Pudding kept her head down, carefully leading Rhett and his crew through the candy corridor. She was nervous. How could she not be? Behind her walked a man with the power to destroy this entire country.
Pudding's mind was racing. "Pudding, Pudding, what are you doing? Why did you run out there like that? Look at you now."
She glanced back at Rhett and gave him a small smile.
Rhett smiled back. At least, that's what Rhett thought he did.
"He smiled at me. I heard he eats children. Ten children per meal. He's not going to eat me, is he? Waaah."
At that thought, tears started streaming from all three of Pudding's eyes. "But I was so brave back there. Maybe everyone won't hate me so much now. Maybe Mama will finally acknowledge me. Hehe."
Then she was happy again.
Rhett watched this little girl go from terrified to crying, and then inexplicably start laughing. Kids really do go through a lot in a short time, Rhett thought.
Her third eye darted around nervously. Her fingers twisted the hem of her skirt. The Homies on either side of the corridor curiously watched the uninvited guests. But when they saw Rhett's crimson eyes, they shrank back into the walls in fear.
"Th-This is the place..." Pudding pushed open a chocolate door. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "This is the best guest room in Totto Land..."
Rhett walked inside. The blood mist slowly retracted behind him. The room was luxurious. A chandelier made of cotton candy clouds. A chocolate fountain bubbling in the corner. Even the bed curtains were woven from sugar threads. It reminded Rhett of that old anime, Toriko.
"Not bad." Rhett sat casually on a toffee sofa. The sofa creaked in protest.
Pudding stood in the doorway. She hesitated for a moment. Then she suddenly pulled an exquisite chocolate box from her apron pocket.
"Um... I made these chocolates... if Lord Rhett wouldn't mind..." Her voice grew softer and softer. Her third eye closed nervously.
The room suddenly fell silent. Tesoro raised an eyebrow. Moria clicked his tongue as if to say something, but Enel silenced him with a look.
Rhett looked at the slightly trembling chocolate box. He reached out and took it. He opened the box. Inside were six cute chocolates. Each one was carefully decorated with different dried fruits.
"You made these?" Rhett picked one up.
Pudding kept her head down. Her voice was tearful. "Y-Yes... They probably don't taste very good..."
Rhett popped the chocolate into his mouth. A rich sweetness melted on his tongue. In the middle was a slightly sour raspberry jam that perfectly balanced the sweetness. It was really good.
"...Not bad," he said casually. "Thank you, cute little Pudding."
Just those two simple sentences. Pudding's three eyes suddenly went wide. Tears fell like broken pearls.
"Sob... sob, sob..." She frantically wiped her eyes with her hands, but the tears wouldn't stop. "Th-Thank you..."
Rhett raised an eyebrow. "Why are you crying?"
Rhett was pretending. Of course Rhett knew exactly what to say to this kind-hearted girl to get the best reaction. He could be mean like that.
It was strange, though. A woman who dreamed of creating a country where all species could live happily would look down on a girl with three eyes. Oda's writing could be hard to understand sometimes.
"B-Because..." Pudding sobbed. "Other than Brother Katakuri, no one... no one has ever said my chocolates taste good... No one has ever called me cute."
Her third eye drooped sadly. "Everyone says... they're disgusting..."
The room was completely silent.
Rhett looked at the crying girl. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "What's wrong with having three eyes? It's cool. Besides, you have so many sisters who look all kinds of strange. Why do you feel so bad about yourself? How are any of them better than you?"
Pudding froze. She even forgot to cry. A whole new perspective exploded in her small head.
This was much easier than dealing with that family in the North Blue. Sanji's family was a problem of strength. Here in Totto Land, the problem was strange appearances. And there was no shortage of strange appearances in Totto Land. This problem was very easy to solve.
"R-Really...?"
"Yeah." Rhett picked up another chocolate. "I believe you will become a very excellent chocolate shop owner in the future."
Pudding smiled through her tears. All three of her eyes turned into crescent moons. "I'll go prepare more snacks for everyone!"
She ran out happily. She almost hit the doorframe. Then she quickly turned back to bow before leaving.
Tesoro rubbed his chin. "Captain, since when did you become so gentle?"
Rhett lounged lazily on the sofa. "I've always been reasonable. The girl's nature isn't bad."
Enel sneered. "Hah."
"Don't you dare." Rhett's voice suddenly turned cold.
Outside the window, the night over Whole Cake Island was gentle. Pudding hummed as she ran toward the kitchen. Her three eyes sparkled in the moonlight.
Deep inside the castle, Linlin finally broke free from the Blood Prison Scroll. Her roar shook the walls.
"RHETT——!!!"
---
Morning sunlight streamed through the sugar-frosted windows. Rhett was lying on the cotton candy bed, the last of Pudding's chocolates in his mouth. Suddenly, the golden Den Den Mushi in his pocket rang.
"Hello? Oden, what made you suddenly think of calling me?" Rhett answered lazily.
"Rhett!" The Den Den Mushi turned into Oden's anxious face. "Toki — her Devil Fruit suddenly awakened! She said she saw a terrible future!"
Rhett sat up abruptly. Blood mist surged around him. "What exactly happened?"
"She said... she saw a blood-red sun swallowing Wano..." Oden's voice was more serious than ever. "Toki is very weak right now. She keeps saying she must see you."
"Got it." Rhett hung up. "Prepare to set sail. We're going to Wano."
"Yes, Captain!" Tesoro frowned and followed.
In the corridor, Pudding was carrying a freshly baked chocolate cake. She almost ran into Rhett. She looked at the fully prepared Blood Dawn crew in surprise. "L-Lord Rhett? What's going on..."
"Something urgent came up. Tell your big brother to delay the banquet preparations." Rhett walked past her. Then he suddenly stopped. Blood mist swirled and produced a miniature blood-red captain's hat. He gently placed it on Pudding's head. "We made a promise. Next time I come, I'll eat your chocolate."