If Lucian's earlier display of power proved he was a King...
Then the vow he made just now for the entire future of the Fish-Men—
Declared him a God.
A god who could control time and space—
And who was willing to build a future for them.
Inside the Ryugu Palace, the silence was absolute.
King Neptune trembled, unable to contain the shiver that ran down his massive spine.
He stared at Lucian with eyes full of feverish devotion.
"Guards!"
"Go, go fetch all our treasures!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Dozens of soldiers rushed off and returned soon after, panting and lugging a massive treasure chest—so bright and dazzling it could blind someone, studded with gold and jewels that shimmered in the palace light.
Another attendant stepped forward, holding a long, aged scroll made of sea beast skin.
He raised it high above his head with reverence.
"Lord Lucian!"
Neptune's voice was hoarse but solemn as he pointed at the chest.
"These are the treasures accumulated over generations by Fish-Man Island!"
"We offer them to you—our most sincere gratitude!"
Then he gestured toward the scroll, his tone even more serious:
"This is far more precious than gold!"
"It's a New World navigation chart drawn by our people over centuries, showing routes and seas not even the World Government has explored!"
"Please, you must accept it!"
He held the map high over his head.
Behind him, the three princes and all the guards watched with breathless anticipation.
This wasn't just allegiance.
It was utter devotion.
Lucian glanced at the radiant treasure—but didn't even pause.
He simply reached out and took the sea chart from Neptune's hands.
"This, I'll accept."
His voice was flat.
He then gave the treasure chest a quick glance before turning away.
"As for that…"
"I'm not interested in material wealth."
"Distribute it to the citizens who were frightened today. Consider it a greeting gift from me."
BOOM!
Neptune's jaw dropped into a giant O-shape.
He froze.
He refused it…
So much treasure, enough to tempt any pirate or king—
Lucian had rejected it without hesitation.
And then, turned around and gifted it to the people instead?!
What kind of mind did this man possess?!
"Yes—YES! As you command!"
Neptune's voice cracked, shouting in excitement. His giant frame quivered with emotion.
To follow someone like this... was the greatest fortune in Fish-Man Island's history.
Off to the side, Marco swallowed hard.
So this… is what it looks like…
When hearts follow absolute strength.
Meanwhile —
New World, Totto Land.
In the throne room of the Whole Cake Chateau, the air was cloyingly sweet—and suffocatingly heavy.
The core members of the Charlotte Family—Katakuri, Smoothie, Cracker—stood silent and rigid.
Their eyes kept drifting toward a small table at the foot of the throne.
Upon it, a piece of paper was burning silently.
Perospero's Vivre Card.
Its tiny flame was enough to stretch every nerve to the breaking point.
At last, the final charred scrap curled and turned to ash.
Perospero was dead.
"Mama..."
One of her children trembled and dared to speak.
BOOM—!!
A blast of terrifying Conqueror's Haki exploded from the throne—
A formless wave of pure power smashed through the entire palace!
The Whole Cake Chateau quaked.
Candy-glass windows cracked and shattered.
Weaker children collapsed, eyes rolled back, foaming at the mouth.
Even Katakuri and Smoothie staggered before regaining balance.
Lucian's voice from the earlier Den Den Mushi call still echoed in their minds.
They all knew—
Their mother could erupt at any second.
On the throne, Charlotte Linlin's massive body sat bolt upright.
Her bloodshot eyes blazed with apocalyptic fury.
"Luuu...cian!!"
A beastly growl rose from deep in her throat.
But just as quickly, the overwhelming aura disappeared.
The bloodshot red faded from Linlin's eyes—
Replaced by a terrifying, icy calm.
"Mama?"
Katakuri's brow furrowed.
Because this—this cold-blooded Linlin—was the most dangerous version of her.
Linlin didn't acknowledge anyone.
Her thick fingers tapped slowly on the throne's armrest—tap… tap… tap…
Her voice dropped to a chilling whisper. Every syllable carried frost.
"Seven point five billion bounty..."
"Toppled the three Admirals during the war, even forced the Five Elders to retreat..."
"Not even Rocks could do that back in the day..."
With every word she spoke, her children's hearts sank deeper.
They all knew these facts.
But hearing them from her lips—with that weight—
It crushed their spines.
"That idiot Perospero… he wasn't wronged, dying to a man like that."
Linlin let out a bitter laugh.
This man…
His threat level surpassed that of any single Yonko crew.
Silence.
Then, Linlin slowly stood up, her massive form casting a mountainous shadow.
"Just us alone… we won't be able to kill him in the New World."
A disgraceful but irrefutable truth.
"Then what do we…"
Smoothie started, but Linlin turned to her, baring her fanged grin.
Madness and logic burned together in her eyes.
"If one Yonko isn't enough..."
She locked eyes with Smoothie.
"Then let it be two!"
"Smoothie, go! Use the highest-level channel to contact that bastard in Wano!"
Smoothie's whole body tensed.
Katakuri's pupils shrank.
"Mama, you mean… Kaido?!"
"That's right!"
Linlin's eyes gleamed with dark cunning.
"Tell him: that brat Lucian Thorn is heading for Totto Land."
"Tell him: the Ancient Weapon Poseidon is in Fish-Man Island."
"Tell him: if he agrees to team up—then once we kill Lucian in Totto Land…"
"The Ancient Weapon is his."
Smoothie didn't dare hesitate.
She retrieved a strange Den Den Mushi shaped like a dragon skull.
Buru buru buru… buru buru buru…
The line connected quickly.
Silence on the other end.
Just deep, heavy breathing.
And the sound of chugging liquor.
Charlotte Linlin snatched the receiver, her voice shrill and piercing.
"Kaido! It's me!"
A moment passed.
Then came the thunderous, drunken laugh:
"Worororororo…"
"Well, well… Linlin. What do you want?"