One Piece: Honey Badger Speedruns the World

We need to be quick!!

"Fortified City - Recycling!"

With an astonishing will to survive, Becky maintained a stiff smile on her face and pulled the box on the ground and Baal into her body at the speed of light.

Clang! The city gate slammed shut.

Everything happened so fast, it felt like an illusion.

Becky forcefully controlled her heaving chest, removed the cigar from her mouth, and bowed slightly, displaying perfect Mafia etiquette:

"Isn't this Lord Katakuri? It's an honor to meet you here."

Katakuri looked at Bege with a calm, still gaze.

Becky's back was soaked with a fine layer of cold sweat.

Did he foresee it? Did he see that box of comical clown bombs?

After a few seconds of deathly silence, Katakuri didn't attack. He simply nodded, his tone neither warm nor cold, as if speaking to a colleague he'd only met occasionally.

"It's Becky. Thanks for your hard work, do you have to patrol places like this?"

"Uh...yes, it's for safety reasons."

Becky felt like her heart was going to jump out of her throat.

"Perfect."

Katakuri adjusted his scarf to make sure it covered his mouth, then strode towards the alley entrance without turning back, saying:

"Becky, even as the head of security, you're on edge way too much."

"...Huh?" Becky was stunned, her heart still pounding at 180 mph.

"It's not a good thing to push yourself too hard before that important tea party begins."

Katakuri strode towards the alley entrance, his voice deep and calm, exuding an undeniable aura of composure.

"It's good to learn to relax sometimes."

He paused for a moment, then turned his head to signal Becky to follow:

"That girl Franpe has been making a fuss, insisting that I attend some kind of awards ceremony. Since we've run into each other here, I might as well give myself a break and come with me."

"Even though it's just a childish prank, it's still better than patrolling in dead-end alleys all the time, isn't it?"

"..."

Becky opened her mouth, still holding the half-eaten cigar in her hand.

"Hehehe! Did you hear that, Becky?"

Brûlée turned around: "It's rare for Katakuri to invite outsiders! Hurry up and thank him, follow me!"

"Thank you for your...care, Lord Katakuri."

Becky gritted her teeth, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace, and followed after him with stiff steps.

……

Da, da, da.

The heavy clatter of spurs echoed across the square.

The crowd parted automatically to make way for a wide avenue, and all the cheers instantly turned into whispers of awe.

Charlotte Katakuri, hands in her pockets, face hidden by a scarf, exuding an innate regal aura, led a sweating Becky and a mischievously grinning Brûlée straight to the VIP seats below the platform.

The moment he stood there, without even needing to say a word, the atmosphere in the entire square seemed to drop a few degrees.

"Aaaaaah! Katakuri-nii-san!!"

Floating in mid-air, Franpei instantly transformed into a super fangirl, clutching her flushed cheeks and screaming.

She immediately took out a mirror, tidied her bangs, and then called out in her sweetest voice.

"Brother! You're finally here! Are you here to present me with an award? You must be! My record is perfect, no one can break it..."

"Um."

Katakuri gave a curt reply, glanced at the pocket watch in his hand, and spoke calmly and efficiently:

"Only half an hour. Hasn't the awards ceremony started yet?"

"Right away! Almost done!"

Franpe panicked, fearing her brother would get annoyed and leave. She turned around, her sweet expression instantly turning ferocious, and roared at the stunned host:

"Hey! What are you dawdling for!"

"Yes, yes!"

The host was so startled he almost dropped the microphone and immediately shouted.

"Are there any more challengers?!"

The host held up the microphone and shouted three times at the top of his lungs.

The audience was deathly silent. No one dared to provoke Flampe at this critical juncture, and no one thought they could break the "30-second" record.

"Hmph, looks like there aren't any left."

Flampe floated smugly in mid-air, chewing gum, and turned to Katakuri with an incredibly sweet smile:

"Ugh, this is so boring. It seems everyone knows they can't beat me, so they've all given up."

Brother, since no one dares to come, let's just announce the results! I can't wait to receive the trophy from your hands!

As she spoke, she had already struck an elegant pose for receiving the award, and even imagined the headline photo in tomorrow's newspaper.

Katakuri glanced at his pocket watch; there was still some time before afternoon tea. Since no one was challenging him, he decided to end this tedious formality.

Suddenly, a commotion arose from the crowd below the stage.

"Huh? When did you get there?"

"Who is that?"

Katakuri and Flampe instinctively turned around and looked at the high platform.

A black and white fur-clad tribesman had somehow climbed onto the platform.

Completely ignoring the stares of those around him, he was squatting beside the table, his two paws gripping the edge of the huge oak barrel, peering inside, his nose twitching incessantly.

He didn't even look at the people around him, nor did he pay any attention to the host who was clinging to him.

Those bloodshot eyes were fixed on the bucket of extra-concentrated rock honey that was being used as a prop in the competition.

"Where did this mad dog come from!"

Franpe's perfect smile vanished instantly. She covered her nose in disgust, feeling as if this guy was polluting the air.

"Guards! Throw this disgusting thing out of here! Don't let him get my brother's eyes dirty!"

Several Homitz soldiers immediately raised their spears and rushed forward, trying to hold off Goss.

"Wait a moment."

A deep, cold voice suddenly brought everyone to a standstill.

Katakuri plopped down on the chair next to him.

"Since he's also after the honey, he'll be the final challenger."

"Huh? But it's my brother!"

Franpei grew anxious, stamping her feet and whining, "Look at him! He's filthy! And the match is about to end, letting him compete will only waste time..."

"As long as it hasn't been declared over, anyone is eligible to challenge."

Katakuri interrupted her, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Since we're here, let's wait until he finishes eating."

After saying that, Katakuri shifted into a more comfortable position, leaning back in his chair, as if preparing to continue watching.

"..."

Snapped.

Franpe blew a pink bubble and, by wiping the corner of her mouth, quickly suppressed her momentary anger.

In front of her brother Katakuri, she must always be the "generous, perfect, and cute" little sister queen.

"Oh well, since my brother has said that..."

Franpe put on that sickeningly sweet smile again and floated up to Goss's head.