Chapter 223: Katakuri Has a Big Idol Image Burden
New World, above some sea area near Totto Land.
Neverland was suspended high in the sky.
Dazzling sunlight spilled on the Hanging Island Sun Veils covering Neverland, refracting colorful hues.
VMMM!
Accompanying a rainbow-like staircase flying up from below.
Katakuri was landing on the island.
"..."
Although he had seen this island, now part of sea legends, back during the Battle of Totto Land.
But landing personally was undoubtedly the first time.
Logically, as the administrator of Totto Land, stepping on an island governed by The Zodiac, he should be vigilant.
But...
"Heave-ho!"
"Heave-ho!"
Behind him now.
Various dream creatures were landing with him, each carrying treasure chests big or small.
"Ah, my waist! Sprained my waist!"
A blue dream creature like water slumped on the ground; the fallen chest flattened a fairy fire directly.
"You are a Water Fairy, you don't even have a waist—get up quickly!"
"I clearly agreed to play with the kids today, but got tricked here to work... I am a phantom beast! Phantom beasts don't work!"
"Lord Hitsuji (Sheep) said phantom beasts participating in moving today can get golden essence, more moving more rewards..."
"Hey you, put down my chest quickly! Lord Hitsuji—Loy! al! ty!"
In this bustling atmosphere, even Katakuri found it hard to be serious.
And honestly, others might be instinctively surprised or uncomfortable with these strange creatures.
But for him from Totto Land, this was a familiar scene.
"Keep moving, finish quickly to play in the new Dream Paradise—new paradise is fun, little Bonney and little Linlin are..."
Just then, Katakuri's ears caught a keyword.
"...Linlin?"
Katakuri frowned, vaguely feeling things weren't simple.
So he stopped, turning to look at a unicorn speaking.
But before he could ask.
"!!!"
Next moment, his expression changed abruptly.
He 'Saw' the future.
So, he looked up instinctively in a certain direction.
Next moment...
"Hahahaha!"
Accompanying laughter, he saw a gorgeous 'Rainbow River' crossing the sky fly out from the depths of the island.
It wound and twisted, shuttling among strange flowers and grasses of Neverland.
On the Rainbow River, a group of semi-transparent children were held up by colorful currents, screaming and playing playfully.
Katakuri noticed three people at first glance.
A burly man smiling gently, playing with the children.
Before him, a little girl with pink hair and gem-like scales on her face, and a 'Giant Girl' wearing a small dress, holding huge rainbow cotton candy, laughing cheerfully.
This made Katakuri almost doubt his eyes.
He naturally recognized that man—'Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma, granted Warlord status recently but removed for unknown reasons.
And that little girl holding cotton candy... he was too familiar with her.
Although never seeing her childhood appearance, he could still recognize, that was...
"Mama!?"
He couldn't help exclaiming.
But...
"Hush, this 'Rainbow River Trip' still has ten minutes—ten minutes later, Kuma will send her over."
Just as his words fell, he heard a voice beside him.
Katakuri turned instinctively, seeing Hitsuji walking leisurely with hands behind his back.
He seemed to walk out from a tree; a door seemed visible inside the tree.
"As for now, if Lord Katakuri doesn't mind—why not chat with this one first?"
He raised his hand elegantly, signaling Katakuri to enter the door.
"...Of course."
Rarely losing composure, Katakuri looked at Linlin flying away amidst laughter from afar, speaking softly after a long while. "I came for this."
Saying this, he followed Hitsuji's guidance, stepping into that tree.
Accompanying a flash of light, he found—he arrived at a new place.
He was on a branch of an extremely huge tree.
He could see dreamlike blue essence rain falling constantly, and overlook the entire Neverland scene.
So, Katakuri understood instantly—he should be at the top of the giant tree in the center of Neverland.
"This height and size, more exaggerated than imagined... related to Treasure Tree Adam?"
Murmuring internally, he scanned around.
Before him was a small house, a wooden table and chairs placed before the house, donuts and hot tea on the table.
[Top of Dream Tree · Sheep's Tea House]
"Donuts and tea are 'Dream Creations', no need to open mouth, just place near scarf... you can eat them naturally."
Next moment, Katakuri saw Hitsuji 'Growing' out of the ground before him out of thin air.
He smiled. "After all, almost 3 PM—afternoon tea time can't be missed, right?"
Katakuri: "..."
So you guy as a Top Executive of The Zodiac, spend every day either designing amusement parks for kids or fiddling with these?
Can you do something serious?
And speaking of which...
"Using intelligence network on this, is it okay?"
He maintained seriousness, speaking coldly.
Yes.
From Hitsuji's sentence, he understood—The Zodiac's understanding of him far exceeded his original cognition.
Not only knowing his habit of enjoying afternoon tea at 3 PM, knowing his favorites were donuts and hot tea, even knowing he had an idol image burden... cough cough, unwilling to enjoy donuts in front of others.
But then, Hitsuji waved his hand. "Didn't use any intelligence network really, this kind of thing—just ask Linlin casually."
Katakuri: "..."
Not knowing what to say, he simply stopped talking, sitting at the table immediately, actually picking up donuts and tea to his mouth.
Next moment...
VMMM!
Tea and donuts disappeared; Katakuri indeed felt sweet taste in his mouth.
He closed his eyes, seeming to see childhood scenes.
"Mamamamama—Katakuri, come to Mama quickly, delicious small cakes here."
"Oh? Want donuts, hey chef over there, didn't you hear?"
"Brother Katakuri, I have donuts here!"
"Brulee came too? Mamamamama, so nice—everyone eat together!"
After a long while, Katakuri opened his eyes.
"This donut flavor is..."
"Is 'Happiness'."
Hitsuji smiled. "It's this one's proud work, not bad, right?"
"Bare... barely acceptable."
Katakuri said calmly.
But now, his body relaxed instinctively.
Not only because he hadn't enjoyed his afternoon tea for a long time, but also because he understood... Hitsuji had no malice toward him.
"I am surprised, Bartholomew Kuma is also one of you."
He looked at Hitsuji, deciding not to beat around the bush.
"Yeah, we have many colleagues."
Hitsuji also picked up a teacup to his mouth, sipping happily before saying casually, "So, tell me—Lord Katakuri, why request landing today actively?"
"You want to take Linlin away?"
His soft words explained the current situation.
Yes.
Today Katakuri originally came to trade following the previous agreement—bringing Totto Land's treasures to exchange for previously captured siblings.
The Zodiac was quite straightforward originally, returning captured Charlotte family members first.
But Katakuri requested actively to come to Neverland.
Leading to this meeting now.
"I indeed came to confirm Mama's situation."
Katakuri didn't deny this.
Since Big Mom's soul was taken away by Star Lord in front of everyone, he naturally wanted to clarify his mother's situation.
"But... I didn't expect this situation."
Speaking, he looked down.
Even separated by a very long distance, with his Observation Haki, he could still clearly perceive Linlin in the Rainbow River now.
"Mamamamama!"
She was laughing.
From the appearance, and that semi-transparent body obviously in soul state, plus the clear difference between 'Mother Carmel' and 'Charlotte Linlin' at the end of the Battle of Totto Land.
Katakuri could roughly guess his mother's state.
So, he made up his mind.
"I don't plan to take her back to Totto Land."
He raised his head looking at Hitsuji, stating his answer calmly. "If possible, let her stay here."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Hitsuji seemed surprised too. "Is Totto Land okay?"
He asked.
Yes.
After more than a month of buffer, although the aftermath of the Battle of Totto Land hadn't dissipated completely.
But the general situation was settled.
Big Mom Pirates under Katakuri's leadership transferred Totto Land citizens; Totto Land underwent a strategic contraction.
After defeating some pirates trying to take advantage with thunderous means, the situation stabilized.
But honestly, Totto Land's internal situation was still not very stable.
Underworld, citizens' life and resources, threats from other Emperors—these weren't threats when Big Mom was present, but now became problems they had to consider.
So clearly, if 'Charlotte Linlin' could return to Totto Land.
Even Linlin in this state could definitely stabilize Totto Land's situation completely.
No one in the Underworld would dare test if Big Mom was well; public sentiment would stabilize too.
But clearly...
"It's okay."
Katakuri didn't plan to do so.
Of course not because he coveted current power, but just because...
"She is very happy now, that's enough."
He said calmly.
He was Charlotte Linlin's son, her family.
Dragging his mother, who finally obtained freedom and joy, back to the quagmire, he wouldn't do such a thing.
"My family just needs to laugh and be happy."
"I will bear those meaningless pressures."
Even changing his style, hiding his nature, erasing his hobbies.
As long as ensuring family happiness, he didn't care about others.
This was him, Charlotte Katakuri's creed.
But as his words fell.
"No way, Katakuri."
He heard a childish voice from behind.
Katakuri: "?"
He turned stiffly, then saw Kuma and Linlin standing behind him.
Clearly—Katakuri's statement just now was heard clearly.
So, Katakuri's face turned red instantly.
"You guy with bad taste..."
He turned, looking at Hitsuji snickering, almost trembling with anger.
He was sure, this guy definitely did it on purpose!
But next moment...
He heard Linlin's words: "Everyone in Totto Land is Linlin's family."
She extended a finger, tapping her chin.
"Katakuri, Smoothie, Perospero... everyone is a good child."
"Although Linlin is playful, absolutely won't not go home because of playfulness."
"But Star Lord said, hasn't made a suitable body for Linlin yet, so Linlin stays in Neverland—but if..."
Speaking here, her little expression was rarely serious.
"If Totto Land is in danger in the future, Linlin will definitely go back—whether Newgate or Kaido, Linlin will beat them up fiercely!"
Speaking, she raised her hand patting Katakuri's head.
"So—don't worry, Katakuri."
She grinned, laughing cheerfully. "You don't have to bear everything alone."
"Yes..."
Hearing Linlin's words, Katakuri looked at Linlin before him.
He felt again that feeling experienced in childhood.
That although willful and innocent like a child, truly existing...
"Mama."
He responded softly.
Then...
"Ah, next round of 'Dream Coaster' starting soon—Uncle Kuma, quick! Bonney is waiting for us!"
Linlin seemed to notice something, expression becoming somewhat anxious.
"By the way, Katakuri come play with everyone later too, very fun! We can be a team, if getting first place, there's reward small cake."
Katakuri: "Ah, this..."
Let him play with these brats?
He had a big idol image burden, okay?
And speaking of which—why call Kuma uncle, Hitsuji brother... wouldn't he be a generation lower?
After watching Linlin and Kuma, who tried hard to stay calm but obviously couldn't help snickering, leave.
Katakuri looked scrutinizingly at Hitsuji aside again.
This guy definitely did it on purpose!
"Hey hey, don't look at this one like this—although you said you didn't plan to take Linlin away, this one had to ask her opinion first, right?"
Hitsuji waved hands repeatedly, signaling innocence.
"..."
Katakuri took a deep breath, barely suppressing the impulse to punch this guy.
But clearly.
From Linlin's attitude just now, and the meaning in her words.
Katakuri understood a fact—Star Lord was thinking of ways to make a 'Body' for Linlin.
Although not knowing how the other party would achieve this, this clearly wasn't something to do for an enemy.
In other words, although sounding ridiculous.
Substantively, the current Big Mom Pirates seemed to be considered part of The Zodiac.
Regarding this, although Katakuri felt somewhat complex internally.
He truly breathed a sigh of relief.
Although unwilling to admit—if Totto Land was backed by The Zodiac, those previous so-called pressures seemed truly not pressures anymore.
But just then...
"Lord Hitsuji."
Accompanying sound of wings flapping, Katakuri saw a gryphon flying from outside the island.
In its claws, it grabbed a stack of newspapers.
"World Economic News Paper seems to have issued an extra edition again, I just asked a passing News Coo for some."
The gryphon said.
Asked for some?
Katakuri looked at seagull feathers on the gryphon, feeling his understanding of The Zodiac needed refreshing again—no matter how you look, this was robbing a News Coo to prevent exposing Neverland's location, right?
"Well done, Griffin."
Now, Hitsuji praised the gryphon while taking a newspaper, scanning casually.
Then...
Katakuri saw Hitsuji's figure seemed to stiffen somewhat.
Moments later...
"Sorry, Lord Katakuri... this one might have to excuse himself for a while."
As such words fell.
"Regarding Dream Coaster location, you can ask Griffin—it can take you there, have fun."
Katakuri saw Hitsuji's figure merging into the island again the next moment.
Katakuri: "..."
So, who exactly said I was going to play!?
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you