Charlotte Linlin was furious, her bloodshot eyes raging with anger.
Today had pushed her limits. Katakuri had challenged her opinions again and again.
Even though he was the son she cared for most, her patience was wearing thin. She had raised so many children—training another top-tier fighter would not be a problem.
Katakuri, sensing the overwhelming resentment from his mother, felt the looming presence of death press against his chest. But even so, he held his ground. He couldn't let a disaster unfold before his eyes.
With unwavering resolve, he said, "Mom, didn't you say you wanted to make Kairos Flint your husband? I told you before—Kairos will never marry you."
"He's so powerful that even Kaido can't defeat him. Do you really think your current condition would impress someone like him?"
"I'm afraid if you try to make him your husband, you'll end up getting killed instead."
Katakuri knew he was taking a dangerous gamble. But better to face her wrath now than to watch the Big Mom Pirates fall apart in the future. If he could make her reconsider and join forces with Kaido to fight Kairos Flint, there might still be hope.
But Charlotte Linlin—already enraged—barely heard a word he said. Still, Katakuri's last sentence struck a nerve.
"W-What…?" Kaido stammered in disbelief. "Charlotte Linlin… Are you insane? You actually want Kairos Flint to be your husband?"
As a fellow Emperor of the Sea, Kaido stood stunned. His mental gears ground to a halt.
Charlotte Linlin was in her sixties, bloated and wrinkled—and she wanted to marry that guy?
Kaido's mind involuntarily conjured a horrifying image: the mountain-like Charlotte Linlin pinning Kairos to the ground in a "romantic" embrace. The mental picture was enough to make him lose his appetite. He shuddered.
"Why not?" Charlotte Linlin huffed, displeased by Kaido's reaction.
She had married dozens of times before and birthed an enormous brood. Why was Kaido acting so shocked now?
Katakuri, sensing an opportunity, glanced toward Kaido.
Kaido understood immediately. He gave Katakuri a look—and a silent agreement passed between them.
"No, no—I support you," Kaido said, forcing a grin. "If you marry Kairos Flint, peace might finally come to the world."
Charlotte Linlin's mood instantly lifted. She hadn't expected her old friend to support her like this. Her confidence surged.
Katakuri stepped forward. "Mom, I support you too. If you marry someone as strong as Kairos, the children you'll have will definitely be incredible."
Even as the words left his mouth, Katakuri's chest twisted with discomfort. It felt awful to lie so shamelessly.
But Charlotte Linlin lit up, and the violent aura around her dissipated. Her terrifying energy dissolved into a pleased smile.
Outside, her children—who had been trembling with fear—finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed things were moving in the right direction.
But Katakuri wasn't done. "Mom," he added, "you know how strong Lord Kaido is—and even he lost to Kairos and came back missing an arm."
"If someone like him couldn't win, what makes you think Kairos will agree to be your husband? What if… he rejects you?"
It was a trap, and Charlotte Linlin stepped right into it.
Her smile froze.
At that moment, a broken mirror reflected her current appearance.
Gone was the once-beautiful youth she remembered. Now, at sixty, she was a bloated, sagging shadow of her former self.
Kairos Flint was constantly surrounded by young, beautiful women. Why would he ever say yes to her?
"Waaaah! Where did my youth go?! No, no, no—I want to be young again! I want to be as radiant as I used to be!"
She was once stunning—truly a beauty in her prime.
If only she could return to that version of herself, she was sure she could win Kairos over.
Kaido looked at her pitifully. Her obsession with age had become laughable.
Katakuri saw his chance.
"Mom," he said seriously, "I actually know a way to make all your dreams come true—to make Kairos Flint yours."
"To make him your obedient husband and even father your children."
Linlin's tear-streaked face lit up like a child discovering candy. She rushed to him eagerly.
"What way? Tell me, now!"
Seeing his mother so desperate, Katakuri continued with confidence.
"Based on the intelligence we have, the reason Kairos is so powerful is because of his strange Devil Fruit ability."
"Even though we don't fully understand how he uses so many different powers, one thing is certain—it's still a Devil Fruit."
"And all Devil Fruit users are vulnerable to two things: seawater and seastone."
"If we can suppress him with seastone, his powers will drastically weaken. He won't be able to use his fruit properly—and without that strength, he won't stand a chance against you or Lord Kaido."
"When that happens, you can capture him. He'll be scared of you, and whatever you command, he'll follow."
"Wouldn't that be the perfect way to fulfill your wish?"
Katakuri laid out the plan in one breath.
Kaido's eyes lit up.
"Gao Kai, thank you for the 100 VIP reward ticket! Much appreciated!"
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