A One-Sided Battle

The Empress's decision to join Jiang Lin's pirate crew was not quite as explosive as Ace joining it. Even so, it was enough to catch the attention of the reporters waiting on standby at the Sabaody Archipelago.

"The Pirate Empress has boldly announced that she is joining the crew of rising pirate D. Jiang Lin, whose bounty stands at a staggering 800 million Beli! What waves will this powerful alliance make in the New World? Stay tuned!"

"Boa Hancock has cast aside her status as a Shichibukai and announced on the battlefield at Marineford that she is joining D. Jiang Lin's crew! Will Amazon Lily face challenges from the World Government and major pirate crews? We'll keep following the story!"

"..."

The moment the Empress announced her decision, the reporters on the Sabaody Archipelago set to work. In just one minute, they had written detailed reports with shocking headlines and sent them across the world.

Thanks to their tireless coverage, Jiang Lin's crew had drawn the attention of powers throughout the New World before it even had a name.

"Hahaha... Good! Good! Good! That's just like me when I was young!"

Whitebeard looked at Jiang Lin and the Empress beside him. He could no longer hold back his grin.

"Hey, Jiang Lin! Are you starting your own pirate crew?"

Luffy sent a Marine Soldier flying with a punch, then grinned at Jiang Lin.

"I'm thinking about it. But until I've gathered enough crewmates, I'll have to travel with you a little longer. Would you welcome the Empress and me?"

Jiang Lin smiled at Luffy. He did want to form a crew and venture into the New World, but he did not have enough crewmates yet. Nor did he know the New World very well. Rather than wander through it with only the Empress, he would be better off traveling with Luffy and the others for now.

If they traveled together, Jiang Lin and Luffy could watch each other's backs, reducing the risks they faced. The New World was nothing like the seas before it. Even Jiang Lin could be caught off guard and brought down.

"Of course you're welcome! Jiang Lin, you'll always be my friend!"

Luffy's arm shot toward them and wound around Jiang Lin and the Empress, pulling them tight against each other.

"Mm..."

"Luffy! You..."

Luffy meant no harm, and Jiang Lin had not expected him to do that. Neither he nor the Empress reacted in time before Luffy's arm squeezed them so close that their bodies nearly pressed together.

Luffy had clearly meant to hug all three of them. Instead, Jiang Lin and Boa Hancock ended up pressed against each other.

Whoosh!

Fortunately, Luffy did not keep them wrapped up for long. He gave a goofy laugh and quickly retracted his arm.

Luffy was gone, but the strange tension between Jiang Lin and the Empress lingered.

"Um... I didn't mean to do that. It was all Luffy! That's right! It was all his fault!"

Jiang Lin addressed the Empress with a perfectly serious face. He could never admit that he had actually enjoyed it. But Luffy's mistake was still Luffy's mistake, and someone was bound to pay for it!

"Luffy! Take this! Mero Mero Mellow!"

Boa Hancock formed a heart with her hands before her chest and, flushed with embarrassment and anger, fired a barrage of pink hearts toward Luffy.

"Empress..."

As Boa Hancock attacked, countless Marine Soldiers blushed and turned to stone.

"Huh... What just happened? Oh! Thanks!"

The one person Boa Hancock had meant to hit merely looked at the petrified Marine Soldiers around him and thanked her with a goofy grin.

"Come with me!"

Jiang Lin glanced over the battlefield, then stepped forward and took the Empress's hand.

An Ice Path appeared beneath them, carrying Jiang Lin and the Empress swiftly toward the outside of the Bay.

"Be careful. I'm going to save another Crewmate."

Jiang Lin released the Empress's hand once they reached the main force of the Whitebeard Pirates. He knew she was strong enough to survive this battle. Having led her away from the Admirals and the Shichibukai, he could focus on the situation ahead.

"Mm!"

The Empress watched Jiang Lin leave. Her cheeks flushed as she answered softly.

By now, the Whitebeard Pirates had begun their all-out assault. The Marines were being driven back step by step. The pirates' faces shone with fighting spirit, while the Marines looked close to defeat.

"Luffy, let's go save your brother!"

Jiang Lin was clearly in high spirits after gaining his first Crewmate. He rushed to the rear, grabbed Luffy's arm, and turned into a streak of Yellow Lightning that sped away.

"Wahaha! Zombie Soldiers, get them!"

When Moria saw Jiang Lin charging forward, he immediately ordered the zombies before him to block his path.

Boom!

Just as Moria's Zombie Soldiers lurched toward Jiang Lin, a column of water blasted in from afar and washed over them.

"S-seawater!"

Moria stared furiously at the zombies that had collapsed to the ground, his mouth hanging open.

"Moria, your Zombie Soldiers can't stand salt, can they?"

A blue figure raced in from the distance. He stopped beside Jiang Lin and fixed his gaze on Moria.

"Jiang Lin, Luffy, leave the Zombie Soldiers to me."

Jinbe turned to Jiang Lin and Luffy. As a former Shichibukai, he had no trouble taking on Moria.

"Thanks!"

Jiang Lin did not waste time arguing. After thanking Jinbe, he charged ahead with Luffy. But at that moment, a Marine Giant swung a massive club down at them.

Crash!

Jiang Lin switched Devil Fruit Cards and made a sharp grasping motion toward the giant. Fine cracks spread through the air, and the giant—many times Jiang Lin's height—rolled his eyes back, spat blood, and collapsed.

"Vice Admiral!"

The Marine Soldiers beside the giant stared in horror. Their hands trembled, their will to fight drained away, and their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Jiang Lin.

"N-no... We can't... We can't beat him!"

Some Marine Soldiers dropped their weapons and fled. They did not want to die. If a Marine Vice Admiral could not withstand a single move from Jiang Lin, what chance did ordinary soldiers have?

"What are you doing? Don't let one mere rookie decide the battle."

Just as their lines threatened to collapse, Sengoku's impassioned voice rang out through a Den Den Mushi. At his words, the fleeing Marine Soldiers stopped in their tracks.