Bang—!
A dull thud rang out as a slender figure was sent flying like a kite with a broken string. With a heavy crash, she slammed into a tree trunk. A sharp pain surged in her throat, and she coughed up a mouthful of bright red blood.
Smoothie walked over slowly, gazing down at Pudding, who clutched her chest and gasped for breath. With a mocking tone, she said, "Well now, isn't this rare? The high-and-mighty Lady Pudding in such a sorry state."
Sweat poured down Pudding's forehead. She wiped the blood from her lips and looked up coldly. "As an officer of the Big Mom Pirates, to resort to such despicable betrayal—have you no shame? Oh, but I suppose it makes sense..." A mocking smile curled her lips. "You're as manipulative and cheap as those gaudy women out there. Maybe this is who you really are—"
Before she could finish, her eyes widened. In a blur of motion, Smoothie appeared before her like a phantom. With one swift motion, she grabbed Pudding by the throat and lifted her into the air with one hand.
Smoothie's grip tightened, her eyes gleaming with killing intent. "Such a sharp tongue. It's a pity that words don't win battles. No matter how eloquent you are, you won't talk your way out of dying."
"D-Don't hurt her—!"
A soft voice cried out as a delicate figure stumbled into view. Her porcelain-like face was twisted in fear, her eyes red and glistening with unshed tears.
Pudding's temper flared. "Are you stupid?! I told you to run! Why did you come back?!"
Before she could say more, Smoothie squeezed harder, silencing her mid-sentence. Pudding's face contorted in pain.
Reiju, watching from the side, took notice of Shirahoshi's beauty. Her eyes sparkled. "Oh my, I didn't expect this. A visit like this and I stumble upon the Mermaid Princess of Fish-Man Island herself. She's even more beautiful than the rumors."
"She's mine," Smoothie snapped, casting Reiju a cold glance. "What, the Vinsmoke family wants in on this too?"
With that, she flung Pudding aside. Bang! Pudding hit the ground heavily, blood trickling from her mouth and nose. She groaned, unable to rise.
Shirahoshi gasped and rushed to her side, but before she could reach her, the pirates closed in and surrounded them.
"I wouldn't dare," Reiju replied with a bright smile. "Since she belongs to you, Lady Smoothie, I wouldn't dream of overstepping. However, I'd like to propose a deal."
"A deal?" Smoothie narrowed her eyes.
"Yes," Reiju said as she approached. "Shirahoshi is not only the princess of Fish-Man Island—she's also the current holder of the Ancient Weapon Poseidon. That kind of identity will attract dangerous attention."
"Get to the point," Smoothie replied coldly.
"It's simple," Reiju snapped her fingers. "Hand over Princess Shirahoshi to me, and we'll call off the 1 billion Berry debt. In addition, the Vinsmoke family will provide you with full military support—weaponry, ships, everything. What do you think?"
"Impossible," Smoothie said without hesitation. "If that's what you're thinking, I suggest you drop it."
"Now, now—don't be so unreasonable," Reiju smiled sweetly. "Everyone wants to possess something valuable. But if you don't have the strength to protect it, someone stronger will take it—and maybe even your life along with it. Wouldn't that be a shame?"
Smoothie's gaze sharpened. "Are you threatening me?"
"Oh, I wouldn't dare," Reiju said, waving her hand. "However, it's said that Shirahoshi is someone Lord Kaguya wants. If you claim her for yourself without permission and she finds out..."
At the mention of Kaguya, Smoothie's face darkened, and she replied stiffly, "You think I'm afraid of her? Don't be ridiculous."
Seeing Smoothie's forced composure, Reiju smiled knowingly—she understood the situation now. "Of course you're not afraid, Lady Smoothie. But gaining a powerful enemy during such a critical time doesn't seem worth it. Especially over a single person. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Then what do you want?" Smoothie snorted. "If I recall, your father was once locked in Kaguya's dungeon for ten years and subjected to all kinds of torture. Without your clan leader, the Vinsmoke family nearly perished. Aren't you afraid she'll come for you after you take Shirahoshi?"
Reiju's smile faltered for a moment, but then she laughed even more brightly. "That was just a misunderstanding. With someone as noble as Lady Kaguya, surely she wouldn't hold grudges against people like us. Those were just rumors on the street—hardly credible."
Smoothie replied, "I also remember your brothers nearly being killed over it. Am I wrong?"
"No need to worry about that, Lady Smoothie," Reiju replied smoothly. "If there's nothing else, shall we get back to discussing our deal?"
"Fine. We'll go with your proposal. But first..." Smoothie glanced toward the fallen Pudding, her gaze sharpening. "Let me deal with this wretch first."
No!
Pudding's heart clenched. She had just been using her Memo-Memo Fruit ability in secret, trying to manipulate some nearby pirates and slip away unnoticed. She hadn't expected Smoothie to detect her so easily!
Looks like she had no choice but to fight head-on!
Suddenly, Pudding sprang up from the ground and drew two revolvers from her waist. In a flash, she pulled the triggers!
Bang bang bang—!
"Aaaah—!"
In a rapid flurry of gunshots, several pirates around them fell, blood blooming across their bodies.
"Run!" Pudding gave the stunned Shirahoshi a shove. "What are you standing around for?! Go!"
Snapped out of her daze, Shirahoshi began running toward the trees—but with her mermaid tail, she stumbled and couldn't move quickly.
"Just you two little girls think you can escape from me? Naive!"
Smoothie sneered and moved like a phantom, flashing past a pirate and casually grabbing the long blade from his waist. Her eyes gleamed with killing intent. In the blink of an eye, she was before Pudding, snarling, "Now—go die!"
"Watch out!"
Pudding's pupils shrank!
Slash!
Blood splattered!
Pudding stared in shock, her eyes wide in disbelief.
Smoothie frowned slightly. "To think you'd block me—how utterly foolish."
Standing before Pudding... was Shirahoshi!
Smoothie's blade had pierced through Shirahoshi's pale shoulder, protruding from her back. Crimson blood trickled along the glimmering blade.
"If you insist on dying, I'll oblige!" Smoothie's eyes sharpened as she raised her arm to stab down at Shirahoshi's neck!
"Stop!"
Just before the blade struck, a long leg swept in with a clang, kicking the weapon aside in a shower of sparks!
Smoothie staggered back two steps and said coldly, "Reiju, what do you think you're doing? Are you opposing me?"
The one who had blocked the strike was Reiju!
She stepped forward gracefully. "Please don't misunderstand—I'm saving you."
"Saving me? Don't make me laugh," Smoothie sneered. "You're saving that wretch."
Unbothered by Smoothie's mockery, Reiju smiled. "From what I know, that girl isn't just the holder of Poseidon—she's also under Kaguya's protection. If you hurt her, you might be bringing disaster upon yourself."
"Don't try to scare me! You think I'm a fool?" Smoothie's eyes darkened. "Kaguya visited Fish-Man Island over ten years ago. Whether she even knew this girl is questionable."
"Ah, but that's what you don't know," Reiju said, pausing after a few steps. "Back then, Kaguya visited Fish-Man Island and had close ties with the royal family. As for Shirahoshi..." she smiled faintly, "how do you think she managed to shrink her giant body?"
Smoothie's eyes narrowed. "You're saying—Kaguya?!"
"You idiot! Why did you do that?!" Pudding shouted as she grabbed Shirahoshi in alarm.
"S-Sorry," Shirahoshi said weakly, her face pale. "I thought I could block it… I didn't know she was so strong."
As the princess of Fish-Man Island, Shirahoshi wasn't completely defenseless. Even the fragile Otohime had Observation Haki, so Shirahoshi naturally had some training.
Compared to the rest of the Grand Line, she wasn't powerless. Kaguya had even left behind some training methods, and Shirahoshi could defend herself against ordinary pirates.
Earlier, she had used her water manipulation skills to form a water-based defense, similar to a water wall. Unfortunately, her opponent was Smoothie, who could absorb moisture. Using water against her was like walking into a trap.
"You're an idiot!" Pudding scolded, frustrated. "Who told you to save me, you big dummy?!"
But seeing the blood on Shirahoshi's shoulder and her apologetic expression, Pudding felt a storm of emotions. This girl—once just a bargaining chip—had now saved her life twice.
Pudding tore a strip of cloth and wrapped it around Shirahoshi's wound, whispering, "In a moment, I'll draw them away. You run immediately. Behind us is a cliff—beneath it, the sea. As long as you get into the water, they won't be able to follow."
"But... but what about you?" Shirahoshi asked anxiously.
"You idiot. Of course I have my own way to escape. Just don't hold me back."
"But—"
"If you're thinking of escaping by the cliff," came Smoothie's icy voice, "you better give up. I already stationed men there. Even if you reach it, you'll be walking right into our net."
Pudding's heart sank. She hadn't expected Smoothie to be so ruthless, already anticipating their plan and laying a trap. It was clear now—this betrayal had been long in the making. She clenched her fists. She had never believed Smoothie truly pledged loyalty. Betrayal had always been just a matter of time.
Smoothie closed in, pirates tightening their formation behind her. "There's no one you can call for help now. Even if Kaguya came herself, she wouldn't be able to save you from this net!"
Pudding positioned herself in front of Shirahoshi, retreating step by step. Behind them was a sheer cliff. Loose rocks tumbled down into the sea below. It took several seconds before a distant thump echoed back.
This is bad.
Beads of sweat formed on Pudding's forehead.
"Seize them!" Smoothie ordered with a wave of her hand.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The pirates advanced with blades drawn.
But just then, a clear, melodious voice rang out.
"My, my. Lady Smoothie is certainly imposing today. Not even putting me in your eyes anymore? I suppose becoming captain of the BIGMOM Pirates has gone to your head. But perhaps you're getting a bit too carried away?"
Smoothie snapped around, long blade in hand, shouting, "Who's there?!"
"It's only been a few months and you've already forgotten me? My, how forgetful powerful people can be."
From the dense forest stepped a silver-haired girl with hair like flowing silk. A playful smirk danced on her lips as she stared at Smoothie with a knowing glint in her eyes.
Smoothie's pupils shrank, her face twisting in shock. "Y-You?!"
Kaguya strolled forward with a teasing tone. "Why not me?"
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