"Officer Linlin!" Luo Tian sprang to his feet, moved in a flash, and ducked straight behind Shiki and Newgate.
Then he pointed at the two men, whose expressions had turned from bewilderment to dawning alarm.
"Look at them—their physiques are so strong and imposing! Their power is unmatched! And they're so experienced!
"Most importantly, they're in the prime of their lives, at their strongest and most energetic!
"Any children you had with them would have excellent genes and extraordinary talent. They'd be born strong!
"Honestly, they're the best choices!
"Compared to them, I'm still too young and not mature or steady enough. I might not be to your taste! You should find someone like them!"
Luo Tian put on a sincere expression, as if he were thinking only of her and her future children.
Sure enough, after hearing Luo Tian's "well-reasoned" analysis, Charlotte Linlin blinked and found herself agreeing.
A mountain of muscle and strength that stood at the pinnacle of the seas really were essential qualities for raising outstanding offspring.
Luo Tian was young and handsome, but compared to Newgate and Shiki, his strength did seem a little "insubstantial."
Could looks put food on the table? Charlotte Linlin cared more about strength.
Her eyes lit up. Her burning gaze immediately shifted away from Luo Tian and landed on Newgate and Shiki.
It was even hotter and more predatory than when she'd been staring at Luo Tian!
Shiki and Newgate had been about to settle the score with that brat Luo Tian and demand to know why he'd "redirected the trouble" toward them, when they suddenly felt Charlotte Linlin's ravenous gaze.
Both men shuddered, their faces turning pale in an instant.
The terrifying memories of being "courted" by Linlin back then flooded their minds.
Almost in unison, they sprang out of their seats and bolted toward the open castle gates without daring to look back, moving with astonishing speed.
"Shiki! Newgate! Don't run! Don't you think Luo Tian makes a good point?
"This is the prime age for having children. If you miss these next few years, there's no guarantee the genes will be as good!"
Charlotte Linlin hurried after them, calling out as she ran.
"Linlin! Go find Shiki! He's more experienced!" Whitebeard's voice rang out from far away, without a moment's hesitation throwing the blame onto Shiki.
"Bullshit! Newgate, you're talking nonsense! Linlin, just look at Whitebeard's build, those muscles—he's twice or even three times as big as me!
"You can't go wrong with him! His kids will definitely be stronger than yours or mine!"
Shiki's furious voice rang out from another direction, just as loudly.
"Neither of you is getting away! Get back here and make me a few babies before you go...!"
Soon, a chase was underway on Beehive Island.
Listening to their voices fade into the distance, Luo Tian swallowed hard and nervously wiped nonexistent cold sweat from his forehead.
Nearby, John, Silver Axe, Ochoku, and the others were drinking. Though they'd barely said a word the whole time, their eyes were full of sympathy—and a hint of schadenfreude.
"Hahaha... You're quite the character, kid.
"Shiki and Newgate had only just managed to escape Linlin's clutches for a while by going out to plunder. Now you've ruined it all with one sentence! This ought to be fun to watch!"
Silver Axe slapped his thigh and roared with laughter.
Back then, they too had refused Charlotte Linlin's invitation without hesitation, doing everything they could to turn her down.
Though Linlin was powerful and had a beauty and figure that were the envy of all, these ambitious men had no "romantic interest" in her.
They only pursued tangible wealth, power, and strength. Even if they were looking for women, they wouldn't choose someone like Charlotte Linlin, whose motives were so obvious and who might come with complicated entanglements.
Luo Tian took a deep breath to calm himself, then picked up his glass and walked over to Silver Axe, wearing a helpless smile.
"Sorry for the trouble, Officer Silver Axe. I didn't expect to get this kind of 'special attention' from Officer Linlin right after joining—before I'd even had a chance to settle in."
Silver Axe raised his glass in reply. "I understand, I understand! We've all been through it.
"You're quick on your feet, kid! Come on, let's have a drink!"
Though he'd once opposed Luo Tian becoming an officer so soon, he now had a little more respect for Luo Tian's strength and quick thinking.
After a few more glasses of strong liquor and a brief chat with Silver Axe, John, and the others,
Luo Tian reckoned it was about time, so he got up and excused himself, leaving the noisy hall in the central castle.
He decided to go look for Shiki.
He was still interested in staying aboard Shiki's ship for a while and sparring with him in swordsmanship.
He hadn't gotten the chance to agree earlier, because Charlotte Linlin had interrupted them.
By now, Shiki and Newgate must have used their skills and speed to get away from her, right?
Perhaps they were hiding in some corner, drinking to calm their nerves.
Mulling this over, Luo Tian headed toward the harbor where Shiki's flagship, the Flying Fleet, usually docked.
The open-air banquet outside the castle was even rowdier than inside. Bonfires blazed.
Pirates drifted from table to table, drinking heavily, slinging their arms around each other as they boasted and joked. The air was thick with the mixed scents of roast meat and alcohol.
Not long after Luo Tian left, one of the officers glanced at several others slumped nearby, already drunk and snoring like thunder.
His eyes flickered.
Pretending the alcohol had gone to his head and that he needed to relieve himself, he swayed to his feet and left the bustling banquet.
After winding through several turns and making sure nobody was following him, he reached a secluded stretch of coast sheltered from the wind.
Under the moonlight,
he warily glanced around again, then quickly ducked behind a massive boulder and pulled an encrypted Den Den Mushi from his clothes.
He took a deep breath, then dialed a certain number with practiced ease...
At the same time, at Marine Headquarters in Marineford.
The Fleet Admiral's Office was brightly lit.
Kong was discussing important matters with three members of the Navy's current golden generation—Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr.
"Recently, the Rocks Pirates' power in the New World has been expanding ever more brazenly. They're practically acting without restraint."
Sengoku tapped several Marine Bases marked in red on the map with his Tact.
"Our G-1 through G-5 branches in the New World are under unprecedented pressure. Our supply lines are frequently attacked, and the morale of the garrisons is low.
"The Rocks Pirates' reach is steadily squeezing us out of our own territory. Many countries and forces that were previously sitting on the fence are starting to waver, too.
"Our presence in the New World is almost nonexistent."
"Just as Sengoku said." Zephyr nodded gravely.
"The Rocks Pirates have more than just that monster, Rocks D. Zebek.
"His officers, such as Edward Newgate, Golden Lion Shiki, and Charlotte Linlin,
"are all powerful enough to stand on their own—and even to destroy islands.
"They're steadily pulling ahead of us in both the quality and quantity of top-tier fighters.
"Even more troublesome is their supply of fresh blood.
"The G-3 branch recently sent back top-secret intelligence about a monster they'd just recruited, a newcomer called 'Kaido.'
"His bloodline is suspected to be that of the Oni Race, and his physical strength is beyond belief.
"On his own, he can withstand attacks from three Vice Admirals from a New World branch.
"They're still recruiting monsters of that caliber!"
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