Dimensional Kaguya Ōtsutsuki

Bonney turned around and asked curiously, "What is it? Do you need something from us?"

"Um..." Pudding's eyes quickly filled with tears. "My mother is in Dressrosa. She's very sick. I need to return as soon as possible, but the next ship isn't for several days. So I was hoping..."

Keep acting. Just keep acting.

Your mother? Sick?

She was turned into a puppet by Edo Tensei ages ago. Her grave's covered in weeds by now. This performance, though... pretty convincing.

Kaguya watched Pudding's dramatic act and chuckled inwardly. Truly a master of theatrics—those pitiful, tearful eyes could probably fool anyone unaware of the truth.

Sure enough, warm-hearted Bonney approached her sympathetically and softly said—

"Get lost."

Huh?

Kaguya wondered if she had misheard. Bonney actually told Pudding to scram?

Director, this isn't the right script!

Pudding stood frozen, clearly unprepared for this reaction. A schemer like her was at a loss for words.

"You think some tears are enough to get on my ship? Dream on," Bonney said bluntly. "Your mom being sick has nothing to do with me. Why should I bring a complete stranger aboard just because of that?"

Kaguya nearly applauded Bonney.

Pudding bit her lip, face downcast. A flash of anger flickered across her face—caught clearly by Kaguya, who nearly burst out laughing.

Bonney was clearly no pushover. A battle-hardened pirate wouldn't be so easily swayed by sympathy.

In the Grand Line, sympathy often brought betrayal, not gratitude. The world of pirates was far from idyllic.

As the saying goes, mercy to others is cruelty to yourself.

"Is there really no way?" Pudding clasped her hands to her chest, her voice soft and pleading. "I only need to get to Dressrosa. I can pay for passage."

"Sorry, not happening," Bonney said flatly. "This isn't a charity, and I'm not the Red Cross. If you want a free ride, go find some generous old man."

Seeing Bonney unmoved, Pudding forced a smile. "Sorry to trouble you, then." As she turned away, her fists clenched and fury crossed her face.

You bastards. I'll kill you all.

She seethed internally.

"Wait."

A pleasant voice rang out behind her.

Pudding quickly turned back, her expression soft again, her tone humble. "It's okay. I understand if you won't take me. I was being rude asking strangers for such a favor. I'm really sorry."

"That's not it," Kaguya stepped forward, smiling. "If your family's in trouble, it'd be heartless not to help. Come with us."

"Really?" Pudding's amber eyes widened with surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Hey!" Bonney stormed over. "Who said you could decide that?! Why are we bringing her?!"

Kaguya replied, "She's in trouble. Helping her is the right thing to do."

"Plenty of people are in trouble. You gonna help them all?" Bonney grabbed Kaguya's arm and whispered, "That girl's suspicious. Coming alone to a place like this? Definitely hiding something."

Turns out Bonney had already sensed something was off. She hadn't been fooled.

Kaguya simply smiled. "It's fine. If anything happens, I'll handle it."

"Why don't you understand? Idiot," Bonney said angrily. "What if she's a spy trying to infiltrate us?"

"There aren't that many spies in the world," Kaguya patted her on the shoulder. "Relax. If something happens, I'll take care of it."

Bonney widened her eyes, staring intently. "You're not falling for her, are you?"

"Huh?" Kaguya froze. "Why would you think that?"

"You know why," Bonney snorted.

In the distance, Pudding blushed on cue, though inside she was cursing furiously. They were both women—were they perverts or something?

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Kaguya walked over with a smile.

Pudding quickly waved her hands. "It's fine, really."

"You can come aboard and travel with us," Kaguya said.

Pudding's face lit up. "Really? Are you sure?"

"Of course," Kaguya replied. "Though the ship might be a bit crowded. We don't really have good rooms available."

"That's okay!" Pudding said quickly. "As long as I have a place to stay."

"Good," Kaguya smiled.

But when they reached the so-called "room," and opened the door, a musty stench rushed out. Pudding froze. Was this really for people?

The room was in shambles. Dust covered the worn furniture. The only bed was a damp, mildewed wooden plank with a thin quilt. To make matters worse, cockroaches scuttled across the floor.

"Sorry," Kaguya said apologetically. "This is all we have left. If it's too much for you..."

"What is this dump? Even pigsties are cleaner," Bonney wrinkled her nose. "Forget it. Let her wait for the next ship."

"No, it's fine!" Pudding shook her head quickly. "I'm grateful just to be aboard. Thank you."

"You better think this through," Bonney warned. "Don't come crying later."

"I won't. Just having a place to stay is enough," Pudding said, forcing a smile.

Kaguya let out a breath. "I was worried you'd mind. If not, then great."

If not for Kaguya's sincere expression, Pudding would've thought they were deliberately messing with her.

After Kaguya and Bonney walked off, Pudding gritted her teeth and swore to make them pay once they reached their destination.

"Oh right," Kaguya turned back. "We'll bring you some food soon."

Pudding quickly forced another smile. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Just rest now," Kaguya said, then left.

Once Kaguya was gone, Pudding clenched her teeth, already fantasizing about how to torment the two of them.

But when she sat down, there was a loud crack.

"Snap!"

The chair collapsed under her. She shrieked and fell straight onto the floor.

The legs had long since rotted from the damp conditions.

Pudding threw the broken piece aside, rubbed her sore backside, and glared with burning rage.

Those two bastards.

...

So this was the "carefully" prepared meal.

Pudding stared at the dish on the table—a black, unidentifiable mass of something that had clearly lost any resemblance to real food. She blinked in disbelief.

A pungent mix of burnt, soapy, and overly spicy odors wafted into her nose. Pudding swallowed hard as her stomach churned, her face turning slightly pale.

Was this even edible?

"I'm really sorry. Due to rising costs and supply shortages, we've had to cut back. I hope you understand," Kaguya said apologetically.

"N-no problem," Pudding turned her head stiffly like a rusted machine and forced a smile. "As long as there's something to eat, I'm grateful. Really, thank you so much."

Kaguya let out a breath of relief. "I'm glad to hear that. I thought it might not suit your taste."

Like hell this would suit anyone's taste.

Pudding wanted to stab her then and there, but had to keep up the smile. This was possibly the most humiliating moment of her life.

Her eyes flickered as a scheme formed. She stepped forward and said with a pitiful expression, "Um, is it possible to switch rooms?"

Kaguya looked surprised. "Didn't you say any place would be fine?"

"I did, but..." Pudding fidgeted shyly. "I'm... afraid of the dark."

Afraid of the dark?

After all the people she'd killed, now she was scared of the dark?

Kaguya looked troubled. "But all the cabins are full. There aren't any empty rooms. You don't expect me to ask someone to give up theirs, do you?"

Exactly. That was what Pudding had in mind.

But Kaguya's words shut that plan down before she could even say it.

"Of course not," Pudding said quickly, waving her hands. "I was just thinking... maybe I could share your room."

Kaguya froze. "Huh?"

"Oh—no, not like that!" Pudding panicked. "I mean, just staying in the same room. That way I wouldn't be so scared."

"I see..." Kaguya said awkwardly. "But my room only has one bed, so..."

"That's okay!" Pudding said quickly. "I can sleep on the floor."

"I can't let you do that," Kaguya replied.

"It's really fine," Pudding said, her soft body pressing up against Kaguya as she clung to her arm. "Just being in the same room is enough."

Feeling the softness and elasticity on her arm, Kaguya still shook her head. "Sorry. I'm just not used to sharing a room with someone."

"It's really no problem," Pudding said, brushing her hair aside and winking seductively at Kaguya. "As long as you let me sleep with you, I'll do whatever you want."

The words were vague, but the implication was anything but.

Kaguya stroked her chin thoughtfully. "Anything I want?"

Pudding smiled faintly. "Of course."

"What are you two doing?" Bonney's sharp voice interrupted as she strode over. Seeing the scene before her, her elegant brows furrowed.

Kaguya cleared her throat. "It's nothing. She said she was afraid of the dark and asked to change rooms."

"Change rooms?" Bonney arched an eyebrow, then turned to Pudding. "Sorry, all the rooms are full. You'll just have to make do for now."

"It's fine," Kaguya said. "She said she'd be okay sharing a room with me."

"Share a room?" Bonney's face turned frosty. "She's a complete stranger. Aren't you even a little cautious?"

Pudding chimed in pitifully, "I'm sorry, I was too presumptuous. It makes sense to be wary of a stranger like me. If you really don't feel safe, I'll get off the ship."

"Out here on the open sea? Where would you go?" Kaguya turned to Bonney. "She's just a girl. There's nothing to worry about."

"Idiot! Why don't you get it?" Bonney said angrily. "People can be deceiving. You'll regret it when something goes wrong."

Kaguya seemed annoyed. "I'm the captain of this ship. I make the decisions. I don't need your input."

"Who wants to care about a fool like you!" Bonney snapped. "I try to be nice and this is what I get."

Pudding watched them argue, feeling immensely pleased. Even the earlier humiliation was now swept away. Smugly, she even gave Bonney a taunting glance, making Bonney's expression darken further.

"By the way," Kaguya suddenly said, "earlier, didn't you say you'd do anything I asked?"

Feeling victorious, Pudding smiled and replied, "Yes, anything at all."

"In that case," Kaguya began counting on her fingers, "you can handle all the cooking from now on. Also clean the ship thoroughly. And the deck hasn't been scrubbed in ages either—make sure to take care of that."

As Kaguya went on, Bonney began to smile. Pudding's face grew darker with each word.

"Er... isn't that a bit much?" Kaguya added with mock concern. "If it's too hard for you, we can skip it."

"N-no, it's fine," Pudding forced a smile. "I'm already grateful to be here. Helping out is only natural, but..."

"Wonderful!" Kaguya cut her off, grabbing her hand. "Then I'll leave the chores to you. I'm sure you'll do a great job."

Pudding barely restrained herself from smashing a plate over her head. With a strained smile and a voice that seemed squeezed from between her teeth, she said, "L-leave it to me."

Damn these wretches.

Just wait. I'll kill you both.

Pudding seethed with rage.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon: 

Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven