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Chapter 14

I was welcomed back with something akin to a mini tea party with the closest family members. Mama welcomed me back by simply checking if I was safe and wondering if I had brought back anything for her...which I did.

It wasn't anything special but coming back to Totta Land to see Mama without snacks was a dangerous move so I bought a shit ton of snacks exported from Fishman Island and shoved it into my inventory ahead of time for something like this.

When I took it out and said that I negotiated with the Whitebeard Pirates to take some home with me, Mama was obviously very pleased. At this point in time, Fishman Island was still under the protection of the Whitebeard Pirates so anything (and especially sweets) from Fishman Island was a rarity among rarity for Mama...and this really pleased her.

LinLin: As expected of my favorite daughter~mamamama!!!

After escaping her as fast as possible, we had a little (partial) family reunion. Brother Katakuri, Chiffon, Smoothie, Brûlée, and Pudding. They welcomed me back properly and asked for what happened. I tried to tell them what happened honestly, and I did up to getting the wine but I must've gotten embarrassed telling them about what happened on board the Moby Dick.

I tried to hide it as much as possible but I was always a little socially awkward and Smoothie, Pudding, and brother Katakuri caught on almost immediately.

Smoothie: Tell me the truth Syrup. Do you like him?

Me: I...I don't know!

Pudding: Sis, you're blushing like crazy right now.

I could tell. I felt heat rush to my face as I thought of...memories that a twelve year olds should not be thinking of. I kept thinking of Ace's half naked scene...and him hugging me in my(?) bed as I tried to sleep. I couldn't really explain but something about me was drawn to him.

Brûlée: So even our perfect little sister has a crush? heheeeheeheee!

Me: Sis! No, it's not like that!

Brûlée: Really? Then what is it like? Hmmm?

*sigh* That was a checkmate move, wasn't it? I couldn't say honestly that I really liked him since it was too embarrassing but anything else they wouldn't believe anyway. I could only say that I'm not sure...and they'll come to their own conclusions.

Katakuri: ...Syrup, listen to me.

Me: Big brother?

Katakuri: Did he ever touch you or do something weird? Did he hurt you in any way?

Me: No...but we hugged me when I slept like you do for me.

Suddenly, big brother Katakuri stiffened as I realized my mistake...shit. The blood vessels on his forehead became more visible as I could tell he as pissed. Oh crap, why did I say that? I was just trying to be as honest as possible. I should've realized that big brother Katakuri was in his dad mode right now.

Katakuri: Syrup...?

Me: *gulp* ...yes?

Katakuri: May I have the bounty poster of this friend of yours?

Inwardly, I was shivering but help came from sister Smoothie.

Smoothie: Oh come on Brother; Syrup's just having her first crush. I'm sure you had one as well at some point in your life. you just covered up your feelings like you do with that scarf of yours. Just let her enjoy this feeling and leave it at that, how about that?

Sis Smoothie just pet me on the head, which was actually very easy for her for she was almost quadruple my height.

Smoothie: She's just twelve years old. Let her be a child for once. Mama doesn't allow her to with all her missions and all.

That was true actually. Normally, Charlotte children only become an executive of the family at the age of 15 but I was an exception. Seeing my potential, talent, and strength, Mama immediately made me an executive at the age of 8 and sent in into the front lines. If I was anyone else but myself, who have experience and memories from my previous life, I would have been screwed over multiple times and possibly dead...if not, have a very severe personality disorder.

Sis Smoothie saved me but sis Brûlée might as well have thrown me off a cliff for the next thing I knew she pulled a bounty paper out of one of her mirrors and slipped it into big brother Katakuri's hands.

*sigh* It looks like if Ace ever meets Katakuri on any occasion...he's in for big trouble. Life threatening trouble.

It's been a couple of weeks since I've returned and once again, I'm facing the ground after a beatdown from brother Katakuri. I've managed to decently wound him but he was just too fast and strong for me to do much.

Of course, I keeping with my rule of 'No Devil Fruit powers against him' which he doesn't like but this was my one rule which I never gave up on. Despite this, I was actually pretty proud of being able to hold up quite well against him...not the best but quite well despite going up against his mochi powers.

My biggest problem against him was a way to deal with his Strength Mochi when he condensed an incredible amount of mochi into a block shaped arm and covered it in advanced armament. While I could easily predict where it would hit, it was an entirely different story trying to block it. It wasn't as nearly as painful or strong as Whitebeard's punch but big brother Katakuri's strength Mochi packed a punch as well.

I could almost feel my bones shift when I faced against his armament head on...which was the one aspect I lacked against him. I trained (specifically) on my observation to the point where his future sight was useless against me. I could see an equal amount into the future as he can. I was faster than him, mostly thanks to my lithe body and speed based fighting style. Power and armament on the other hand was where he dominated me and this was why I always lost against him.

Katakuri: I don't like this Syrup...you claim to have lost and yet you do not give it your all.

Me: What are you talking about brother...? *cough*

Katakuri: Your Devil Fruit. You have never once used it against me. Why is that?

Me: I'll use it once I am confident in beating you without my Devil Fruit abilities. You know my powers can be used for almost anything...I fear I will become too reliant on it like brother Daifuku and Oven on their fruit powers.

Katakuri: Is that a problem?

Me: It is...some of the strongest people in this world are strong not because they possess a rare Devil Fruit power but rather from their own training and ability. From the Marines, there is Garp the Hero. Red Haired Shanks is an Emperor of the Sea. The greatest swordsman in the world Dracule 'Hawk eyes' Mihawk relies on nothing but his will and sword alone. Even the Great Pirate King himself Gol D. Roger never consumed a Devil Fruit.

Katakuri: And your point is...?

Me: Devil fruit abilities is a 'shackle'. It holds back my potential to become more. If I base my fighting style on my Devil Fruit, I will never train who I am but rather how to develop a borrowed power. I will train my fruit and all of its abilities; after all, who am I to refuse free power? But that power will come only after I am satisfied with my own efforts, will, and power. A stronger body and will shall bring fourth more power from the fruit…that as well as fruit compatibility. Brother, your source of strength is not in Mochi but rather your observation and pure physicality, is it not?

Katakuri: That's quite philosophical of you little sister...when did that little girl grow up so much?

Me: Brother...I'm twelve. Also, with that being said, I have already consumed a devil fruit and it would be stupid to neglect it completely. So that's why I'll train it...just not in front of you brother. I'll show you when I can beat you...heehee