Charlotte Pudding

Yota’s words were a little harsh, but the Charlotte Pirates truly did not have many Devil Fruits with genuine combat power.

After hearing Yota’s words, some members of the Charlotte Pirates sighed in relief, while others wore uncertain expressions.

For example, Cracker and Perospero—their Devil Fruit abilities were simply hard to describe. One played with biscuits, the other with candy. If not for their own efforts, those trash Fruits would have made them completely useless.

If Yota really took away their Devil Fruits, the two of them would actually have to thank him.

At that moment, Yota turned his gaze toward Katakuri. "I remember there’s a Book-Book Fruit user here. I need his Devil Fruit."

Katakuri’s expression darkened, but he eventually nodded. "Mondor, give him your Book-Book Fruit. The family will do everything it can to find you a better Devil Fruit."

Mondor was the Book-Book Fruit user. He had a thin, elongated upper body and a stout lower body, with long, skinny limbs. His golden hair flared outward like straw. His face was deathly pale, with a round chin and a long pointed nose.

In short, he was another Charlotte Family member who looked like he had been put together at random. Looking at that ghostly face of his, who knew what race Big Mom had children with?

After hearing Katakuri’s words, Mondor silently stepped forward. Yota casually extended a hand, and as black mist swept over him, the Devil Fruit ability dragged from his body entered the Dark Space and fused with a fruit. Another Devil Fruit appeared in Yota’s hand.

The Book-Book Fruit’s ability was rather strange. If one had enough imagination, this Fruit might be able to produce astonishing effects—for example, creating worlds within books, or even turning those worlds from illusion into reality, using abilities akin to a Reality Marble.

Of course, Yota had some other ideas as well, but those were matters for later.

Then Yota turned and glanced at Charlotte Pudding, who was standing there with the expression of a white lotus. "Pudding, it’s time to go!"

Swish, swish, swish. Every member of the Charlotte Family turned to look at Pudding. Their gazes held disbelief, realization, and even a faint trace of envy from quite a few of them.

The disbelief was understandable, and the realization was simple enough. After all, Pudding’s Memory Fruit was also an extremely powerful Devil Fruit. Yet Yota had not taken it, which clearly meant there was another reason.

As for those with that faint envy… pirates were just that kind of people. Following the strong was nothing shameful. On the contrary, the stronger the Captain they followed, the more pride it gave them.

"Yes, Lord Yota." Pudding smiled, while inwardly she was overjoyed. Looks like I made the right bet this time. I’m finally free!

Come to think of it, among the Charlotte Pirates, the men had it somewhat better. The females, however, were nothing more than tools. Unless your strength reached the level of the Sweet Four Generals, Charlotte Linlin would only see you as a tool for marriage alliances to win over other Pirate Crews.

In the original story, Pudding had greatly envied her older sister Lola, a Charlotte Family member who had bravely pursued love. Clearly, her desire for freedom was no ordinary thing. Otherwise, she would not have accepted Yota’s invitation so readily.

"Pudding, you…" Katakuri looked at Pudding, then finally let out a sigh. "Forget it. This is your own choice."

The joy on Pudding’s face faded slightly. Charlotte Linlin was certainly not a good mother, but Katakuri was a good older brother.

The true cohesion of the Charlotte Pirates lay with the oldest brothers and sisters. In fact, eighty or ninety percent of it rested on Katakuri alone.

"I’m sorry, Brother Katakuri, but I still want to pursue my own freedom."

Katakuri gave a bitter smile, unable to say a single word.

However, just as Yota turned to leave, Pudding, who was following behind him, hesitated before wrapping both arms around his arm. "Captain Yota, could you treat my mother first?"

Like Kaido, Charlotte Linlin currently suffered from comminuted fractures. Under normal circumstances, even if such injuries healed, her strength would be greatly diminished afterward.

Pudding knew very well about Yota’s ability to modify the human body. Someone with such an ability could easily become a top surgeon. Ordinary doctors might not be able to heal her mother’s injuries, but for Yota, they definitely would not be too difficult.

After hearing Pudding’s request, Yota did not refuse. With a sweep of black mist from his hand, Charlotte Linlin was spat out moments later.

Charlotte Linlin had originally looked little different from a sack of blood. After being released, blood still stained her body, but both the shape of her bones and muscles showed that her body had recovered. Even her faint groans had turned into snores.

"Mother has recovered!"

"That’s great."

Many members of the Charlotte Family sighed in relief. It was not that they felt deeply attached to Big Mom, but Charlotte Linlin was the pillar of the Charlotte Pirates. If she fell, none of the Charlotte Family members would fare well. The New World was an exceptionally cruel place.

Seeing Charlotte Linlin recover, Pudding seemed to have let go of something. Like Violet and the others, she took her place behind Yota.

Yota had originally been ready to leave when he suddenly seemed to recall something. His gaze fell on a furtively hiding albatross.

Although that humanoid albatross was trying to hide, he still held a notebook in his hands and was frantically writing something in it. He could truly be called remarkably dedicated.

"Oh, right. I seem to have forgotten something." Yota sneered and stretched out his hand. "Universal Pull!"

"Waaah!" The albatross was sucked directly in front of Yota, who then grabbed him by the throat. "So you’re the bastard slandering my reputation in the newspapers."

Morgans forced a smile. "Well… wasn’t it to boost sales…?"

At the same time, he cursed those unreliable reporters sent to Wano Country. This guy has such terrifying combat power—why didn’t they tell me sooner?

He had completely forgotten that when he first saw the report saying Yota had defeated Kaido within minutes, he had viciously berated that reporter, believing the article was far too absurd.

"Boost sales?" Yota smiled. "In that case, I can give you a chance to make the front-page headline as well…"

"Impossible! This time, after defeating Charlotte Linlin, you’re definitely going to be our newspaper’s front-page headline! Even if you kill me, I still won’t be able to make the headlines!" Morgans immediately had a professional reflex and blurted out.