Charlotte Linlin was speaking cordially with King and Bullet, even though half the town had been reduced to ruins and countless innocent civilians had likely died.
"Mama-mama! Truly worthy of that brat Roa's subordinates! To have such power at this age—it frankly shocks me, Mama!"
Moments ago, she was a terrifying ogre; now, she was a friendly matriarch. Charlotte Linlin's soft smile drew a continuous sneer from Bullet.
Is this the speed at which Great Pirates change faces?
In this regard, they were clearly still far behind.
"You're too kind."
King was the more diplomatic of the two. He slightly bowed to thank Charlotte Linlin for the compliment. "It's all due to the Boss's excellent guidance."
"Is that so? Mama is surprised that brat Roa has the talent to actually teach people."
A hint of astonishment crept into Charlotte Linlin's smile.
Now that she had calmed down, she was genuinely stunned by the strength of these two youngsters.
Though unwilling to admit it, the two of them combined indeed possessed enough power to fight her to a standstill.
Such power, such talent—it surpassed even Katakuri, and perhaps even herself at that age.
Yet, this kid King claimed Roa taught them?
Was that brat's personality one that would willingly teach others?
"The Boss is omnipotent."
King said solemnly.
"Mama-mama! Omnipotent?"
Charlotte Linlin laughed heartily. "Interesting! Then, King, tell Mama: When does your supposedly omnipotent Roa plan to introduce me to Harald?"
"If he drags it out too long, or just casually drops my name to Harald, Mama won't accept it!"
"Please be assured. If the Boss says he will introduce you, he will. He said he won't make you wait too long. When the time comes, he will personally bring you to Harald and facilitate the connection."
"Mama-mama! Very good!"
That little scoundrel Roa might be a terrible person, but he was generally a man of his word.
Since he said it, there shouldn't be any problem!
Looking at the beaming Charlotte Linlin, King couldn't help but recall his conversation with the Boss before they left.
At that time, he had asked: Is it really a good idea to connect Harald with Charlotte Linlin?
Harald was already unhappy with the Calamity Company and was now entangled with the World Government. Connecting him with the Charlotte Family might not be a good thing.
But the Boss had replied that Harald would make the right choice, and that now was indeed a good time to connect Harald with Charlotte Linlin, because they were all about to enter a grand cooperation.
King didn't understand who the Boss meant by "all of them."
He only knew that the Boss's words were the iron rule he had to follow.
"Since both sides have no objections, then Big Mom, we will take our leave. The Boss is waiting for our return report."
King said.
"Is that so?"
Charlotte Linlin nodded. "Then Mama won't keep you."
She really wanted this kid King to stay, but clearly, that wasn't possible.
She could barely defeat the two brats combined, let alone the Roa behind them.
Ultimately, the power of the Calamity Company was simply too much stronger than the Charlotte Family.
"Oh, right,"
Charlotte Linlin suddenly remembered something. She looked at Dragon and the others on the side. "How will you handle these inexplicable people? Just let them go?"
"In that case, let's deal with them here all at once,"
Bullet spoke calmly. "Saves time."
King nodded slightly. "Fine."
He looked at Charlotte Linlin. "Big Mom, we'll take care of these fellows."
"Suit yourselves."
Charlotte Linlin was completely indifferent.
In fact, she was quite curious: How did that brat Roa get involved with the Freedom Fighters ?
And how did he know in advance that these people were coming here to rescue someone?
King walked step by step towards Dragon and the others.
Dragon's expression subtly changed as he watched the approaching youth.
What did this person mean by punishment?
Why was there talk of punishment right away?
Is it because that guy Roa knows something?
If that's the case—
Crocodile also held his breath. Now was truly a moment of life and death!
King stopped in front of Dragon. With a height of over four meters, he looked down at the man before him. "The Boss says: Stop playing these petty tricks in the future. If you're going to build an organization, do it seriously. Constantly relying on underhanded methods is unwise."
"..."
Dragon's pupils instantly constricted.
Roa knows!
He actually knows I was scheming against him!
But why? Only the four of us knew the plan!
How in the world did he know?
"The Boss also said that this time's punishment is a lesson for you all,"
King continued. "He hopes you can learn from this and continue to oppose the World Government with renewed vigor."
Crocodile tried hard to remain inconspicuous.
But his heart was pounding.
What is the relationship between Roa and the Freedom Fighters?
Meanwhile, Dragon spoke with a hoarse voice. "Punishment? What exactly did Roa do?"
"You'll know soon enough."
King showed no intention of elaborating. He simply looked down at Ginny, whose neck was pinned by Katakuri's trident, yet who was struggling to gaze affectionately at Kuma, who was restrained nearby.
"Is this woman named Ginny?"
Huh?
Dragon's eyes instantly changed.
What's going on?
How does he know Ginny?
They communicated with the Freedom Fighters headquarters only via Transponder Snail. Ginny and Crocodile's identities shouldn't have been revealed!
And why Ginny?
"Stop!"
Kuma began to struggle again. "Don't touch Ginny!"
Ginny fearfully twisted her head to look at King—a difficult maneuver, as any carelessness would cause her slender neck to graze the blade of Katakuri's trident.
Katakuri simply turned the ground into more Mochi, binding Kuma tightly. "Don't move. This matter no longer concerns you or us."
"That's right,"
King nodded slightly. "Blame Dragon for doing something foolish."
"Katakuri, hand this woman over to me. The Boss wants her."
"That's fine by me."
Katakuri casually pulled out his trident, releasing Ginny. Then he said teasingly, "Something seemed off when I first saw her. Is the brat finally at the age when his heart starts to flutter, with a woman following him around?"
King merely answered plainly, "The Boss is indeed very interested in beautiful women."
Behind them, Charlotte Linlin's eyes darted.
"Hahahaha! Given that brat's recklessness, I can already guess what he plans to do."
Katakuri laughed loudly while manipulating Mochi to surge up. "This woman is indeed attractive."
Ginny, who was crying out for Kuma-chan and rushing toward Kuma, was instantly restrained by the Mochi and flew toward King.
King grabbed the Mochi handle that Katakuri thoughtfully left behind, lifting Ginny up.
"Ginny!!"
Kuma struggled desperately, but he couldn't break free from Katakuri's Mochi bonds. The man who had endured countless hardships in his life couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his face.
"Why are you doing this! Why! How vile can you people be!"
His whereabouts were also revealed to Charlotte Linlin by that man named Roa.
And now, he was taking Ginny too!
Why, why must there be such evil people in this world!
"I told you, blame Dragon for doing something foolish."
King was completely unmoved by Kuma's crying.
The sea has always been cruel.
If you weren't prepared before venturing onto this sea, then don't complain.
"I will atone for my own foolish actions!"
A gust of wind howled. Dragon suddenly unleashed a powerful punch of wind.
The usually calm man was now affected by the rage in his heart.
He knew he couldn't change anything now, but he couldn't control himself!
And so:
King effortlessly blocked Dragon's heavy punch with a single swing of his sword.
Then, a black shadow flashed into existence. A heavy, Haki-clad punch smashed violently into Dragon's face, instantly deforming the man's features. Changing direction downward, the fist smashed Dragon into the ground headfirst.
The ground instantly fractured. The already battered surroundings shattered even more, literally bucking and warping.
Dragon was submerged waist-deep into the earth, only his legs twitching.
"Nonsense."
Bullet, who had turned Dragon into a human pile driver, scoffed coldly.
If the Boss hadn't said that Dragon was still useful, he would have killed him long ago.
To show no gratitude for the Boss's leniency and dare to fight back—that was simply asking for death.
"Tsk, tsk."
Katakuri couldn't help but gasp. "Seriously impressive."
Dragon was even stronger than him, yet he was essentially defenseless against these two.
Even if it was two against one, this was too much!
"The matter is concluded. If so, we'll take our leave, Big Mom."
King bade farewell to Charlotte Linlin.
"Mama-mama! Safe travels!"
Charlotte Linlin said with a smile. "Don't forget to tell Roa to hurry up. Mama isn't very patient!"
"Understood!"
Then, the two soared into the sky with Ginny, leaving behind only the heartbroken, tearing screams of:
"Kuma-chan!!"
On the ground, Kuma was soaked with tears, which suddenly turned into a wrenching sob.
The man, built like a small mountain, cried uncontrollably.
He cried for his life, which had endured countless hardships.
Seeing him like this, Katakuri felt a pang of sympathy. He released Kuma and offered consolation: "Don't be sad. Crying won't bring people back."
"Instead of grieving for what you've lost, consider what you still have. Isn't cherishing what remains better than anything?"
He forced himself to stop the rising smile at the corners of his mouth. "Don't you still have a child? You've already lost so much; if you fail to protect your last child, then you truly will have nothing left."
Kuma's crying abruptly stopped.
His eyes were a mix of pain and confusion.
"That's right, then!"
Katakuri nodded seriously. "Now, let's just send these cornered dogs away."
Just then, the bruised and swollen Dragon pulled his upper body out of the ground.
Cornered dogs?
Indeed, a well-deserved title.
So Roa, what exactly did you do?
In the North Blue.
The Bastille Kingdom.
A sudden revolt broke out.
It began in a small port city where the oppressed dockworkers, led by certain individuals, attacked the city's armory. After obtaining weapons, they launched an official attack on the city hall.
After the city hall was captured, many areas across the country responded, and the entire nation instantly plunged into conflict.
Initially, the Royal Army was indeed stunned, but they quickly reorganized and marched directly toward the rebels.
The war situation instantly reversed.
The hastily launched revolt lacked the necessary preparation. It failed to gain widespread civilian support, and the various Royalist forces couldn't be swiftly eliminated.
Thus, even though the nation's king was notoriously ruthless and deeply unpopular, the rebel army still collapsed at the first contact with the Royal Army.
Following this, a bloody suppression began.
As mentioned, the king's rule in this country had always been severe.
It was at this time that the whale-shaped ship docked on the nation's coast.
Marco stood at the ship's rail, observing the nearby city where heavy cannons roared. He clicked his tongue. "Are they fighting a war? Or is this another suicidal attack by the Flevance people?"
After over a year in the North Blue, Marco was quite familiar with the North Blue's "specialty," the Flevance people.
They were all lunatics, and they had even attacked the Whitebeard Pirates several times.
What can you say? The pitiable often have hateful aspects.
"That is not the case."
A gentle voice suddenly rang out. "Some fools named the Freedom Fighters hastily launched a rebellion. The Royal Army is now suppressing the revolt."
"Freedom Fighters?"
Marco frowned.
He drew a blank—wait a minute!
His pupils suddenly contracted. He instantly looked down.
On the coast below the ship's rail, a man in a white suit leaped up, landing lightly on the rail.
The man ignored the shocked Marco and looked directly at the figure resting on the large chair.
"I have been waiting for you, Whitebeard!"
The man bowed slightly. "I represent the World Government. The Government is preparing to move against the Calamity Company. We know that you and Roa share a feud. So, Captain Whitebeard, would you be interested in—"
"Get out!"
Before the man could finish, a quake shockwave instantly blasted him away.
The man spat blood, feeling as if his body were shaking apart. He flew a great distance, landing motionless on the shore.
"Scum."
Whitebeard snorted coldly.
"But Pops,"
Vista (Flower Sword) said softly, "that might truly be an opportunity to take revenge on Roa..."
At the mention of Roa, everyone on deck grew solemn.
Being chased out of Sphinx like cornered dogs by Roa, even out of the New World, was a humiliation they could never forget.
"Is the World Government still trustworthy?"
Whitebeard said casually. "They just want us to be cannon fodder. I'm not interested!"
"But Pops, what about Sphinx..."
Marco's voice was also low.
The world's freest sea area—that was what the territory ruled by Roa was called.
But because of this, people understood that sometimes, too much freedom wasn't necessarily a good thing.
Whitebeard finally hesitated.
Then he sighed. "That was the path they chose."
He had already gambled his children's lives once for him. He couldn't do it a second time.
Almost simultaneously, in the world's freest sea area, the Giant Kingdom of Elbaf.
A Pteranodon, quite small in this country, dove down from the second level of the Treasure Tree Adam, heading straight for Aurust Castle.
It didn't go through the gate but smashed forcefully through the castle roof, crashing into the interior.
From the swirling smoke, a highly irritated voice emerged.
"If you don't give me a good reason, you bastard, I'll twist your head off right now!"
The Pteranodon, Dylan, was unmoved. He merely flapped his wings. The swirling gale instantly cleared the smoke from the vast room.
He looked up at Giant King Harald, who was already drawing his sword, and spoke calmly: "Harald. The Boss says you are to agree to the World Government's proposal."
"What?"
Harald's pupils instantly constricted.
Roa, he knows?
"The Boss says,"
Dylan continued, "If you don't want Elbaf to be reduced to ash, then play a game with the World Government alongside him!"
In Calamity City.
Roa suddenly received a phone call.
"Boss! It's me!"
"Hmm? Umit? What is it?"
It was his Minister of Transportation, Umit, known as the King of Maritime Transport.
"Boss! Fisher Tiger and his group are under attack!"
"Oh? Who has the guts?"
"It's a Sea King! A Giant Anglerfish bigger than an island!"
"Hmm? Anglerfish?"
Hiss, could it be!
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