One Piece: It's always been you

Chapter 11 Joyful Town (5)

"Damn it." Buck fell to the ground, struggling to get up and wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Katakuri looked indifferently at the defenseless Barak. He hadn't used his full strength; such an opponent wasn't worth his full attack.

“It’s over.” Katakuri looked down at Buck, preparing to end his life.

"Charge them!"

At Buck's command, the controlled residents surrounded Buck and attacked Katakuri from the outside.

Seeing this, Katakuri took a few steps back to keep his distance from them. He then used his ability to create many mochi balls, preparing to attack the residents.

"Karry, no!"

Yu held the Earth Dragon and stood between Katakuri and the residents, planting the Earth Dragon in the ground and spreading his arms to protect the residents.

"Get out of the way!" Katakuri said, somewhat angrily. "I told you not to interfere."

“I have no intention of interfering, Buck, do as you please. But these residents are innocent. You can’t hurt them!”

"It's not up to you."

"Then kill me first, then go kill them!"

"Then so be it." With that, Katakuri switched targets to Yu.

Katakuri thought Yu would dodge, but when he saw Yu silently take the three mochi bullets he fired, he knew that Yu was serious; he also knew that in the end, he was the one who would compromise.

"..."

Katakuri walked over to Yu, drew his Earth Dragon, and left without a glance.

The chess piece and Katakuri left together. Only Buck and Yu remained on the field, along with Wolf, who had just arrived.

"Ha, what a foolish woman. Katakuri is gone, do you think you can beat me by yourself?" Buck said, hiding behind a resident.

"..." Yu was silent for a moment, "Your father pleaded for you, and I don't want to let you go. But now, if you remove your influence over them, I can let you go."

Buck glanced at Wolf behind him, then turned his gaze back to Yu.

"He'll save me? You'd better pray that Katakuri comes back to save you the moment I kill you!"

"what!!!"

Just as Buck was about to make a move, vines pierced his body. Buck felt completely powerless, and he lost the power of the Drunken Fruit.

What did you do to me?!

"It's nothing, I just injected some seawater into your body," Yu said coldly.

"Get the seawater out of me right now!"

“There’s nothing I can do. He’ll just disappear from your body little by little. As for exactly when, I don’t know.” Yu shrugged.

“Miss Yu, thank you for sparing his life.” Wolf was very grateful for Yu’s actions. “And thank you for saving everyone in town!”

"..." Yu didn't say anything more. She was more concerned about Katakuri right now, as she would need to rely on him later, and she couldn't afford to offend him now.

Just now, when Buck was about to attack, she noticed that he paused for a moment, and a hint of panic flashed across his face. In this town, even on this island, there was only one person who could make him act like that—Katakuri.

Did he not leave, but stand silently behind me, afraid that something might happen to me?

Yu desperately wanted to find Katakuri immediately, but what should she say? An apology? But the townspeople were innocent after all; reconciliation? It seemed like they were both just getting what they wanted...

"Miss, Lord Katakuri asked me to give you these." Four chess pieces blocked Yu's way, each holding a large treasure chest.

"What does he mean by this? Is he planning to let me take this and leave?" Yu was somewhat indignant. Just because she had hindered his struggle, he wanted to send her away with this?!

"No, Lord Katakuri said. The town was destroyed, and these residents you saved will need them."

"Lord Katakuri also said that these were found in the temple. So they can be considered returned to their rightful owner."

"...I understand." So he didn't intend to abandon me. "Take these and come with me."

Yu returned to where she had been. The Buck Pirates were gone, leaving only the gradually waking residents and Wolf.

Yu gave the treasure chest to Wolf, asking him to help rebuild Happy Town.

"Thank you! Thank you for letting Buck go and saving the town." Wolf didn't know how to thank Yu.

“No need. These belong to Katakuri; he has already repaid the favor he owed you.”

"If you truly feel uneasy and want to express your gratitude, then please treat everyone in the world with kindness in the future."

Yu hurriedly arrived at the shore with four chess pieces. Fortunately, the boat hadn't left; it was waiting for him.

"set off!"

As soon as Yu boarded the ship, Katakuri ordered them to depart. This made Yu feel that if he had arrived even a second later, Katakuri would have left first.

Yu sat down next to Katakuri. He wondered why Katakuri always liked to sit on the deck, under the sails—whether it was when they first met or when they were discussing things. Yu couldn't help but wonder if Katakuri even slept sitting there.

"We're just working together, and I hope this is the last time something like this happens."

"..."

Yu had considered that Katakuri might never speak to him again, or that he might warn him. But when it actually happened, it was still a little hard to accept.

"Hmm...I understand."

After everything that had happened, it was already evening, and the setting sun cast a warm glow on the ship, making one feel drowsy. Moreover, Yu was already weak, and having just used her ability to control the seawater, she could no longer support herself and her head gradually rested on Katakuri's shoulder.

"Karry... thank you!"