Hello, my loyal crew readers! Alot has happened to me that unfortunately delayed updates. Recently, I lost my job and had been a victim of a scam. I'm okay though and I'm close of maybe getting hired real soon. I haven't lost my inspiration of continuing my story. With the recent new chapters, I'm excited what OP has to bring and how I can implement those elements to my story in the future. So, without further due, here is the next chapter! I do not own One Piece plot and characters. But I do own my OCs as well as plot twist. Directed by me and written by the amazing Aiikawarazu!

"So… Mizu. I heard you are a pirate."

That question didn't quite come out like what Leia had intended. Perhaps it sounded a little bit dumber than what she'd expected. Thankfully, Mizu was not anywhere near judgmental. He only raised an eyebrow, looked sideways at Leia, and grinned.

"Yep. I pretty much am," he replied, calm and suave like how he always was.

Later that same day, Leia was accompanying Mizu to purchase materials for Mary's sudden upgrade on the racing kart. She knew next to nothing about car parts, and initially, Mizu was going to gather the parts alone, but then they realized two people are better to help carry some stuff. Since she was the only one who was a first-timer on Cheese Island, Leia volunteered to go out with him.

"Are you sure, Leia?" Mabel had asked her earlier, looking quite worried that Leia had mistakenly thought it would be a fun trip. "It's not like you'll be visiting an interesting part of the town, you know. It's nothing fancy, just – visiting a bunch of shops selling car spare parts, oils, tools, and stuff like that."

But Leia assured Mabel that she had no need to worry. Aside from Mary, Mizu was one of the few members of her new friends that Leia had not spent any time with. Now, since they both had a long way ahead of them and nothing but time, Leia found the perfect opportunity to get to know more about Mizu.

"Although, I'm not quite a pirate yet… I'm actually a pirate apprentice."

Now it was Leia's turn to raise an eyebrow.

"A pirate… apprentice?" she repeated, curiosity evident in her voice.

"Yep," Mizu responded humbly.

"Uhm… what does that mean?" Leia asked, noting that she might have sounded quite dumb. She had heard about knights taking apprentices, but she had no idea that pirates would do the same. Would they need lessons on how to pillage and plunder?

"I mean…," Leia tried to rephrase her question to be more specific. "What exactly are you… learning? To be a pirate?"

"Well, there are a lot of things – first of all, you learn how to be a sailor – how to handle a ship, read the stars, navigate your way… then you learn how to fight, because you know – it is Grand Line, and you need to defend yourself against some mighty sea beasts, other pirates, and the marines."

"Sounds interesting," Leia responded wholeheartedly. This put a smile on Mizu's face. "Oh, it is an interesting life," he replied, nodding slightly. "My mentor is called Shamee McNee. He is an elderly man who might be a tad overweight," Mizu added with a slightly playful note on his voice. "But I assure you, he is a full-fledged pirate. He knew everything there was to know on how to be a good pirate and stick to the code. He is quite strict about it, actually. We are both under Baron Tamago's command, stationed right in the center of Tottoland – the Whole Cake Island. Great commander, he is. He is a royalty who is close to Big Mom, and also a devil fruit user."

"Tell me more about the Baron," said Leia, who was already hooked in Mizu's story. The man just had a way of telling stories that captivated the readers. Besides, he was the only one of Mabel and Jasper's close friends who could make Leia feel immersed in the romanticism of the pirate adventures.

"Well, he has this devil fruit power… Tama Tama no Mi, or the Egg Egg Fruit. It made his entire body shaped like a chicken, and his body structure that much like an egg, with an outer shell and the yolk. Whenever the outer shell got destroyed, he emerged as a more powerful uhh… chicken-like form from the yolk. I'm not joking," Mizu laughed, when he saw Leia's face. "That made him undefeated in battle because he just kept evolving as long as his yolk was not destroyed. His stronger forms are called uhh… let's see… Viscount Hiyoko and Count Niwatori, if I'm not mistaken."

"So he went up one rank every time he evolved?" Leia giggled. She couldn't help but feel that the naming was a tad bit funny. Mizu, instead of being offended that Leia literally laughed at her boss, laughed along with her. He did see the funny part, after all.

"Yeah," he replied. "And if he was defeated on his strongest form, he just went back to his base form. Also it might have sounded cute that he was a… chicken. But he is one of Big Mom's most trusted."

The mention of Big Mom's name triggered Leia's curiosity. "Have you ever seen her from up-close?" she asked to Mizu. After all, he had been working in Whole Cake Island, there must have been plenty of times to see the highest commander of Big Mom Pirates.

Mizu chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "I never met her personally, but I've seen Big Mom from afar. She's very tall, easily mistakable for a giant of Elbaf. Her appetite is legendary, and she's cheery when in a good mood, but when something upsets her, she's extremely ruthless. And especially her hunger pangs are the worst."

Leia's eyes widened with a mix of fascination and horror as Mizu continued. "I remember the first time I witnessed it. It was terrifying. Big Mom was in one of her hunger pangs, and she started destroying the town's buildings, looking for the food she craved. She was like a force of nature, unstoppable and devastating."

Mizu's voice grew a bit softer as he recounted the memory. "I was caught in the chaos. She almost killed me. I would have been crushed if it weren't for my mentor, who saved me at the last moment. He pulled me out of the way just in time."

Leia paled, unable to imagine how a queen could cause such damage in her own kingdom. "That sounds awful. Are you alright?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Mizu smiled kindly, appreciating her worry. "I'm fine, Leia. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be walking with you now, would I?" he said with a teasing glint in his eyes.

Leia blushed in embarrassment and looked down at her feet. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound so..."

Mizu interrupted her with a gentle laugh. "No need to apologize. It's nice to know you care."

They continued their walk in a comfortable silence for a few moments, before Leia decided to open the conversation again – about Mizu himself this time.

"What made you decide to join Big Mom?" she asked, glancing over at Mizu.

Mizu paused, the question clearly taking him back in time. "Well, it's a long story," he began. "It all started with my father. He was once a member of the Sun Pirates, a crew that worked with the late pirate captain Fisher Tiger and the most well-known second-in-command and current Warlord of the Sea: Jinbei."

Leia's eyes widened. To her, those names mean nothing, but from the way Mizu mentioned them – they must have meant something for people who knew them. Mizu, reading her curious expression, smiled and continued.

"My father was the crew's chef and coating craftsman. He had a special ability to create bubbles for ships to float down to the sea. Before joining the pirates, we lived at Sabaody Archipelago, where he created flutter kick coatings for humans, overwater highways, and inner tubes for both fish folk and merfolk so they could travel easily on land."

Leia listened intently as Mizu explained. "He taught me a bit of his craftmanship. Up until now, I still have a handbook he made with all his notes on his work. It's one of my most treasured possessions."

Mizu's voice grew softer as he delved deeper into his past. "When I was young, I idolized my father. I wanted to be just like him, a skilled craftsman and a brave pirate. He would tell me stories about his adventures with the Sun Pirates, how they fought against oppression and sought freedom for all fish folk and humans alike. The Sun Pirates are honored across the seas because of their noble cause – and it's all thanks to the Captain, Fisher Tiger, and his first mate, Jinbei. There are no one else like them, I assure you."

Leia nodded, feeling Mizu's heartfelt admiration for the two of them.

Mizu continued, his voice filled with pride and respect. "The Sun Pirates are always known for fighting for equal rights for Fishmen and Merfolk. Fisher Tiger had done many courageous acts, such as freeing slaves from the… Celestial Dragons."

Leia noticed a subtle but significant change in Mizu's tone when he mentioned the Celestial Dragons. His voice took on a deeper, almost trembling quality, as if he loathed them deeply but couldn't fully express it due to an extreme, irrational fear. His eyes darkened momentarily, and a faint shiver ran through him. Leia felt a surge of curiosity, wanting to ask more about this reaction, but before she could, Mizu had already moved on with his story.

"Not too long ago, he even saved a little girl—though he ended up being killed by the Marines," Mizu continued, his voice steadying again. He flashed out a bitter smile. "My father was there with Jinbei during Tiger's last moments." Leia's eyes widened in surprise and sympathy. "That… must have been incredibly difficult for your father and Jinbei."

Mizu nodded. "It was. Fisher Tiger was a hero to all of us. He believed in freedom and equality, and he was willing to risk everything to achieve it. When he died, it left a huge void in the hearts of the Sun Pirates. Jinbei stepped up as the new leader, but the loss of Fisher Tiger was a heavy burden for everyone."

Mizu paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "My father told me about that day many times. How Tiger's last words were about continuing the fight for freedom, about not giving in to hatred and keeping the spirit of the Sun Pirates alive. It was a defining moment for everyone who was there, including my father."

"It sounds like your father and Jinbei have done an incredible job of carrying on Tiger's legacy," Leia said, feeling huge respect for Fisher Tiger, Jinbei, and Mizu's father.

"They have," Mizu agreed. "Jinbei later became a Warlord of the Sea to protect our crew, Fishman Island, and to have a stronger voice in the world."

Leia tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. "What exactly is a Warlord of the Sea?" she asked, genuinely interested.

Mizu paused, looking at Leia to gauge her interest. "Well… A Warlord of the Sea is basically… one of seven powerful pirates who have allied themselves with the World Government. In exchange for their cooperation, they're granted certain privileges, for example, they can continue their pirating activities without interference from the Marines. It's a way for the government to keep some of the most dangerous pirates in check and use them as a government tool against other threats… other threats being other pirates, mostly."

Leia's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, so, they're basically pirates working for the government? Won't the other pirates see them as traitors, then?"

Mizu nodded. "Yes, in a way. Plenty other pirates were mighty pissed off with them, but there was nothing they could do. Like I said before, the Warlords are usually the most powerful pirates, that's why the government wanted to ally themselves with them in the first place. It's a complex relationship, really. The Warlords maintain their freedom to some extent, but they're also expected to assist the government when called upon. For Jinbei, becoming a Warlord meant he could protect the Sun Pirates crew, Fishman Island, and give our people a stronger voice in the world. It was a strategic move to safeguard our home and ensure our rights, since, well, you know – Fishmen had been the target of systemic discrimination for a long, long time." Leia thought that Mizu had sounded somewhat bitter when he said this, but when she looked up again at him, his expression was pretty normal.

Leia considered this, understanding the significance of Jinbei's decision. "That sounds like a tough role to take on, balancing between being a pirate and working with the government."

"It is," Mizu agreed. "Not everyone was happy with Jinbei's decision either. They called him a slave and a government's dog. But Jinbei knew he didn't have to please everyone. He did it to honor Fisher Tiger's legacy and to continue the fight for equality and freedom for all Fishmen and Merfolk. It wasn't an easy choice, but it was the best way to protect our people and further our cause."

Leia nodded, impressed by the depth of Jinbei's commitment and the strategic thinking behind his decision. "Jinbei sounds like an incredible leader. And your father must have been an amazing man too, to work alongside such legends."

Mizu smiled, a mix of pride and fondness in his expression. "He was. Oh, and I did get to meet him once – when I was a child. He was such a charismatic figure. I still remember that moment up to this day. Jinbei, like Fisher Tiger, never stopped dreaming about a world where Fishmen and Merfolk are treated as equals… Well… he eventually stepped down as captain of the Sun Pirates to become a Warlord though. Everyone in the crew agreed it was the best decision at that time. But we were wrong. That decision didn't stop what happened to my father. He died, shortly after Jinbei had stepped down."

Leia was curious to know what happened exactly. The question was at the tip of her tongue, but she decided against it when she saw Mizu's eyes darkened with anger and sadness. Sensing the depth of his emotions, she realized it was not the right thing to ask. Instead, she chose to tread lightly. "I'm sorry for being too nosy," she said gently. "If you ever want to talk, I'm here for you."

Mizu smiled appreciatively, warmth returning to his eyes. "Thank you, Leia. I appreciate that."

As they walked, they stopped at a sandwich shop to pick up lunch for everyone back at Mary's house. The shop was full even though it was not yet lunchtime. They placed their orders and waited, listening to hum of conversation and clatter of dishes as other customers dined in around them.

While they waited, Mizu continued telling his story. "After my father passed away, my mother, who is a mermaid, decided to move us here to Tottoland. She wanted to start anew, and Tottoland was one of the few places where we were more accepted than anywhere else."

Leia nodded, understanding the need for a fresh start. "It must have been hard, leaving everything behind."

"It was," Mizu admitted. "But my mother believed it was the best choice for us. Tottoland, under Big Mom's rule, was unique. Big Mom is the only pirate captain in this world who treated everyone equally, regardless of their race. It didn't matter if you were human, fishman, or mink—everyone had a place here."

Leia looked around the vibrant and diverse crowd in the sandwich shop, noticing the variety of people mingling together. She never really noticed it before, but now she could see that Mizu was right. "I can see why that would be appealing," she remarked.

Mizu nodded. "It was. Living here since had given me a sense of belonging that I hadn't felt anywhere else. And with my father's legacy in mind, I wanted to become a noble pirate like him. So… well, that's how I decided to join the Big Mom Pirates."

Leia placed a comforting hand on Mizu's shoulder. "I'm sure he would be proud, Mizu – looking at the man you've become."

Mizu smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "Thank you, Leia. That means a lot." After a moment of silence between them, Mizu finally started another topic.

"How about you, though, Leia? What's your story?" he asked.

Leia hesitated for a moment. She genuinely wanted to tell Mizu more about herself, but she also knew she couldn't reveal her true identity, so she decided to share only certain selected parts of her past. "Well…," she began, contemplating slowly about which parts to share and not to share. "I never met my real father. He died when I was very young. My mother raised me on her own until she decided to remarry."

Mizu listened attentively, his expression empathetic. "That… must have been hard, not knowing your father."

"It was," Leia admitted. "But my mother did her best. Things changed when she remarried, though. My stepfather… he wasn't kind."

Mizu's concern deepened. He looked slightly alarmed, even. "What did he do?"

Leia chose her words carefully, blending partial truths and lies. "Well, he… was a very strict military man. He ran the house like a military facility. Everything had to be perfect, and there was no room for mistakes. He was also a cold man, obsessed with his scientific research. It was like walking on eggshells – you never know what might trigger him."

Mizu frowned, his brow furrowing. "That sounds tough, Leia. How did you cope with it?"

Leia shrugged slightly, trying to keep her emotions in check. "Well, I just… I tried to stay out of his way as much as possible. Keep to myself as much as I can, you know? It helped a lot, especially on the days he was not in a very good… mood."

Mizu knew there was something else implied behind Leia's seemingly care-free words, but he decided not to probe further. He could sense that Leia was not sharing them for some reason, and he didn't want to push her.

Leia took a deep breath, and continued her story. To be honest, she didn't quite like remembering her past – there were some very difficult moments for her. Strangely enough however, it didn't quite feel as heavy when she shared these moments with Mizu. "When my mother died, there were only so much I could tolerate. I couldn't take it any longer, so… I ran away."

You ran away?" Mizu repeated, his eyes widened with concern. "Things must have been really bad then for you. You must be really scared."

"I was," Leia admitted, nodding. "But it was the only viable option compared to the alternative… which was staying with my father. I didn't have anywhere else to go. I ended up finding my way to some relatives from my mother's side. They were people I had never met or heard of before, but strangely enough they welcomed me with open arms. It was like finding a new family. Kind of like how Mabel and Jasper took care of me the day they found me washed up on the beach. Or like how you all have been so kind to me, though I'm not originally from Tottoland."

"Leia," said Mizu, softly reprimanding her. "Of course we would. There's no way we would treat you like an outsider. You might not believe me when I said this but – everyone here in Tottoland, we have all been through one thing or the other." Leia replied to Mizu's genuine words with a smile.

"Thanks, Mizu," she said appreciatively, and Mizu returned her smile genuinely.

"And then?" Mizu probed, his expression brightened with interest. "What were they like? Your new family, I mean."

"Well," Leia's eyes sparkled slightly, her tone warming as she spoke about them. "They were incredibly kind to me. My godmother and maternal aunt, Helen, is a wonderful seamstress and cook. She's always been there for me. From time to time, she would teach me how to sew and bake, and I'm not kidding when I say this, but… her home-cooked meals are the best I've ever had."

"That sounds lovely," Mizu said, genuinely intrigued. "And your other relatives?"

Leia continued, her smile growing bigger. "My uncle is quite the character. He makes the best bagels in town and loves to compete in boxing matches. Can you imagine a baker who loves to box?" Leia giggled. "He's tough but has a great sense of humor. Then there's Quinn, my adoptive sister and cousin. She's a talented fashion designer and has always been a huge inspiration to me. She's got this amazing ability to create beautiful designs and outfits, and she's helped me find my own sense of style." Leia flaunted her denim jacket with custom patches, remembering how Quinn helped her pick some of them and put them on her jacket.

Mizu listened attentively, clearly enjoying hearing about Leia's new family. "It sounds like you found a wonderful place with them. They must have been a great support for you."

Leia nodded enthusiastically, her eyes reflecting the warmth and gratitude she felt toward her family back home. "They were. They gave me a sense of stability and belonging that I never had in a long time. It was through them that I really started to understand what it meant to have a supportive family."

Mizu's smile widened. "I'm glad you found such a caring family. It sounds like they helped you become the person you are today."

"Oh, they are all amazing people indeed," said Leia, her voice was suddenly filled with longing toward her family in the faraway land – the people she hadn't seen for a long time, and with not much knowing about when she could see them again. She didn't want to think about how much they might be worried about her, because that would make it even more painful for her. They probably thought that something terrible had happened to her – and she had no way to tell them that she was safe, and well taken care of over here. Well, they probably wouldn't even believe her stories though.

Mizu found Leia's story captivating. Leia had said that her stories were not as interesting as his, but Mizu personally disagreed. He found it fascinating, and couldn't resist offering her a compliment. "It takes a lot of courage to run away from home and start anew. I mean… standing up on your own like that? You were very brave, Leia."

Leia smiled softly at his words. "Thank you, Mizu. It wasn't easy, but… I did what was necessary."

Curious, Mizu asked, "So… what became of your stepfather?"

Leia fell silent, her expression shifting to one of discomfort. The silence stretched on for a few minutes, making Mizu feel uneasy. Just as he was about to say, 'never mind', Leia spoke up.

"I… don't know what happened to him. He just disappeared one day," she said simply, a soft smile on her lips.

Mizu could sense that Leia was not telling the whole truth, but the look on Leia's face told him that he should not push the subject. Respecting her boundaries, he decided to change the topic.

"So… tell me more about your adoptive sister, Quinn," Mizu suggested, steering the conversation to a lighter topic. "She sounds amazing. Did you ever help her with her designs?"

"Sometimes," Leia replied, and Mizu was relieved to notice her change in mood. "Well, not like she ever needs my help! She could pretty much do everything by herself, considering how talented she is. But she always has a way of involving me in her work and teaching me about fashion and design. I'm not as talented as she is, but I do love working with her and learning from her."

Their conversation continued on to more casual topics, with Leia sharing amusing anecdotes about her family and Mizu recounting funny moments from his time with the Big Mom Pirates. The mood lightened considerably.

Their conversation continued on to more casual topics, with Leia sharing amusing anecdotes about her family and Mizu recounting funny moments from his time with the Big Mom Pirates. The mood lightened considerably.

Leia began with a laugh, "So, there was this one time my uncle – you know he loves boxing, decided to challenge our neighbor, Mr. Jenkins, to a friendly match. Now, Mr. Jenkins is this elderly man who used to be a professional wrestler back in the day. My uncle thought it would be an easy win because well… Mr. Jenkins was old. They set up a makeshift ring in our backyard, and – I'm not kidding you – the entire neighborhood came to watch. The match started, and within seconds, Mr. Jenkins had my uncle in a headlock, completely dominating the fight. It was over in less than a minute! My uncle never lived that down, and Mr. Jenkins still brags about it every time he sees us."

Mizu chuckled, "Oh, that Mr. Jenkins is never gonna let that slip, is he?"

"Never," Leia giggled. "What about you, Mizu? Any funny stories from your time with the Big Mom Pirates?"

"Well, yeah – there were plenty actually. You know, Big Mom has quite a fascination with tea banquet, and her hobby was to do tea banquets to commemorate almost every single thing! She would do it for some big occasions like the time her daughters or sons are married for example, or when someone got promoted to a higher rank or appointed a minister. Not only that though, she would do it for the most casual occasions, too. For example," Mizu continued, laughing at the memories, "she once threw a grand tea banquet just because it was a particularly sunny day after a week of rain. She called it the 'Sunshine Celebration' and insisted that everyone attend, complete with extravagant hats and sun-themed pastries."

Leia laughed, imagining the scene.

"There was another time when she threw a banquet to celebrate the arrival of a shipment of her favorite tea blend from a faraway island," Mizu continued, encouraged by Leia's enthusiastic response. "She called it the 'Perfect Tea Party.' We had to taste test all the different ways it could be prepared, from hot tea to tea-infused desserts. It was one of the few times the entire crew was actually excited about one of her banquets."

Leia shook her head in amazement, giggling. "That's so over the top. Must have been a nightmare for people in the kitchen!"

"Oh well, she is the captain and the supreme ruler of Tottoland, so what she says, goes," Mizu grinned. "Besides, I'm not lying when I said that her kitchen staffs are probably the best this world has ever seen! They were able to cater to her every whim. Considering Big Mom's huge appetite, that is really saying something!"

"I bet," said Leia. Now she wondered what the food in Big Mom's kitchen must have tasted like.

"Oh, and once, she held a 'First Snowfall Feast' because it started snowing earlier than expected that year," Mizu continued. "She had the entire courtyard decorated with ice sculptures and everyone had to wear winter-themed costumes. And then there was the 'Full Moon Festival' where she made everyone gather to watch the full moon rise while enjoying mooncakes and other lunar-themed treats."

"That sounds amazing, though!" Leia remarked. "I certainly wouldn't mind going to a full-moon themed tea banquet!"

"Honestly, it was kind of nice sometimes," Mizu agreed, smiling. "Even if it was a bit extravagant. It brought everyone together, we all had delicious food, and you never knew what kind of banquet she'd come up with next. Though, of course, there was always the underlying pressure to make sure everything was perfect for her. And if anything was slightly out of her contentment… you can bet that disasters will follow. She's beyond scary when she is in a bad mood."

"You mean… like her hunger pangs?" Leia asked curiously, and Mizu nodded. "Yep, something like that! Though that was why we had all the sweet commanders present in every tea banquets. They would be the only ones who could stop things from going completely haywire. Especially Commander Katakuri – with his advanced haki, he would be able to predict when things would go wrong, and prevent disasters from happening. He is just the best." Leia noticed that Mizu also spoke highly of Katakuri, and decided that she would better not bring up her personal distaste about that specific sweet commander.

Their orders finally arrived, and they picked up the neatly wrapped sandwiches, thanking the store attendant, and walk back to haul a cab that would take them back to Mary's house. They continued their conversation on the way back to Mary's – and that was when Mizu discovered that Leia loved pastas, the very same dish that he was a (self-proclaimed) expert.

"You love cooking pasta?" Leia exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "I'm obsessed with pasta dishes! There's just some kind of versatility about them – they can never go wrong! And donuts, too. I can never get enough of them."

"Well, I'd love to cook you a dish sometime! I mean… I make my own pasta. And my homemade marinara sauce is pretty good, too," Mizu responded humbly

"You make your own pasta?" Leia's breath almost stopped, and Mizu couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. "That sounds amazing, Mizu! I'd love to try your cooking."

Despite their light-hearted exchange, a part of Mizu remained concerned about Leia's past. More than one time, he wondered if Leia's cruel stepfather was still alive – and what actually became of that man. But Leia was obviously reluctant to share anything about it, that Mizu couldn't bring himself to push the subject. He kept wondering why he was so careful about the subject when he was around her – and he finally realized the reason.

He just didn't want to see her smile fade. In fact, he realized, he liked her smile. Leia was beautiful of course, she was naturally pretty. But her smile made her look even more beautiful. As soon as the thought entered his head, Mizu shook it off, wondering where it had come from.

Later that day, in Mary's house, Leia was helping the others organize some tools in the shed when she was startled by the sound of her Den Den Mushi ringing. She wiped her oil-smeared hands on her apron and reached for the small snail-like device, her heart skipping a beat as she anticipated the identity of the caller. To her surprise and delight, it was indeed who she was waiting for on the other end: William

"William! It's been so long," she exclaimed, a broad smile spreading across her face as she answered the call.

"Leia, it's great to hear your voice," William replied wit a familiar warm tone. He was genuinely happy to hear Leia's voice it seemed. "I've just arrived in town, and I found a secluded place where we can meet. Can you meet me in the place I'm about to tell you at around… say, one hour?"

Leia's excitement was momentarily tempered by confusion. She wondered slightly why William seemed so hush-hush, and why they needed to meet at a secluded place. But she decided that she should not question it any further. Perhaps William was meeting her secretly, because his captain Katakuri wouldn't give him a time off.

Leia felt a flicker of concern but chose to trust William. "Alright, I'll come! Where should we meet?"

"There is an old lighthouse just outside of town, it is near the old port. Meet me there. It's quiet and out of the way. If you need any help getting there, just ask any townspeople – they would know."

"Got it. I'll be there soon," Leia agreed, her voice bubbling with excitement.

"See you soon then," said William. Leia might have imagined it, but he sounded just as excited as she was.

"See you soon!" Leia said, and then hung up. She quickly finished organizing the tools, her movements hurried yet precise. Finally finished with the task on hand, Leia stepped out of the shed to find the others still engrossed in their work on the kart. Then, she cleared her throat and announced loudly to everyone.

"I'm heading out to meet a friend, William," said Leia, making every heads turned to face her. "I'll be back before dinner time."

"Oooh, someone's having fun!" Mabel teased her humorously. "I can't believe you're going on a date and leaving the rest of us here, dealing with oils and spareparts, Leia!"

Leia immediately blushed, all the way to her ears. "It's not like that, Mabel! William's a friend!" Leia didn't even know why she sounded like she was making excuses, because wasn't it true? William's a friend of hers – that's all.

Mabel laughed, holding up her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I'm sorry for teasing. But you're so cute and easy to fluster, it's just hard to resist!" She giggled, looking amused at Leia's reaction.

They all bid her farewell, and as Leia was about to leave, Mabel called out again, "Hey, invite William for dinner, okay? I want to meet him!"

Jasper, grinning, added, "Yeah, Mabel just wants to meet him so he can share all the juicy details about Commander Katakuri."

Mabel elbowed Jasper so hard that the latter had to yell "Ow!" and bent down in pain. "That's not the point, Jasper! I'm just curious about Leia's friend."

Leia chuckled at their banter. "I'll try to convince him to come. No promises, though." With that, she headed out of the front door and into the town.

As Leia left the hangar, waving goodbye to everyone and promising to be back before dinner, Mizu watched her retreating figure with a contemplative look. He had been quiet throughout the exchange, listening to the playful banter and the genuine interest in Leia's friend. Once Leia was out of sight, Mizu turned to Mabel with curiosity etched on his face.

"Mabel, who is William?" he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

Mabel looked up from her work, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "William? He's Katakuri's second-in-command. And from what I can tell, he's taken quite a liking to Leia."

Mrs. Guava, who was arranging some tools nearby, interjected with a gentle but firm voice. "Mabel, you shouldn't jump to conclusions. Just because they spend time together doesn't necessarily mean there's anything romantic going on. They might really just be friends."

Mabel rolled her eyes slightly but maintained her playful demeanor. "Come on, Mrs. Guava. If that were the case, how come Leia keeps crossing paths with him? Considering his position as Katakuri's second-in-command, he must be a very busy man. Yet, he always seems to make time for Leia."

Mizu listened intently, his interest piqued. Mabel continued, "Think about it. He even invited Leia for a picnic. Do you really think he'd do that if he wasn't seriously fond of her? He's not just some casual acquaintance."

Mrs. Guava shook her head, smiling kindly. "You might be reading too much into it, Mabel. Friendships can be strong without any romantic feelings involved."

Undeterred, Mabel turned to Mary, who was tinkering with the kart's engine. "Mary, don't you agree with me? There's got to be something more between Leia and William."

Mary looked up, clearly annoyed that she was being dragged into the conversation. "I'm no expert in love, Mabel. Honestly, I don't care much about who likes who. I'm pretty sure Leia can decide by herself who she likes and who she wants to date. Besides, I still need to do tons of upgrades to this racing cart before tomorrow, and it's making me nervous already, so please don't bother me with silly conversations about love."

With that, Mary was out of the conversation, but the group of friends continued to argue back and forth, each offering their perspectives on Leia's relationship with William. Throughout the debate, Mizu remained quiet, his thoughts racing. He recalled the way Leia had blushed when Mabel teased her about going on a date. He remembered how she seemed to light up when talking about William. Yet, there was also a hesitation in her voice, as if she wasn't entirely sure of her own feelings or perhaps was guarding a deeper secret.

Mizu's mind wandered to his own feelings. He had found himself drawn to Leia's warmth and kindness, and he couldn't deny the spark of jealousy he felt at the mention of William's apparent interest in her. But he also respected Leia's independence and didn't want to intrude on her personal life.

However, there was one slightly questionable thing about this "William", something that bothered Mizu since the first time he'd heard of it.

As an apprentice and future pirate in Big Mom's fleet, Mizu had had to learn about the Charlotte family, their positions, and their officers. That's why he knew for a fact that Katakuri had no official second-in-command, and there was most likely no one named William in his crew. Katakuri's crew was relatively small and elite, consisting of only the most capable fighters, making it fairly easy to memorize their names and roles. The second Charlotte child was ridiculously strong, and that was why he was very selective with his crew, choosing only the best to accompany him in battles.

This discrepancy gnawed at Mizu. It was disturbingly easy for anyone to claim association with Katakuri's crew. The Sweet Commander's name alone commanded awe and respect from the public, making it a tempting alias for a scam artist. For a while, he hesitated if he should alert everyone about this – that this so-called Mr. William might be a scam – but he didn't want to make his friends overthink about the bad possibilities. There were a lot of reasons someone wouldn't want to use their real names in the pirate world, and this so-called "William" might just be one of them. Besides, Leia seemed to trust William enough, and Mizu decided to put his trust in Leia's judgment – for now.

Leia found her way to the secluded beach near the old lighthouse where William was already waiting for her. Seeing his tall and broad figure standing in the secluded beach made Leia run faster.

"William!" she called his name, and he turned his head to face her. As she approached, her face lit up with delight. She opened her arms, almost reaching out for a hug before she quickly stopped herself at the last second, feeling a pang of embarrassment. What was she doing? They were just friends, after all.

William's eyes shined with genuine warmth when he saw her. "Leia! It's great to see you."

"William!" Leia exclaimed once again, her initial embarrassment fading as she saw the genuine happiness in his eyes. "It's so good to see you too. What have you been up to?"

The pair began to walk down the desolate beach, the conversation flowing easily as they updated each other about their lives. The rhythmic sound of the waves and the occasional call of seagulls were the only things heard in the surrounding, providing a serene backdrop to their chat.

"I've been keeping busy," William replied. "There's always something happening with the crew, and Captain Katakuri keeps us on our toes. How about you? What have you been up to?"

Leia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Well, my friend Jasper is getting ready for the big race. He's really determined to win this time, and we're all working together as a team to make sure he can be the champion this year."

William nodded, recalling their previous conversation. "Ah yes, you mentioned that yesterday. Actually, someone from our crew is participating as well. He's the reigning champion, so you might have heard of him."

Leia's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? By any chance, is it a guy named 'Kingley Nero'? Jasper's been talking a lot about the competition, and I've heard him mention Kingley Nero's name several times."

"Correct. It is Kingley Nero," William answered. "He's quite the racer, always at the top of his game."

Leia's expression shifted to one of recognition and slight irritation. " Well then, there was no mistake about it. Jasper did mention him, and not in a very good way. Nero's always winning and apparently, he always destroyed Jasper's racing kart just before reaching the finish line year after year."

William sighed, seemingly understanding Leia's frustration. "It might sound dirty that Nero destroyed your friend's racing cart, but sabotage is part of the race, everyone does them. Nero's only playing by the rules. He's a great driver and loves to participate in the games, but he's also highly competitive and takes every advantage he can get. He is a pirate, after all."

Leia still sulked slightly, but she didn't want to spend the afternoon in a sour mood, particularly because she didn't even see William that often. So the pair continued walking along the beach, the conversation shifting slightly. Leia couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to William's visit than just watching the race.

"Is that why you came to the island, then?" Leia asked, her curiosity piqued. "To support Nero in the race?"

"Not exactly," William replied, his tone becoming more serious. "I received an inside report that suggests the intruder might be on the island, taking advantage of the big event. The race is a major draw, and we can't let the intruder do as they please. They are mistaken if they think they can commit those murders again right under the Charlotte Family's noses." William sounded completely determined.

"Tomorrow I will be on guard during the event… I will be patrolling the area and be on my station among the captain and his family. I doubt I'd even have the time to pay attention to the race."

Leia's face fell slightly. "That's unfortunate," she said. "I wish you could watch the competition without worrying about the intruder or working."

William gazed kindly at her. "I don't mind. I am, after all, a pirate and a crew member. I need to do my job."

Leia pondered for a moment before offering an idea. "Well maybe you could… patrol near the finish line? That way, you can keep an eye on things and still watch Jasper win. We can both see it from a distance."

William knew how much Leia anticipated him to say yes, but shook his head, his expression regretful. "I appreciate the thought, Leia, but I can't be watching the race and ignoring my duty. The attacker could strike at any time, and I need to be vigilant. So many people's lives are at stake here."

Leia sighed in defeat, understanding but still disappointed. "I get it. It's just... well, I was hoping you could at least join us for dinner tonight, to meet my friends? They've heard so much about you."

William hated to disappoint her, but he knew he couldn't risk his real identity being discovered. If Leia's friends recognized him as Katakuri, it could lead to complications he wasn't prepared to handle. "I'm sorry, Leia," he said softly, then made up some excuses. "I have to report back to my captain after this. Duty calls."

It was the truth, he did have a meeting to attend. Only, it wasn't with his captain, but with his fellow Charlotte siblings. They were going to discuss the countermeasures to prevent that intruded from ever wreaking a havoc at the race tomorrow.

Leia's shoulders slumped, her disappointment evident. "I understand. It's just... they really wanted to meet you. And I wanted them to meet you too."

William opened his mouth to answer, but suddenly, an event distracted them both. It all happened in a few seconds. Leia saw a brief flash of red in William's eyes before he quickly turned toward the opposite direction. Leia wondered slightly if it was just her imagination, but then a distant cry echoed through the air, startling her. "What was that?" she wondered aloud, concern etched on her face.

William's expression turned serious. "It sounds like a young whale trapped under old nets."

Leia furrowed her brows at William's response. "How do you know that?" She glanced around but couldn't see the whale or the nets. The beach seemed pretty much empty to her. William did not answer, and Leia started to reason that perhaps William had much better eyesight than she did. Right at that time however, the cry grew louder, filled with desperation, prompting Leia to rush toward the sound. "We have to help it!" she called, urging William to follow her.

"Leia!" she heard William yell behind her. "Wait!"

But Leia could not wait, it was as if her body was moving on its own, toward the direction of the desperate cry. If it was true and there was a whale trapped inside a net, she couldn't just stand idly by and watch it die!

As they neared the source of the cry, Leia finally saw it – a young whale thrashing in the shallow waters near a small, abandoned deck, entangled in a web of old fishing nets. The nets were cutting into its flesh, causing the poor creature to cry out in pain.

Leia didn't know how to swim, but where the baby whale was, it wasn't deep. She ignored William's yell behind her as she lunged into the water. As soon as her body touched the water, she immediately started to feel weak. Leia had always wondered why she felt heavy when being in the sea. Of course, the rain wasn't a problem, but if she were in a swimming pool or small creek, her body would always feel strange. Shaking off the thought, she swam toward the distressed baby whale.

She reached the whale and began trying to free it, pulling at the nets as best as she could. The nets were tangled badly, making it a difficult and exhausting task. It didn't help either that the baby whale was thrashing about so desperately, trying to get away from the net. Telling it to calm down was as useless as talking to a stone. The whale's cries were heartbreaking, and Leia's determination grew stronger. She had to help it.

"Leia, get back!" William's voice called out, filled with urgency.

Leia looked up to see William standing on the shore, his face a mix of concern and fear. She wondered why William wasn't jumping into the ocean to help. Perhaps, like her, he couldn't swim? But that would be silly, because he was a pirate. What kind of pirate doesn't know how to swim? Being in seawater should be like their second nature, right?

"Stand back, Leia!" William yelled again, more forcefully this time.

Leia moved away from the net slightly, confused but trusting him. She watched in awe as William stood on the store, with a very majestic and deadly-looking trident in his hands. Leia had no idea where he produced it from – it seemed to be coming from thin air. The weapon gleamed in the fading light, looking both ancient and powerful. It sort of reminded her of Poseidon's trident – the one they always showed in movies.

William now stood on top of the old abandoned deck and swung his weapon down with a swift, precise movement. He began cutting through the nets, the sharp edges of the trident slicing through the tough ropes effortlessly. William moved with such fluidity that it almost seemed like a dance. The whale, sensing the assistance, calmed slightly, its cries becoming softer.

Leia, her strength waning but her spirit unbroken, continued to help by pulling away the remains of the nets that William had cut. The nets were thick and stubborn, but William's trident was more than a match for them. Each precise cut freed more of the whale's body. Finally, with a last decisive slice, the last of the nets fell away. The baby whale, sensing its newfound freedom, gave a joyous cry and began to move more freely. Leia gently removed the remaining pieces of net from its body, her hands shaking from the effort and nerve-wracking adrenaline pumping through her body. She also felt rather sick – her head was spinning and she was about to throw up. It was as if being in seawater absorbed all her strength.

Despite feeling sick, Leia still hugged the baby whale until it calmed down. The whale squealed, its sounds filled with relief and gratitude. Leia giggled, despite her nausea. "You're welcome, little one. But don't forget to thank William too." William watched the whole scene from the shore, a few steps away from the water. Leia couldn't tell from his expression if he was smiling or not. The scarf covering his lower face made him appear rather mysterious indeed. His eyes, however, softened as he observed the interaction.

Gently, William helped Leia out of the water. She felt her strength gradually returning as she came out of the water – which was a curious thing indeed. He supported her weight, guiding her to the shore. The baby whale swam around them, celebrating its freedom.

"Where is the baby whale's family?" Leia asked. She sounded rather weak, but filled with concern. "Shouldn't it be with them?"

William looked out to the open ocean, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Perhaps they got separated. Whales do migrate through Tottoland. It's not uncommon for the young ones to get lost occasionally." Just then, the baby whale suddenly swam away, heading towards the deeper waters. Leia's heart skipped a beat. She was afraid something bad might happen to the little creature again, and she called out, "Wait! Be careful!"

William placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It will be fine, Leia. The ocean is their home. They how to find their way."

"You think so?" Leia nodded, though she couldn't shake her worry. "I just hope it stays safe."

"It will," William assured her. "You did an incredible thing today, Leia. You were brave and determined. The whale owes its life to you."

Leia blushed at his compliment, feeling both shy and proud. "Thank you, William. But… I couldn't have done it without you."

"Same here," William nodded. "Not many people would risk their lives for others like that. You have a good heart, Leia. Now, let's get you back home so you can dry off and rest. I also need to report back to my captain."

Leia allowed William to help her stand. They began to walk back along the beach, the setting sun casting long shadows over the sand. Leia let the wind dry off her clothes as they walked back to town. She felt rather exhausted, her body still weak from the sea and the surprising rescue experience. Her spirit however, was soaring high. She did hope that the baby whale was alright and was able to find its way to its family.

William escorted Leia all the way back to Mary's home. By then, the skies had already turned dark and the moon hung low in the sky. As they approached the front door, William turned to Leia to say his farewell.

"I'd have to go now to report to my captain," he said, and Leia nodded. Then, he paused, as if contemplating whether to continue. "And… if all goes well tomorrow after the race," he finally said, "I'd like to ask you to accompany me for another small picnic."

Leia's face lit up with happiness. "Sounds wonderful! I'd love that."

William smiled. Leia could not see it behind his scarf, but she did feel the genuine warmth in his eyes. "Great. Then I will see you tomorrow, hopefully."

Leia opened the door to Mary's hangar, and bid him farewell, watching as he disappeared into the night. She felt a flutter of excitement at the thought of their upcoming picnic. At that time, not even the potential dangers of the perpetrator lurking at the race tomorrow were able to bring down her mood.

Unbeknownst to them, the man who had bumped into Leia earlier that morning was watching them from a distance. Hidden in the shadows, he observed the entire scene with keen interest. He was very careful to keep his distance as to not be detected by Katakuri's advanced observation haki. As soon as William a.k.a Katakuri had left the perimeter, the man pulled out his Den Den Mushi and contacted his captain.

"Captain," he whispered into the receiver, "I've got some new information. You remember the girl I bumped into earlier this morning? She seems mighty close to Charlotte Katakuri. Aye, I just saw the sweet commander walking her home. A tad bit strange for someone of his rank to do, innit."

The voice on the other end of the line was gruff, though it was filled with curiosity. "Aye. Who be she? What be her connection to the Sweet Commander?"

The lackey hesitated, glancing back at the house where Leia had just entered. "I don't know exactly, Cap'n. I bumped into her this mornin', but she didn't seem like anything special. Just some random wench."

The captain laughed, a sinister sound that sent shivers down the lackey's spine. "Aye. Just a wench she might be. But if she be connected to Katakuri, she could be valuable. Our client, The Celestial Dragon World Noble Saint Charlos would be keen on someone tied to a high-rankin' pirate. She could be a slave or even a wife for him."

The lackey frowned, uncertain. "She be not exactly a striking beauty, Cap'n. Just a tad bit pretty. More likely she'd make a good slave girl or a servant at most."

The captain's tone was dismissive. "That be for the World Nobles to decide. Our job is to capture her and let them determine her fate. Besides, if she be with Katakuri, she must have some worth."

The lackey nodded, though the captain couldn't see him. "Aye, Cap'n. So, aside from kidnapping Charlotte Pudding, we're to nab the girl too?"

"Exactly," the captain confirmed. "We'll take 'em both. Imagine the reward we'll get from the World Nobles. Make sure everything's ready for tomorrow. We'll execute the plan come dawn."

The lackey grinned, showing his yellow, rotten teeth. "Aye, Cap'n. Everything'll be in place."

They both laughed sinisterly, the anticipation of their nefarious plans filling the air. The lackey ended the call and slipped back into the shadows, eagerly awaiting the chaos that would unfold the next day.

Meanwhile, at Charlotte Mont-d'Or's cheese castle, Katakuri could be seen walking alongside his younger brother Mont-d'Or toward the main hall, which was decorated with a large mirror. They had promised to meet their other siblings, Charlotte Brulee, Charlotte Opera, and the much younger Charlotte children, who would be transported out through the large mirror via Brulee's power.

Mont-d'Or was deeply involved in a conversation with Katakuri about the elusive killer. "I've been doing a lot of research about the perpetrator," Mont-d'Or said, his frustration evident. "Unfortunately, I'm at a dead end. Despite all our attempts to identify the unknown culprit by matching it with the creatures we have on record and with Mother's extensive collection, nothing seems to match."

Katakuri replied grimly, "I expected this would be the case. The nature of this killer suggests it's not something we can easily identify."

Mont-d'Or sighed, rubbing his temples. "This blind mouse chase is getting us nowhere. We're always one step behind since we don't know who or what it is, we don't know where to look, and we certainly don't know its weakness to overcome it. At this rate, we're all just going to get punished by mother. She'd be furious. And likely more than a few heads will roll."

Katakuri nodded silently, his mind was busy plotting strategies to catch this unknown perpetrator. "I have tried to use my future sight as well, but it didn't work. I was never able to detect it. We need to change our approach. Relying solely on what we know isn't enough. We must start thinking like the perpetrator, anticipate their moves."

Mont-d'Or looked at his brother, hopeful but still concerned. "How do you suggest we do that?"

Katakuri's eyes narrowed with determination. "Instead of running after it blindly, why not lure the creature out to us? After the racing competition is over, each island should prepare a trap with live bait. Usually, the creature attacks near the edge of a forest, a secluded place away from the town. We can use that to our advantage. Each of our siblings would set a trap with live bait – not a resident, but an animal. When the creature attacks, our sibling and their crew must immediately spring the trap and capture it."

Mont-d'Or listened intently, nodding. "And how many should be at each post?"

"At least two siblings should be at a post on each island with a large group of their finest men for this plan to work," Katakuri replied. "We need to ensure that the creature is outnumbered and overpowered the moment it makes its move."

Mont-d'Or's face lit up with excitement. "This is a great plan, Katakuri. It would drastically reduce the time wasted searching blindly for the culprit. The creature would rue the day it decided to invade our territory."

Katakuri agreed, his expression resolute. "I'll be stationed here with you, Mont-d'Or. And I'll ask our brothers, Charlotte Counter and Charlotte Cadenza, to guard the post on my island. We must ensure all our bases are covered."

Mont-d'Or nodded. "Once the festivities are over, we'll gather all our siblings and brief them on the plan. We need everyone to be prepared and vigilant."

When they reached the main hall, Katakuri stood in front of the giant mirror, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly glow. His eyes flashed red, a brief but intense signal of his future sight. "They're here," he announced to Mont-d'Or. Almost immediately, Charlotte Brulee emerged from the mirror, her signature laughter echoing through the hall "Wiwiwii! Hello, brother Katakuri! Brother Mont-d'Or!" she greeted her brothers affectionately.

Mont-d'Or and Katakuri greeted her back warmly. Katakuri asked, "How are things, Brulee?"

"I've been watching every corner of Whole Cake Island. So far, there's no sign of the perpetrator," she replied. "The others and I have been keeping a close eye on the young Charlotte children too, ensuring their safety."

Katakuri nodded, relieved by her diligence. "Good. We need to remain vigilant."

Before he could say anything further, a blurry figure leapt quickly out of the mirror and made a beeline toward Katakuri, hugging his legs tightly. Katakuri looked down to see his younger sister, Charlotte Flampe, her face beaming with excitement.

"Big Brother Katakuri!" Flampe exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. "I'm so happy to see you!"

Katakuri gently placed a hand on his little sister's head, a rare smile touching his lips. "Flampe, it's good to see you too. You've grown since I last saw you."

Flampe looked up at him with wide, adoring eyes. "I've missed you so much! You're my favorite brother, you know."

Mont-d'Or chuckled, watching the heartwarming scene. "Flampe, you always know how to brighten up the room."

Just then, a voice called out from the mirror, "Wait for us! We should come in together."

Then, a bunch of younger Charlotte siblings jumped out of the mirror, one after the other. First came the Charlotte decuplets, all aged 12, each holding a type of weapon. They were followed by Charlotte Nougat, aged 11, carrying a spear. Behind him trailed Charlotte Anglais (8), Wafers (7), Wiro (6), De-Chat (5) with Normande (4) on his shoulder, and Dolce (3) and Dragee (3) floating out of the mirror with balloons tied to them. Lastly, little Anana who was just two years old stepped out of the mirror, clutching her stuffed rabbit.

The children greeted their older brothers happily, sharing their excitement about tomorrow's festivities. The boys were particularly thrilled to see the dirty tricks the racers would use during the race.

Flampe, in her usual dreamy and snooty manner, exclaimed, "I'm glad my favorite big brother will be there with his favorite little sister to watch the game tomorrow." Katakuri, who was watching the scene fondly, stated firmly at Flampe's comment, "Unfortunately, I won't be at the private booth to watch the game tomorrow, Flampe. I'll be patrolling the grounds for the culprit."

The children were in awe, and some of the decuplets exclaimed confidently, "You'll catch the bad guy soon, big brother!"

"Yeah… Big Brother Katakuri!" said the other decuplet, followed by the cheers of the other boys.

Flampe puffed her cheeks in disappointment, and Anglais elbowed her. "Don't be such a baby, Flampe. Big brother has important work to do."

Just then, Chiffon and Pudding entered the room. Chiffon happily exclaimed, "I'm glad everyone is here now." It was rare to see Chiffon in a happy mood, so Brulee asked out of curiosity, "Where were you two?"

Chiffon replied, "We just came back from visiting one of our good friends who are here for the racing tournament. Her friend, Jasper, is competing in the race tomorrow… along with another member from Whole Cake Island's pirate crew."

The older siblings listened with interest as Pudding joyfully shared, "I also gave this new friend a homemade chocolate cake." This was an even more rare occasion, so Brulee asked, "What's the name of this new friend? Seems like she's really won your hearts."

"Leia," Pudding replied cheerily.

Katakuri was surprised by this revelation. He listened intently as Chiffon explained further after Wafers asked, "Who's Leia?"

"Leia is a close friend of ours," Chiffon said. "She's very kind and has been a great company. She lives in Funwari Island with her two other friends."

Katakuri was amazed to learn that Leia was close friends with some of his younger sisters, especially Chiffon. He knew how deeply hated Chiffon was by their mother, and despite not being there when Mama was violent towards her, hearing that Leia kept his sister company made him feel happy. Why hadn't Leia mentioned this before? Perhaps she believed his alias – William – to be just a crewmember and thought the fact that she was friends with a Charlotte family member was irrelevant. He admired her even more now, knowing how her sweet nature had won over his sisters. It was another quality, aside from their love of donuts, to admire.

Speaking of which, he suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to bring Leia the promised donuts earlier today! How could he forget? He resolved to send them over in the morning, eager to know if the jelly-filled, sugar-powdered donuts he had his chefs make would meet her expectations.

As the younger siblings retreated to their rooms one by one, followed by the older ones, Mont-d'Or discussed the upcoming meeting with the other siblings about their plan to lure out the culprit tomorrow after the race. Katakuri's mind, however, wandered to Leia, a thought completely out of character for him. He began to consider telling her about his true identity, now that he knew his sisters were aware of her existence, and some were even friends with her – his secret would be easily discovered. It would be hard for him to pretend any longer that he was a mere "William". Plus, she might be hurt if she knew he was lying to her all along – and he didn't want to lose her friendship.

"Brother Katakuri, are you paying attention?" Mont-d'Or asked, bringing him back to the present.

"Yes," Katakuri replied absentmindedly.

Mont-d'Or raised an eyebrow. "So… do you agree to have the meeting tomorrow after the race?"

"Yes, that's fine," Katakuri answered, though his thoughts were still with Leia.

As everyone finally made their way to their rooms, Flampe couldn't help but notice something off about her perfect older brother. There was something different, and she wanted to know what was bothering him. She decided to keep an eye on him, determined to figure out what was on his mind.

Phew! That is a long chapter, but the best part is about to come real soon. For those who are confused with the Charlotte sibling's age, this story takes place six years before the Whole Cake arc. So yeah, this is before Pedro and Zeppo came to Big Mom's territory, but they will soon come into the pic-Whoops!Can't reveal all that is to come ;) Stay tuned for the best and intense part!