One Piece: It's always been you

Chapter 109 Hesitation

Large raindrops began to fall in droves, as if foreshadowing an impending storm. The sky was overcast, not a ray of light could penetrate.

Raindrops hit the ground, splashing up a spray of water, countless drops pelting You's body. Raindrops that normally nourish all things now threatened to extinguish You's remaining life force.

The rain came suddenly, and it was right on the island's shore near the sea. You was shivering from the cold, and her already pale lips began to turn slightly purple.

No, if this continues, we'll definitely freeze to death.

With that thought in mind, Yu endured the pain and weakness, bending her arms to support herself little by little as she got up. Driven by her survival instinct, Yu dragged her heavy steps, moving slowly, one step at a time.

Upon seeing a cave, You couldn't help but wonder if she had found it because she got lost, or if her will to survive was simply too strong.

But at least there's a shelter where I can stay.

Without much thought, I entered the cave.

Yu doesn't remember much after that, only that she was very sleepy and couldn't keep her eyes open, but she still forced herself to stay awake. In her drowsy state, she seemed to hear a roar, and then other sounds appeared, but she didn't know what they were.

But You remembered one thing: a familiar, warm embrace enveloped her. The familiar scent and the warmth she longed to lean on made her feel as if she had nothing to worry about in that embrace.

At this moment, Youzhen truly relaxed and drifted off to sleep.

……

Katakuri followed the crystal's guidance and found the island. The sight at the landing site made Cracker wonder what had happened to almost destroy half of the forest.

"Wow, that's a really intense fight!" Cracker followed behind Katakuri, but couldn't help asking, "Brother, is Yu really here?"

Cracker's fate was uncertain; he could only follow his older brother. But in a place like this, it was hard to believe Yu would be here.

"..." Katakuri wasn't in the mood to reply; the crystal's guidance was about to disappear again. Yu was at his limit; if he didn't hurry, he was afraid it would be too late.

The recent downpour washed away all traces on the ground. Even Yu's footprints couldn't be found; the trail had gone cold again.

"Let the chess pieces split up and search, that'll be faster!" He and Cracker were too inefficient; they were racing against time.

Cracker quickly split the chess pieces into small teams and dispersed them, while also conjuring up several biscuit soldiers to help.

"Woo-woo-woo~"

Katakuri had only taken a few steps when the wolf cub ran up to him, whimpering and jumping around, doing who-knows-what.

Katakuri had no patience left and walked away. He couldn't understand the wolf cub's actions and assumed it wanted to play.

But there's no time to waste now.

The wolf cub whimpered as it discovered that Katakuri not only ignored it but also walked away in another direction.

"Awooo, awooo awooo!" The little wolf cub ran up to Katakuri again. This time, instead of jumping around repeatedly, it pushed Katakuri backward by pressing its head against Katakuri's ankle.

Looking down at the wolf cub's futile shoving, Katakuri pondered for a moment. Then, he crouched down and asked, "Can you find Yuu?"

"Awooooo, awooooo!" I smell it, I smell it!

Listen, Katakuri can't understand it.

But the little wolf cub lowered its head and sniffed the soil, then looked up and ran in one direction, halfway there it lowered its head to signal Katakuri to follow.

Now we have no choice but to try anything, even if it seems hopeless.

Katakuri chose to trust the wolf cub and followed him.

Until they reached the cave entrance, Katakuri sincerely felt that he hadn't picked up the little wolf cub for nothing; no wonder Yu liked him so much.

The cave wasn't deep; Katakuri hadn't gone far when he saw a figure. It was Yu! This time it really was Yu!

Without hesitation, Katakuri rushed over to check on Yu. As he helped Yu up, Katakuri saw Yu's eyes slightly open, but then they closed again, and he lost consciousness.

Yu's clothes were covered in mud and very wet, obviously from being caught in the rain. Due to prolonged weakness and exposure to cold, her body temperature was now terribly high.

Katakuri couldn't tell how many injuries Yu had.

But the exposed skin was covered with several wounds, especially on the back, where the flesh and clothes were stuck together, making it look like a bloody mess.

Who is it!

Katakuri moved very gently, not daring to hurt her again and cause her further injury.

The ship's doctor was already waiting, and Cracker returned to the ship after Katakuri made contact via Den Den Mushi.

Although they found Yu, they didn't set sail immediately. The sea was rough, so they decided to wait until Yu's wounds were treated before setting off.

Katakuri stood silently at the bow of the ship on the deck, gazing into the distance, lost in thought.

The chess pieces dared not stay on the deck and all ran to other places. Only Cracker stayed a little distance away from his brother.

Cracker didn't dare to speak, nor did he know what to say. Even he couldn't bear to see Yu looking like that, let alone his brother.

And what about the situation on the island? Who exactly has such power?!

Cracker felt heartbroken for Yu and wondered who had attacked her. He wanted to avenge her and vent his anger.

But Katakuri was different; self-blame and lingering fear filled his heart, just like when Brulee was injured because of him when they were children.

He almost, he almost failed to protect You.

Sharant's words lingered in his mind, and he immediately felt they were a warning. Unexpectedly, they came true very quickly.

Should we let Yu leave and return to her own world? Perhaps Salant is right. The new world at sea is full of dangers; Yu is not suited to stay here.

But Katakuri couldn't bear to part with it...

"Brother, what happened in the past month?" Cracker asked Katakuri as he walked over.

Katakuri glanced at Cracker before looking away. After a moment of silence, he said, "The ship entered a fog, and everyone on board was caught in an illusion, including me."

"Who has that capability?"

"I don't know, but that person's target is Yu; he wants to take Yu away."

"He can take Yu away whenever he wants. Who is he? Does Yu want to? Did she agree? Besides, with you here, brother, do you think he can take Yu away?" Cracker said bluntly, saying whatever came to mind.

Katakuri was taken aback.

Yes, Yu doesn't even have any memories of her brother, so she most likely won't go with them. But if they don't leave, what will happen next time this happens? What if they can't save her?

Sarant's ability to foresee the future has left Katakuri with no choice but to believe it, if he had any doubts before. Yu has already been hurt, and Sarant is right; he failed to protect Yu.

"Brother, why aren't you saying anything? You don't mean to let Yu leave, do you?" Cracker, who hadn't heard Katakuri continue, couldn't help but wonder, "Brother, Yu cares about you so much, how can you just let a stranger take her away like that!"

“You said that Yu is afraid of her mother, but do you know that she has been staying on Whole Cake Island ever since she returned to Whole Cake Island from Dressrosa so that she can see you as soon as you return from your voyage at sea?”

“She ran away this time because she was misled by Celluloid. Didn’t Perospero say on the phone earlier that it was because Celluloid lied to her that you were captured by the Navy that she broke into the G-1 branch base?” Cracker was a little annoyed. He didn’t understand why his brother hesitated.

Katakuri was used to his loud and boisterous younger brother, but this time, he was a little annoyed. "Shut up. I didn't say I was going to make her leave. Don't go around saying things like that in front of her." He himself hadn't figured out what to do next, and his younger brother was just saying things that were distracting him.

He was there when Peros said these things, so he wasn't deaf!

"..." Cracker, startled by the shout, quieted down a bit. "Who told you to pause for so long between sentences? I thought..."

This younger brother is a bit carefree, but he's not that scheming. Katakuri knew he was concerned about Yu, and seeing that he had shut up, his attitude softened.

But what should we do next?

"Practice?"

"Hmm... Huh? Ah? Ha!?" Cracker hadn't quite recovered and instinctively replied, only to find that his brother wanted to practice on him. No way, he'd just gotten angry; there was no way he'd hold back. "Brother, let's forget about it, I, this..."

He stammered and looked troubled, but Katakuri didn't even glance at him, simply walking past Cracker and adding, "Forget it, practicing with you won't be very effective."

"..." He, Charlotte Cracker, one of the three Sweet Commanders and the Minister of Biscuits, also has his pride!

If it weren't for the fact that you're my brother, I wouldn't be so polite to you. I'd beat you up with a single Cookie Soldier! You think you can act all high and mighty? Hmph, do you think I'm some pushover?!

Eating too many cookies can cause choking!

Katakuri didn't care what Cracker was doing, acting like a childish little boy staring at his back.