One Piece: It's always been you

Chapter 166 I only wish you could carry no weight

"That must be because Ace didn't want to argue with him. Ace cares about Yuu the most," the fox mask added.

The man in the black mask and top hat sneered, "I reckon it's that surgeon who's hiding a knife behind his smile. The 'Surgeon of Death' isn't just a name; he's not young, and he's incredibly shrewd."

"However, his medical skills are truly excellent. If he hadn't arrived in time during the plague in the Kingdom of Woka, the consequences would have been severe."

"That plague came quickly and spread quickly. It seems the Beasts Pirates' plague has appeared there." Yu slowly said, nudging Katakuri with his elbow, as if wanting him to join in the conversation. "My husband is an intelligence officer; he knows quite a bit."

Katakuri looked a little awkward, but still nodded in agreement.

Those people seemed completely unaware that the plague in the Kingdom of Woka was actually related to the Beasts Pirates. Suddenly, they became agitated and fell silent, waiting for Katakuri to speak.

Being stared at like that, especially since he was wearing a mask instead of a scarf, Katakuri was momentarily lost in thought. "Kaido of the Beasts Pirates was originally a resident of the Kingdom of Vokawa, but he was once a commodity in a deal between the king and the government. Only when he had power would he send the Plague to spread the virus."

The group nodded as they listened to Katakuri's words, their faces filled with shock at knowing a deeper truth. Before Yu could respond, they all asked questions, wanting to know more.

Once he started talking, Katakuri gradually stopped worrying about whether he was wearing a scarf or a mask; all he knew was that the people in front of him seemed very interested in what he was saying.

Moreover, Katakuri learned things he didn't know before from the conversation, such as how his mother was perceived by ordinary people, and about his Charlotte family.

These people said a lot, some things they disliked and didn't understand, but others they agreed with. Katakuri even tensed up a little when he suddenly heard his own name, even though they didn't recognize him.

It seems there's nothing wrong with that.

Yu breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the scene, ran to get some snacks, and returned to the small table to listen to Katakuri's eloquent talk while eating her snacks.

The Big Mom Pirates have one of the best intelligence networks on the seas, so it's not surprising that Katakuri would know these things. However, the others don't know his true identity; they just think that it's amazing how comprehensive his information is, and that he must have spent a lot of time and effort on it.

They had a very pleasant conversation, and the group wanted to invite Katakuri and Yu to the auction downstairs, but Katakuri declined. Although they had a good time chatting, Yu hadn't said a word for a long time.

Those few people, with sharp eyes, understood and said "Understood" and "Won't disturb their time together" before leaving.

"Don't you want to chat a little longer?" Yu Gang popped the last grape into his mouth.

Katakuri looked at the completely empty plate in front of her and thought to himself that she never used to eat this much. "If we keep talking, you'll probably finish everything over there." He glanced at the food area, where a new batch had already been served. "If you're really hungry, let's go to the restaurant."

You shook her head. "I'm not actually hungry. I'm just preparing in advance because I expect to be very tired later tonight."

Is it very tiring? Katakuri wondered what Yu was going to do so late at night that would require so much energy to eat beforehand.

"How did you feel just now?" Yu didn't intend to continue that topic and changed the subject.

Katakuri pulled out a chair and sat down, unable to quite describe the feeling. It was strange; even though they didn't know each other's identities, they could still chat so well. Moreover, during their conversation, he didn't need to hold back at all; he could say whatever he wanted.

"You've been planning this all along?" It seems that Yu had it all planned out from the very beginning when she went to buy clothes to prepare for the ball; it couldn't be said that it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Nodding without denying it, I want you to feel more comfortable and relaxed. You don't need to have a status or care about anything else. You are just you, and you don't need to worry about how others see you, whether it's good, bad, or respectful.

His birth determined that his future was bound to his family, and the scales between himself and his family would always tip in their favor. He was once unruly, growing freely without regard for others' opinions, but now he wears a scarf, never to fall.

“A masquerade ball is the best solution I can think of.” Staring at Katakuri’s mask, Yu wasn’t particularly happy. He still had to remain behind the mask, unable to truly let go of everything.

Katakuri noticed the emotions in Yu's eyes. Although he had acted somewhat presumptuously, it was a good experience. "The ball was wonderful, but it would be nice if there was one more dance," Katakuri invited.

"Okay." I can't jump, but with Katakuri around, it's fine.

Just like when Katakuri learned that he was going to attend the masquerade ball, he didn't expect to take off his scarf. He was willing to follow Yu's arrangements and trust Yu.

In the center of the dance floor, couples danced to the music, the man with his arm around the woman's waist, the woman with her hand on the man's shoulder, their steps following each other in a graceful, staggered manner.

Katakuri and Yu's hand movements looked no different from the others, except that Yu's foot was on top of Katakuri's. It was supposed to be a duet, but in reality, Katakuri was leading Yu; Yu didn't need to think about what the next step was.

"Mr. Charlotte, your dance instruction is quite impressive," Yu teased, leaning close to Katakuri. Standing on Katakuri's feet, Yu also tiptoed, shortening the distance between them considerably.

It was unusual for her to call him by his surname; Katakuri had no idea she had this little quirk. "It varies from person to person; I don't teach others that."

Even though she knew it was just a compliment, Yu still appreciated it. "It's my honor."

"Ahem." An untimely voice came from the side, interrupting their conversation. "Miss Yu..."

Yu turned her head and saw Bakura with a troubled expression, but judging from the time, she should be here to find her soon. "Have you found them all?" She put her hand on Katakuri for support and got off his feet.

Bakara nodded. "Yes, Sweet is a reliable helper." Except for his somewhat unpleasant appearance and difficulty in getting along with him.

"How does it feel to praise the little one?" You asked the person who had become indifferent. Sigh, the aura is different when there are other people around.

"Ah."

With a single, almost robotic reply, You sympathized with Sweet and said, "Let's go."

Bakara led the way, taking Yu and Katakuri to a room on the top floor, which was larger than a typical hotel room.

Katakuri guessed it was probably a place where Yuu usually rested, or a place where executives met.

Besides the three of them, there were already other people in the room. They had all met before: Law, Ace, and Sweet.

The scene was rather unsettling, because Ace was actually sumo wrestling with Sweet? The two were a man and a wolf, Ace bent over above Sweet, his arms wrapped around Sweet's waist from behind, while Sweet's head was against Ace's chest, his limbs bent. Neither of them would give way, and they just stood there frozen, as if in a trance.

Bakara didn't react as strongly as Yu, since the two of them were already like this before she came to find Yu. "They're in the room."

“Okay, I’ll go in myself.” He turned to Katakuri and said he had some things to take care of inside and would be gone in a bit. “You wait for me outside.”

"it is good."

After leading Yu to the inner room, Bakala came out, glanced at the empty water glasses on the coffee table, took them away, and poured a new glass.

Bakara poured three glasses this time, but didn't immediately put them on the tray and take them out. She glanced at the person sitting on the sofa outside, gave me a meaningful smile, and then added something to one of the glasses.

"Miss Yu, you'll have to thank me then."

I put the three cups on the plate to serve them, but then I remembered that Sweet was still there, and that Miss Yu would probably need them too, so I went and got another cup and a small plate.