"With Mr. Klein's strength, he's more than qualified to be our teacher. Besides..."
"I heard that back in the Marine Academy, he even started his own training class and taught other cadets from the same year!"
Os spoke with glowing excitement, but a moment later, his expression dimmed in disappointment. "It's just a shame that Mr. Klein can't snipe..."
"...." Gloriosa was speechless. Klein was already an all-rounder. If he could snipe too...
Wouldn't that make him a literal bard-god?
That would just be too ridiculous!
Outside the town, the open field no longer had any flowers or greenery.
Only craters covered the ground—
Traces left by battle.
Linlin, who had been brutally beaten, slowly regained her senses. "Ow... That hurts... Why is Linlin hurting...?"
All her life, she'd never felt physical pain.
Only hunger.
Now, every part of her body Klein had struck was aching. She had no memory of anything that happened while in her berserk state.
Of course, she still remembered that Klein had killed Streusen, and she glared angrily, demanding, "Klein, why did you kill Streusen?! He was Linlin's family!"
"Linlin, he was only using you. Have you forgotten the Sister and the friends at the House of the Lamb?" Klein stepped closer.
"The Sister... and..." Linlin's eyes welled up as fragmented memories resurfaced, her expression shifting to sadness.
Klein continued, "But why did they all disappear for no reason? And how come Streusen just so happened to show up after that?"
"And that frog guy with the creepy hands was always touching your stomach..."
"In other words, it was Streusen who killed everyone!!"
His voice rang out like a hammer striking Linlin's soul.
Well...
They were all dead anyway. Might as well pin it all on Streusen.
If Streusen were still alive, he'd be cursing Klein as the most shameless bastard to ever live!
"Streusen...?" Linlin froze. Recalling the scene back then, it did seem like only Streusen and herself were present.
Sensing her hesitation, Klein pressed further, "He took you to sea, committed countless crimes, made you a wanted pirate, and kept all the treasure for himself..."
"Also, he promised to build a loving, united nation. But years have passed, and there hasn't been any progress."
"You were just a tool for him—"
Linlin's face contorted with fury. "Streusen is a bad guy! He tricked Linlin!"
"Waaahhhh—!!"
She burst into tears, her cries like thunder, each falling teardrop the size of a soccer ball, quickly forming a small lake.
At that moment, Klein leapt onto her shoulder and gently stroked her head. "Don't be sad. I'm Linlin's future husband, remember? I'll help you achieve your dream!"
"When you're done crying, eat something."
He pulled food from a storage scroll and brought it to her lips.
As expected, she immediately stopped crying.
"Like the senbei?" Klein asked gently.
Linlin nodded, breaking into a teary smile. "It's yummy. Just not enough."
The senbei was originally made for Klein himself—normal size, of course—so the portion wasn't anywhere near enough for Linlin.
Small as they were, they came in great quantity.
After all, he'd made them to kill time and break records during voyages.
Senbei: always effective.
Klein smiled faintly and thought, 'To win a woman's heart, you must first win her stomach.'
Of course, he knew that kind of talk was cliché.
Still... it did seem to work on Linlin.
"Take your time. I've got plenty more. Enjoy the flavor—it's not just about satisfying hunger," he said gently, refraining from stuffing them all into her mouth at once.
Now and then, he even handed her some milk, until milk froth clung to the corners of her mouth.
Os walked over, brows furrowed with concern. "Mr. Klein, are you really planning to take her back with us?"
"She's a pirate... with a bounty over 200 million…"
And they were Marines.
If word got out, the consequences could be severe.
"I've got it covered." Klein flashed a mysterious grin and pulled out a scroll.
C-rank Ninjutsu: Mist World!
A technique made from the Smoke-Smoke Fruit, used to generate smoke and obscure vision.
As Klein pulled out yet another mysterious scroll, Gloriosa's pupils contracted. She couldn't help but ask, "Klein-sama... Are you a Devil Fruit user?"
"That's right. I ate the Paramecia-type: Scroll-Scroll Fruit. I'm a Scroll Man." Klein gave the standard One Piece-style answer.
Since he wasn't saying it to an enemy, he didn't mind revealing it. People would find out sooner or later.
It would be idiotic to loudly announce your powers in a real fight like some prenatal-stage pirate.
Shakky parted her lips and asked, "So your ability is to absorb attacks into scrolls and store them for use in battle?"
"You all saw it, didn't you?" Klein chuckled. "Now get back to the ship."
Once Os and the others boarded the warship, Klein used the scroll to cloak himself and Linlin in mist.
Watching Linlin munching on senbei happily, he thought, 'This is the only way for now. After a few years, when she looks different, no one will recognize her.'
Ability Change: Horm-Horm Fruit!
"Linlin."
Hearing her name, Linlin turned her head and looked at Klein with big, innocent eyes. "Klein, do you want some senbei too?"
"Listen, Linlin. You're a pirate, and I'm a Marine. Taking you back…"
Before he could finish, her amber-brown eyes welled up with tears.
She begged with teary eyes full of pleading and sorrow: "Don't leave Linlin behind, please!"
"I won't leave you behind. You're my future wife! What kind of husband would abandon his wife?" Klein quickly comforted her.
Linlin wiped her eyes.
"What I mean is, I have a way to change your gender. Once you're older, I'll change you back. That way we can stay together—" Klein said with a smile.
Of course, this was just a temporary measure. If he had his own territory, he'd let her return to normal sooner.
But…
For now, he planned to keep her close and train her—teach her how to control her power and avoid going berserk.
The one thing that did concern Klein: Linlin had likely eaten the Sister, gaining her abilities. But was the Sister's consciousness still inside her?
And would it affect her?
These were things Klein had to keep an eye on.
Still, Linlin was truly a kind and gentle soul. She'd become friends with Tama, and even took care of Kaido when he first joined the Rocks Pirates.
After her defeat, Kaido had mourned her loss.
As for gender, Linlin had a vague understanding, but not much. She laughed innocently and looked at Klein with eyes full of hope and trust:
"Klein, will you help me build that dream nation?"
"Of course!"
Klein beamed, eyes shining with confidence and pride. "I'm your husband, after all!"
"Then it's a promise!" Linlin grinned, her eyes curling like crescent moons, looking adorably obedient.
[Friendship established with Charlotte Linlin. Current Affection Level: 62]
Klein's fingers grew needle-sharp as he stabbed toward Linlin—
"Male Hormones!"
Clang—!!
A metallic spark flew out at the point of contact. Klein's face went dark.
"Damn it. I can't stab it in?!"