Viewing Memories

"Then we’ll start with you. Pudding! Go check their memories!"

Charlotte Linlin laughed with a "mamamama" for a while before ordering Pudding to inspect their memories.

Yota watched from the back with great interest, in no hurry to take the stage.

He wanted to see what kind of people these underworld giants really were. At the very least, the Queen of the Pleasure District was probably in deep trouble this time.

Stussy was indeed frantic and utterly at a loss. The others might still have harbored a sliver of hope—if the Charlotte Family uncovered some problems, they could offer more money and surrender more benefits. At worst, they would suffer grievous losses, but they could still settle things in the end.

But if her identity as a spy was exposed… well, she felt she might as well choose a less painful method of suicide now.

Fortunately, Stussy had trained for many years in the World Government’s CP Organization. Even though her heart was practically leaping out of her chest, she maintained a calm expression and still looked as though nothing had happened.

Pudding walked over, her eyes sweeping across the Dark Emperors one by one, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Yet the Kingpins of Crime were now trembling with fear. They did not even dare meet Pudding’s gaze.

"Oh my, Mr. Kiberson, you’re sweating so much. Did you get heatstroke?"

"Your complexion seems rather pale. Could it be…"

"N-No, I didn’t take anything! I didn’t take anything!" The old man in the tall hat and suit trembled all over, shaking his head like a rattle. It was obvious how guilty he felt.

"Is that so? I believe you, too." Pudding gave a soft laugh. "Then I’ll inspect your memories first and prove your innocence."

"Th-This…" Kiberson’s teeth began chattering in terror. Then he caught Charlotte Linlin’s hostile gaze and shuddered from head to toe. "O-Okay! Miss Pudding, go ahead and check!"

Charlotte Pudding wore a smile, but her actions were anything but gentle. She reached toward the old man’s head and gave a casual tug, pulling out a long strip of film. Then she began examining it with relish.

Not only did she inspect it, she even commented on it without the slightest concern for exposing someone else’s secrets.

"Oh my, so Mr. So-and-So was killed by Kiberson."

"He even secretly attacked the Marines before. How brave."

"Colluding with high-ranking World Government officials—just as expected of Mr. Kiberson."

"Hmm, he actually leaked information about our Charlotte Family to the World Government! That isn’t a crime that can be easily forgiven!"

After watching through it all, she handed the film to Charlotte Linlin. Linlin casually flipped through it twice before passing it to Katakuri.

After Katakuri finished watching, he fell silent for a moment. "Pudding, alter his memories here, here, and here. Also, we can’t let the matter of leaking our Charlotte Family’s secrets end like this. Check the funds in his treasury. This time, make him pay half his fortune as compensation!"

Seeing that the Charlotte Family had no intention of killing anyone, the other Kingpins of Crime finally breathed a small sigh of relief and let their suspended hearts settle. At the same time, they could not help feeling sympathy for Kiberson.

They had surely done similar things, such as selling information or deceiving the Charlotte Family. It seemed their punishment would be much the same.

Having their wealth plundered pained them greatly. Having their memories altered was even harder for them to accept. But no matter what, it was still better than dying outright.

Among them, only Stussy remained calm on the surface while panicking wildly inside.

What should I do? Run away? No, there’s no way I can escape, right? The entire Four Emperors Crew’s elite fighters are gathered here. Even a Naval Admiral would probably be doomed against a lineup like this.

But if I don’t do something now, my true identity will be exposed immediately. I’ll still have no way out!

At that moment, Pudding’s gaze turned toward Stussy as well.

However, Stussy had the best relationship with Charlotte Linlin, so Pudding did not dare treat her with the same contempt she showed the other Dark Emperors. Instead, she spoke with a trace of respect in her voice. "Miss Stussy, shall I inspect your memories first?"

Upon hearing that, Stussy finally could no longer hold herself back. At the same time, Katakuri’s expression changed sharply as he said in a low voice, "Pudding! Get out of the way!"

As he spoke, Katakuri did not arrogantly use jelly beans this time. Instead, he threw a punch. Under the effects of the Mochi-Mochi Fruit, his fist rapidly extended, smashing toward Stussy like black lightning.

Stussy let out a sharp cry and leaped into the air. She first used Geppo to remain airborne, then kicked out dozens of Rankyaku shock waves.

Some of the shock waves flew toward Katakuri and were swiftly smashed to pieces beneath his iron fist. Most of them flew toward Charlotte Linlin, but after striking her, they were like a gentle breeze brushing her face, causing her no harm whatsoever.

The last few shock waves flew toward Charlotte Pudding. Pudding’s expression changed slightly, a glint of red flashing through her eyes. As she dodged left and right, she actually evaded every Rankyaku.

This surprised some of the Charlotte Family’s children. Pudding had never been completely helpless before—she had Charlotte Linlin’s bloodline, after all—but she was definitely not strong. Her combat ability was no different from that of an ordinary pirate worth ten or twenty million. Logically, she should never have been able to dodge those attacks. Even if they did not kill her, she should at least have been seriously injured.

"Looks like Pudding has been secretly training too," said a Charlotte Family woman dressed in a long princess gown.

"We’re all Mother’s children. As long as we work hard, our strength improves quickly," said Ghost Madame indifferently. Her long neck and somewhat cold, melancholy face stood out as she held a slender ladies’ cigarette between her fingers and exhaled a ring of smoke.

As for Stussy, who was trying to escape, no one paid her any attention. If Stussy could escape under these circumstances, then the Charlotte Family might as well find some tofu and bash their heads against it.

In fact, there was no need to wait for anyone else to act. Charlotte Linlin roared, "Stussy!" At the same time, she struck like lightning and grabbed Stussy around the waist.

"That was Rankyaku and Geppo just now, wasn’t it? You’re actually a World Government spy!" Charlotte Linlin said furiously. "You actually dared to deceive me!"

Seeing this, Stussy closed her eyes and said nothing. Charlotte Linlin grew even angrier and activated the Soul-Soul Fruit’s power. A faint mist immediately drifted from Stussy’s body—her soul.