Marco shot Kaito a thoughtful look, his expression hardening. This guy, he thought, has ambitions that aren't ordinary. So this must be the big gift he mentioned.
"Well, Owen, tell me. Who dares invade our territory?"
Charlotte Linlin's eyes were bloodshot, her voice icy enough to make the castle tremble. Her violent aura burst out like a tidal wave, flooding the entire hall.
The temperature dropped sharply as killing intent filled the air. Ordinary guests shivered uncontrollably, tossed around like tiny boats in a storm. The weaker ones collapsed outright, unable to withstand her presence.
Napoleon flew into her hand, and Prometheus and Zeus wrapped around her body in blazing flames and roaring thunder.
In an instant, the castle's gloomy atmosphere transformed into a scorching inferno.
"Too strong. Too strong. Is this Linlin's real power?"
Owen struggled to stand firm as an overwhelming pressure crushed down on him. He shot a hateful glance at Kaito.
"Mama, it was him. He's the one who attacked our pirates!"
He jabbed his finger at Kaito.
"Kaito, captain of the Thunder Pirates!"
"I saw with my own eyes that the swordsman named Issho defeated Brother Katakuri! And the former Beasts Pirates cadres… Everyone except Kaido is here!"
"Especially the Red Earl, Redfield. His power is terrifying. Anyone his bats touch turns to a dried corpse. More than half of Totto Land was attacked by him!"
Owen's voice trembled with anger and fear. If not for Kaito's overwhelming strength, Owen would have already rushed forward to kill him.
"Well? Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
Charlotte Linlin's killing intent surged again, this time controlled and deliberate, like a volcano preparing to erupt.
One by one, guests collapsed to the floor, overwhelmed by her monstrous Conqueror's Haki.
Yet Kaito stood in the center, untouched, calm, unbothered—like a lone stone pillar standing against the sea.
"Explanation? What explanation?" Kaito smiled lightly. "Didn't I already tell you? It's a gift. I brought you a gift."
"An attack on my territory is a gift? Wonderful. Very wonderful."
Charlotte Linlin sneered.
"I thought Whitebeard's yearly stone tributes were already shameful, but today I've met someone even more shameless."
Marco's mouth twitched.
What does this have to do with us? he thought bitterly.
Feeling several strange looks, Marco regretted ever coming here. If he had known Kaito would cause such chaos, he would never have stepped foot on Cake Island.
"Alright, alright, too much talking. If you want to fight, then fight."
Kaito waved his hand impatiently.
"Fight to the death!"
Charlotte Linlin roared, a monstrous sound shaking the castle.
BIG MOM Pirates cadres scrambled to evacuate the civilians.
With a sharp gesture, Zeus wrapped Charlotte Linlin's arm in thunder. She raised her massive fist, overflowing with violent strength, and swung it at Kaito.
Kaito didn't move. His arm surged with power as he met her punch head-on.
Boom!
A heavy explosion echoed as spiderweb cracks shot across the floor.
Kaito didn't budge.
Charlotte Linlin, however, blasted backward like a kicked cannonball.
She slammed into the castle wall, embedding deep into the stone.
Owen, who had been clearing people out, froze.
"Impossible…!"
Charlotte Linlin—born with giant-level strength, known as the Steel Balloon, someone even Whitebeard couldn't overpower in raw strength—had been overpowered in a direct clash.
Even Morgans, who knew her profile by heart, stared wide-eyed.
He inhaled sharply, shock turning into excitement.
This battle would dominate headlines for a month.
Charlotte Linlin smashed free from the wall and stormed toward Kaito, flames burning in her eyes. Napoleon flew into her hand.
"Brat, I'll kill you!"
Prometheus fused with the blade, igniting it into a massive flaming sword.
"Die!"
She swung the sword. Flames roared like a dragon, thundering across the air toward Kaito.
Clang!
A massive blue skeleton materialized in front of him—Susanoo.
"So this is your proud technique? Let me cut it apart!"
Charlotte Linlin grinned viciously.
Zeus plunged down from the sky, merging with the flaming blade.
Flames, lightning, and blade-light fused together into a devastating force.
"Die!"
She unleashed a crescent wave of purple sword energy. Lightning and fire fused into the arc, doubling its destructive power.
Thunder cracked, flames flared, and the fused sword energy slammed into Susanoo.
Kaito remained still, arms crossed, expression calm, almost bored.
The explosion gradually faded.
The blue skeleton still stood, only a long gash carved across its surface.
Given enough time, Charlotte Linlin's sword energy might break through Susanoo… but not in time to matter to Kaito.
_____
💎 100 Powerstones → Unlock 1 Bonus Chapter
💎 200 Powerstones → Unlock 2 Bonus Chapters
Want to get early access?
Join my Patreon and read ahead!
Search for "Zphyr" or visit: Patreon.com/Zphyr