"I didn't mean to mock him. On the contrary, I think the title 'Thunder God'... is pretty good!"
His eyes flashed with light as he said excitedly:
"I've decided! From now on, Charlotte Linlin will be the 'Thunder God' of our Rocks Pirates! That fellow Newgate will be called the 'God of Destruction'! Shiki can be the 'God of the Sky'! And as for me—"
He spread his arms, his aura soaring to the heavens, "—I am the 'God Above Gods' who reigns over all gods! Wuhahahahaha!"
"Did you... come here with such fanfare just to say such boring, stupid things?"
A cold female voice, carrying a hint of weakness, came from behind Gloriosa and Gölz.
Everyone looked toward the sound and saw that Big Mom had appeared at some unknown point.
She was wearing a light purple bodysuit that outlined her breathtaking curves, her right hand resting casually on the hilt of the nodachi at her waist.
At the same time, no one noticed that the red flower tattoo on her right wrist, covered by her clothes, was emitting a faint red light.
"Linlin (Lord Thunder God)! You're awake!" Gloriosa and Gölz cried out in surprise and joy, their tense nerves relaxing significantly.
"Yes, thank you for your hard work."
Big Mom nodded slightly to them, her gaze softening for a moment before turning back to Rocks, becoming calm and deep.
"I'll take it from here."
She had actually been startled awake by Rocks' Haki when he released it. The reason she only appeared now was that she spent some time looking for her missing top after waking up; she couldn't exactly rush out half-naked and embarrass herself, right?
Although she still didn't find it in the end, she only rushed over after using her 'divine equipment'.
"Not bad! Not bad at all!"
Rocks looked Big Mom up and down, his eyes sparkling like he had discovered a treasure, even carrying a hint of gravity.
The Big Mom before him, though her face was still somewhat pale and her aura slightly weak, made him instinctively feel a potential threat.
"Charlotte Linlin, your growth rate, in some ways, even exceeds those two monsters Newgate and Shiki!"
Rocks made no secret of his admiration.
"I originally came over because I heard you killed Long Bread. While I truly don't care about the life or death of such trash, as a Captain, when a subordinate is killed, I have to follow the pirate rules and come for an explanation."
"Oh?" Big Mom's eyebrows twitched slightly. Her right hand, which was holding the sword hilt, was quietly covered in fine, blood-colored dragon scales, yet her tone remained flat.
"So, how do you plan to 'teach me a lesson'? Besides, if I remember correctly, our relationship is a partnership.
You help me block threats from the Marines and the World Government, and I put my name on your ship. When did I become a'subordinate' who needs to be at your beck and call? Crew members and subordinates are two different things."
At this moment, her will had not yet recovered from the overdraw, and she was temporarily unable to use Haki. This was also the reason she hadn't used Conqueror's Haki to resist Rocks earlier.
The only trump card she had left that could pose a threat to Rocks was 'Nothingness' in her hand.
She just wasn't sure if this trump card could defeat Rocks, because she had no memory of ever drawing 'Nothingness', though she was absolutely certain she had drawn it before.
"Even for a partner, if you kill someone who is nominally mine, you should give an account, shouldn't you?"
A look of ferocity flashed across Rocks' face.
Just as Big Mom thought the person in front of her was about to strike, Rocks' fierce expression turned into a wild, unrestrained smile.
He threw his head back and looked at the sky, his voice like a great bell:
"But—I am Rocks D. Xebec! How could I be bound by such boring rules!"
He suddenly looked at Big Mom, his gaze burning:
"I came over, firstly, to see the newly joined executive for myself, and secondly, to confirm if your strength has truly stepped into that level! Now it seems... you really haven't disappointed me!"
His gaze lingered on Big Mom's still-pale face for a moment, and he let out a sneer:
"If it weren't for your exhausted appearance, I'd really want to have a good fight with you right now! But for now... forget it. Taking advantage of someone in peril isn't my style!"
With that, Rocks turned around decisively and strode away without hesitation.
Watching Rocks' departing back, the ominous red light on Big Mom's wrist gradually faded, and her dragon-scaled right hand slowly released the sword hilt as she breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.
Now was definitely not a good time for a conflict to break out with Rocks.
"Tonight, a welcome banquet will be held on the island for the new great executives!"
Rocks' wild voice came from the distance, echoing in front of the base gates.
"If you're interested, come over for a drink and get to know the new Crew members of the Rocks Pirates."
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