125 Chapter 125: It's... Beautiful

"In my opinion, Katakuri possesses far greater intelligence than you," Luo Ning declared. "While you were undeniably the strongest in this island, your awareness and emphasis on family paled in comparison to Katakuri's.

"You viewed your children as mere tools. Tools, by their very nature, are susceptible to falling into the wrong hands. Katakuri, however, possesses a genuine sense of family and understands his responsibilities.

But reasoning with you seems pointless. Your Soru Soru no Mi ability now belongs to me."

Without waiting for Big Mom's response, Luo Ning unleashed his Fantasy power, conjuring a multitude of fruits.

Meanwhile, aboard the ship, Luo Ning's clone made the difficult decision to eliminate Zeus, Big Mom's second and fifth son. Though Nami expressed reservations, it was a necessary action.

Upon Big Mom's demise, Zeus' ability would vanish. Formed from a large thundercloud, his death would trigger an explosion that, while harmless to Nami, would endanger Shirahoshi. Thus, Zeus was slain prematurely, dissolving back into a thundercloud that the clone then dispersed.

With Zeus gone, Luo Ning swiftly dispatched the enraged and bewildered Big Mom. The reason for the fruit multiplication remained a mystery to her until the very end.

Beheading Big Mom also eliminated Carmel, the nun residing within her soul. This piece of garbage, too, deserved no mercy.

With Big Mom and Carmel deceased, the Soul-Soul Fruit began its transfer. Luo Ning's success in acquiring Devil Fruits through this method remained unbroken. The sheer volume and variety of fruits he now possessed was staggering.

While Luo Ning had secured the Soul-Soul Fruit, none of his companions were currently suitable candidates to consume it. They were already formidable in their own right. The fruit, therefore, would be stored for the time being, awaiting a future individual who met the necessary criteria.

After disposing of the excess Devil Fruits, Luo Ning returned to the ship. Smoothie hadn't arrived yet, but after a while, she did. Cracker and the others, who had been severely injured, had also awakened from their imprisonment. Smoothie, naturally, was imprisoned as well.

The sheer number of Big Mom's crew presented a logistical challenge. Aside from the key figures detained in the ship's brig, the rest were transported to the Cake Island's prison. As this was happening, Brulee emerged with those who had been trapped in the Mirror World.

"Is it over?" Everyone, looking at the empty hall and seeing only Luo Ning and Katakuri, wore expressions that were a mixture of discontent and relief.

"Let's see," Luo Ning said, surveying the group Brulee brought back. "Everyone seems alright. As long as they haven't committed any heinous crimes, they can be released and considered potential allies for you."

After his examination, Katakuri breathed a sigh of relief. Though Luo Ning had detected a few individuals with malicious hearts, malice itself wasn't an unforgivable offense. These people hadn't committed any atrocities, and they harbored no hatred towards him – only a deep-seated fear. After all, Luo Ning had conquered their entire nation.

Their fear of Big Mom had simply transferred to the entity who had vanquished her.

"Pudding, you stay," Katakuri instructed. Brulee was momentarily taken aback and looked at him with confusion.

"Your Devil Fruit power," Katakuri explained bluntly.

Pudding's realization dawned. Now without Big Mom as her protector, she felt vulnerable, having finally risen to a position of influence. With her backer gone, while Katakuri wouldn't let others bully her, he couldn't constantly watch over her. After all, her Memo Memo no Mi offered only support abilities, not combat prowess.

"Is she a three-eyed tribe? But there are only two visible eyes." Nami said, eyeing Pudding. "I've heard rumors about their ability to remember Devil Fruits. These unique powers are truly fascinating. And Pudding, you're part of the three-eyed tribe as well? How rare!"

Indeed, the three-eyed tribe was uncommon across the vast seas. Legend has it that once awakened, their third eye grants them the ability to hear the voices of all things. However, the specifics of this power remained a mystery to Luo Ning, shrouding the three-eyed tribe in an aura of intrigue within the Pirate World.

Upon hearing Nami's remark, Pudding simply lifted her hair, revealing the third eye nestled on her forehead. Unlike the stereotypical vertical pupil, Brulee's third eye appeared endearingly similar to her other two, accentuated by her youthful features.

It wasn't a frightening sight at all.

Luo Ning, however, could relate to the initial shock. Back before his time travel, he'd likely mistake anyone with three eyes for a ghost in his previous world. But the Pirate World embraced a wider range of the extraordinary, and three eyes were no exception – as long as you were prepared for the unexpected.

Nami's next comment left Brulee flustered. "Beautiful eyes!" she exclaimed, her admiration causing Pudding's previously modest demeanor to morph into one of wide-eyed astonishment.

"Why... don't you hate this eye?" Pudding asked, her voice laced with concern. "Don't you think it's disgusting? Throughout my childhood, I was constantly told my third eye was disgusting – even after I gained some status under my mama. Even she thought it was repulsive, and I just... accepted it."

Little did she expect someone to echo those hateful words now.

"Nami's right, though," Luo Ning interjected. "Your eye is truly unique. Why did Charlotte Linlin find it disgusting? Well, bluntly put, it's because your three-eyed ability wasn't awakened. To her, you and your eye were simply unused tools. Unawakened talent has no value in her eyes, hence the disgust."

"Actually," he continued, "with your baby face, the eye complements you quite well. And you don't have to worry about others looking down on you – after all, your big brother's face isn't exactly a masterpiece either."

As Luo Ning spoke, Katakuri sighed helplessly and pulled away the cloth covering his mouth.

"No way, Katakuri-oniisan's mouth looks like that?!" Pudding exclaimed, utterly shocked. Not just her, Nami and the others shared her astonishment.

Words couldn't describe Katakuri's monstrous maw. It perfectly embodied the phrase "a mouth that ruins a face." The once domineering and handsome figure of Katakuri had transformed into a comical caricature in an instant – a sight that was truly unbelievable.