Chapter 200: A Test of Loyalties

"Alright, let's start with you all. Pudding! Go check their memories!"

Charlotte Linlin let out a laugh, gesturing for Pudding to begin.

Shin watched with keen interest from the sidelines. He remained patient, observing the situation. He was particularly curious about what secrets these shady underworld figures held. His gaze lingered on the Queen of Pleasure District, anticipating her reaction in particular.

Stussy, the Queen of Pleasure District, was indeed feeling the heat, though she managed to maintain a calm facade. Some of the others might hope they could smooth things over by offering up more money and concessions, though it would undoubtedly be frustrating. But if her identity as a spy were to be discovered… Stussy pondered her options for a swift escape.

Years of training within the CP0 organization allowed her to keep her composure despite the panic inside her. Her face revealed nothing, though her heart raced.

Pudding approached the trembling underworld figures, scanning each with a faint smile.

The underworld emperors trembled, averting their eyes from Pudding's intimidating gaze.

"Ah, Mr. Giberson, you're sweating an awful lot. Feeling a bit overheated?" Pudding commented, her tone filled with faux concern.

"N-no, I didn't take anything! I swear!" stammered Giberson, an elderly man in a high hat and suit, visibly distressed as he met her insinuating gaze.

"Really? I'm inclined to believe you," Pudding replied with a slight laugh. "Let's check your memory to clear up any misunderstandings."

Giberson stammered and looked pleadingly at Big Mom, only to see her watching him with an expression of barely restrained impatience. Feeling helpless, he swallowed hard. "Alright… go ahead, Miss Pudding."

With an unruffled smile, Pudding placed her hand at the back of the old man's head and extracted a long strip of film-like memory. She examined it intently, casually revealing each secret aloud as she went along.

"So, it was you, Giberson, who assassinated Mr. So-and-So…"

"Quite the bold move against the Marines…"

"Colluding with government officials—bold indeed."

"And… leaking intelligence about the Charlotte family to the World Government? That's something we certainly can't overlook."

After thoroughly reviewing his memory, Pudding handed it over to Charlotte Linlin, who flipped through it with detached amusement before passing it to Katakuri.

Katakuri scanned the memories, then nodded, his expression cold. "Pudding, modify the memories here, here, and here. As for selling information on our family, that won't be forgotten. Confiscate half of his assets as compensation."

Seeing that the Charlotte family wasn't planning to execute anyone, the other underworld bosses visibly relaxed. The idea of parting with their wealth and having their memories tampered with was troubling but not nearly as concerning as the prospect of losing their lives.

Only Stussy remained outwardly composed but increasingly desperate within.

"What should I do? If I try to run, they'll kill me on the spot with all the elite fighters here. But if I don't… they'll soon uncover my identity anyway," Stussy thought.

Meanwhile, Pudding's gaze had shifted toward her. Due to their prior rapport, she approached Stussy with a polite demeanor, asking, "Miss Stussy, would you mind if I check your memories?"

That was it. Stussy's heart raced. Just as she pondered a way out, Katakuri sensed her hesitation. He narrowed his eyes, calling out, "Pudding! Step aside."

Without hesitation, he stretched his arm, empowered by his Mochi-Mochi fruit ability, and launched a punch straight at Stussy. She reacted swiftly, leaping into the air with a precise Moon Step, sending dozens of shockwaves at her attackers.

Several shockwaves flew toward Katakuri, who shattered them with his mighty fist. The remaining blasts hit Charlotte Linlin, but the force barely moved her as if a mere breeze had brushed past.

A few of the blasts veered toward Pudding, who agilely dodged them with surprising reflexes, impressing several members of the Big Mom Pirates.

"I didn't expect Pudding to evade so deftly," a woman in a princess dress observed.

A slender woman with a cold expression exhaled a smoke ring and murmured, "Being a child of Big Mom provides everyone with an opportunity to develop their strength."

Despite Stussy's struggle, the Big Mom Pirates was not worried. Given the situation, it was clear to everyone that if Stussy managed to escape, it would mean a gross failure on their part.

Not willing to wait, Charlotte Linlin bellowed, "Stussy!" and lunged, grabbing Stussy's waist with a speed and strength far beyond her large frame.

"So, you've been hiding your identity all along! You're a spy for the World Government!" she accused furiously. "How dare you deceive me!"

Hearing her accusation, Stussy closed her eyes, accepting her grim fate. Charlotte Linlin's anger flared as she activated her Soul-Soul fruit ability. A faint mist began to rise from Stussy's body—it was her very soul.

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Now Available: Chapter 250: The Price of Liberation