"Waaahhh!"
A piercing scream.
Aunt Linlin was screaming in agony.
It must have been a long time since she last felt such pain.
The Crimson Meteor Spear had pierced through Charlotte Linlin's right shoulder.
Her indestructible body was indeed impressive.
Even Ian's Destructive Flame struggled to break through it.
This was the first time Ian had ever encountered such resistance when using his Destructive Flame to attack someone's body.
Still, in an instant, the Crimson Meteor Spear exploded a huge hole in Aunt Linlin's shoulder, almost completely piercing through her right arm.
Charlotte Linlin's right hand was completely paralyzed; she couldn't even hold her great sword, Napoleon, which slipped from her grasp and flew away.
Ian calmly withdrew his spear, his face masked by flames, making his expression impossible to read.
He wasn't surprised by the outcome.
Aunt Linlin had been far too careless.
For ages, relying on her indomitable brute strength and indestructible body, she had defeated ninety-nine percent of her enemies.
Coupled with her strong Armament Haki and the overwhelming Conqueror's Haki that came from her terrifying power, she could even face opponents like Kaido and Whitebeard without hesitation.
But Ian was different.
Without speed surpassing his own, there was no way to evade his pursuit in Phoenix Mode. She was forced to face an invincible enemy.
Without sufficiently powerful Haki, it's impossible to even deflect Ian's Destructive Flame from the side the way Kaido or Red-Haired Shanks can.
And without the ability to foresee the future using Observation Haki, there's no chance of dodging my attacks.
The only fate left is to be struck head-on by the Destructive Flame.
In the end, Aunt Linlin—this lumbering battle tank—could still put up a fight against Kaido or Whitebeard.
But against me, a true assassin who can inflict real damage, this outcome was inevitable.
Let's be honest, Aunt Linlin has embarrassed herself far too often in the manga—blown away by Jinbe, had her face ridden by Franky, kicked into the sea by King, toyed with by Law and Kid. It's almost like she's not actually good at fighting.
As long as you can pierce through her defenses, beating her is surprisingly easy.
To put it a little bluntly… Aunt Linlin, you're even easier to beat than Shanks.
"You little brat!!"
The searing pain finally sent Aunt Linlin into a full-blown rage. Her free left fist came crashing down toward Ian.
But it was pointless.
Still in his Phoenix form, Ian burned like a blazing bonfire.
Linlin's punch did nothing more than cause the flames to ripple.
Unable to destroy the source, the fire returned to its original form in the next instant.
"Anger only drags you deeper into the abyss of defeat, Aunt Linlin."
Ian planted one foot on her right shoulder and the other on her face. His left hand pressed firmly against her forehead, the scorching heat instantly making Linlin howl in pain.
And then—
The crimson spear tip was suddenly pointed right between Charlotte Linlin's eyes.
Kaido, during battle, never lost himself to madness or rage—only excitement. The stronger the enemy, the more thrilled he became.
Auntie Linlin, who had been raving like a madwoman moments ago, suddenly fell silent.
Her eyes cleared up, becoming sharp and focused.
She didn't even dare to blink.
"It's time to end this farce, Aunt Linlin."
Ian flicked his hand with effortless grace.
The crimson spear in his grasp swelled and transformed into a massive golden Fire Spirit.
He gently leapt backward.
The flames surrounding him dissipated as he regained his human form, landing steadily atop the Fire Spirit's outstretched palm.
"Brat!!"
Charlotte Linlin blinked rapidly, her voice nearly grinding through her teeth. "Such arrogance!"
She hadn't even spoken a word yet, and this damned brat had already pulled back, even dismissing his powers altogether.
He clearly didn't take her seriously at all.
But—
The corner of Charlotte Linlin's mouth twitched.
This brat… is ridiculously strong!
How could anyone in this world possibly defeat her so easily?
Even Kaido or Whitebeard couldn't have done something like this!
No—
Not even Roger or that scum Rocks could have!
Could this brat have already surpassed monsters like them?
Still, one thing was painfully clear.
Even if she fought him ten more times… she'd probably be crushed just as quickly, every single time.
An untouchable body of flames, fire capable of destroying everything, Observation Haki that could see into the future—and on top of all that, a speed far beyond her own.
He was her natural counter.
Humiliation!
Rage!
Unspoken emotions surged wildly in Charlotte Linlin's heart.
"I think it's time we discussed compensation, Auntie Linlin," Ian said confidently, as if everything was already under control.
"What do you think would be a fair price for my forgiveness?"
He had easily defeated her even when she was in her prime.
And now, with her right arm completely useless and her right shoulder nearly blown through, what more could Charlotte Linlin possibly do?
Her face was as dark as storm clouds.
She lowered her head and looked down.
Even though she wasn't particularly skilled in Observation Haki, she could still clearly sense—only Katakuri was still fighting below.
Even his presence was growing weaker by the second.
It was a total defeat.
From her position as Emperor down to her loyal ministers, everyone had been completely crushed.
Just as that brat had said—there are ranks, even among Emperors.
Clutching the massive wound on her right shoulder with her left hand, Charlotte Linlin stared hard at Ian.
No matter how proud and invincible she had believed herself to be, she had no choice but to admit it now—Ian was stronger.
Not only was he stronger than her, but his officers were also far superior to her own children.
If this battle continued, there would be only one outcome—the complete erasure of the Charlotte Family from the world.
And yet… there was something she didn't understand.
"You're really willing to end it like this, boy?"
Charlotte Linlin thought to herself that if she had gained such an advantage, she would never have let things end like this.
"We're not enemies."
Ian said with a smile, "Auntie Linlin, don't get it twisted. I've never once considered you my enemy."
The only true enemy was the World Government.
Until the World Government was crushed, any force that was strong enough and could be used should never be seen as an enemy.
Of course, Ian had long since come to terms with that truth.
In fact, when she heard him say this, Charlotte Linlin was truly stunned.
What did this brat mean?
"So," Ian said with a grin, "how about we continue the banquet? Auntie Linlin, let's eat and chat."
This little brat!!
Charlotte Linlin's eyes didn't even blink.
She had seen all sorts of freaks out at sea, but she now thought this kid might be the strangest of them all.
Not just because of his strength, but also his personality.
What was he thinking?
**********
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