Chapter 261: Chapter 260
"Me!!"
The voice echoed through the hall, full of urgency and desperation. All eyes turned to the source, and there stood a young girl, her hand raised timidly, her face wrought with fear and determination.
"Pudding!?" Perospero's face twisted with fury as he recognized his younger sister. In an instant, he stormed across the room, his arm raised, ready to strike her down.
His hand swung fiercely, the force of his anger bearing down on Charlotte Pudding. It was over. Pudding closed her eyes, bracing herself for the pain.
Snap!
The sharp sound of a slap filled the air, but Pudding felt no pain. Confused, she opened her eyes to find that the blow hadn't landed on her at all. It had landed squarely on Perospero.
Logan had intercepted the strike, his hand quick as lightning, slapping Perospero hard across the face. The force of the blow sent Perospero flying across the room, spinning through the air before crashing to the ground.
Perospero's head spun as he tried to gather his senses, stars dancing in front of his eyes. Logan's cold gaze fell on him as he said, "You really thought you could attack her? In front of me?"
The hall fell into stunned silence once more. Everyone watched in shock as Logan casually defended the young girl from her enraged older brother.
"Brother!" several of the Charlotte siblings screamed, rushing over to Perospero's side, trying to help him to his feet. But Perospero was still too dazed to respond.
"I said I would protect those who choose to lead the way," Logan's voice echoed through the hall, reminding everyone of his earlier promise.
Perospero, now fully realizing the severity of the situation, lowered his head in defeat. These pirates were beyond even his mother's power. He had made a grave mistake in underestimating them.
Logan's attention turned back to Pudding, his expression softening as he spoke gently. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you get out of this cage. No one will hurt you."
Vinsmoke Judge, watching the scene unfold, couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "You little girl!" he bellowed, his face contorted with anger. "You've betrayed your own mother! You call yourself human?!"
Logan's eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze toward Judge. "Vinsmoke Judge," he said coldly, "For Sanji's sake, I'll let that comment slide. But don't push your luck."
Judge sneered, unbothered by Logan's warning. "I'm only speaking the truth. How can someone who betrays their own family even be called human?"
The room erupted in murmurs of agreement, the guests and family members echoing Judge's sentiment.
"That's right!" someone shouted. "She's a traitor!"
"She's worse than an animal!"
"She betrayed her own mother—what kind of person does that?"
"Better to have a dog than a daughter like her!"
Pudding's small frame trembled as the barrage of cruel words hit her like a storm. Tears welled in her eyes, and her hands clenched tightly to her dress, trying to hold back the sobs threatening to escape.
But Logan wasn't having any of it. His laughter cut through the cacophony of insults, sharp and commanding. "Seriously?" Logan's voice rose, his eyes blazing with righteous fury. "You dare question her? For unworthy parents, betraying them is the lightest punishment they deserve!"
The hall fell silent again as Logan's words reverberated through the room.
He pointed at Pudding, his voice full of anger and compassion. "Look at her! She's just a child—barely 14 years old! For 14 years, she's lived a life filled with nothing but ridicule and rejection. Her own family mocks her, the world sees her as a monster, and her mother—Big Mom—doesn't care. She's just a tool to her mother, someone to be used for her three-eyed powers and discarded in a political marriage."
Logan's words hung heavy in the air, sinking deep into the hearts of those who listened. "A mother? No! Big Mom doesn't deserve to be called a mother. And now, when all she wants is to escape this prison, this cage you all call a family, you judge her for it? She's fighting for her freedom, for her right to live without fear. And you dare to call her a traitor?"
Tears streamed down Pudding's face, her heart overwhelmed with emotion. No one had ever stood up for her before. No one had ever cared. But Logan... he understood. He saw her pain and gave voice to her suffering.
With a sob, Pudding threw herself into Logan's arms, her small body shaking as she wept uncontrollably. Logan gently patted her back, comforting her as if she were his own sister.
"It's okay," Logan whispered. "You're not alone anymore."
Luffy, standing nearby, clenched his fists. His eyes burned with anger and determination. "We'll protect you, Pudding!" he shouted, his voice filled with conviction. "No one's going to hurt you while we're here!"
Nami, her expression soft and caring, approached Pudding as well. She gently patted the girl's back, her eyes full of warmth and understanding. "You've been through a lot," Nami said softly. "But you don't have to go through this alone anymore."
Pudding looked up through her tears, her eyes wide with gratitude. For the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged—like she had a family that cared for her. The Straw Hat Pirates weren't just offering her an escape; they were offering her hope.
And for Pudding, that was the greatest treasure of all.
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Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone