"Since Jarul-san doesn't hold a grudge, we certainly have no reason to say anything."
Dorry's attitude was indifferent. "No need for any apology."
The rejection was already quite obvious, but Linlin sternly said, "This is not acceptable. I can't move past it!"
She lowered her head, looking at Ian, her tone almost threatening. "Kid, what do you think?"
Ian almost burst out laughing.
Linlin, your apology doesn't seem very sincere.
You won't let me off the hook without using force as a threat, huh?
Seems like there's no way she's leaving without an apology today—
Or maybe not.
"Since the person who was supposed to be apologized to doesn't mind, then the apology is as good as done, right?"
Ian smiled. "Isn't this a win-win? Aunt Linlin, your goal has been achieved."
Charlotte Linlin's face turned pale with anger. "Ian, you better think carefully before answering me!"
She had already been very displeased with this brat. His existence had allowed Kaido's influence to grow to an alarming level.
Fortunately, it seemed that there was some conflict between this brat and Kaido. Otherwise, Charlotte Linlin would have considered allying with that old fool, Whitebeard.
And now this brat had gotten involved with the two captains of the Giant Pirate Crew!
Charlotte Linlin almost envied him. This was exactly what she had always wanted.
That's why, after learning that Ian had returned to the New World, she personally led a team to intercept him.
She was hoping to use this opportunity to improve relations with the Giant Race.
But Ian, this little brat, wasn't cooperating at all.
Charlotte Linlin was furious!
However…
"Do you want to fight?"
Dorry instantly drew his giant sword, "Then bring it on! Ian is a friend of our giant tribe!"
"To be an enemy of him is to be an enemy of us!"
Brogy also roared angrily.
Charlotte Linlin froze in place for a moment.
Ian looked at her with interest, "Oh, Aunt Linlin, are you really going to make a move? Well, I'm not someone who can't keep you company."
"Mama, Mama! How could that be!"
A bright smile immediately appeared on Charlotte Linlin's face. Now she truly looked like the gentle old lady next door, "With my relationship with Kaido, I'm practically an elder to you, how could I ever think of fighting with you?"
Law almost laughed out loud.
Now he understood. Given their relationship with the giants, Charlotte Linlin wouldn't be able to make a move against them.
Because this woman was desperate to gain the power of the giants.
No wonder Ian was so confident.
"Ian," Charlotte Linlin looked at Ian with a smile, "Would you mind having a private chat with Aunt Linlin?"
A negotiation was about to begin?
Ian raised the corner of his mouth, "Of course."
"Ian?"
The two giants looked at Ian with concern.
Ian smiled and reassured them, "Don't worry, Aunt Linlin is my elder."
"That's right."
Charlotte Linlin smiled gently, her kindness overflowing, "How could I ever make a move on this kid?"
Then the two flew into the sky, beginning their private conversation.
"Kid! Start with your terms!"
Linlin got straight to the point, her smile disappearing in an instant, replaced by a cold and direct tone. "What will it take for you to help me ease the relationship with the Giant Tribe?"
Ian shrugged. "Even if I wanted to help, there's not much I can do."
"Even though I'm friends with Dorry and Brogy and can influence those two, I can't influence the entire Giant Kingdom."
"That's enough!"
Charlotte Linlin interrupted him. "The Giant Warrior Pirates have a high reputation in the Giant Kingdom! Those two are heroes of the Giant Kingdom! Their opinions hold significant weight!"
"As repayment, I can give up some of the territory I've occupied!"
She continued, "This way, you'll be able to push the border forward."
"If that's still not enough, then consider it as me owing you a favor. If you ever need help in the future, I'll definitely return the favor."
"I don't care about the territory."
Ian suddenly remembered something. "Actually, there is one thing I'd like Aunt Linlin's help with."
Charlotte Linlin's eyes immediately lit up. "Of course, no problem!"
She wasn't afraid of the kid asking for something unreasonable; she feared he wouldn't ask for anything at all.
"Let's get one thing straight," Ian said. "What I can do is provide an opportunity for you to communicate, like hosting a banquet. How exactly that happens is up to you."
"That's enough."
Charlotte Linlin nodded repeatedly. "So, what do you want?"
Ian then smiled and shared his idea. "Linlin, I remember you can extract souls and infuse them into objects to create Homies, right?"
"So," He pointed to himself. "Can you use my own soul to create a Homie that belongs only to me?"
What about a Soul Weapon?
In the original work, Zeus could betray Charlotte Linlin and merge entirely with Nami's climate baton. This already showed that Homies could exist independently of Charlotte Linlin and not be controlled by her.
It's important to note that even Zeus was made from Charlotte Linlin's own soul.
"Oh?"
Charlotte Linlin was surprised. "You sure have an interesting idea."
But she quickly became serious. "This is no problem at all. I guarantee I won't meddle with it. I'll create a Homie that's entirely yours! I swear on my own honor!"
"So, kid, what are you planning to use as the vessel for Homie?"
In the next moment, Ian transformed into flames, resembling a blazing torch.
He raised his hand, and a ball of bright red fire erupted from it.
"I'll use this."
Charlotte Linlin paused for a moment before bursting into loud laughter. "Mama, Mama! Destructive flames? Indeed, nothing could be more fitting!"
**********
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