You and I Are Different: Sword of the Sea

Near Cocoa Island,

"Unbelievable! How do you know the structure of the cake, and even what ingredients were used?"

The 92-year-old chef, nicknamed "Streusen," was stunned. This wedding cake was his masterpiece! All the steps were in his mind; there was no "blueprint" whatsoever. And what he held in his hands...

"How exactly did you do that?"

Faced with the old chef's doubts, Sanji lit a cigarette and calmly waved his hand.

"It's just a matter of smell, nothing special."

?!

The chef, who's been Streusen his whole life, is numb!

This isn't just a gift from God; it's a talent that God has to keep feeding you!

Mr. Sanji ~~

Brulee next to her had already turned into a fangirl, with three heart-shaped eyes, rosy cheeks, and a nosebleed, which even made the white dove next to her unable to bear it.

Is this what they mean by "If you're not family, you won't enter the same door"?

A simple paper airplane pierced the sky, flying towards Chocolate Town on Cocoa Island. Standing aboard were Sanji, Brulee, and Streusen— three chefs—as well as the petite and deceptively beautiful Charlotte Custard.

Incidentally, Custard was also an expert at making cakes. (Name derived from custard sauce)

Just like in the original story, Sanji, Brulee, and Chiffon would make a cake and stuff it into Big Mom's mouth. Two of the three are mortal enemies of the BIG MOM Pirates, and the other is the wife of one of those enemies. Add a little something to the cake, and Whole Cake Island would fall apart, wouldn't it? It's not absurd at all.

So after a brief discussion, the 'wedding cake' making team was decided to consist of two people on each side. —Although neither Sanji nor Brulee intended to poison it, if Charlotte family were caught off guard, it would truly become a fairy tale.

"Anyway, everyone, let's hurry up and get this 'wedding cake' ready."

The paper airplane was Roman's creation, and it was countless times faster than the slow-moving 'Homies'. A white dove beside them spoke up to remind the four of this.

"If your BIG MOM Pirates can stop the rampage faster, our Straw Hat crew can leave this place of trouble sooner. It's a win-win situation for everyone."

"Hmph, if it weren't for you guys taking the wedding cake..."

White Dove rolled her eyes at Charlotte Custard's angry words, who looked 15 but was actually 45.

"Please, it was your Charlotte family who started it! Why are you blaming the Straw Hat crew? If it were a proper marriage alliance, we would of course come as guests to offer our congratulatory gifts. However:"

White Dove turned to look at the couple next to her, who were still dressed in white formal wear and a pure white wedding gown.

"I heard that the women of your Charlotte family don't change their surnames when they get married, that won't do. —From now on, she'll be Vinsmoke Brulee!"

"Cough cough cough... What nonsense are you talking about?"

Sanji choked on a puff of smoke, looking embarrassed, while Brulee next to him covered her face and collapsed onto a paper airplane, curling up into a ball.

Vinsmoke Brulee ~~

Mr. Sanji's~~

"Anyway, you guys handle the cake stuff. I'll go check on how it's going over there."

Compared to the sweet and shocking 'cake group', the 'battle group' on the other side of the beach is quite different.

"Your captain is so pitiful,"

Charlotte Smoothie, carrying a three-meter-long sword, glanced to the other side and sighed as she faced Zoro.

"Katakuri is the 'greatest masterpiece' of our Charlotte Family, a 'perfect person' who has never been defeated since birth."

Although both are members of the 'Sweet Commanders,' Smoothie is a total fangirl when Katakuri is mentioned. —However, as the most reliable second son of the Charlotte Family, aside from her older brother and sister, all the other family members are Katakuri's biggest fans.

"As soon as Katakuri was born, he immediately went to sit down on the chair next to him!"

"He is an invincible person who has never let his back touch the ground, forever looking down upon the earth, powerful, perfect..."

Ah, this...

Roman, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but look at him sideways. "Katakuri lost. You guys must have contributed to his defeat."

Of course, this is just a joke. But Katakuri's strength is undeniable: Three Types of Haki, a special Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, Devil Fruit Awakening, and especially his Observation Haki the Future Sight.

While Roman could deal with the so-called 'Future Sight,' a one-on-one fight...

"What, scared by the masterpiece of the Charlotte family? Lick it~~"

Roman remained expressionless (though he was wearing a mask) as Charlotte Perospero held a giant lollipop.

"I believe in Luffy,"

"Believe? Lick lick lick~~, you're the Straw Hat crew's 'strategist,' aren't you?"

Luffy versus Katakuri, Zoro versus Smoothie. Although Roman and Perospero were only standing by to prevent any 'accidents' from happening and did not take action, 'talking' can be just as deadly in many situations.

"You must be very troubled."

"I can see that you and I are the same kind of people: we have extraordinary wit, brilliant planning, and strong strength, but we are always messed up by willful decision-makers."

"You orchestrated everything at the wedding, didn't you? Although I don't know how you knew so many secrets of the Charlotte family, I have to admit your plan was successful: not only did you rescue Sanji, but you also won over the Vinsmoke family, Jinbe, and the Fire Tank Pirates... So!"

Perospero wasn't simply praising Roman; he was setting the stage for what he was about to say:

"A smart person like you would never come back on your own! — If our 'mother' goes mad and destroys Whole Cake Island, you should be even happier! You could take the opportunity to attack the kingdoms, make a fortune, and gain immense fame..."

That's right, this is the way to maximize benefits if it's a normal 'advisor' position.

"Was it your capricious captain who forced you to come back? To actually help the 'enemy'... How foolish! I feel your anger as well."

To sow discord and alienate.

Countless heroes, kings, and generals have been killed by a single, piercing remark!

Perospero believed that his words would make the mysterious 'White Knight' before him resent the Straw Hat idiot captain, and once the seed of resentment was sown, it would easily blossom into a flower of hatred.

After all,

Unlike himself, who was powerless to resist, this White Knight was no weaker than the Straw Hat Kid—

"You're wrong, Perospero."

However, the boy opposite him simply shook his head calmly.

"I am not like you."

"You're facing a 'mother' who could kill you children at any moment, while my captain is a man willing to risk his life for his crew! So I will support his decision 100%. Don't compare me to you; you're just 'Four Emperors' —while we are the crew of the future 'King of the Pirates'."

?!

"I'm truly sorry, but your 'perfect' older brother is about to experience his first major failure. Because:"

"Luffy is the future 'King of the Pirates'!"

Smoothie lowered her eyes in response to Zoro's answer.

"You're pitiful too."

?

"Do you know? The ocean is my home turf."

When Smoothie raised her head again, her face radiated absolute confidence.

"My Suke Suke no Mi can absorb 'seawater'," Smoothie said, pointing her longsword toward the shore. Instantly, a huge gust of seawater flew out of nowhere, and just as it was about to hit Smoothie, it crashed into Smoothie body, making her already tall figure appear even larger.

"That's right. As a Devil Fruit user, I'm not only not afraid of seawater, I can even absorb it for my own use. In other words—"

"Diamond Force - Flying Stream!"

With a single thrust of his sword, Flying Slash swept forth like an enraged dragon, its domineering sword energy enveloping a surging giant wave, truly a roaring sea and towering waves crashing towards Zoro!

"I've already broken this move, so what's so difficult about it?"

Facing an attack that was several times wider and more turbulent than the one at the top of the tower before, a truly terrifying attack that felt like a massive, overwhelming wave, Zoro smiled nonchalantly and instantly sheathed both 'Shusui' and 'Sandai Kitetsu', then simultaneously assumed a drawing stance!

"Two-Sword Style: Iaijutsu - Black - Rashomon!"

The next moment, before Zoro's suddenly drawn blade, silently: the waves tore apart and the sword energy disintegrated! The attack of the raging waves and the sword energy mixed in with them were instantly sliced apart, and the invisible seawater suddenly parted like a curtain in front of Zoro.

Clang!

The Wado Ichimonji in his mouth and the longsword following the wave crashed violently into everything, while the other two swords also slashed upwards at the opponent's longsword.

"Use whatever other moves you have!"

Smoothie raised an eyebrow at Zoro's words.

"As you wish."

?!

"Diamond Force - Gale!"

With a sudden twist and swing of Smoothie's longsword, Zoro's expression changed, and he was sent flying backward! But it was too late; a bloody gash suddenly burst open on his chest! Blood gushed out like it was free, as if he had been scraped by thousands of sharp blades.

Between the two, a misty, swirling cloud formation danced, and a soft, cotton-like mist swirled around Smoothie's longsword, drifting and shifting erratically. Though it appeared ethereal and gentle, however:

This is the true face of Zoro after he was injured.

"Good!"

Despite taking a sword to the chest, Zoro's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"What a magnificent 'Sword of the Sea,' 'Sword of Water,' and 'Sword of Mist'!"

"You flatter me, your Saber Technique is also very good."

"If it's a 'Devil Fruit user,' like my brother who plays with puppets," Smoothie, her body drenched in water and her longsword shrouded in mist, her body and sword both filled with seawater, pointed her Smoothie at Zoro.

"Before my 'Sword of the Sea,' forget about abilities; without continuous use of Haki, you can't even maintain a normal state. Although you're not a Devil Fruit user, the human body is also composed of 70% fluid. So—"

Smoothie, having landed a successful blow, looked at Zoro.

"Shall we continue?"

"Certainly!"

Clang!

... This Smoothie, is she really a 'slacking off' Sweet Commander?!

Roman stroked his chin. Strictly speaking, the other party actually had a slight advantage over him. After all, unless Roman's paper was the extremely energy-consuming 'Vivre Card,' ordinary paper was no match for the opponent's seawater imbued with Haki... No wonder he was one of the Sweet Commanders; he was practically the nemesis of all kinds of Super Creation ability users! Fortunately:

Zoro is a pure swordsman, and seawater has no effect on him.

So it's a swordsmanship contest?