: "Delicious!"
"I'm glad you're happy, Violet. Actually, I..."
"Vell, do you still have any money?!"
With a bang, Shanks pushed open the door and, without any regard for being an outsider, stepped inside: "Could you lend me some more...?"
"Huh?"
Shanks casually raised his hand and caught something flying towards his face. After opening his hand again, he looked at the sticky white object in his palm: "This is... mochi?"
He turned his head in confusion towards the direction the attack had come from, only to see Vera calmly sitting in her seat eating a donut, and then suddenly standing up, looking at him warily...
"Katakuri?"
Although Shanks had never seen Katakuri without his scarf, there weren't many people of that age on Beehive Island at this time of year, and with his hair color and expression, Shanks easily guessed his identity.
Katakuri: ?
Katakuri was confused. He didn't understand how he could suddenly find everyone calling him by name when he was just eating donuts and exercising on the island as usual.
Is he that famous?
What are you doing here?
“I ran into her by chance, and then I realized that Lingling hadn’t taught her child anything at all.” Vera shrugged. “Since I was just killing time anyway, I might as well be a teacher.”
"Teacher? I didn't know you had this hobby."
Shanks and Katakuri weren't very close. The only times they met were when they were fighting over Whole Cake Island's territory or when Whole Cake Island's people stormed into the Red-Haired Pirates' territory to provoke them. In any case, they didn't get along well.
Of course, Shanks wouldn't do anything to Katakuri, who was clearly still a kid, over something like this. He was just a little surprised that Violet and Katakuri had such a good relationship.
It seems there's more to the story behind that bride-kicking incident.
Katakuri watched Shanks approach Vale with a wary and repulsive expression, like a small beast whose territory had been invaded.
Although neither Violet nor Shanks are the type to bully others for no reason, and they are generally very approachable when not in combat, Katakuri is, after all, Charlotte Linlin's child, and before the establishment of Whole Cake Island, he often accompanied Linlin on expeditions. Even with the dual protection of the Homies and Linlin's extraordinary martial prowess, he has still seen many powerful individuals up close.
His intuition told him that this red-haired man was a strong person who was no less capable than his mother.
Katakuri couldn't help but move a little closer to Violet, tilting his head up to look at her.
Violet muttered, "Didn't I just give you this a few days ago? How come you've already spent it all? I hope I don't see you in the legal section of the newspaper about the dangers of gambling in a couple of days," and tossed a whole unmelted piece of gold directly to Shanks.
In Violet's view, Shanks is now like a character she has brought in to help in a small dungeon. So, before leaving the dungeon, it is only natural that she should provide Shanks with the red and blue potions, various items, and gold coins he needs.
Katakuri was quite shocked to see Val toss such a large and pure gold nugget directly to Shanks.
In that instant, Katakuri inexplicably felt that Val was radiating a golden light even more dazzling than Shiki and Newgate.
Shanks flicked the gold nugget with his finger, and even the Four Emperors were astonished by Violet's extravagance.
Is selling agricultural products really that profitable?
Ah, if only Beckman were this generous when giving the captain pocket money.
"Why did you suddenly come back?" Vera asked, then listened warily. "You didn't get kicked out somewhere for owing money, did you?"
"...What kind of image do you have of me?" Shanks was speechless. "The ship... Roger is gone."
"I heard that Roger and Rayleigh had a fight before he left." It's likely that First Mate Rayleigh and Shakky had already exchanged feelings, and Captain Roger finally realized that he had no chance.
Katakuri quietly pricked up his ears.
Vale handed Shanks a pumpkin cookie: "Look at you, Shanks, do you know what you look like right now?"
Shanks sat down next to Violet, and naturally bent down to eat the cookie from her outstretched hand: "What does it look like?"
Valerie rested her chin on her hand, waved a new cookie in front of Shanks, and before he could open his mouth again, she shoved it into her own mouth.
"Like a poor little dog abandoned outside on a rainy day."
Shanks paused for a moment.
"Don't you already have your own ship, your own crew, and your own adventure stories?" Violet glanced at him. "Or are you planning to stay here permanently, join the Roger Pirates, and adventure with them to 'make up for' your regrets?"
Shanks raised his hand and touched his face: "Was my depressed expression that obvious?"
Violet nodded heavily.
"I might have been a little affected, after all, they are old friends I haven't seen in a long time," Shanks said with emotion. "But you're right, I still have my own companions and my own adventure stories, so it's impossible for me to stay here forever."
To have the chance to meet up with my old friends from the Roger Pirates again, to treat them to drinks from dusk till dawn, until even the most rational and composed vice-captain Rayleigh passed out drunk...
For Shanks, this was already a satisfactory and fulfilling "farewell." He really didn't need to create any more complications and make what could have been a clean and straightforward ending drag on and become annoying.
Katakuri, who had been listening silently from the sidelines, lowered his eyes slightly. He could only be a listener to the conversation between Val and Shanks, unable to get a word in edgewise.
Between the two of them lay a past he was unaware of, a story he had never been a part of. After a relatively short period of mentorship, Val had become the person Katakuri respected and was most grateful to. This was the first time he had felt such intense and passionate feelings for someone other than his family; the admiration and respect he felt for her was comparable to that he felt for his birth mother, Charlotte Linlin.
However, this seems to be completely different from that kind of feeling?
Katakuri wasn't quite sure, but looking at Shanks chatting and laughing with Violet, he suddenly felt a sense of resentment.
He is still too weak and too young.
If he were stronger and older, he could have built his own fleet, taken his brothers and sisters and Violet on adventures, and protected his family, and even... Violet.
In time, he will also have a tacit understanding with Vera that will remain unknown to outsiders, a tacit understanding that allows them to exchange knowing smiles, instead of just sitting here silently as a spectator as they are now.
"Um?"
Shanks raised his eyelids and glanced at Katakuri, then, seeing the glint of ambition in Katakuri's eyes, he couldn't help but lower his head and chuckle quietly.
"I have something to discuss with you, Violet, about our next move."
Violet understood; it seemed Shanks had a new idea for how to clear this dungeon.
"Katakuri, would you like to pack some of these cookies to take home?"
Is this... preparing for a private conversation?
Suppressing his strange feelings, Katakuri immediately understood and stood up. After sincerely thanking Violet for her guidance and the cookies, he politely said goodbye and left, seemingly no different from the previous times.
After seeing Katakuri off, Val noticed that Shanks' gaze was still fixed on the door.
"You and Katakuri are close?"
Wait a minute, Violet suddenly realized a problem she had been ignoring all along.
Shanks stated that he wasn't even born at this point in time, yet Katakuri had already eaten a Devil Fruit. So, is Katakuri actually older than him?!
...How amazing. Perhaps it's because Shanks and Linlin are known as the Four Emperors, she always unconsciously groups Shanks with the other three. In reality, Shanks is quite a junior compared to them.
In fact, besides Shanks, there was another Yonko that surprised Violet quite.
Kaido, that guy, not only didn't eat his Azure Dragon Fruit at this point in time, but he also has great respect for Mr. Newgate.
When Violet went to Shakky's extortion bar to join in the fun, she happened to see the Rocks Pirates and Roger Pirates fighting. While enjoying the spectacle, she also unexpectedly bumped into Kaido, who looked young and had a strong air of naivety.
That guy is surprisingly young.
Shanks: ?
Shanks, who was eating a cookie, touched his face in confusion: "Why are you looking at me like that all of a sudden?"
"Ahem! It's nothing." She couldn't very well say that she had mistakenly thought Shanks was a senior, could she? That guy would definitely use that as an excuse to bring up the matter of making her "accept the bet" and call him "brother."
"Tell me, what is it about our next move?"
When it came to serious matters, Shanks seriously put down the biscuits in his hand.
Do you know about the God Valley Incident?
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Author's Note: Think of it this way, Katakuri, you're the only one who experienced both sibling romance and older woman/younger man romance. [doge][doge]
Moreover, there are so many teachers like Vera, but there are no seasonal disciples like Vera. You have already set out on your own path!
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