Capítulo 263: Chapter 262
Charlotte Pudding cried with excitement, overwhelmed by emotions she hadn't felt in years. As the tears flowed freely, Logan gently patted her back to comfort her, allowing her to release the pain she had kept inside for so long.
After some time, the sobs quieted, and Pudding lifted her head, her expression shifting to one of seriousness. "No! No! I can't stay on your ship!"
Logan raised an eyebrow, his confusion evident. "What's wrong?"
Pudding's face tensed with fear as she spoke, "I'm from the Three-Eyed Tribe. I have one more eye than you. If you or anyone else sees my third eye, you'll be scared. Even you... if you see it, you'll dislike me."
Her years with Big Mom's pirate crew had scarred her deeply. The ridicule from her family and others around her had made her self-conscious, turning her third eye into a symbol of her insecurity.
Logan, knowing her past and her fears from reading the original manga, didn't flinch. He knew how to help her overcome her insecurities. "Really? Then can you let me see your third eye?" Logan asked, deliberately feigning ignorance.
Pudding's heart raced. Was he really asking to see her eye? The same eye that had caused her so much pain and isolation? "No, you'll be scared," she said, shaking her head, rejecting the request as she backed away slightly.
Logan smiled warmly. "How could I be scared? A lovely girl like you surely has a third eye that's just as bright and beautiful as the other two."
Despite her deeply ingrained fears, Pudding couldn't help but be swayed by his gentle words. For years, she had been subjected to ridicule, but here was someone speaking to her with nothing but kindness and sincerity. Hesitant but trusting, she finally lifted the bangs covering her forehead, revealing her tightly closed third eye.
The tension in the air was palpable as Pudding nervously waited for Logan's reaction, her mind replaying all the times her siblings and others had mocked her. Those cruel faces, those harsh words—they had left deep scars. She feared the disgust she was sure she'd see on Logan's face, just like she had seen on so many others.
But instead of recoiling, Logan reached out and gently held her hand, preventing her from hiding her face again. He leaned in, his eyes filled with curiosity, but also with warmth. He stared directly at her third eye, studying it carefully without a trace of fear.
"You… you're not afraid?" Pudding asked in disbelief, her voice trembling.
"Afraid?" Logan said with exaggerated shock. "Don't be ridiculous! Such a beautiful, clear eye—why should I be afraid? I've never seen anything so unique and lovely before."
Without realizing it, Logan's hands gently cupped Pudding's face, holding her as though she was the most delicate, precious thing in the world. Pudding's instinct was to pull away, but her body betrayed her. She couldn't summon the strength to push him back. Instead, an internal battle raged within her.
Should she push him away, as she had always done with everyone else who had hurt her?
Or should she allow herself to be vulnerable, trusting him to not hurt her?
Her defenses, carefully built over years of suffering, began to crumble.
And then, for the first time, she let her guard down completely. Her trembling hands fell to her sides, and she allowed Logan to gaze freely at her third eye.
Logan smiled at her, a true, heartfelt smile. "You really are beautiful, Pudding. There's nothing to hide."
Pudding's third eye began to water, as if responding to the emotions flooding her heart. Without warning, she threw herself into Logan's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Woo woo woo..."
Logan gently stroked her hair, speaking softly. "Hey, no need for tears. If people see you crying like this, they'll think I'm being mean to you."
"I'm sorry... I'm just so happy," Pudding mumbled through her tears. "You're the first person who's ever accepted me."
Logan chuckled softly. "You're so cute and beautiful, Pudding. I can't believe anyone wouldn't accept you. Maybe they're the ones with the problem, not you."
Pudding let out a soft giggle through her sobs, Logan's light-heartedness easing her sadness. She wiped her eyes, feeling a little embarrassed. "Do you really think your friends will accept me too?"
Logan didn't hesitate. "Absolutely. Look, if we can accept a talking skeleton as part of our crew, accepting a lovely girl like you is nothing."
Pudding's mind flashed back to the hall where she had seen Brook among the Straw Hats. At the time, she had thought he was some kind of summoned creature. Realizing now that he was an actual member of the crew, her confidence surged.
"You're right," Pudding said, finally smiling. "If they can accept a skeleton, maybe I'll fit in too."
Logan smiled back, but his expression turned serious for a moment. "Pudding, I know you've lived in a world of suspicion and deceit for a long time. But if you're going to join our crew, you have to be sincere with everyone. We'll all be sincere with you."
Pudding's face softened, and she nodded, though her thoughts seemed conflicted. "I understand."
Logan added, "And one more thing—your Memory-Memory Fruit... you can't use it on the crew. We're your friends, and we need to trust each other."
Pudding nodded again, this time more firmly. "I promise."
Then, curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "Aren't you worried that I've already used my powers to modify your memory, to make you accept me?"
Logan laughed, giving her nose a playful tap. "Not at all."
"Why?" Pudding asked, genuinely curious.
Logan's eyes softened as he answered, "Because when I looked into your third eye, I could see the kindness in your heart."
Of course, Logan had no need to worry about Pudding's powers. His protection from the Goddess of Holy Light ensured she couldn't affect him. But his words touched her deeply, more than any truth could have.
He understood her. Truly understood her.
Pudding's heart swelled with emotions she hadn't known she was capable of feeling. "Logan... thank you."
Logan gave her a warm smile. "Now, no more deception. Just be yourself, okay?"
Pudding looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes once more, but this time they were tears of joy. She grabbed hold of Logan's shirt, clinging to him as though he were her lifeline.
"I promise... I won't hide anymore," Pudding whispered, her heart overflowing with gratitude and relief.
For the first time in her life, she felt free.
Capítulo 264: Chapter 263
The Whole Cake Chateau Hall was tense, the air thick with the weight of impending conflict. Big Mom remained unconscious, while the cadres of the Big Mom Pirates stood still, uncertain of what action to take. The guests, who had come to enjoy the banquet, found themselves amidst chaos, unsure of how to proceed. They remained silent, not wanting to risk their lives by intervening in the escalating battle.
Amidst the quiet tension, Vinsmoke Niji's voice broke the silence, filled with contempt.
"Father, I think we should teach that idiot Sanji a lesson."
Vinsmoke Judge, his expression unreadable, remained silent for a moment before giving a nod.
"Go."
Judge had seen the power of the Straw Hat Pirates, but he was curious to see Sanji's true strength, now that so much time had passed. After all, a battle between brothers didn't seem like something the others would interfere with.
Niji grinned with excitement, eager for the confrontation. "Hey, trash! Let me see just how much stronger you've gotten!" he taunted, stepping forward with arrogance.
Brook, ever the one to enjoy a show, stepped in front of Sanji with a flourish. "Yohohoho~~~ It seems there's some family discord here. Sanji, would you like me to teach this ignorant boy a lesson in your place?"
Sanji, calm and composed, shook his head with a slight smile. "No need, Brook. It's time they understood what it means to be a frog in a well."
He stepped forward to face Niji, his hands in his pockets, his demeanor cool and collected. "You were born with genetic enhancements, raised as a superhuman. And I... I was born ordinary, and you treated me like trash because of it. Technology may have given you strength, but in the vastness of this ocean, there are countless powers you have yet to comprehend. You have no idea how powerful I've become."
Sanji's words were steady, but the intensity in his eyes spoke volumes. As he spoke, his physical energy surged, and an invisible power, his chakra, began to flow around him, palpable to everyone present.
"Hah! Trash is still trash, no matter what kind of teammates you've got!" Niji scoffed, raising his hand as electric currents danced between his fingers. "Technology will show you how foolish you really are!"
With a sneer, Niji rushed at Sanji, his fist crackling with electricity aimed directly at Sanji's face.
But as Niji closed in, Sanji's aura shifted. A powerful energy erupted from within him as he activated the Eight Inner Gates technique.
Gate of View: Open!
In an instant, Sanji opened the sixth gate, releasing a torrent of energy. He wasn't underestimating Niji, but he also wasn't about to hold back. After all, Niji had tormented him throughout their childhood, and it was time to show him just how far he had surpassed his brothers.
Sanji grinned to himself—Niji wasn't worthy of seeing the seventh gate.
As Niji's fist neared Sanji, there was a sudden gust of wind. Niji's eyes widened in shock as Sanji's foot connected with his chin in a perfectly timed upward kick.
Tendon du Diable—the Devil's Tendon.
The force of the kick sent Niji rocketing into the air, his body a blur as it crashed through the ceiling. Before Niji could even react, Sanji's shadow appeared above him, having already moved to intercept his fall.
Crochet Aérien du Diable—the Devil's Aerial Hook.
Sanji's kick slammed into Niji with brutal force, sending him hurtling back to the ground even faster than before. The impact of his fall shook the entire chateau, leaving Niji's head embedded deep in the floor, his legs sticking out comically.
The entire hall fell silent, the guests and pirates alike in stunned disbelief.
Vinsmoke Yonji, the younger brother, burst into laughter, his voice loud and mocking. "No way! Niji got beaten by that idiot Sanji?"
Even Ichiji, normally composed, couldn't hide his disdain. "You're worse than trash, Niji."
Judge's expression twisted into fury. "Damn it! The war machine I spent years perfecting... ruined by him!"
Despite his words, none of the brothers seemed to care about Niji's actual injury. Their emotional conditioning had long since stripped them of any real concern for each other. They were more focused on their roles as tools of war.
Sanji landed softly, hands still in his pockets, his gaze piercing through Judge. "I haven't even used my full strength, and yet your so-called perfect weapon is already beaten."
Ichiji's eyes flashed with rage as he activated his own genetic enhancements. "Arrogant fool! You'll have to get through me first!"
In a blink, Ichiji was beside Sanji, his fist glowing with a bright, fiery energy. He threw a punch with all his might, aiming for Sanji's head.
But in less than a second, Ichiji was hurled backward, crashing into the wall, unconscious before he even hit the ground.
Yonji, seeing his brothers defeated so easily, rushed in next. His attack, fueled by the same reckless bravado, was just as ineffective. He, too, followed his brothers, crashing into the opposite wall.
Judge, now seething with anger, struggled to maintain his composure. His eyes flicked to Reiju, the only Vinsmoke sibling who hadn't attacked. "Reiju! Why haven't you done anything yet?"
Reiju's face darkened. Unlike her brothers, she had emotions, real human feelings. She cared for Sanji and had no desire to harm him. But Judge's expectations weighed heavily on her. To disobey him would bring consequences.
Realizing she was being watched, Reiju's heart raced. Should she attack her brother, the only family member she had ever cared for? Or should she defy Judge and face the repercussions?
Torn between her emotions and her role as a Vinsmoke, Reiju's face contorted with uncertainty.
Sanji, noticing her hesitation, took a step forward. "Reiju... you don't have to do this."
Judge's fury grew as he sensed her reluctance. "Reiju! Do your duty!"
Her body tensed, and Reiju found herself caught between her loyalty to the family that had raised her and the love she had for her younger brother—the only real family she had ever known.
Sanji stared at her, his expression softening. "You've always been better than them, Reiju. Don't let them control you."
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