"Physique rivaling that of the Giants?" Gloriosa blinked in surprise, a hint of pride surfacing on her elegant face. "Even so, I doubt that even actual Giants could earn such a high bounty at just a few years old."
"You're absolutely right."
Klein spoke up. "Ordinary Giants couldn't manage that—but she's different."
"Her skin is tougher than steel. I'm not exaggerating when I say…"
"All of you put together still wouldn't be able to beat an eight-year-old girl like Linlin."
"...…"
The crowd fell silent.
That… hurt.
And coming from Klein, it wasn't something easily dismissed.
"Looks like the New World really is a den of Devil Fruit monsters. They'd barely arrived and already ran into a freak like her." Shakky exhaled cigarette smoke with a sigh.
Gloriosa furrowed her brows. "Only eight, and with talent that overwhelming… what kind of monster will she become?"
She didn't dare imagine. If Linlin had been born in the same generation as herself…
Klein.
Gloriosa's bright eyes locked onto Klein. Maybe… he was the same. Possessing that kind of terrifying, peerless strength.
She wasn't wrong. But with Linlin's innate gifts, her potential should have been even greater.
Klein chuckled nonchalantly. "Yes, her talent is indeed monstrous—arguably the strongest among all 'humans.' But…"
"Talent alone isn't enough. You also need perseverance, effort, willpower, and dreams to match it."
"Only then can you fully unleash the gifts the heavens have given you—and break past your limits!"
Gloriosa immediately rolled her eyes—an adorably elegant roll—and grumbled inwardly:
'We've spent two or three months together now… and I haven't seen you train even once.'
'Not. Even. Once.'
Room service, bath service, massage service—you've been living the high life without lifting a finger!
Given his personality, there was no way Klein had worked hard in the past either… so how did he get this strong?
So hard to figure out—
How could she understand Klein's brand of effort?
Could she comprehend Deep Blue stat allocation?
My effort is 100% pay-to-win!
"Thank you for the guidance, Mr. Klein! I'll train even harder from now on! I'll increase my daily shots by 1000!" Os declared earnestly.
With a passionate voice and burning conviction, he cried out, "I'll make the name Black Gun echo across the seas!"
Klein-sama is that strong—how could his words be wrong?
From the corner of her eye, Shakky glanced at Os and muttered in her head,
'Is he a single-celled organism?'
Still, she had to admit—Klein's words weren't wrong.
[Loyalty +...]
[Affection +...]
[...]
Another wave of gains. Klein smiled faintly.
When Affection breaks 90? That's maximum-security romance.
He doubled down with provocation:
"Linlin got a 200 million bounty at age eight—what gives you the right to slack off!?"
"How do you even sleep at night?"
"If a real powerhouse with Conqueror's Haki showed up, you'd all be on your knees in seconds!"
He couldn't help but recall—before he unlocked his cheat system...
On his first day at Marine Academy—
He was eighteen then—
Stood like an ant!
And now? Time to whip these rookies into shape!
The very next moment—
All the Marines on deck began training frantically, shouting their slogans:
"We won't be Haki-fainted Navy grunts anymore——!"
"We won't be Haki-fainted Navy grunts anymore——!"
"..."
The scene left Tom dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, Gloriosa, Shakky, and Os immediately dove into frantic training.
The truth cuts deeper than any blade.
Gloriosa was the Queen of Amazon Lily, after all. She was destined for greatness.
***
Somewhere Else in the New World...
A city burned. Flames roared as smoke blanketed the sky in a choking haze.
The world turned gray.
CRACK—
Lightning flashed. Vice Admiral Crotto rolled across the ground, struck by thunder.
The impact site erupted in a violent blast!
"Stolen Flame!"
Prometheus transformed into a pillar of fire and pierced straight through Crotto's body.
"AAAAAARGHHHH—!"
Crotto let out a blood-curdling scream. His abdomen was scorched black, the pain unbearable, blood gushing out.
The smell of charred flesh filled the air.
"Prometheus… as expected of the Homie I personally created. Heehee~"
Linlin giggled innocently, showering Prometheus with praise.
Nearby, Streusen looked panicked. "Linlin, stop daydreaming! Hurry and collect the enemies' souls!"
"Whether it's the townsfolk or the Marines—their souls are the best materials for creating Homie soldiers!"
"We can't let them go to waste!"
Bringing eight-year-old Linlin out to sea and founding the BIG·MOM Pirates was never just about treasure...
It was about souls!
"Hmm… but I've already collected so many. I haven't decided what kind of Homies to make yet."
Linlin pouted and sucked on her finger, deep in thought.
"I've got flame. I've got lightning… but I can't think of any other interesting Homies…"
Seeing her daze off again, acting all innocent, Streusen's face darkened as he barked:
"Linlin! Your dream requires an army!"
"Don't you want everyone to live together like family, in one unified nation?"
"I do! Linlin does!"
Her expression turned serious, face lighting up with innocent joy.
"Linlin wants everyone—all races—to live together, just like at the House of Lambs!"
"Everyone happy and smiling, eating yummy food together!"
"Heeheehee~"
Just as she finished giggling, her expression shifted. She turned to the terrified townspeople and Marines.
"You attacked Linlin… so Linlin has no choice but to take your souls!"
With a wave of her hand, many Marines couldn't resist as white souls were ripped from their bodies.
"Just like that~"
Watching Linlin collect souls, Streusen grinned viciously.
"Kukukuku… We'll build the great Charlotte Family together—a kingdom for all races!"
"Marines—go to hell!"
SWOOSH—
A flash of a blade.
A Marine's head flew, blood spurting from his neck like a fountain.
Streusen shouted to Zeus,
"Hey! Zeus! That Vice Admiral's injured—strike him down! His soul's sure to be strong!"
The once-white Zeus turned pitch-black, transforming into a lightning cloud crackling with electricity.
Seeing the storm cloud above, Crotto's face twisted in despair, overflowing with rage and hopelessness.
"Damn it! She's only 8 and already this monstrous! And she has a Devil Fruit!
Who the hell gave birth to such freak?!"