The Golden Flying Dragon instantly entered a state of combat readiness.
"It's the Queen Mama Chanter! Charlotte Linlin is here!"
The crew members braced themselves, and the Beast Pirates were already pulled out from below deck.
Under the leadership of Babanuki and with Wapol's help, the lower-ranked officers completed their fusion with the Beasts.
"Charlotte Linlin?"
Dorry and Brogy had already grabbed their weapons, ready for battle.
Brogy said, "Is she one of the pirate emperors of the New World, the one Ian spoke of?"
Behind them, Kashii and Oimo's faces had changed dramatically.
They had left the Giant Kingdom forty years ago and knew the crimes Charlotte Linlin had committed in Elbaf back then.
Ian stood at the bow of the ship and nodded slightly. "She's one of the three strongest pirates in the world, and also the strongest woman in the world."
Unless there's a more powerful female among the Celestial Dragons, Charlotte Linlin's title as the strongest woman is unquestionable.
"I'll become stronger than her!"
Yamato declared loudly.
"I'll surpass her!"
Hancock responded without hesitation.
She didn't have a particular obsession with surpassing Charlotte Linlin, but she absolutely could not accept being overshadowed by Yamato.
"The strongest pirate, huh?"
Dorry stroked his long beard. "That really gets the blood pumping! I wonder how the strongest of this era compares to the one from a hundred years ago!"
"Not just that," Ian shook his head. "She has a deep connection with the Giant Tribe. As for the specifics, Oimo and Kashii should know more."
"What?"
Brogy turned around. "Kashii, Oimo, does Charlotte Linlin have any connection with Elbaf?"
Kashii's face showed a trace of fear. "Captain! That woman, Charlotte Linlin, is a born destroyer! She once brought huge destruction to Elbaf!"
He began telling the story of Charlotte Linlin in Elbaf from years ago.
"A five-year-old kid destroyed an entire warrior village?"
Dorry was dumbfounded after hearing this.
What kind of natural monster is this?
No wonder she's called a born destroyer.
"Did Jorul-san also die at her hands?"
Brogy furrowed his brow.
Jorul and Jarul were former captains of the Giant Pirate Crew, their predecessors.
"Yes," Oimo said. "But at the time, she was too young, and she was in a berserk, unconscious state. In the end, after Sister Carmel's plea, Jarul-san let her go and just exiled her from the Giant Kingdom. That matter was considered over."
"Is that so?"
Dorry nodded.
"But, but—"
Oimo's lips trembled, and a difficult expression appeared on his face, seeming both disgusted and fearful.
"On the day Charlotte Linlin turned six, something else happened. A fellow from the Sheep's House, unable to rest easy, went to find them, but found that Charlotte Linlin had—"
The deck fell into silence.
After hearing Oimo's story, both giants couldn't help but show looks of disgust.
It wasn't just them; Ian's friends also had faces twisted in disgust, as if they'd eaten something unpleasant.
Even Ian, who had long suspected the disappearance of the nuns, couldn't help but shake his head.
Being too unpicky about food isn't always a good thing.
"Seriously, is this really happening?"
Black Maria's expression was complicated.
That Pirate Emperor's life really is quite eventful.
"Hahaha! Whatever!"
Brogy suddenly laughed, "Jorul's matter is settled, whatever else she has done has nothing to do with us. But if she's an enemy now! Ian, let's face it together!"
Jack silently nodded.
With the help of these two giants, even facing Charlotte Linlin and her ship, the Queen Mama Chanter, might not be hopeless.
As long as Big Brother Ian can hold off Charlotte Linlin!
That should be no problem!
After all, it's Big Brother Ian!
However, just as everyone was getting ready for battle, Ian's mouth curled up slightly, "Don't rush, I actually think Aunt Linlin isn't here to cause trouble."
"Huh?"
Yamato was stunned.
Law tugged at his lips, "You're not saying Charlotte Linlin is here to invite us to a banquet, are you?"
"Can't rule it out."
Ian glanced back.
He looked at the two giants.
If anyone in this world was obsessed with the power of giants, Aunt Linlin would definitely be at the top of the list.
But wow, Aunt Linlin sure is well-informed.
"Mama, Mama! It's been so long, you've grown a lot, Ian!"
A white cloud flew over, and Charlotte Linlin sat on top of it, smiling and greeting Ian.
Ian also sized her up.
Compared to more than two years ago, this old woman had gotten fatter, sitting there like a mountain of flesh, her chin covered in stacked fat.
But whether it was her obesity or aging, it didn't make her look kinder. Instead, she had more of a sinister look, like a villainous witch from a fairytale.
"Indeed, it's been a while, Aunt Linlin," Ian said with a smile, not one to strike at a smiling face. "I wonder what you're trying to do standing in front of us now. You don't mean…"
"You're thinking of starting a war with us, aren't you?"
Behind him, his companions had already tensed up.
Charlotte Linlin's next words would immediately lead to a battle.
Even as a Pirate Empress, facing so many of them, she would have to think twice.
Dorry and Brogy were especially eager.
After all, Jorul had once been someone they respected!
"Mama, Mama! How could that be! Everyone knows that I and Kaido are like siblings, deeply beloved friends! How could I possibly start a war with you!"
However, Charlotte Linlin acted as if she hadn't noticed the wary companions behind Ian. She only smiled and said, "I just heard you were passing through, so I thought I'd come and invite you all to visit Whole Cake Island."
Ian's lips curled slightly.
If you hadn't been glancing at Dorry and Brogy behind me when you said that, I might actually believe you a little.
No one in the world was more obsessed with the strength of giants than Charlotte Linlin.
The most important part of her life was spent in the Giant Kingdom, where she spent her happiest times with the giants and the Sheep's House friends.
Another major reason was that her greatest dream in life was to create a nation where all races lived peacefully together, and the giants were one of the three missing races from Whole Cake Island.
"Also," Charlotte Linlin looked directly at the two giants. "I heard that the two leaders of the Giant Warrior Pirate Crew have returned to the seas! When I was in the Giant Kingdom, I committed a crime and from then on, the giants saw me as an enemy."
"So, I thought this would be a good opportunity to express my apologies."
She sure knows how to come up with excuses.
Ian turned to the two giants. "Dorry, Brogy, Auntie Linlin said this. What do you think?"
Apologize?
Dorry and Brogy exchanged a glance.
Looking at Charlotte Linlin and remembering what Oimo had said earlier, they felt a bit disgusted.
**********
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