Chapter 354: A Woman’s Heart, The Wedding Begins
Cake Castle, Charlotte Pudding's Room:
"I'm sorry."
Pudding looked at Sanji with a guilty expression. "I had a feeling this would be the case, but when I saw the explosive cuffs on your wrists, I realized just how much you were against this marriage."
"It's not your fault, Miss Pudding."
Sanji waved his hand. "These were put on me by my so-called 'family.' But I'm not even angry about it. They've done far worse things to me in the past."
"Still, I want to apologize."
"Huh?"
"You have injuries under your clothes, don't you? Did you get them from fighting back?"
"I didn't have the courage to resist... So can I help treat your wounds?"
Sanji had fought battle after battle, defeating his father, his second brother, and his fourth brother. He might have looked invincible, but it was impossible for him to be completely unscathed.
Unlike Luffy and Zoro, who could just eat and sleep to recover, Sanji didn't have that kind of superhuman healing.
After all, the Straw Hat Crew consisted of a cyborg who could swap out parts, a Zoan-type with crazy regeneration, and even a skeleton who could heal by drinking milk... Sanji, on the other hand, was still human. Under his elegant suit, his body was covered in bruises.
"This… this is a bit embarrassing…"
"It's fine."
Pudding, her twin tails swaying, pulled out a first-aid kit, insisting on treating his wounds.
"Think of it as my way of making up for the trouble I caused you."
"Don't say that."
Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Sanji removed his suit, revealing his battered body.
"The one forcing this marriage is my 'father,' Vinsmoke Judge, and your mother, BIG MOM. This has nothing to do with you. If anything, you're just as much a victim as I am."
"I envy you, Sanji."
As the alcohol stung his wounds, he heard her sigh behind him.
"In Totto Land, we 'princesses' have our marriages decided for us the moment we're born. Mama only sees marriage as a political tool. Almost no one dares to go against her. One of my sisters did… she ran away from home because she refused to marry who Mama chose for her."
"Looks like neither of us had great childhoods."
"Now that I think about it, calling it a 'home' is a joke. To me, it's just hell."
For once, Sanji wasn't acting like a lovestruck fool in front of a beautiful woman.
After all, Pudding was only sixteen, and like him, she was troubled by this arranged marriage. Sanji wasn't heartless enough to flirt with someone who was just as miserable as he was.
"Thank you for treating my wounds, Miss Pudding."
After she carefully finished bandaging him, Sanji stood up and put his suit back on.
"Don't worry. At tomorrow's wedding… I'll put an end to all of this."
"I won't let you suffer!"
"…Sniff…"
"Hey, don't cry, Miss Pudding—"
As Sanji panicked, unsure how to handle a crying girl, the teary-eyed Pudding made a serious vow.
"Sanji, even if this is just a 'political marriage'... please believe me."
"I won't let our marriage turn into a living hell!"
What a kind-hearted girl.
For a moment, Sanji actually thought about settling down and marrying her.
---
Half an hour later, in another room.
"Mamamama~~"
BIG MOM's signature laugh echoed as she leaned back against her throne, her massive body casting a shadow over the room.
"Pudding, my dear daughter. Did you find out anything useful?"
In front of her stood the same twin-tailed girl.
But this time, Pudding's gentle and innocent expression was gone. Instead, she wore a smug, mocking smile.
"That fool is completely infatuated with me. He spilled everything without even realizing it."
"Tomorrow's wedding… is when the Straw Hat Crew plans to strike!"
---
Meanwhile, the others enjoyed a good night's sleep…
Whether it was the Straw Hat Crew resting up, the BIG MOM Pirates staying on high alert, or the Vinsmoke family dreaming of using Totto Land's power to take over the North Blue—everyone was now awaiting the same moment:
The wedding of Vinsmoke Sanji and Charlotte Pudding was about to begin!
Of course, beneath the festive atmosphere of the wedding, a major battle was brewing.
Not far from Whole Cake Island, floating above a cloud in the sky, the 'Flying Pure White Merry' hovered. Onboard, multiple screens displayed the figures of people arriving on the island one after another.
"Charlotte Perospero, BIG MOM's eldest son, bounty of 700 million. A powerful fighter with the Lick-Lick Fruit ability."
Roman pointed to a man wearing a top hat decorated with lollipops. He was thin, with a long nose and tongue, holding a candy cane in his hand while handing out sweets to children.
"If a fight breaks out, I'll take care of him."
"Charlotte Cracker, the tenth son of the Charlotte family, one of the 'Three Sweet Commanders,' bounty of 860 million. He has the Biscuit-Biscuit Fruit ability."
Roman gestured toward a tall man wearing a helmet decorated with vertical tufts resembling a lion's mane. His body was covered in brown and yellow biscuit-like armor, with red gloves, a sword at his waist, a cape on his back, and a large biscuit-shaped shield. He had the aura of a general.
"Same for him—I'll handle this guy too."
"!?"
"Roman, you alone…?"
One had a bounty of 700 million, the other 860 million! These were well-known powerhouses of the sea. Everyone in the Straw Hat Crew acknowledged Roman's strength, but taking on two of BIG MOM's top commanders at the same time…
"Relax, I have my reasons for this setup. Besides, I never said I could defeat them—but holding them off? That I can do."
After saying that, Roman pointed to the next target.
This was a tall woman, about 4.6 meters in height, wearing a hat and a scarf. Her long white hair reached down to her legs, covering one of her eyes. She wore gloves, had tribal tattoos on her legs, carried a long sword with a spiral-patterned scabbard on her back, and wore tall pink boots with floral patterns.
"Charlotte Smoothie, the 14th daughter of the Charlotte family, another of the 'Three Sweet Commanders,' bounty of 932 million. She has the Juice-Juice Fruit ability."
Roman looked at Zoro, who was gripping his three swords.
"This is your opponent—the strongest swordsman in the Charlotte family."
"Good. I've been waiting for this."
A swordsman with a bounty close to a billion—just looking at her made Zoro's blood boil with excitement.
"And next… is the strongest man in the Charlotte family."
Roman's gaze fell upon a towering man with short, dark red hair, a muscular build, and long legs. He had stitched scars on both cheeks, pink vertical-line tattoos running down his left arm, shoulder, and back, a skull tattoo on his left arm, and wing-like tattoos on his back.
He wore a layered white scarf that resembled a blooming flower, and his overall outfit had a striking black-metal aesthetic—black gloves, black jeans, and black leather boots with spurs.
He had an air of cold arrogance, supreme confidence, and overwhelming strength.
Just one glance at him made it clear—this man was on a whole different level! His entire presence radiated a sharp, dominant energy that left an unforgettable impression.
"Charlotte Katakuri, BIG MOM's second son and the strongest of the 'Three Sweet Commanders.' Bounty: 1.057 billion. He has the Mochi-Mochi Fruit, a special Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. His fruit is awakened, he has mastered all three types of Haki, and his Observation Haki is so advanced that he can even 'see' the future!"
"A special Paramecia? So, just like you, Roman?"
"1 billion berries!!"
"Awakened ability… That means he can use Doflamingo's assimilation technique…"
"Seeing the future?! How do we even fight that—"
The Straw Hat Crew was stunned! Any one of those abilities alone would be overwhelming, but all of them concentrated in one person? This wouldn't just be a tough fight—it would be instant defeat...
"That's right. Most of us wouldn't stand a chance against him. So—"
"He's mine!"
Luffy grinned as he pointed at the man on the "screen," but his tone left no room for argument.
"Luffy, be careful."
This was the first time Roman had ever warned Luffy. In the past, whenever Luffy decided to take on an enemy, Roman never interfered. But this time—
"His abilities are a lot like yours. You'll be facing someone who, in his normal state, can match your *Gear Fourth*, who can easily alter the environment with his awakened fruit power, and who can even *see* the details of your future moves… In short, he's a well-rounded fighter with no real weaknesses."
"I know. That's exactly why I have to fight him!"
Luffy understood that as captain of the Straw Hat Crew, he wasn't just their leader—he was also their frontline shield. If even he couldn't hold his own against this enemy, then, just as Roman said, the others wouldn't stand a chance.
This was the biggest crisis they had ever faced. And it was *his* responsibility to handle it.
"Alright, let's go over the important officers you need to watch out for."
"First, we have Charlotte Snack, one of the former Four Sweet Commanders, with a bounty of 600 million! He may have lost to 'Mad Monk' Urouge, but make no mistake—he's still extremely powerful."
"Then there's Charlotte Daifuku with the Puff-Puff Fruit, Charlotte Oven with the Heat-Heat Fruit, Charlotte Opera with the Butter-Butter Fruit, and 'Demon Lady' Charlotte Amande… all of them are strong fighters with bounties around 300 million."
"Next, we have Charlotte Mont-d'Or with the Book-Book Fruit, Charlotte Galette with the Butter-Butter Fruit, and Charlotte Brûlée with the Mirror-Mirror Fruit. Their bounties may not be as high, but their abilities are tricky, so be extra careful."
"Oh, and don't forget these *ten siblings*."
Roman pointed to a group of ten walking together. The boys were dressed identically in top hats, pink suits, white pants, and carrying canes, while the girls wore neat pink skirts and blouses—looking like some kind of idol group.
"The big guy among them has the Mix-Mix Fruit, which allows all ten of them to merge into a giant scythe-wielding warrior. Even if their individual strength isn't much, combined, they shouldn't be underestimated."
The Mix-Mix Fruit was probably a weaker version of some fusion-type ability. Thankfully, these ten weren't particularly strong on their own—likely not even at the level of a Marine Captain. Otherwise, if their power merged *perfectly*, they would be a nightmare to deal with.
"Alright, that's about it for our enemies. Does anyone have anything to add?"
"Nope."
"Just give it everything we've got!"
"I just want to say… in this world, pirates with bounties over 100 million are everywhere, and those worth several hundred million are walking all over the place…"
Usopp, who had been brimming with confidence yesterday, now looked like he was about to cry.
"At this point, just *not* dying would be a success."
"...Honestly, as depressing as that sounds, it's not too far from the truth for this fight."
Wait, even *Roman* is saying that?!
—
"Tch, how much longer do we have to wait?"
Smoothie, the towering Longleg Tribe member, let out an annoyed snort.
Beside her, Baron Tamago calmly reassured her.
"Patience, Lady Smoothie."
"Let's just act like we don't see anything. *They* came here for a reason—they won't just sit back and watch forever. Eventually, they *will* make a move. *Soir*."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, a cold and composed man sat surrounded by a group of beautiful women, all eagerly trying to please him. He casually raised an eyebrow.
They were really holding back?
In the *future* he had glimpsed, the Straw Hat Crew wasn't planning to strike first.
Interesting.
"The guests have arrived~~!"
At the announcer's call, the powerful figures of the Underworld began to enter the venue one by one.
With the arrival of the guests, the next step was the grand entrance of the bride and groom.
And when that moment came—
This wedding would be soaked in blood.
----You can read 10 advanced chapters at my patreon.com/YeyeQiu