#katakuri my giant beloved

[grand-line-tormie]

they only added pickles by accident bc they were so distracted by how tall katakuri is

when your weird uncle goes nonverbal at the function

[kxizoku-ou]

Have you had any thoughts on hybrid versions of the one piece characters? I love seeing what animals people associate with the characters ����. Also ears and tails are cute

Hybrid Au, my beloved!!! owo I tend to go heavier with the animal research/xeno than just "ears and tails", but yes, I absolutely have thoughts— here's a handful of my favorites/who comes to mind!

. . .

Kaidou — Auroch bull: The now-extinct relative of modern cattle, closely related to Spanish fighting bulls. Bull feels fitting for Kaidou, I think— they're huge, potentially dangerous animals that get screwed over in blood sports or as slaughterhouse bait, and near-universally seen as aggressive because of instincts that are based in self-preservation or protecting a herd. And of course, ending up as a bull hybrid is just what happens to my favs, by now... (@senjuushi)

Judge — Tawny eagle: His "Garuda" theme implies a bird of prey from the start, so it's an easy pick! Described as "opportunistic", with a habit of feeding on carrion (and stealing other animals' prey), yet still "a bold and active predator", tawny eagles fit well with Judge's vibe of regal, pompous, and trying way too hard. They also tend to mate for life... and male birds are known for flashy courtship habits. Reiju, Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji would be the same species for this Au.

Sanji — Mourning dove: Keeping with the bird theme of his family, but a far less bloodthirsty species. Mourning doves are fluffy, vocal birds that are known for being "prolific breeders". They can be territorial between males, but are also social pair-bonders. Sora would have been a dove too, and Sanji sharing her species is just one more sign that the modifications failed. There's also something very fitting about a "caged bird" theme for his experiences with Germa.

Spandam — Giant panda: Useless animal that would be extinct by now without human intervention. Clumsy, pathetic, and admittedly pretty cute, but not good for much other than existing under careful supervision in a zoo. Of course, Spandam's terrible personality ruins most of the cuteness effect his hybrid species might have— ultimately, he's a needy, spoiled idiot who's eternally dependent on the care of others. And personally, I think he should have a cute, sensitive little stubby tail, perfect to yank on when he's being a brat.

Katakuri — Grizzly bear: Linlin is a grizzly hybrid as well, and the shared species adds to Katakuri's reputation as her "perfect" son. He's huge, powerful, and highly threatening... but would be just as content to gorge himself on snacks and all but hibernate afterward. If it wasn't for his self-imposed standard of perfection, that is. His fucked-up mouth seems even worse on a large predator species, too, which definitely adds to his complex/self-consciousness over it.

Perospero — Red fox: I saw a fanart of him as a fox hybrid on Pixiv, and it convinced me. A smug, sneaky bastard who takes after his mother's carnivore tendencies, but with far less of an intimidation factor to back it up. Annoyingly talkative and far more socially oriented than he wants to admit, as well as capable of being an absolute nuisance when he wants to— all of that sounds very fitting for Peros, I think. And fox whining noises fit his crybaby side.

Cracker — Bushy-tailed woodrat: Prey animals that are described as "vocal and boisterous", and nuisances for "creating general noisy havoc"— seems appropriate for Cracker, an overconfident brat who's far less tough than he acts. Packrats (the overall category) are nest-builders, too, which fits with how he spends so much time hiding in his biscuit soldiers to avoid direct combat. Woodrats also apparently have a foot-thumping tendency; a good match for his clapping!

Pudding — British longhair cat: Babygirl-looking murder machine seems highly appropriate. British longhairs have the sweetest little faces and soft coats, but cats are nature's finest serial killers at their core. Pudding would be perfect as a needy, jealousy-prone kitty who's way too good at playing up the cutesy kitten act to get on people's good sides— right up until a tsundere moment kicks in. Then, she's all puffed-up, twitching tail and poorly stifled purring.

Caesar — Axolotl: Like his pet poison slime thing! Axolotls are apparently "used extensively in scientific research due to their ability to regenerate limbs, gills, and parts of their eyes and brains", which feels fitting for Caesar, as does the fact that they're tricky to take care of as pets (and keep getting put in cages by people who don't treat them well, at that). Also, those feathery external gills are cute!!

Queen — American alligator: Lethal fat fuck of a reptile, exactly how Queen should be! Alligators can be lazy and kind of goofy-looking, but they're still dangerous and very strong. The huge, thick tail is also an obvious plus (the "Brachio-Snakeus" trick haunts me). And really, can't you see him sprawled out all lazy, for gator-style sunbathing?

Drake — Rottweiler/Border Collie mix: A strong, intelligent, capable, and work-oriented animal, that would (as a dog-experienced friend put it), "tear a house down to the foundation" if left without enough to occupy it. Drake gives me "beaten dog" vibes, in general, and it feels fitting that his hybrid species could easily have been sweet, if not for the trauma and DEEP psychological issues.

Law — Shorthaired silver tabby: Law is so very catboy-coded. He's a grumpy, fussy kitty who will both claw your arm open if you try to touch him, and could just as easily be reduced to a purring puddle if his guard gets torn down enough to allow it. Cats are highly effective agents of violence (and can be total bastards, when they want to), but also absolute babies. And imagine tiny, angry catboy Law getting scruffed by Rocinante to prevent the aforementioned clawing.

[fleet-admiral-hiba]

Can you do an angst with charlotte smoothie

A GRAVE MISTAKE

Here lies a lifeless bride and groom

Till death do us part came far too soon

Buildings burn and people die

All of the time

The sea was calm, too calm. The silence daunting, she couldn't stand it. Not when it reminded her of that day. The sea had the same colours, black as night, insidious, deadly.

She knew she didn't need to stay there, she had better things to, places to be, but she couldn't. Not when it was that same sea that took away something significant from her, something dear.

But I heard that you reap what you sow

So around and around we go

And when you see my face you'll know

She knew that people had died for this, but she wasn't satisfied, no one was. But life was unfair sometimes, and she had been "lucky". He was still there, physically at least, mentally though, he was far and far away. Sometimes, he came back, but it was just a fleeting moment, but it counted the same.

When the sun brought back love, those moments were extremely vital. He wasn't dead, he was still there.

You can't save yourself or save your soul

When you meet the man whose life you stole

With withered wings and broken bones

A flight for the fallen, flies the crow

Can't save yourself

She promised her beloved the revenge he deserved. He did nothing wrong to deserve this fate. He did nothing wrong in loving her. But greed fuelled people to do the unthinkable. He had been her sword and shield, he gave his life for her, he sacrificed his soul for love.

These vengeful thoughts trapped underneath

Rage, scorn, misery

Payback for what you took from me

Hope, love, sanity

Feelings burned inside her, but she kept her stoicism, she didn't shout, nor cry, she didn't rage. No, she wasn't going to do that, her love deserved better. Not after what he went through, she couldn't stop so low as to feel anything for those lowly pieces of trash. They didn't deserve her feelings, they were beneath the dirt for her.

She really had to go see her love, it was almost time for tea. She moved her gaze towards the hall, and closed the windows. The castle was silent, no one was around, save for some chess soldiers.

I heard that you reap what you sew

So here's to believing in ghosts

Now when you see my face you'll know

You can't save yourself or save your soul

When you meet the man whose life you stole

With withered wings and broken bones

A flight for the fallen, flies the crow

Before she could knock, she was stopped by Katakuri. " I have news, regarding those names. We found some people who fit the description, we have places marked and ships. When you are ready, "said the giant, before vanishing.

No forgiveness, just farewell

A match made in heaven

You sent straight to hell

No forgiveness, no escape

May you rest in pieces

For your grave mistake

For your grave mistake

There would be no grand display, only a quiet massacre. The water would be tinted red by the time the finished. But for now, she had a tea party to attend. She missed his dear, and she wanted to spend some time with him before she set sail.

"Hello y/n" she said, you looked at her, eyes vacant, but you nodded her way. Today was especially hard, the weather didn't help with the pain. "Here, let me help you up, " she gave you your favourite heat pack, before preparing the small portable table.

It was a quiet affair, but those three following words made the day better.

"I love you"

You can't save yourself or save your soul

When you meet the man who's life you stole

With withered wings and broken bones

A flight for the fallen, flies the crow

You can't save yourself

No you can't save yourself

For your grave mistake

You can't save yourself

[princessroyal95]

This is love (Charlotte Katakuri x Hirawashi Len) [English version]

Summary

Who can love a monster like Charlotte Katakuri? He is the son of Charlotte Linlin, known as Big Mom, and the question of the second eldest child in the family is who could love someone like him.

The idea of him falls apart when he meets a somewhat tsundere girl, but with a heart of gold that will make the commander fall in love.

-----------x-----------

Chapter IV

Following in the footsteps of that five-metre giant was not easy. Len was striding as hard as she could to follow Katakuri, as the latter did not like to go too slow and even more so if there was a tenant in his home. From time to time he would look at her sideways and was amused by the way the girl walked. Why did he do this? Technically he was doing it for his mother. He suspected that if the girl did not decide who to marry, Big Mom would force her to marry him. He provoked a grunt, alerting the girl.

"Hey, it's not my fault you're ten feet tall and walk like you're running," Len reproached, puffing out her cheeks a little.

"I wasn't grunting about that," Katakuri clarified, while still walking.

"So what are you upset about?"

"That's none of your business, you little brat.

"As if I care."

Why did he feel that little girl would get on his nerves whenever they brought up a topic of conversation? Katakuri wasn't much of a talker, especially when it came to a tenant like her. Len was getting bored for not having anything to talk to. Would it be worth talking to that giant? She certainly didn't have any interesting things to say, such as his battles with pirates or marines.

She would have liked that as she was a brute just like him. Her curiosity increased every time she looked at Katakuri's scarf. Why did he cover his mouth with it? One of two: either he was cold or he was hiding something. She wanted to think about the first option; however, since she arrived at the castle she hadn't noticed that his voice was deeper or a little constipated by some kind of illness.

She would have to get some information out of him if she wanted to fulfil Linlin's wish, although she would do so reluctantly and was the only one who found him... interesting."Your name is Katakuri, isn't it?"

"Charlotte Katakuri."

"It's the same." She held her hands up to her head so that she didn't care if her name was that. "Of all the brothers you have, which position are you in?"

"I am the third, although I am the second male in the family and the first to be part of the first triplets my mother had."

"I mean... you're forty-eight years old."

"That's right." Was she really starting to get interested in him or was it because she was bored? "How old are you?"

"I'm twenty-five years younger than you," she says quietly, "so that would make you a paedophile.

"As if I'm interested in brats like you."

"So why do you keep talking to me and falling for your beloved mother's game?"

As soon as he heard that, the commander of the Charlotte family stopped making Len bump into his leg. She didn't realize it, but at least she didn't fall to the ground. Katakuri turned slowly and then looked at the young woman. The size between them was abysmal, how could those two be a couple? Even they don't know for sure.

"I obey my mother's orders," Katakuri said, grabbing the young woman's arm and lifting her up. Len started to kick like never before, but sensed the closeness between the two of them. So close that with one touch of her fingers she could make that scarf disappear, "if she wants this, I will make it happen.

"Don't you care that the other person likes you?"

"I'd rather there be no feelings between the two of us because we'd hurt each other." The commander's gaze turned sombre and his voice became more serious than usual.

"We are getting to know each other, Katakuri," Len clarified as calmly as possible, "you should give this one a chance... new experience?"

"You don't know me at all.

"That's why we're here, isn't it? To get to know each other, to know the other person's tastes..."

"And why don't you do it with my other brothers?" It was right on the money.

"The answer is more than obvious, isn't it?"

The commander didn't really understand what she meant, was she making fun of him? Technically he started to remember what happened earlier in the library. Was it because his brothers did not respect her? Or was it because they were not so normal people? More doubts arose in Katakuri's head without leaving the young woman. What could she be up to? With so many thoughts he gave Katakuri a headache that even he couldn't bear.

He relaxed his arm, leaving young Len on the ground, but not looking away from her. He wanted to know more about her. Why? She wasn't just any girl; in fact, she was someone who had a meticulous thought, something that the taller man was attracted to. Wait, he' s not looking at her, is he? He couldn't like her, she was a brat after all.

"My brothers are better than me." He heard Len laugh at such a comment leaving the man somewhat bewildered.

"Oh, come on, don't make me laugh. You have brains, the others think about their muscles," Len said as she stood next to him.

"Or his stomach."

"Wow, I see you're noticing where the shots are going." Len smiles.

"Do you mean to tell me that I am a better man than they are? Confusion was what he had now, raising his eyebrow a little.

"That I will never know, since you don't really want to know me."

On the one hand, he wanted to get to know her thoroughly, to find out if she was very different from the other women he had met or her sisters. On the other hand, there was the fear that the girl would see what was behind the scarf and laugh at it or, worse still, that she would look at it like a monster. He didn't want to trust her because he didn't know what that woman would do. Many doubts arose in his head that he began to have a slight pain in his brain, almost in the area of his forehead.

Better not to make a comment and move on, taking firm steps in the right direction. Len only looked at him sideways because of what followed. What if her comment was not a good idea and affected Katakuri's heart? Does he have feelings or is he just another Big Mom soldier? A cold and heartless soldier who cared the least if he hurt someone. That could be it.

The young woman stopped her steps when she saw something out of the corner of her eye and approached the large window that gave access to the outside. Katakuri realized that the girl was not following him, he turned on his heels to find an expectant young woman. For a moment he saw her eyes gleam with a unique sparkle. It was as if her hazel eyes had adopted an emerald colour. Her somewhat rough face became calm and somewhat submissive. It was as if she was seeing a wonder.

The commander, curious, took small steps towards Len and realized what the girl was looking at. It was the great city decorated by all kinds of sweets and, beyond that, the sea. She was a beauty in the eyes of everyone. Seeing how people moved around buying and tasting the exquisite delicacies of those lands. The man looked at Len again, expectant of his face.

It was rare to see a young woman with a strong character in that state. Did she like beauty? Seeing her with that somewhat angelic face gave her a sense of peace and tranquility. Something he had longed for when that tragedy began. A memory that marked him for life. With just the thought of it, he carried his unconscious hand in his scarf trying to repress that pain. His ears were pricked up when he heard a small sigh from the young woman who placed both hands on the railing, looking at the landscape with a little charm in her eyes.

"The view looks better when it's getting dark," Katakuri commented above, receiving the girl's attention.

"It must be a wonder." Len doesn't look away from the place. "Seeing people going home with their children already bought, and then making food. And beyond that, the sun going down to welcome the moon. And when that happens, the rays of the star spread all over the sea giving it a touch of magic."

The big, burly man was surprised by Len's words. They were pure poetry to his ears. How could this young man have her innocence and charm? Is she bipolar, perhaps? Tsundere? He wasn't quite sure. Although, it felt nice to see her like that, so immersed in her thoughts. What if it was a good idea to get to know her a little better? He should have, but he was adamant. He didn't believe in that stuff about love; however, deep down he felt the curiosity growing in him.

On the other hand, Len turned around and met Katakuri's gaze. Everyone's eyes, for an instant, connected as if the look was enough to say a few words. It felt strange, but at the same time, pleasant. What was this feeling that the two of them were feeling? The young woman looked away in a matter of minutes feeling uncomfortable.

"If you want, this afternoon we can go somewhere where you can watch the sunset."

"... Are you asking me out on a date?"

"I'm just offering you something you want to see."

Why is this man who had all the looks of a savage so adorable? Len's cheeks turned crimson like the flowers themselves feeling the heat, about to erupt like a volcano.

"Are you sick?" asked Katakuri, placing his hand on the young woman's forehead as he saw that. "It doesn't look like you are."

"I-I'm fine." She moved her hand away from the man; however, she realizes his size. It was a little bigger than hers. And the way he posed her on her forehead could take her head off perfectly. She smiled a little. "And you should stop growing, really. What do they feed you? Breads with your mother's milk filling?"

"Was that literal or is that a form of mockery?"

"Can't you take a joke?"

"I'm too old to understand the jokes of a brat like you." A slight, small smile, though not noticeable under his scarf, appeared in Katakuri. The young woman knew perfectly well that the condemned man was smiling.

"I may be a brat, but I have more character than you, pedophile."

"Will you call me that forever now?" Deep down he was having fun with her.

"Sure, you already have a nickname. Now I give you permission to call me one." She wanted him to call her a nickname? "Come on, there's confidence now, isn't there?"

"... Hobbit," he said that and Len made a face like a few friends.

"I may be small, but I'm a grown-up, right!" Big mistake by the young lady. Katakuri took one arm and lifted her back to her old self. "What's your habit of holding me like this now?"

"Done and right?" laughed Katakuri, bringing the young woman closer to his face. "I'd like to see that with my own eyes." For a moment, the commander's maroon eyes shone brightly alerting Len. Never, until now, did she see that touch in his eyes, was he thinking about perverted things?

"See? You're a pedophile, it hits you too much," said Len, laughing softly. She didn't really feel uncomfortable around him and apparently, deep down, neither did he.

The silence in the room made it clear that there was nothing more to talk about. Nevertheless, those two did not stop looking at each other. A look is worth a thousand words, as the saying goes. Although Len's eyes were fixed in that scarf that made you want to burn it at any moment. Unconsciously she raised her free hand to reach for it, but she didn't expect the owner of that garment himself to stop her.

He said, "Don't do it."

"Why?"

"Because... you don't want to see what's behind it." For the first time, she saw in his eyes some fear with what she understood.

"It's okay, but I assure you that at any moment you'll have to show me."

Did she want to see what she considered a monster? No, nonsense. She wouldn't want to see that; however, her hazel eyes showed that touch of charm and determination that, for a strange reason, captivated her.

Garnet and hazelnut. A strange combination for both subjects. One showed how sweet he can be, and the other a simple monster where people run away from him. They were not realizing that their bodies do not have enough space. It was too intimate; in fact, they didn't care at all.

However, the first to realise what was happening was Katakuri so he left the young woman on the floor. She complained a little about the arm where she gives a light massage in the area. Her ears were pricked up as she heard the commander walk away from her, implying that he had resumed the walk leaving her behind. Len didn't hesitate for a second and ran towards him before losing sight of him.

And again, silence. They didn't talk the whole way. Why do they make it so complicated? It could be that they are people who make everything difficult and not because they have a strong character, but also in their lives. They were born that way, they had a difficult life for both of them. And they didn't want to talk about it as if it were a taboo. Something forbidden to them.

Len wanted to bring up some specific subject, but it was really difficult. He was a man with a lot of mystery and he wanted to try to be at least his friend. She knew perfectly well that this was not the case, so she sighed finally giving up. Perhaps he was not the person she was looking for so that she would not have to marry the others.

For his part, Katakuri kept looking sideways at the young woman walking behind him. He watched as Len was immersed in his thoughts as if he were planning something. What was he thinking about? He could predict the future with his Haki, but not read the minds of others. He wished his sister Brülée was here to help him in this time of tension between the two of them.

"Oni-chan!" And it seems their prayers were answered. His sister appeared in one of the mirrors in the corridor. "I finally found you, brother!"

"Is something wrong, Brulee?"

"Apparently some treasure looters arrived and are in Sweet City scaring people."

"And where are the soldiers?" Knowing that the soldiers were incompetent made the commander furious, but he stood his ground.

"... They were easily defeated," Brülée commented by bowing her head, "I wanted to stop them brother; however, they..."

"You'd better stay here and keep an eye on the mirrors."

"I will, brother!" Brulee realised that Katakuri was not alone. Len observed every detail of the conversation between the two brothers. "You've been spying?!" the witch shouted euphorically, pointing at the young woman with her index finger.

"I was rather walking with Katakuri until you came with that news." The young woman walked in front of Brulee, "Where are those looters?"

"... Stay out of this business! This will be taken care of by my brother!"

The witch saw how the girl ran to where Katakuri went as she did not want to hear where those people were. Because Len was very fast and it was also difficult to lose sight of a man of five meters. However, it was not expected that this burly man would use the power of the Devil's Fruit to move towards the city.

Len put her hands on the window and watched as the mochi dough landed on the roof of one of the houses. She never imagined that Katakuri was made of that kind of food, although thinking about it, it was because of that fruit. The young woman was left behind, she had to reach for it anyway. With determination, she climbed to the edge of the window and then jumped onto one of the roofs.

Her advantage was that her feet were light and she didn't weigh too much to break the top of one of the houses. However, it was no time to think about it, she feared that she would get to where the thieves were because her greatest concern was that they would harm the children of the city. She skillfully jumped up and down on each roof, obtaining a great deal of speed that was somewhat unhumane for her.

The cries of the citizens were present because of those treasure looters. They had a lot of courage to enter a kingdom guarded by Big Mom. After all, they were not afraid of anything and they did it to earn some money.

"You're taking too long!" cried the supposed chief thief. "We've got to get out of here before the commanders arrive!"

"I think your words came true."

All the looters stopped when they heard that harsh voice representing dominance in those streets. They turned their bodies slowly to meet this person who was a real monster for the Government. Charlotte Katakuri watched them calmly while she played with one of her candies.

"Charlotte Katakuri!" shouted one of them.

"And you have come alone?" laughed the chief thief, rising from a barrel while watching the commander. "It's strange to see you alone without the company of the other two commanders."

"I can manage without them."

The chief thief smiled broadly knowing that this would be his downfall if he did not attack Big Mom's son. Fear was overpowering him, but one thing was clear, he knew perfectly well the weakness of those who consume the Devil's Fruit. Out of nowhere, he made a large gun appear that was impossible to hold without expert hands.

"Disappear!"

Before shooting, the Kenbunshoku Haki of Katakuri was activated by witnessing the future in a few seconds so he had the opportunity to dodge that water cannon. The leader was annoyed because the man dodged it, but he shot endlessly at all the houses, no matter if there were people there.

The man with the maroon eyes analysed his enemy in detail. He was not a strong enough opponent so he could take advantage and knock him out at any time. However, his ears were sharpened by the sound of children crying disconsolately over a large stone coming towards them.

He was going to use his ability to stop it, but unfortunately his Haki was activated warning him of the danger behind him. He dodged another of the cannons perfectly, but he was headed straight for those children. They were going to be crushed to death by a large rock and one of those bullets. He had to save them or it would be his undoing.

However, as if by some miracle, a certain person stopped the rock in time and pushed the children aside to receive the body of water, leaving it somewhat wounded. The two children looked on in dismay at that person's act. Katakuri opened his eyes wide when he found out who was there. It was none other than Hirawashi Len.

"A woman...," spoke one of the looters.

"She was hit by the water cannon."

"Oh, look what you've done Charlotte Katakuri," spoke the leader with a mocking smile, "you've let a woman be beaten by..."

"Idiots." It was the only thing that Len could articulate at that moment. Her hands, thin and strong, broke the great stone showing her great strength towards the looters. She was furious and you could see it in her eyes. "How dare you attack harmless children!ç?!" Without one acting, the young woman had already beaten up a few thieves leaving them stunned and breaking the occasional bone.

"What the hell...?!"

"And as for you!" Len rushed towards the enemy to grab him by his shirt and looked at him threateningly. "I'll dig your grave for doing such an act!"

"I'm sorry! I won't do it again, I promise!" The leader was getting nervous, as he had never seen such brutality in a woman as she did.

"It doesn't work for me!" She lifted the six-foot-two man off the ground and then stamped his head on the ground where it broke off, leaving a large hole from the impact.

The people of Sweet City were shocked to see such an act by that girl. Although they noticed that she was the girl that Charlotte Linlin loved so much. Everyone panicked at the sight of such a monstrosity from that young girl. However, the children who were rescued by her approached with a big smile from ear to ear.

"Thank you for saving us."

"You don't have to give them," Len said, giving them a little bit of a sincere smile.

The one who was impressed was Katakuri. Did that young woman follow him here? Although, honestly, if she wasn't here those children would have died already. His eyes were transfixed on the young woman's body for a few moments. Her clothes were somewhat torn from the impact of the water and she showed some signs of injury. But she didn't even realize it, she only had eyes for those children.

Would she give her life for these children? He would do the same, but for his brothers. His steps were present alerting that small group and Len stood up, as he was talking to the little ones in the city.

"You are strong in nature," Katakuri commented, without turning his eyes away from it.

"Is that all? Aren't you going to ask me if I'm all right?"

"I can see you, I know you are."

"Although if you asked me I would say that." Len laughed softly, widening her smile. "And one thing...." The young woman, with a lot of determination, grabbed the tip of his clothes forcing him to bend down being at her height, "the next one to dodge something like that in the presence of some children whose grave I will dig is you!"

"It won't happen again," he says quietly, keeping a mocking smile on his face.

"You'd better!

The people of the city watched the discussion of those two, it was as if they got along well, but in just a few hours. Although her thoughts go beyond that, what would happen if the young woman discovered what was behind that scarf? If only that moment would never come, they thought.

Meanwhile, these two returned to the castle to report the event.

-----------x-----------

Chapter III.

Chapter V.

[glossytoji]

Katakuri x Reader

(Realizing that they have fallen in love)

Theme: fluff

Word count: 1472

Main masterlist

Katakuri x reader☆

Katakuri couldn't help but shuffle in his position- with his back against the tree-in discomfort. He sighed in frustration with his eyebrows furrowed.

Lately, he's been always found by his siblings in a bad mood. It's been a week and he still feels irritated and more pissed with the fact he himself couldn't understand- why.

From a distant, he could suddenly hear soft laughter. He groaned when he realized who that lighthearted laughter belonged to.

"Oi Katakuri-sama!" Y/n cheerfully called over as she walked towards his huge form right-after she parted ways with Pudding.

There she is. His beloved wife that he had been married for four months. Political marriage- something y/n couldn't escape even if she wanted to but to his relief, she seemed to be doing just fine and not... against the idea.

He remembered having accidentally slipped his scarf-a few weeks ago- infront of her in their home, Katakuri was about to be angry and go on a rampage but to his surprise, y/n didn't mind...

He almost felt like he was normal and he was ecstatic because of that.

He was rushing home from his merienda, having heard that his wife

was in trouble with some of the citizens of whole cake island.

"What happened?" He gently asked while his wife's eyes is focused on the book on her hand.

"It's already fine." Y/n nonchalantly shrugged as she maintains her focus back on her book. Katakuri took a deep breath to ease his annoyance, the matter was already handled and he didn't understand why he has to be summoned in his home most especially in the middle of his merienda.

"Look-" before he could finish what he had to say, he realized that y/n's eyes are already laid on him with his scarf draped below his mouth. At the sudden revelation and realization, his heart stopped.

"Would she think I'm a monster too?" He thought.

"What?" Y/n asked, confused with why he suddenly stopped talking. Katakuri remained to stare intently at y/n's form in a tense manner; anticipating the worse reaction from her.

"O-okay... if you remember what you had to say, don't hesitate to call for me okay?" She gently spoke then returned her focus back on her book. Katakuri's eyes widened in surprise,

"How could she act that well? As if she's not surprised and disgusted?" He thought. The moment he realized that his face starts to flush in embarrassment, he decided to huff his way out of their home.

Ever since that incident, nothing has exactly changed from the both of them except maybe that his wife has become more playful and sweet with him. Their lives continued to where they left and Katakuri never bothered to talk about that incident.

"Oi! My giant husband!" She playfully spoke, poking his right shoulder. His eyes remained close as he didn't budge from his seated position leaned against the tree. But soonafter, his eyes didn't remain close for so long as he saw with his haki what his wife is about to do and before he could react, his wife indeed plopped on his lap then leaned her entire back on his broad and sturdy chest.

"Hmmm my cute husband, why are you avoiding me lately." Y/n gently asked as she nuzzled the left side of her face to his chest, basking the warmth of her husband. Y/n sighed in relief as the cold night has now failed to prickle on her skin.

"Hmm?" Katakuri hummed in pretentious confusion. Well, she was right but he won't ever admit to that.

"Look-"

"You finally remembered what you had to say?" Y/n immediately interrupted, referring to the night where his scarf slid off from his face. Katakuri immediately adjusted his scarf from the memory and also in an attempt to hide the soft blush on his cheeks, he never knew having his wife on top of him could actually be so refreshing.

"You don't have to pretend..." he begrudgingly spoke, his hands now fisting the grass on his sides.

"What?" Y/n asked in confusion.

"Cut the crap, y/n." He growled.

"I don't understand? What's going on? Tell me?" She gently asked, now craning her head up to her husband from her seated position on his lap.

Katakuri heaved a sigh in frustration. He knew he didn't have it in him to tell her. He immediately look around on the area that they're currently in and looked through his haki to take a hint if there are going to be interruptions on their talk. He realized there would be none for a while and did the impossible. He immediately pulled down his scarf before his doubts and hesitations could interrupt him. As he felt the cold air touch his lips, he remained his eyes tightly shut.

"It's about time you remove that scarf, it must've been hot wearing that on a hot morning." Y/n commented, as she held the tips of his scarf with a hand. Slowly Katakuri opened his eyes, he decided to stare down at her and anticipate on what she has to say but a after a few moments of silence, and after looking through his haki- he knew that his wife is not planning to say anything soon as she remains to nuzzle her upper body on his warm chest.

"A-are you not gonna say something?" Katakuri momentarily falters from his intimidating image. He realized that he's quite worried in what she had to say and right after he spoke that question, he didn't dare to look through his haki. He suddenly reminsces the time that y/n would make him jolt- it's quite a funny sight to see since he has always carried the burden of "the perfect man" or "the perfect brother" but with the presence of his wife, none of those epithet made sense. Ever since that incident, he knew he couldn't look y/n the same way and out of his awareness, his respect for her grew a thousand fold. While y/n successfully made him jolt physically... she also managed to jolt inner feelings deep in Katakuri that he wouldn't want to acknowledge.

While getting lost in his deepest thoughts, he failed to notice his wife standing beside him until she pressed a soft kiss on her husband's exposed cheeks- in his stitches that almost reached his ears. He once again jolted, worried that his newfound bedazzled state -that only happens when his wife is around- might cause them danger. He realized what his wife just did, Katakuri immediately lowered his head in embarrassment.

This couldn't be..  is this really how she's supposed to act? He thought in denial that someone outside of his family has fully accepted him- hell, even his mother made fun out of him. He has never cried in his lifetime but for tonight, he felt like crying as he was overwhelmed that such fantasy is being made possible.

"Katakuri..." y/n gently whispered on her husband's ear as wrapped both arms on his bulky arms, although she was not quite successful due to his huge form, he was still quite satisfied; he could feel the genuine warmth radiated from her- a warmth that not even his imagination of what a true home is could compare.

Katakuri mustered all his courage and decided to look his wife straight in they eye, his adams apple bobbed in nervousness and embarrassment. He was once again taken by surprise when y/n immediately planted her soft lips against his. Katakuri's tensed form soonafter relaxed as he returned her kisses with soft intensity, afraid that his teeth might wound the soft and welcoming lips of his wife; succesfully pouring his heart out on their shared kiss. He smiled, truly and genuinely smiled- for the first time in a very long time- and not like the sinister one that he's accustomed to.

"Do you want to eat dinner with me tomorrow?" He gently asked, this time without bothering to hide the look of admiration on his face.

Y/n eagerly bobbed her head up and down in delight, Katakuri reacted with a smile at his adorable wife. He then momentarily stiffed as he felt her softly kiss his forehead. He knew he wanted to do the same, so carefully, he placed a hand on the small of her back and gently placed a kiss on her forehead as well. He smiled in relief and delight as he knew things will never be the same for the both of them but this time, it's gonna be better and he knew everything is gonna be alright.

Hi! I've already posted some of my works in wattpad! In case you wanted to read more in wattpad, here's my username: @ChocosLate

Hii, thank you for being here and taking your time to read!

[cebwrites]

Also write something for you. Write Law and his boyfriend watching movies together <3 or something for your own soul.

i will!! i already wrote something self-indulgent for law tonight, but this prompted another idea to crop in my head so i hope you don't mind me using this to air it out <33

drunk HCs (Kirin, Reiji, Rio)

mostly oc x oc, law and katakuri are mentioned once(1) word count: 0.6k

Kirin

Man rarely gets drunk, if ever

He drinks a lot, enough to keep up with the likes of Zoro, even, laughing obnoxiously and partying it up with the other resident alcoholics like frat bros without the misogyny - just guys being lads <3

But it’s only around other people and never when he’s feeling upset

Kirin avoids drinking alone, if even one or two other people joins him then that’s enough, though in this case rather than being howdy and partying it up, it’s almost like he gets-

Somber?? Somber.

For once, he doesn’t crack jokes, isn’t even playful or snide about anything, he’s just-- plain and open about his feelings with these one or two people who had the misfortune of catching the silly lil guy, the resident trickster, when he wasn’t goofing around

Kirin doesn’t like being vulnerable like this, it makes him feel icky and the hangovers worse he feels - if he wants to have a heart to heart with someone he’d much rather do it sober than with the ply of alcohol

Law come pick him up Kirin needs to be held (he’ll spend the next morning sleeping all those feelings off in the Heart captain’s room surrounded by Law’s nice smelling clothes)

Reiji

A miserable light-weight

Reiji starts getting tinted ears after the first one and a half drinks and it's only downhill from there, it won't be long until he's fully red in the face, slurring his words, and sleepily trying to cuddle anyone who resembles his partners within his periphery

Or, in at least a handful of cases, actively avoiding Kirin trying to help him to bed because, "he's a taken man, dammit!" before he drunkenly wonders if he even is one, then promptly falls asleep on the tatami, couch, wherever he can rest his head semi-comfortably

And that's entirely why Reiji usually spends his time at the party either in the kitchen, or spoiling his captain with Kirin's head in his lap

For how drunk he gets, though? Surprisingly little hangover, man can pop an aspirin, reorient himself for ten minutes, and then go about his day like he didn’t get absolutely shitfaced the night before on maybe three to four drinks, at most

Reiji does, however, like making amazake or other kinds of rice wines, for the people on his ship that enjoy alcohol, as a hobby

Rio

Holds his alcohol pretty well and knows when to stop because he has morons to corral into bed who can and will get into shit if left unsupervised

Rio maintains a pleasant buzz throughout the night until half an hour before it’s time to leave, sober up, and then pack their clowns to go

By far the most responsible drinker by a longshot, especially in comparison to her beloved crew (she does love them, they just piss him off sometimes a lot of the time)

But still the one saddled with the worst hangover out of all of them because god must think it’s funny 

There can’t be a shred of light in the room when he wakes up otherwise Rio’s eyeballs and cranium feel like they’re going to explode

Let alone any noise, GOD, if anyone so much as breathes too loudly in his direction he’ll tell them to shut the fuck up

There’s little else they can do about it other than cover his eyes and maybe cry into his husband’s giant tits until the pounding in his head subsides - Katakuri a comfortable mattress hubby, if not a little concerned

The general rule on Kirin’s crew is that if Rio’s drinking, then Izzy isn’t - and vice versa, to make sure that at least two people will still be functional enough the next day if Lady Luck frowned on them with another Grand Line-typical disaster, hostile pirates, or the navy

[sandpumpkin]

Dear to the Heart

This was a secret santa gift for the wonderful @elliemehl​ and she said I could post it. So! Please enjoy some soft mochi. 

Warning: mild angst.

Fluff. 

under the cut because it’s a litte long.

Being able to peek into the future was a gift most people would kill for, and it was a skill Katakuri had honed for many years; yet now he was almost reluctant to use it. Every dawn he woke feeling a piece of him was missing, every day he cursed those painful words. And every night, he thought of how he missed her curled up in his arms.

But it was the right thing to do.

-3 years earlier-

“What do you mean?” she asked, tears already threatening to spill from her eyes as she looked up at him. Katakuri reached with his giant hand to carefully wipe the tears away.

“You have to leave.” he replied sternly, “for your own safety.” He  moved away from her to sit behind his desk, knowing that if he stayed close he would want to hold her and never let go. “You have yet to pay your soul tax – you cannot stay. I have already prepared a ship and residence for you out of Mama’s territory.” It was a battle to remain impervious to her tears.

“I don’t- I don’t want to go.” Her voice cracked as she struggled to string a sentence together.

“You will leave,” he said with his usual cold tone and not the softer tone he used with her, “Go now while Mama is too busy planning another wedding to notice a ship slip out of the area.” 

Clutching her shirt tightly, she swallowed back more tears and smiled at him. It pained him so much to see how her smile quivered every second it was upon her beautiful face. “Goodbye Katakuri...I love you..” she sniffled and hurried out of his office, breaking into sobs. 

Katakuri balled his hands into tight fists and tried to calm his own frantic emotions.

As do I. One day when it is safer I will come for you.

-Present Day-

Another day had rolled by and he found himself in the Seducing Woods, home to his sister Brulee. He used to walk here with his beloved, she loved this eerily spooky forest and Brulee had been overjoyed to know her dear brother had finally found someone special; she always made sure the forest homies kept their eyes closed when Katakuri came here, giving him some privacy from prying eyes. “Kata! My sweetest mochi!” He could almost hear her sweet voice in his ears, almost feel her beside him holding his large hand in her far smaller one.

He sat down by the lake hidden away by the trees in the centre of the forest and reached into his waistcoat pocket to pull out a delicate silver locket which he carefully opened. His bright pink eyes softened as they gazed upon her sweet face; running a thumb over the portrait he wanted  nothing more than to have her here in his arms.

So many times he was tempted to use his future sight to see what her future held but he was scared. What if her future wasn’t with him? What if she had found another?

But the gifts he had sent her had been delivered –  unless she was selling them? So many unanswered questions that stabbed at his heart like knives.

He remembered their first kiss in this very forest on a full moon when she tumbled into the river.

-

Katakuri had been so focused on making sure no one was around that he had failed to even consider that she might slip by accident. She slipped and Katakuri had moved to grab her but instead her hand had clutched at his thick scarf pulling it clean over his head and into the cold lake. He remembered the shock as he stood with his hand still outstretched like a stunned deer. It had all happened so fast and now she would surface and see his hideous face. It took a lot to make Katakuri jump but when she surfaced taking a gasp of air, he felt his body jolt slightly, and he watched her as she shook the water from her hair.

“I am so sorry, Kata..kuri..” She looked up at him, holding his scarf which had probably soaked up plenty of water. She was staring and Katakuri moved to cover his face, backing away from the water's edge and turning around. “Katakuri, wait!” she called frantically, and he heard the sound of his scarf slopping onto the ground as she clambered out of the water.

A gentle hand came to rest on his forearm. “Katakuri?” She hesitated. “I know you’ve always hidden your face and I understand if you do not wish to show me but I want you to know that I love you. I love every aspect of you. Everything about you fills my heart – you’re  so strong and unyielding, and so gentle and caring, so loyal and understanding of others with or without your future sight. Please know that there is nothing in this world that would change how I feel about you. I shall say it over and over - I love you, Charlotte Katakuri, and always will.”

Swallowing his uncertainty he turned back to her, a gloved hand still covering his face as he knelt down to breach their difference in height No battle he had fought could compare to the anxiety thudding in his chest. What if her words were hollow and would shatter the moment she glimpsed at his face properly?

Gingerly she touched his hand,  gazing into his eyes to seek his permission. At a slight nod of his head  she guided his arm to his side, leaving him defenseless to her judgement.

He turned his eyes away, unable to bear the sight of the disgust that probably lingered  in her eyes, but warm hands came to cup his face as though he were made out of the most delicate of meringues. Her soft fingers traced his facial features: the long scar that spread from his lips and his huge teeth. “How handsome,” she said, after what felt like an eternity of silence. He finally looked back at her and was shocked: she was smiling at him so gently, not a trace of fear in her beautiful eyes. Her fingers ran through his short spiky hair and guided his head to her chest so she could plant a kiss into his hair “I am glad you showed me your face and I stand true by my words. I love you.”

Katakuri closed his eyes in relief. His whole body eased into hers, savouring this foreign gentle touch, and he raised his hands to wrap around her body, holding her close. He might be one of the sweet commanders and most feared people on Totto Island but right now he felt like a normal man being loved by his sweetheart.

“Katakuri?” she asked hesitantly, “could we...could we kiss? Or maybe..is it too soon?” she stammered out as though she had just proposed the most illicit action ever. Katakuri peered up from her chest to see her cheeks tinted red. The butterflies swirling around his stomach made him feel like a young man again, when he had missed out on these feelings. People were so scared of him that none dared approach him and now here he was pondering his first kiss with someone he loved dearly. He nodded and the look of excitement mixed with nervousness in her eyes. 

Katakuri allowed her to take the lead - he was no expert at romance, all this completely new to him. Cradling his face still, she closed the gap between them to plant little kisses all over his face before placing the softest kiss on his lips. The moon had been shining down upon them like the lovers in a melodramatic play: it was a moment he could never forget.

-

Katakuri looked up at the sky where another full moon cast down its cold rays upon him. Another act without its leading lady. How many years do I have left on this earth?. He was in his forties now and still he felt incomplete. How many years had he wasted without her by his side? Despite his status and branding as a pirate all he wanted was to live out his days with her, perhaps have a family of his own, or maybe just pets, whatever she wanted as long as she was by his side. Snapping the lid closed with a quiet click, he pocketed the locket and finally headed home. Though is it really a home without her?

One of the servants greeted him urgently as he entered his home. “Sir, you have a visitor.” Tensing as Katakuri glanced down at him sternly.

“This late?” he questioned flatly, he was tired and had no intention of pandering to some uncalled for guest.  “Send them away.” He headed toward the living room only to have the servant give chase trying to keep up with Katakuri’s much longer stride.

“Sir. They came earlier and insisted they wait for you.” Katakuri stopped in his tracks and grumbled, running a hand over his short spiky hair, “They have a seal of the Charlotte family. I thought you would be angry if I sent them away-” Sighing in defeat, Katakuri turned on his heels marching towards the far end of the hallway, his spurs clinking on the well polished marble floor.

As he headed through the hall his chest tightened that the sight of  a familiar form sitting in the grand main hall. No. It can’t be …. 

He must remain resolute in his decision and send her away again. With long strides he walked past her, not even sparing  her a glance.

“Will you not even look at me?” she asked. He stole a quick glimpse over his shoulder;  she was standing, clutching her coat nervously the same way as the day she left, though now her eyes watched him sternly.

“We will talk in my office,” he said coolly and marched off to his office, her soft footsteps following behind. He took his spot behind his desk, leaning back in his large chair to maintain his aloof persona. Folding his arms around his wide tattooed chest, “Why-” he began.

“I came back for you,” she interrupted determinedly, “I need to be beside you, Katakuri. I’m ready to face Big Mom with you. I want to spend the rest of my days with you.” She studied him carefully, making sure her eyes never left his. 

“I assumed you have moved on.” he admitted quietly. Looking away shamefully. Why would she want to come back?

“You thought I had found someone else?” she asked in surprise. 

“Why did you come back.” His question was cold and abrupt but after how he sent her away, he needed to know.

“Brulee explained everything to me. I know why you sent me away.” She explained, smiled softly, walking around the desk to stand beside him and reached for his scarf. He tensed but then closed his eyes, allowing her to pull the heavy fur scarf over his head. Her soft hands grazed his face, turning it towards her “How I have missed your handsome face.” she cooed, leaning in to gently pepper his face in light airy kisses “How could I have loved anyone else knowing that my sweet donut was here all alone?”

Closing his eyes, Katakuri allowed her to continue to shower him in kisses. This..this is just like that night.  A smile tugged at his lips and carefully he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer to him. How he had missed her touch, her scent, her warmth. 

“Forgive me,” he mumbled into her chest “I sent you away thinking it was for the best and never thought about how you would feel. I wanted to keep you safe from all this.” he felt her face nuzzle his hair gently which spurred him to carry on talking “Thank you..Thank you for coming back to me. Not a day passed where you weren’t at the forefront of my mind.”

“I missed you Katakuri.” she said, trailing her fingers in little circles over the back of his neck.

“We’ll conquer this future together,” he said, his voice barely audible. He looked up at her and saw that joyous sparkle of happiness in her eyes.

“Forever and always, my sweet,” and she sealed her words with a tender kiss to his lips.

It was as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders: Katakuri felt whole again. Complete. Nothing would ever separate them again, not even the will of his own mother.

[recentanimenews]

Ranking The 5 Transformations Of Our Beloved Luffy

For those that have never read the gospel of One Piece, allow me to explain the powers of our savior, Monkey D. Luffy. Due to eating a "devil fruit" called the Gum Gum Fruit, his flesh is basically like rubber, meaning that he can stretch and inflate and bounce to his heart's content. He then uses his inhuman flexibility to win battles against those that are made out of fire and sand and lasers, sometimes by taking a new form to adapt to his situation. And because of his latest anime transformation, where he changes into Gear Fourth: Snakeman in order to better punch Katakuri, I feel like it's a good time to celebrate the best of the wonderful forms that Luffy has displayed to us.

  But before I begin, just know that I won't be ranking his forms by their power level, or by how useful or functional they are. Those kinds of lists are rarely ever fun for me, because they require a lot of "But, ummm, what about...", and then they end up just being subjective anyway. But that's most internet anime arguments. You start out saying that you're going to take a logical look at something, and you end up screaming "CROCODILE IS MY HUSBAND AND YOU WON'T SPEAK ILL OF OUR CHILDREN." It's kind of beautiful, actually.

  5. FOURTH GEAR: BOUNDMAN

  Boundman has grown on me over the last year, but I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it. You know those superhero Halloween costumes with the big, padded muscles in them? You stuff a kid in there and it doesn't quiiiiite fit, because you have this little neck and head poking out of foam shoulders that are the size of The Rock's? That's how Boundman looks to me sometimes. It's still rad, but it's funny because it also reminds me of all of those dudes at the gym who do leg day once a year and will die if you even suggest cardio to them. It just ain't my preferred Luffy.

  4. THIRD GEAR

      Gear Third is kind of hampered by the fact that it never quite got the dramatic reveal that Second Gear or Fourth Gear did. Both Second Gear and Fourth Gear got build up, but Third Gear was "Oh, and by the way, here's this thing." But Gear Third is still great just because of how cool it looks. There's this giant fist or foot knocking a villain through a wall, and that's a neat visual, especially when you consider that Luffy usually only comes up to his antagonists' knee caps.

  Also, Luffy turning into a lil' baby because he needed Third Gear cool down time was such a great take on the familiar shonen "I've unleashed my new power, but now I need to rest" trope. When Goku needs a post battle nap, he's still shaped like a talking pec muscle. When Luffy gets done fighting, he turns into Chibi Luffy. Man, One Piece is so good.

  3. FOURTH GEAR: TANKMAN

    Allow me to explain: For years, a familiar gag in One Piece was Luffy turning into a sphere after he ate too much food. After they liberated an island and had a feast thrown for them, the Straw Hat Crew probably had to roll Luffy back onto the ship. So, whether One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda intended for it or not, the gag went somewhere! Luffy became a big ol' Gum Gum bowling ball, and one of the reasons that it's so great is that we'll likely never see it again. 

2. SECOND GEAR

I think Luffy's reveal of Second Gear might be my favorite power-up scene in anime. He gives this awesome speech about how he can't lose any more friends and now he's forced to take his abilities to the literal second level. And then he absolutely DESTROYS Blueno by totally dismantling the dude. It would be one thing to take Blueno out with a single move, but it's nice that Blueno got to experience the realization that he wouldn't be able to keep up with the rubber man that he'd been taunting for the whole arc.

The music and the visuals play a big part in this, too. The score has this thumping bass to back up the more heroic parts of it. It's like boss fight music, except, in this case, Blueno is in no way equipped to even stand up to Boss Luffy. And the sight of Luffy's body steaming? It's an iconic, tiny change, like Goku's hair color changing when he goes Super Saiyan. It keeps the character's familiar form, but provides a striking visual indicator of rising strength. 

1. FOURTH GEAR: SNAKEMAN

I'm not putting this in the number one spot because it's the newest transformation (but that certainly doesn't hurt.) I'm doing it because, after the drawn out fight with Katakuri, Luffy's Snakeman feels so earned and so satisfying. And yet (SPOILERS AHEAD), it still isn't enough to give him an overwhelming victory. He uses Snakeman because it's the thing that will only help him match Katakuri's quickness and skill.

In my first Crunchyroll article, I wrote about how one of the themes of the Whole Cake Island arc is that sometimes, surviving and going on to fight another day with your dignity intact can be just as powerful as a victory. Snakeman proves that not every power-up is destined to be this game-changing, world-shattering evolution. Sometimes, you need it just to keep up. Also, IT LOOKS DOPE.

  Do you agree with this list? Probably not, and that's why you should tell me in the comments. And make sure to keep watching One Piece on Crunchyroll. Whole Cake Island is coming to a close and the next big arc is about to start, so there's no better time to ignore all of your responsibilities in life and rewatch the entire series. Or you can just catch up on the episodes that you've missed. Both are solid, equal choices. 

  ------------------

  Daniel Dockery is a writer and editor for Crunchyroll with tons of terrible, fantastic opinions. And you can find some of them on Twitter!

Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

  By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com

[lo-55]

Revel Ch. 4

A Curious Walkabout                 

 Tori went out with him a few more times after that first night. Katakuri showed her the beach and the towns and the faces on trees as the dusk set the sky to a pale pink dusted with periwinkle and flecked with the Stars.

 He stayed quiet, most of the time, and it was always Tori who sought him out, but it was an improvement.

  He did not go out of his way to avoid her and he put up with her grasping his arm like a proper lady of the court.

 It’s bound to be something of a scandal when she gets home.

 Katakuri is not a noble lord. He is not from an ancient family whose name is etched into stone walls and sung of in songs. He is not blood of the Novae, he is not even of their archipelago.

 He is a stranger, and a demon, and the son of a witch who is eating up territory and consuming kings and countries who do not bow to appetite.

 Even more than that, he is going to be their King.

 Imperia is not like some kingdoms. They are not like the Grace’s of Lazareth, whose line of success passes through the boys only. Theirs depends upon birth line, and despite her siblings phenomenal talents and contributions to the country it will inevitably be Tori who takes over the country.

 Tori, and this strange man who will be their King, who she knows nothing about personally. Only secondhand information and a girls idled musings.

 Was that why Big Mom had married him to her? So that she could claim one of her son’s a king? If so, it still didn’t explain why they had chosen Imperia. There was nothing truly spectacular about it. Not enough that it would warrant this.

 At least, nothing Tori knew of.

 She tried to banish the thought, but as soon as it passed through her mind it would not leave.

 Tori looked out the window of the room gifted to her. A plum tree swayed in the breeze, fat red fruit hung low on it’s branches and the sweet smell floated in with the breeze. It tousled her hair, lifting the long strands across her shoulders.

 Was there something important about Imperia that she hadn’t known about? Was there something dangerous on her island? Something useful to a woman like her new mother-by-law?

 The idea soured the sweetness in the air and made her hands clench at her sides.

 Her father was not a man of many words. He had taught them little, indulged them beyond tradition, but it was tutors and knights and lords that had been responsible for their real education.

 He had loved their mother. Loved her so much that when she had died his heart had died with her and the light had left his golden hair until it was dusted with white and shocked through silver.

 He had withdrawn from them. Tori wondered if it was painful to look at his children, black haired and blue eyed like his beloved Dolce. She had been smart and kind, when she could be, but she did not shy away from cruelty.

 When Tori was young she had heard them fight once and only once.

 Their marriage had been one of love. Dolce and Lydander had fallen in love during a court season when they were both young. When he was new King, still mourning his father and Dolce was the youngest Dogeressa in history. She was from a good family, an old family, but the marriage had broken his engagement to Laetetia Felicitas, one of the richest women in the Grand Line.

 They knew, and their children knew, that they would have to marry politically to save face and to strengthen the political ties in their country. But Dolce, with a fury in her eyes, was the champion of her children.

 She told her husband, did not ask but      told     a king that his children would have a say in their marriage. That they could meet their betrothed and say no, if they so chose. She had made him promise, swear that he would uphold this. His daughters would not fear their husbands, their son would never be subject to a cruel wife.

 Lysander had forgotten the vow with her death. He had not given Tori a choice, had not offered the option to say no. Her sister had not stood for her and called for arm in Tori’s defence. Her brother had merely mentioned marriage laws would make an outsider a king.

 Lysander had drawn away from his children. He had forgotten his vows, or merely hadn’t cared, and Tori wondered if he had ‘forgotten’ more than just that promise. There were things that could only be passed from one to another, there was training to be a ruler that could only be learned from one that had been there or on one's own.

 Had he neglected to tell Tori something important, the way he had neglected to ask her if she agreed to the proposal?

 It was true enough, she couldn’t exactly say ‘no’. Her people would have been slaughtered by Big Mom and her children. She couldn’t deny it, but there was something about not being asked that stung her.

 “You look like you’re about to spit lightning,” Lapa told her. Her mouth it small and pressed over with blue lips patterned with small stars. The dress she wore was a pale blue that shimmered with silver woven into the floating gauze. Even looking for them it was impossible to see the number of knives strapped across her body.

 Tori turns to her. She and Aelia are dressed together in black trousers loose enough to pass as skirts and blue shirts that fluffed around the sleeves and tied across the chest. They were dressed down, the pair of them on their way out of the chateau and into the village nearest by. If Victoria was to rule this land as well, she needed to know its people.

 It would do her good to get out of the walls as well, though within the week she and her new husband would be on their way back to Imperia to visit with her father, as was tradition. It was meant to be a way for her father to ensure that she was being properly taken care of, but even if she wasn’t, he wouldn’t raise a hand to Katakuri. He wouldn’t risk it.

 Madelle might, if she thought she must. Aelia would, and Lapa would poison him with Daria cooking the pie. Varinia and Flora were hard to say. Perhaps they would fight him. Perhaps they would plot the downfall of his country and his mother.

 The thought made her smile.

 “We’re to be off,” she told Lapa. “Be safe. Beweary my husband, he may notice that you are not me.”

 “He would be the first one to see past us,” Lapa reminded her.

 “Still.”

 Lapa bowed minutely towards her.

 Tori drew Madelle’s arm into the crook of her arm and the pair went off.

 The people of Komugi did not keep riding horses. All of their transportation was done on foot, or in a cart, if it was needed. And so Tori was on foot as well. She knew the way from Chateau to the town well by now, she had walked it many times with her husband, in name and perhaps in friendship, though she could not say for certain. A few evening strolls did not make a confidant.  

 They passed through the servants quarters, and out the back until they had left the chateau behind entirely. It faded into the background and they walked quietly through the woods. The gold sunlight spilled dappled shadows across the pathway and the smell of heat and greenery enveloped the two of them.

 Komugi seemed to happily be a land of summer, with warm air that blew in and carried with it bird songs and the whisper of the magical, talking creatures that populated all of Katakuri’s mothers land.

 It was pretty, if not still a bit demented.

 The more time Tori spent on her new land the more and more she came to realize exactly how isolated her island nation was. Their fashions were old, of tradition and finery and impractical unless they needed to be. Contrarily, everyone she saw seemed content to dress in little. Only one layer, perhaps two if there was a chill in the air.

 In thin shirts without the fanciful embroidery and decor that Tori and her people favored. The clothes were not tailored to fit everyone, save those like her husband who had some type of giant blood within their veins.

 Even dressed down as much as they had, the pair of them still stuck out. Thought the people had grown used to her handmaidens, and hardly looked at them while they walked past.

 The fruit stands in the market avoided bitter things like lemons, limes, grapefruits and ashberries. The bakers were clearly the busiest, and the most popular. They had tarts and fluffy croissants, and breads swirled with cheese and cinnamon and strawberries. They smelled wonderful.

 And Tori couldn’t eat any of it.

 She and Madelle walked arm in arm away from the aptly names Sifters Street and turned a corner down Bolt Row. Here she found the cloth shops and the merchants. But they were not tailors.

 She eyed them in passing. A loom house emulated the steady clacking of a shuttle. One shop boasted long rolls of colors of only the more muted, natural colors. Greys, browns, greens, blues, oranges and yellows. Some were striped, some were plain.

 Those were only two though. A few steps forwards revealed something that Tori hadn’t seen in a lifetime.

 A real, honest to god, clothes off the rack boutique.

 Tori dragged Madelle in immediately. T shirts. Shorts, skirts, tank tops, name brand, cheap, manufactured clothes. Tori ran her fingers across a scarf that was rough enough to catch on the grooves of her fingers. She inspected a pre-patterned shirt that she didn’t have to spend half an hour standing still for.

 Her excitement bubbled. She had forgotten how much she missed simple things. Easy, modern things that she’d never paid two thoughts to before she’d died and come here. She started grabbing clothes and inspecting them, trying to figure out her size. She’d almost missed the bull shit involved in shopping for womens clothes!

 She grabbed colorful t shirts and a couple of tank tops, to Madelle scandal and flushed face. And jeans. She’s missed jeans so much.

 Tori left Madelle behind while she changed. Trying on jeans for the first time in twenty years. They were rough against her soft skin, not worn in yet and tight. She switched to a bigger pair, and then a tank top.

 When she looked into the mirror in the changing room she felt more like her old self. She felt less stifled, less restricted, and more free. There weren’t a half dozen layers or a particular lay for the fabric. This was just clothes. She was just a girl.

 Tori grinned at herself in the mirror and was surprised by her own reflection. Even dressed in common clothes she was beautiful.

 She changed back into her blue and blacks and went to buy her new stuff.

 “This is hardly worthy to touch your skin,” Madelle told her as they left. Tori grasped her hand and tucked her hand to her side.

 “Mad, dear heart, I like them. And if I’m to be here, I might as well enjoy what I can. I’ll buy you some too, if you want.”

 Madelle ‘harrumphed’ but did not pull her hand away.

 Tori, grinning, lead the way back to the chateau.  

 The night was cool and dark.

 Tori said nothing to anyone before she snuck away from her room, did not rouse her handmaids from their slumber to accompany her where she was going. There was no need. The Chateau was asleep, quiet as could be. Not even the small talking mice stirred as she slipped out the kitchen.

 She traded her fine silk slippers for thick leather sandals and set out into the forest that surrounded the amalgamated building. Everyday she could see more and more of it being eaten up by the sugar themed.

 It was harder to see in the black shadows of the night. The donut that made up the mountain and overlooked Komugi was fast asleep, it’s massive eyes shut as well as its mouth. The sun was vanished and only a small crescent made up the moon, a cheshire grin in the black sky.

 The shoreline was not precisely close, but it was close enough for her to reach by foot. Far off in the dark waters she could see the barest silhouettes of a few small ships anchored off the ghost, lit by lights within the cabins. To ensure that no one got in or out without Big Mom’s permission, she was sure.

 Tori looked away from them.

 She walked down the shore until she was standing at the edge of the water. It lapped at her toes and reached across the leather straps until it was at her ankles. She stepped in until she was calf deep in the water.

 What little light there was vanished when she closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, drawing the damp air and the salt into her lungs. The lap of the water on the shoreline drowned out all worldly distractions. The darkness left her floating in an abyss of the sea and the sea alone.

 Her soft skin chilled under the oceans care.

 Imperia had old myths about the ocean.

 The Ocean was the mother of everything and everyone. She and her wife the Moon watched over the world, and the people beneath it. The humans were the children of the Ocean and the Sun, who was brother to the Moon. Eons ago, after their children were born Ocean left Sun to be with his sister. Split between them, the humans were given to Earth to be raised and protected and raised along with Earth’s children the plants and the animals and the precious stones. Moon and Ocean had their own children, younger than the humans they were Mermaids, Fishmen, and all the creatures in the seas.

 Tori was a daughter of the ocean and a child of the sun and in the water she felt stronger.

 She focused, humming the old nursery hymn that her mother had taught her, so very many years ago.

     Roll forth Ocean mother  

     Carry you children far  

     Shine bright moon hung o’er  

     Watch over their tepid flight  

     Bring with you, Great mother  

     The silver crashing mist  

     Protect your sons and daughters  

 Tori felt strength gather inside of her. Her soft, pale skin grew harder and darker. From Porcelain to stone to steal, but it wasn’t enough. She gather the song inside of her, she grasped the feeling of her mother’s arms around her.

 She held it tight under the warmth of the memory was too much, until it threatened to bubble over. She released it all at once and the heat rushed out of of her, away from her skin. The ocean parted around her legs, swirling with the power that flowed out of her skin.

 Tori stepped forwards and the bubble around her expanded and spread before her. Another step. The water did not touch her but if it had it would have been to her hips. She kept going until she was sure that she was in over her head. Only then did she turn back. She spread her arms around and the water churned and swirled around her, parting until she was standing on dry land once more. Sand scattered along with the water until she finally, finally released it.

 Her breath came easier. The warmth rushed out of her and left her feeling cold in her dampened nightgown.

 When her eyes opened, she realized she was not alone.

 Katakuri stood at the edge of the forest, where the greenery fell away to sand and sage. He was tall, hulking shadow and his eyes were locked upon her. Tori felt bare before him, no make up, no fanciful dressed. Her hair hung around her in waves as black as the ocean.

 “I thought you were asleep,” she said slowly, for lack of anything else she could think of.

 He looked between her and the ocean, one to the other, before he settled upon her.

 “I thought you might be leaving.”

 She didn’t know what to think of the tone of his voice. There wasn’t one, and she couldn’t read him at all. But there was no anger or malice.

 Tori shook her head. “I am your wife. If I go I go with you. You are coming with us back to Imperia next week, aren’t you?”

 He nodded, slowly. “Mama told me to.”

 Tori wasn’t sure why her stomach sunk so fast. She lifted her chin, gifted him with a smile that had no false, laid upon lips, and walked into the trees. She was aware he was following her this time.

[onepiecehypetrain]

It rocks!

JAIMINS | MANGASTREAM

Chapter 840: 10:00 OPENING OF THE BANQUET

Firstly we get a wonderful cover with our beloved Sand-Croc. Although it’s a shame he’s not in the chapter itself. The cover is beautiful. Ex-shichibukai in Piza helping a little puppy. Oda sure knew we missed him.

In the chapter itself we got lot of new characters:

DU FELD | STUSSY | DRUG PECLO | MORGANS | GIBERSON | UMIT

Their design is wonderful. My favourites are Morgans, Peclo and Stussy.

We finally get Katakuri and the guy do make an impression. Knowing Oda he’ll get a ridiculous coloring but for now let’s enjoy how he is. His ability to slightly see into the future? It’s a dream come true for all Haki fans.

Besides that we can see the relationship between Jimbe and Aladdin. It’s really heart warming.

Vinsmokes got ready for the party and they look fantastic.

Smoothie sure is amazing. Her powers gives me thrills. Most overlook her but she has earned my respect. I would definitely drink one of her drinks!

Perospero created giant stairs out of candy. I can’t wait for animated version of that and I hope it would look great!