Just as the Golden Lion and Big Mom were about to make their move, the people from Hachinosu surrounded them.
Roy stood in front, Bullet to his right rear, Hawk Eyes to his left rear, and Crocodile and Kuma on the flanks.
Tesoro hovered in mid-air, golden lightning crackling around him, sealing off the sky above.
After a brief hesitation, Kaido transformed into his half-human, half-beast form and stood to the side.
Further out, Kyros, Moria, and Lucci stood in separate positions, forming a tight encirclement.
Ten people surrounded Golden Lion and Linlin.
Linlin glanced around at the enemies, a bead of cold sweat sliding down her forehead.
Normally, she wouldn't be afraid at all.
With its Iron Balloon body and the power of the Soul-Soul Fruit, even if it can't win a fight, it won't be unable to escape.
But things are different now.
After fighting for a day and a night, Prometheus's strength was mostly depleted, and his flames were not as intense as before.
Zeus's speed has also slowed down considerably, and Napoleon's blade is not as sharp as before.
In this state, she couldn't possibly take on ten opponents.
And—she glanced at Kaido's position.
Kaido stood to the side, neither blocking her in front nor behind.
He didn't join the encirclement, but he also showed no intention of helping her.
Linlin's heart sank.
The situation is even worse for the Golden Lion side.
He only had one floating Sky Island left, and it was dilapidated with gaps all over the edges, making it difficult for people to stand on it.
His physical strength had reached its limit, and his hand holding Oto was trembling slightly.
But the expression on his face remained defiant.
"Hahahaha!"
The Golden Lion burst into laughter.
"Ten people surrounding the two of us? You think too highly of me!"
Roy didn't laugh.
He looked at the Golden Lion, then at Linlin, and spoke.
" Golden Lion, you can leave now."
The Golden Lion's laughter stopped abruptly.
He squinted. "What did you say?"
I said you can leave.
Roy repeated himself, his tone as flat as if he were simply saying the weather was nice today.
What happened today has nothing to do with you.
"Go ahead, I won't stop you."
The Golden Lion stared at Roy, seemingly trying to determine if he was telling the truth.
Roy's decision to let the Golden Lion go was clearly well-thought-out; capturing the Golden Lion would have been incredibly easy for Hachinosu.
However, with the Devil Fruit Awakening ability, Golden Lion might become a transport captain in the future.
Even if Roy were to defeat Golden Lion now and extract the fruit, he wasn't sure if the next generation of Float-Float Devil Fruit User would be able to Awakening the fruit within ten years.
Roy was confident he could easily control Golden Lion, the head of the transport team.
The Golden Lion was silent for a moment, then laughed.
"Hahaha! Good! Good lad!"
Golden Lion put away Oto and the Kogarashi.
"I came here for Pluton in the first place. Since I didn't get Pluton, I'm not going to bother fighting you guys."
He glanced at Linlin, his eyes showing neither guilt nor gloating, only the cold indifference of two great pirates.
"Old woman, good luck to you."
The dilapidated floating Sky Island beneath the Golden Lion's feet suddenly rose into the air at an astonishing speed.
Pebbles from the island were flung down, scattering all over the ground with a crash.
The floating Sky Island disappeared into the clouds.
The Golden Lion ran away.
Now, only Charlotte Linlin remains.
The Big Mom gripped Napoleon tightly, Prometheus's flames flared up, and the Inazuma on Zeus's body also shone brighter.
But everyone could see that it was just the last gasp of a spent force.
Roy didn't rush to make a move.
He looked at Linlin and asked calmly, " Big Mom, do you think you'll be able to walk today?"
Linlin looked around.
Bullet stood to the right rear, his body covered in tiger stripes, his amber vertical pupils filled with murderous intent.
Hawk Eyes stood to the left rear, Black Blade Yoru was already drawn, the tip pointing diagonally at the ground.
Crocodile and Kuma stood on either side, their Sand Blades gleaming coldly in the morning light, and their Air Cannons already gathering in their palms.
Tesoro hovered in mid-air, golden lightning forming an electric net around him.
Kaido stood to the side, showing no intention of attacking, but also no intention of stepping aside.
There were three more people on the outer circle, blocking every possible escape route.
Linlin took a deep breath.
"Mama--"
Her voice suddenly filled with a smile, a smile so sweet it gave you goosebumps.
" Kaido, do you still remember back then?"
Kaido frowned slightly. "What?"
"Back in the God Valley, it was I who gave you the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon."
Linlin's voice softened a bit.
"Back then, you had just Rocks Pirates and didn't know anything. It was the leader who protected you and taught you how to survive in the Rocks Pirates."
Kaido fell silent.
Images from that year flashed through his mind.
When I was young, I was just an apprentice member of the Rocks Pirates, and I knew nothing and could do nothing.
Although Linlin has a bad temper, she is actually quite good to him.
That Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon was indeed given to him by Linlin.
Kaido remembered this kindness for decades.
"Over the years, the boss has never asked you for a favor for this."
Linlin continued,
"Today, I'm begging you this once—please say a word for me."
She looked at Roy: "Tell this kid to let me go."
Kaido's grip on his spiked club tightened slightly.
He opened his mouth, looking at Roy: " Roy, Linlin, she..."
"No," Roy interrupted him.
The tone left no room for negotiation.
Kaido's face darkened.
Roy looked at him, his eyes calm but firm.
" Kaido, ever since the Pure Gold Incident, Big Mom has been an enemy of Hachinosu."
She's targeted Hachinosu time and again; I can't let that go unpunished.
"I understand your position, but this is a matter for Hachinosu."
Kaido fell silent.
His face looked very pale.
Linlin had been kind to him; that's a fact.
Roy is his ally, that's a fact.
He didn't want to offend either side.
The silence lasted for several breaths.
Then Kaido deep breath and turned to Linlin.
" Linlin."
His voice was much lower than usual.
I've always remembered the kindness I felt for that fruit back then.
The biggest help I can give today is to not interfere.
Linlin's expression changed.
" Kaido! You—" Linlin's voice suddenly became shrill.
"I can also guarantee it,"
Kaido continued, his voice drowning out Linlin's.
"Let your children leave safely."
He pointed to the Totto Land fleet retreating on the ice in the distance.
"Not a single one of your men will be missing today."
I keep my word.
"But you yourself--"
Kaido paused,
Whether you can leave or not depends on your own abilities.
Kaido speaking, he took a few steps back.
He still held his spiked club in his hand, but he was no longer standing in the encirclement, nor was he standing next to Linlin.
He stood in the middle, making his position clear.
Linlin's expression changed repeatedly.
From anger to disbelief, from disbelief to despair, from despair to madness.
"Mama--Mama!!"