On the battlefield shrouded in blood mist, Linlin's giant sword and Rhett's Black Tide Greatsword collided with tremendous force. Black-red lightning from their Conqueror's Haki exploded between them.
"Mamamama! Die, brat! Die! Caramel cream puffs!" Linlin grinned fiercely. Napoleon, wrapped in ghostly blue soul flames, swung down.
Rhett thought: What the hell? You're fighting me, and you're still thinking about food?
Rhett's body instantly turned to mist. The giant sword cut through the mist but only caused a ripple. His voice came from all directions. "Is that so? Then how about this —"
"Mist God Style: Blood Dragon's Bite!"
Dozens of ferocious blood dragons lunged out of the mist and bit into Linlin's limbs. Blood seeped from her skin and was greedily devoured by the blood mist.
Do you remember? During the battle in Wano, Rhett had used the same technique.
"AHHH!" Linlin roared in rage. Her Conqueror's Haki exploded, shattering the blood dragons. But in the next moment —
Rhett's figure materialized behind her. The Black Tide Greatsword thrust toward her back.
"Stab!"
Linlin remembered. The humiliation of Wano.
The tip of the Black Tide Greatsword pierced Linlin's back. Her blood was instantly absorbed by the blood mist. Linlin's pupils contracted sharply. The shameful defeat on the Wano battlefield flashed through her mind. The same technique. The same pain.
It was nothing more than Rhett's bad habit kicking in. Rhett could have simply ended Linlin. She was mentally ill, after all.
To put it differently, any Emperor or Warlord on the sea could trade blows with Rhett.
Including Kaido. But not Linlin. Why? Because Linlin had left a shadow on young Rhett's heart. He had once fought her with everything he had and couldn't even scratch her skin. Now, if Rhett wanted to scratch her, he could.
Time brings change. Never underestimate young Rhett.
"Mamamama..." Her laughter twisted. Napoleon swung around. "Do you think the same trick can defeat me twice?!"
Rhett's body had already turned to mist and retreated. His figure reformed from the mist. "So what? It works. Why shouldn't I use it?"
Rhett特意 added another reminder. He hadn't even used the little trick inside her body. He snapped his fingers.
"Blood Prison Scroll: Final Scene."
In an instant, Linlin's vision was swallowed by red. She stood in an empty, red space. Around her were countless mirrors. Each mirror reflected her most feared memories. Mother Carmel's betrayal. Her children's deaths. The destruction of Totto Land.
"No... this isn't real..." Linlin's giant sword dropped weakly.
We won't describe what happened inside the illusion. It was just the same old things. Outside the illusion, everyone saw Linlin standing motionless.
In the real world, her body was frozen in place. Her eyes were empty. She was like a statue.
---
Just as Rhett's Black Tide Greatsword was about to strike the motionless Linlin —
"Please wait!"
A small pink figure suddenly ran out and stood in front of Linlin. Pudding trembled as she spread her arms wide. All three of her eyes were filled with tears. "Lord Rhett... please... spare Mama this once..."
At the same time, Katakuri and Perospero also appeared and stood on either side of Linlin.
Perospero slammed his candy cane on the ground. Syrup quickly formed a barrier. "Everyone from the Blood Dawn, let's end it here for today Peroperopero"
Katakuri didn't speak. His trident was already raised in front of him. His eyes beneath his scarf were determined.
Rhett's sword tip stopped an inch from Pudding's nose. The blood mist stirred slightly. He raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Tesoro's gold armor clicked. "Captain, should we attack?"
Enel's lightning was already dancing on his fingertips. "Hmph. Looking for death."
Moria clicked his tongue. "Kishishishi... A family drama~"
The blood mist suddenly surged. Rhett's Conqueror's Haki pressed down like a mountain. Katakuri's knees bent slightly. Perospero's candy barrier creaked under the pressure. Pudding's face was pale, but all three of her eyes stayed open, stubborn.
"Interesting..." Rhett's crimson eyes narrowed. He slowly withdrew the Black Tide Greatsword.
The blood mist cleared. The terrifying pressure disappeared. Rhett had just remembered that he needed them to prepare the hundred-day celebration. He couldn't make things too ugly. They had come to a wedding. He didn't want to ruin it. He wasn't some violent brat. He was Rhett. He was a considerate person.
Katakuri took a deep breath. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth beneath his scarf. "Thank you."
Rhett suddenly smiled and slowly sheathed his sword. "You're thanking me too early. Linlin's food craving hasn't passed. She's only being suppressed by my strength. The moment I leave, you're going to have a hard time."
Katakuri said in a deep voice, "Mama's food cravings are dangerous... But as her children, we cannot stand by and watch her get hurt."
Perospero wiped his cold sweat. "We will take full responsibility for today's wedding... and the preparation of the hundred-day celebration Peroperopero We will make sure you are completely satisfied~"
The Blood Dawn crew looked at each other.
Rhett stared at Katakuri for a few seconds. Then he suddenly turned away. "Fine. I'm tired of fighting anyway." He waved his hand. "Your name is Pudding, right? Lead the way."
Tesoro was confused. "Captain? We're just leaving like that?"
Rhett didn't look back. The blood mist trailed behind him. "Why waste energy on a lunatic? Besides..." He glanced at Linlin, still trapped in the illusion. "She's had enough."
Katakuri gave a slight bow. "Thank you."
As the Blood Dawn crew walked away, Perospero let out a long breath. His candy barrier melted with a splash. "I thought we were done for Peroperopero"
Pudding's small hands were still clutching the hem of her skirt. "Brother Katakuri... Mama..."
Katakuri gently patted his sister's head. "It will be alright." He looked at the motionless Linlin, his gaze complicated. "After all... she is our mother. Take care of the Blood Dawn crew. I'm leaving it to you, little Pudding."
Little Pudding was completely frozen. She had acted on instinct. She hadn't thought about what would come after. Receiving the "Mist Lord" herself.
It was too much for such a small girl.
Pudding had never been liked by Linlin. Her third eye was ugly to her. When Pudding tried to find friends to play with, they either ran away in fear or bullied her. She was always alone.
It was very similar to Sanji's childhood. Oda loved that kind of symmetry. The difference was that Pudding was a little "stronger" than Sanji. She didn't break. She turned dark.