"Looks like today, we're destined to fight to the death!" Rosinante said, as if making a firm decision.
From the expressions on both sides, Rosinante knew this battle was inevitable. His stamina was already nearly exhausted, and if he wanted to keep fighting, he would have to release the seal on his life force. But unlocking that seal meant only one thing—this fight would not end until one of them was dead.
"Just you? Fight to the death with me? Mamamamama! Such ridiculous bluster. You little brat aren't even enough to fill the gap between my teeth!" Charlotte Linlin sneered.
She could tell at a glance that Rosinante's stamina was almost gone. For someone in that state to dare speak of fighting her to the death… in her eyes, it was laughable arrogance worthy only of her contempt.
"You think this destruction happened by accident? If you could take me down easily, I'd have died who knows how many times already! If you want my life, then you'd better stake your own!" Rosinante shot back coldly.
At that moment, Streusen's brow furrowed slightly in secret.
Of course he could see that Rosinante was close to his limit. And yet, there was an ominous premonition gnawing at him—a deep sense of danger emanating from this young man.
Streusen trusted his premonitions completely. They had saved his life more than once. And right now, they told him this youth should not be taken lightly.
"Linlin, this brat's strength is not bad. If you fight him head-on, Cake Castle might be destroyed. There are still plenty of sweets inside, and the freshly made Samula. If it comes to blows, all of it will be lost. Better to just drive him away," Streusen suddenly advised.
"No. Katakuri betrayed me because of him, and now he's trying to deceive me about the nun. I absolutely will not let him go so easily. If Cake Castle is destroyed, we'll just rebuild it. If the desserts are gone, we'll just take more. But anyone who lies to me will never be spared! And dealing with such a greenhorn… as long as I'm careful, I won't damage the Cake Castle," Charlotte Linlin declared.
"I haven't deceived you, Charlotte Linlin. Regarding Sister Carmel, I really do know something. I might not know exactly how she disappeared, but as for her origins, I know them well. Let's make a deal—if you agree to let Katakuri leave the Big Mom Pirates, I'll tell you about Sister Carmel's past. You might even find clues as to how she vanished. Though, once you know where she came from, you may not care so much about how she disappeared." Rosinante spoke evenly.
Though he had a good guess about what happened to Sister Carmel, it was still just that—a guess.
When Rosinante had crossed into this world, the One Piece anime had not yet finished airing. In the story he knew, the exact truth of Carmel's disappearance had never been spelled out. So he wouldn't state his theory outright.
Besides, it was obvious Streusen didn't want him to say anything. Rosinante was somewhat wary of the old, short man.
Facing Charlotte Linlin alone was already exhausting enough. If he angered her and the second-in-command of the Big Mom Pirates decided to join in, Rosinante would have no choice but to flee.
"You know about Sister Carmel's past? How could you possibly know?" Streusen asked in surprise.
Even he didn't know Carmel's true origins, so his curiosity was piqued.
In fact, over the years, Streusen had secretly tried to investigate Carmel's past, but he had found nothing of value.
"So? Do you want to make this trade or not?" Rosinante asked.
Truthfully, Rosinante could just take Katakuri and leave, regardless of whether Charlotte Linlin agreed.
But he knew that if he did that, it would leave a knot in Katakuri's heart.
After all, to Katakuri, the Big Mom Pirates were filled with his own blood brothers and sisters.
Rosinante could tell Katakuri had strong feelings for his siblings. If this was handled poorly, it could become a problem later.
That was why Rosinante had decided to seek a mutually acceptable outcome today, even if it meant dragging things out until now.
Otherwise, he would have come in, grabbed Katakuri, and left without another word. With his abilities, even one of the Big Mom Pirates' top fighters couldn't stop him.
"Don't think you can just waltz in here and take one of my strongest away with a few sentences," Charlotte Linlin said firmly, though her tone had lost some of its initial hardness.
"Oh? Then what would it take for you to let Katakuri go?" Rosinante asked.
"Only those with equal strength can negotiate terms with me. Aside from telling me what you know of Sister Carmel's origins, if you want Katakuri to join your Gray Kingdom, you must have the power to speak with me as an equal," Charlotte Linlin declared.
"And how exactly do you define 'equal power'?" Rosinante asked.
"Either sufficient strength… or sufficient influence," Charlotte Linlin said with a cold smile.
"As for influence, my forces won't be entering the New World for now, so you can't see that yet. But strength… take a look around you. This ruin should be proof enough," Rosinante replied.
"That doesn't count. If you want to prove your strength, then after you tell me about Sister Carmel's past, we'll go to a deserted island and fight. If I acknowledge your power, I'll hand Katakuri over to you. And perhaps… our two pirate crews could even become partners," Charlotte Linlin said with a smile.
There was something alluring in her tone, but beneath it, a current of scheming malice.
Rosinante didn't even need to think to understand what she was plotting.
She wanted to trick him into revealing what he knew about Sister Carmel, then fight him afterward to thoroughly defeat—or even kill—him.
That way, she could preserve the Cake Castle, gain the information she wanted, and eliminate him in the end. Three goals with one plan.
The thought made Rosinante smirk in amusement.
"Alright, I agree," he said with a smile.
"But… I have one condition," Rosinante added.