One Piece: It's always been you

Chapter 31 The Prince's Proposal (1)

Because of Yu's request, Katakuri moved up the original departure time.

Every ship that goes to sea in the World Kingdom is strictly recorded. Katakuri, as an executive, went to sea early, so naturally no one stopped him, but the records still had to be kept in accordance with the requirements.

"How's Yuu, that little girl who's always been with Katakuri, doing lately?" There's been no news of Yuu since the old lady summoned her that day. I wonder how much of what I said she listened to, and what the outcome was.

"Why did Mom suddenly ask about her? Katakuri took her out to sea," Perospero answered his mother, licking his lips. "Speaking of which, Katakuri set sail earlier this time~ kukukuku."

"Hmm? They set sail early?"

"It's said that the little girl wants to go out, and Katakuri is really good to her~ kukukuku" Perospero didn't mean anything by it, he just felt that Katakuri didn't show it on the surface, but his actions were really... like an old iron tree blooming.

"Mommom~Mommom~ Never mind, let them be. As long as it doesn't delay the mission." The little girl has some skill. Katakuri has never been one to go wrong with his own orders, always obeying without question. Setting sail early could be a big or small problem, and the little girl still dares to do this even after his warning; she has some courage.

No wonder Kaido has his eye on him. However, in Whole Cake Island, I'm the one in charge!

"The sea breeze feels so good!" Yu sat cross-legged on the Katakuri cartoon head at the bow of the boat, opening her arms to embrace the oncoming sea breeze.

"She's showing absolutely no respect for Lord Katakuri! She actually dared to sit on his head!" A chess piece was furious at Yu's behavior. Lord Katakuri was such a perfect person; even his portrait was perfect. How could such behavior be tolerated?

"Shh, keep your voice down. If Lord Katakuri hears you, you'll be the one who suffers!"

"why?"

"Are you brainless? Don't you know how much Lord Katakuri dotes on this Lord Yu? This early departure was all thanks to Lord Yu's word."

"What's wrong with setting sail earlier? Perhaps Lord Katakuri is thinking the same thing, just to complete the mission sooner!"

"It's true that you're brainless. Lord Katakuri always strictly adheres to the departure time; he never goes ahead of schedule." Looking at the "brainless" chess soldier, the chess soldier had a look of utter disappointment on his face.

"She can't be so disrespectful to Lord Katakuri! Is she trying to ride roughshod over him?!"

"Maybe Lord Katakuri just wants her to ride on his head. He hasn't said anything, so you should shut up! Just patrol properly, or we'll both be in big trouble if we get caught!" We're not Lord Yu, who gets Lord Katakuri's unlimited leniency.

"Honestly, can't you sit back a bit when you're whispering? You're so loud, I don't think I can't hear you." The two soldiers' words fell into You's ears without missing a single one.

Joy and sorrow coexist.

—Katakuri is very good to you, Yu.

—You seem to have a very close relationship with my son and daughter.

—You like Katakuri, don't you? But I won't let him marry anyone. If he does, it won't be you. You have no power or influence. What can you bring to our family?

He vowed to protect the Big Mom Pirates for life, until the very moment of defeat. If he failed, then there was no point in him living. Mommom~mommom~

The old woman's words echoed in her mind. You withdrew her hands, supporting her drooping head, and sighed deeply.

She felt sorry for Katakuri, wondering how someone could have such a mother. At the same time, she hated the older woman, who had become a wall between her and Katakuri.

It seemed like there was no future for her and Katakuri from the start. He was a pirate, a pirate with a bounty close to one billion, and belonged to the Big Mom Pirates, one of the Three Emperors; while she herself had no status, no background, and was just the child of a Marine. Big Mom wouldn't even look at her, and Sengoku certainly wouldn't allow it either.

Kaka treated her very well, so well that she thought he liked her, and so well that most of his siblings thought she would be his future sister-in-law. But so what? The two of them never made things clear, and frankly, it was probably just wishful thinking on their part.

"What are you thinking about?"

“...It’s nothing.” Yu didn’t want to tell Katakuri because she felt sorry for him and didn’t want him to know that she had always been using him and using him as a tool to protect Whole Cake Island; she was also afraid that if Katakuri found out, he would still choose Big Mom without hesitation, and she would become a laughing stock.

"That day..." Katakuri hesitated, unsure how to ask the question. He wasn't sure what his mother had said—was it about Yu's abilities or something else, or perhaps about him and Yu?

"I know you're worried about me, but I don't want to talk about it right now." Yu needs to figure things out for herself first, or wait for Katakuri to make things clear first. She needs someone to back her up so she can take that step, either her own feelings or Katakuri's feelings.

It's not time for that yet.

Yu turned to look at Katakuri, who was also looking at her. "I don't want to hide anything from you, but I hope you can give me time until the day I'm ready to tell you."

"Okay." Yu's eyes were clear; that day wouldn't be long.

On the other side, Lola and Chiffon set sail at the same time as Katakuri. Yu's relationship with the two was quite good because of Pudding, and Katakuri set sail early, with no rush to complete the mission. So the two ships sailed side by side, which also gave Yu some company and helped him relax.

The two ships anchored on a small island. Yu and Lola disembarked, while Katakuri only told Yu to stay close to Lola and not wander off, without disembarking himself. Chiffon, feeling unwell, also stayed on the ship to rest.

Along the way, Yu followed Katakuri's instructions and followed Lola, but only on the condition that Lola allowed her to follow.

"Please marry me!"

Before anyone could react, Lola found herself kneeling on one knee before the strange man, holding a bouquet of flowers, and asking him to marry her. She had said it countless times along the way.

Yu was truly speechless. Could someone tell her why this was happening? Was Lola so desperate for men? She wasn't like this in Tales of Wonders. Was it because the men there weren't attractive?

Emmm, that's true. Apart from Katakuri, it seems like there aren't any particularly high-quality men in the Whole Cake Island group.

Yu is head over heels in love; apart from Katakuri, no one else catches her eye.