Inside the Heavenly Punishment pavilion, Charlotte Linlin gazed at the lightening sky and murmured, "It's time to let the name 'Heavenly Punishment' thunder across this sea.
Hiding on the island forever won't bring treasure or fame. Hachinosu Island is chaotic, yet it has rules—one being that food must be bought with treasure; stealing it is forbidden.
After half a month of training under Charlotte Linlin, the girls on board now have basic combat strength. They still fall short of real New World pirates, but it's time to sail; relying on the Marines' tribute will only drain our coffers.
At dawn, the frigate Charlotte Linlin had christened heavenly tribulation raised sail and left Hachinosu Island's harbor.
This time only one flag flew: the banner of the Heavenly Punishment Pirates. They sailed not for Rocks' name but to forge their own.
Every girl stood on deck; Charlotte Linlin dared not leave them on an island prowled by wolves. In the past two weeks she had dealt with lecherous pirates almost daily.
The girls wore practical clothes, faces tight with nerves, excitement, and a hint of fear. This was their first real voyage as pirates—plundering.
Charlotte Linlin stood at the prow, pink hair streaming in the wind. Looking back at the girls trying to stand straight despite their timid eyes, she said:
"Remember why we're out here! First, battle practice—see what the real sea is like! Second, seize supplies and treasure! Third and most important—spread the name of Heavenly Punishment!"
"Aye-aye, Captain!" the girls answered in unison, voices trembling yet thrilled.
"Our targets are other Pirate Crews and the royal nobles!" Charlotte Linlin continued.
"We were forced into piracy; we won't pass our misery to people like us. We'll return the evil to those who made us suffer!"
"Understood, Captain!"
This time the reply rang out sharper, firmer; the words ignited long-banked anger, and fear vanished from their hearts.
Seeing this, Charlotte Linlin nodded in satisfaction. She marveled how the training methods of her past life still worked wonders even in this pirate world.
Pity the Marines here are like the U.S. Army, palace guards who serve only the chosen few at the top.
As the ship sailed farther, Charlotte Linlin suddenly realized: Hadn't she once been nobility herself? Was this nobility leading commoners against nobility… a class betrayal?
Guided by Navigator Vina, heavenly tribulation followed a merchant-lane through the New World. Soon the lookout signaled:
"Captain Linlin! Pirate ship to port! It flies the flag of the Blood Axe Pirates!"
Charlotte Linlin arched a brow; she hadn't expected to meet pirates so easily in the New World.
"Blood Axe Pirates? Anyone know them?"
For two weeks the girls had trained by day and studied by night, memorizing data on major crews—though the Captain only taught, never memorized.
Mia answered at once: "The Blood Axe Pirates operated in the West Blue; they must have just entered the New World. Their Captain is 'Blood Axe Dalei,' bounty two hundred forty million Berries. He wields a huge blood-stained axe—hence the name."
Charlotte Linlin nodded. "Hard a-port—close the distance!"
On the other side, the Blood Axe crew spotted the splendid yet unfamiliar ship.
"Captain! Fat sheep ahead—big ship!" a crewman crowed.
Captain 'Blood Axe' Dalei, a burly brute with a giant crimson battle-axe, licked his lips.
"Heh, fresh in the New World, we've taken a merchantman, and now a pirate ship comes to us! Ready for battle, lads—seize their ship and treasure!"
The two vessels drew nearer.
When they came within sight, the Blood Axe pirates saw only young girls lining the Heavenly Punishment's deck. Laughter and crude shouts erupted.
"Hahaha! What's this? A ship full of women?"
"Is today my lucky day or what?"
"Don't be scared, pretty things—big brothers are coming!"
They dismissed the girls entirely, already imagining the "fun" to come.
Yet as the ships entered cannon range—
Charlotte Linlin's gaze at the prow turned ice-cold.
An invisible pressure, like a primordial beast awakening, surged from her toward the Blood Axe ship.
Pink lightning-like ripples flickered through the air.
Conqueror's Haki—unleashed at full power!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
In an instant the jeers and swagger on the Blood Axe ship fell silent.
Across the deck, along the mast, at the hatchways… apart from the Captain Blood-Axe and two slightly stronger officers who still leaned on their weapons and trembled upright, every last pirate sprawled like scythed wheat, eyes rolled back, silenced in instant oblivion.
The ship that had roared with noise a moment ago sank into deathly stillness.
Captain Blood-Axe stared at the towering demoness approaching and stammered, W-What Devil Fruit is this Who are you
Charlotte Linlin answered with silence.
She flicked a hand to the stunned crew behind her.
Board. Strip everything valuable. As for these pirates…
Her pale fingers drummed on the hilt of the sheathed blade.
Click. Click. Click.
Spare us please
Charlotte Linlin smiled.
Your lives can be spared.
See Even her smile is beautiful whispered Babs to Mia.
Mia flushed nodded pressed a hand to her chest.
Yes… beautiful.
To her the woman was hero not merely rescuer.
You mean it
I do.
Have you ever shown mercy yourselves
Never
Yes Yes mercy plenty
Then die.
Aye aye
Lower the gangway weapons up