Chapter 364: You and I Are Different – The Sword of the Sea
Near Cacao Island—
"Incredible! How do you know the exact structure of the cake, even down to the ingredients used?"
The 92-year-old head chef, Longbread, was completely stunned. This wedding cake was his masterpiece! Every step of the process was in his mind—there were no blueprints. But the one in Sanji's hands…
"How did you do it?"
Sanji lit a cigarette, casually waving a hand.
"Just my sense of smell. It's nothing special."
?!
The old chef, Longbread, was in shock! This wasn't just natural talent—this was like the heavens themselves feeding him power!
"Sanji~~"
Beside him, Pudding had turned into a lovestruck fan, her three eyes forming heart shapes, cheeks flushed pink, nosebleed streaming. Even the white dove next to her couldn't stand to watch anymore.
Is this what they call, "If you're not family, you won't enter the same house"?
A simple paper airplane cut through the sky, flying toward Chocolate Town on Cacao Island. Standing on it were three chefs—Sanji, Pudding, and Long Bread—as well as the small but deceptively innocent-looking Charlotte Custard.
By the way, Custard was also an expert at making cakes. (Her name comes from "custard.") Just like in the "original story," Sanji, Pudding, and Chiffon dared to shove a cake straight into Big Mom's mouth. Two of them were sworn enemies of the Big Mom Pirates, and the other was the wife of one of those enemies. If they added just a little something extra to the cake, wouldn't Whole Cake Island fall apart? No matter how you think about it, it's not that far-fetched.
So after a brief discussion, the "wedding cake" team ended up being just two people. Even though Sanji and Pudding had no intention of poisoning the cake, if the Charlotte family let their guard down completely, that would truly make this a fairy tale.
"Anyway, just hurry up and get this 'wedding cake' done."
The paper airplane was Roman's creation, far faster than the sluggish Homies. The white pigeon beside them spoke up to remind the four.
"The faster you Big Mom Pirates stop the rampage, the sooner we Straw Hat Crew can get out of this mess. It's a win-win for everyone."
"Hmph, if it weren't for you ruining the wedding cake..."
Hearing the angry words from Charlotte Custard—who looked 15 but was actually 45—the pigeon rolled its eyes.
"Come on, your Charlotte family started this! How is this suddenly our fault? If the wedding had gone smoothly, we would have just been guests bringing normal gifts. But—"
The pigeon turned its head toward the newlyweds, who were still dressed in their white tuxedo and wedding gown.
"I heard that women in the Charlotte family don't change their last name after marriage. Well, that's not gonna work. From now on, it's Vinsmoke Pudding!"
"*Cough cough cough...* What are you even talking about?"
Sanji choked on his cigarette, looking flustered, while Pudding covered her face and curled up on the paper airplane in embarrassment.
Vinsmoke Pudding~~ Sanji's~~
"...Anyway, you guys handle the cake. I'm going to check on the fight over there."
——————
Compared to the "cake team," who were overwhelmed with sweetness and shock, the "battle team" by the shore was in a completely different situation.
"Your captain is really unlucky,"
Charlotte Smoothie, carrying a three-meter-long sword, glanced to the side and sighed at Zoro.
"Big Brother Katakuri is the 'greatest masterpiece' of the Charlotte family—the perfect man who has never lost since birth."
Even though she was also one of the "Three Sweet Commanders," the moment Katakuri was mentioned, Smoothie turned into a fangirl. But honestly, as the most reliable second son of the Charlotte family, almost all of his siblings admired him except for one older brother and sister.
"The moment Katakuri was born, he immediately sat on a chair next to him!"
"He's an undefeated warrior who has never let his back touch the ground, always looking down on the world—strong and flawless..."
Uh... Roman couldn't help but glance sideways. If Katakuri loses, you guys will have jinxed him for sure.
Of course, that was just a joke. But there was no denying Katakuri's strength—mastery of all three types of Haki, a special Paramecia Devil Fruit, awakened abilities, and most importantly, that near-unbeatable "future sight" Observation Haki.
For Roman, "future sight" wasn't impossible to counter, but if it came down to a one-on-one fight...
"What's wrong? Got scared by our Charlotte family's masterpiece? Lick~"
Facing Charlotte Perospero, who was holding a giant lollipop, Roman remained expressionless (even with his mask on).
"I believe in Luffy."
"Believe? Lick lick lick~ Aren't you the 'strategist' of the Straw Hat Crew?"
Luffy vs. Katakuri.
Zoro vs. Smoothie.
Roman and Perospero weren't fighting, just keeping watch to prevent any "accidents," but trash talk could be just as deadly in certain situations.
"You must be frustrated."
"I can tell—you and I are the same kind of people. We have intelligence, clever strategies, and strong abilities, yet our reckless leaders always mess up our plans."
"You were behind everything at the wedding, weren't you? I don't know how you managed to dig up so many of our Charlotte family's secrets, but I have to admit, your plan worked. You rescued Sanji, won over the Vinsmoke family, Jinbe, and the Fire Tank Pirates... So!"
Perospero wasn't just praising Roman—he was setting up for what came next.
"Someone as smart as you would never come back on your own! If our 'Mama' goes crazy and destroys everything, you should be happy! It'd be the perfect chance to attack the kingdom, make a huge profit, and gain fame…"
Yes, if this were a normal strategist, that would be the most logical choice.
"It was that reckless captain of yours who forced you to come back, wasn't it? Helping the enemy… how foolish! I completely understand your frustration."
Trying to stir things up.
Many great heroes, kings, and generals have been ruined by just a few well-placed words. Perospero believed that his words could make this mysterious "The White Knight" resent that idiot captain in the straw hat. And once that seed of doubt was planted, it wouldn't take much for it to turn into hatred.
After all—
Unlike him, who had no choice but to obey, The White Knight was just as strong as that Straw Hat kid.
"You're wrong, Perospero."
But the boy in front of him simply shook his head calmly.
"I'm not like you."
"You're dealing with a 'Mama' who wouldn't hesitate to kill her own children. But my captain is a man who would put his life on the line for his crew. That's why I'll support his decision one hundred percent. Don't compare me to you. You guys may be 'Four Emperors'—but we're the future crew of the Pirate King."
?!
"Oh, I'm sorry. Your 'perfect' older brother is about to taste failure for the first time. Because—"
"Luffy is going to be the Pirate King!"
Hearing Zoro's words, Smoothie lowered her gaze.
"You're pitiful."
?
"You know, the sea is my battlefield."
When Smoothie looked up again, her face was full of confidence.
"My Squeeze-Squeeze Fruit lets me absorb seawater."
As she spoke, she pointed her long sword toward the shore. Instantly, a massive wave of seawater rushed toward her. But just when it seemed like it would crash into her, the water was suddenly absorbed into her body. Her already towering figure grew even larger.
"That's right. Even though I have a Devil Fruit, I don't fear seawater. In fact, I can use it to my advantage. In other words—"
"Adamant Power: Torrent Slash!"
With a single strike, her flying slash roared forward like a furious dragon, carrying towering waves with it. It was a true sea storm, surging toward Zoro with unstoppable force!
"I've already dealt with this move before. It's nothing new."
Facing an attack far larger and more overwhelming than what he had encountered on the rooftop, Zoro simply smiled.
In an instant, he sheathed both "Shusui" and "Sandai Kitetsu" and took his stance.
"Two-Sword Style—Draw Slash—Black Rashomon!"
The moment his blades left their scabbards, the ocean split.
The sword energy was torn apart, and the crushing waves parted as if a curtain had been pulled aside.
Clang!
The "Wado Ichimonji" in his mouth clashed fiercely against the long sword behind the waves, while his other two blades struck upward at the same time.
"Come on, show me everything you've got!"
Hearing Zoro's words, Smoothie smirked.
"As you wish."
?!
"Adamant Power: Gale Strike!"
Smoothie's long sword twisted and slashed through the air.
Zoro's face changed as he instinctively leapt backward.
But it was too late.
A deep wound suddenly appeared on his chest, blood gushing out as if countless invisible blades had slashed through him.
Between them, a strange mist swirled around Smoothie's sword, drifting unpredictably like soft cotton. It looked light and delicate, but—this was the true nature of the attack that had just wounded Zoro.
"Nice!"
Even with blood dripping from his chest, Zoro's eyes shone with excitement.
"A sword of the sea… a sword of water… a sword of mist!"
"You flatter me. Your swordsmanship isn't bad either."
"If we're talking about 'Devil Fruit users,' like my puppet-playing brother..."
Smoothie, her body dripping with water, mist swirling around her long sword, pointed her blade at Zoro. Both her sword and body were soaked with seawater.
"In front of my 'Sea Sword,' even Devil Fruit abilities are useless. Without constantly using Haki, you wouldn't even be able to stay in your normal state. You're not a Devil Fruit user, but the human body is still seventy percent liquid. So—"
Having landed a hit, Smoothie looked at Zoro.
"Do you still want to continue?"
"Of course!"
Clang!!
...
This Smoothie… really is the most 'laid-back' of the Sweet Commanders, huh?!
Roman rubbed his chin. Technically speaking, she was a bad matchup for him. After all, his paper-based abilities were weak against seawater unless he used the highly consuming 'Life Paper.' Ordinary paper wouldn't stand a chance against her Haki-infused seawater.
No wonder she was one of the Three Sweet Commanders—she was practically a nightmare for any ability user!
Fortunately, Zoro was a pure swordsman, one hundred percent. Seawater had no effect on him.
So this would be a battle of pure swordsmanship?
(End of Chapter)
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