Rosinante suddenly surged forward, charging straight at Charlotte Linlin, his fist carrying an overwhelming, boundless momentum as it smashed toward her.
The moment his punch was thrown, a tyrannical wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted violently. The concentrated willpower seemed to take physical form as it crashed straight toward Charlotte Linlin.
Faced with such a ferocious impact of Conqueror's Haki, even Charlotte Linlin's expression changed in shock.
Fortunately, Charlotte Linlin herself was also a wielder of Conqueror's Haki. As Rosinante's pressure bore down on her, her own Conqueror's Haki was stimulated and erupted outward in response, forcefully resisting the will contained within Rosinante's punch.
Boom!
Recovering instantly, Charlotte Linlin raised her arm, Armament Haki surging over it as she blocked Rosinante's incoming strike. Their fists and arms collided head-on.
"Ah!"
"He actually attacked Mama!"
"So strong, this power!"
As the two collided, the shockwaves from their clash swept outward, flinging everything around them away. The anthropomorphic Homies caught in the blast cried out one after another as they were sent flying.
Cracks spread across the ground beneath their feet, long fissures tearing through the floor.
After that violent collision, Charlotte Linlin's face darkened considerably. Yet neither of them made another move.
"Mama!" Perospero and the others cried out in concern.
But Charlotte Linlin ignored them, her gaze remaining locked on Rosinante, dark and heavy.
After a long moment, Rosinante finally spoke. "That should count as being qualified, right?"
"Mamamama. Rosinante, I'll admit it. Your strength is indeed worthy of the title of emperor. But if you think you can compete with me in raw power, you're still far too early," Charlotte Linlin suddenly grinned. Her arm jerked, and with a burst of force she flung Rosinante away.
Rosinante spun once in midair and landed lightly on the ground.
"In terms of brute strength, I really can't compare to you. But attacking isn't just about raw power. All right, since you acknowledge it, I'll be waiting for you at the City of Nightless. As for Kaido, help me inform him as well. Given your relationship with him, it would be better if the message comes from you," Rosinante said.
He took two slow steps back and then vanished from everyone's sight.
After Rosinante left, Charlotte Linlin's body suddenly swayed, and she collapsed heavily into her chair.
"Mama, are you all right?" Seeing something was wrong, Perospero and the others cried out in alarm.
"What a domineering punch. Such terrifying explosive force. Such frightening penetrating power. Good thing I had Conqueror's Haki. Otherwise, I really would have suffered badly this time. I underestimated him," Charlotte Linlin said. As she spoke, a trace of blood appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"Mama is bleeding!"
All members of the Charlotte Family were instantly horrified.
"What are you panicking for, mamamama. When emperors of the sea fight, how could there be no blood at all? But remember this well. If you ever encounter Rosinante in the future, be extremely careful. That punch of his isn't something just anyone can withstand. This is the price I paid for underestimating him," Charlotte Linlin said as she wiped the blood from her lips.
Hearing her words, everyone in the Big Mom Pirates revealed expressions of utter disbelief.
On the seas, the only person who had ever earned such evaluation and caution from Charlotte Linlin was Whitebeard.
Now, there was one more.
After leaving Totto Land, Rosinante headed straight for the territory of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Unlike the Big Mom Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates did not have a fixed base of operations.
They were true men of the sea, almost always drifting upon the ocean. Their ship, the Moby Dick, was their home. They had no permanent residence, which made tracking them quite difficult.
However, every pirate crew in the New World had its own sphere of influence, and the Whitebeard Pirates were no exception. Thus, Rosinante flew directly toward Whitebeard's territory.
On this day, the Whitebeard Pirates were holding a grand banquet.
Aboard the Moby Dick, famous pirates from across the New World were gathered together, celebrating the joining of Thatch… no, celebrating Makugai's entry into the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Having a banquet, huh? It's really lively. I wonder if I could ask for a cup of wine," a voice suddenly rang out while everyone was drinking merrily.
The crowd turned toward the source of the voice. At some unknown moment, a figure completely shrouded in a black robe was standing at the bow of the Moby Dick.
"Who are you?" Makugai shouted angrily.
This banquet was being held to celebrate his joining the Whitebeard Pirates. Everyone had been drinking happily when this strange figure suddenly appeared and interrupted them. It immediately irritated Makugai.
Moreover, as a newcomer to the Whitebeard Pirates, this was exactly the time for him to make an impression.
This sudden intrusion felt like a perfect opportunity.
"Just a passing ordinary man. I've long heard that Whitebeard is a generous soul, so I came hoping to beg a cup of wine," the newcomer said with a smile, looking toward Whitebeard.
"An ordinary man in the New World? If you don't explain yourself clearly today, we'll have no choice but to take you down," Makugai said.
As he spoke, he drew his weapon, a Western-style sword.
At the same time, the members of the Makugai Pirates surrounding him all drew their weapons and closed in, clearly ready to subdue the intruder if he did not explain himself.
The other members of the Whitebeard Pirates watched with amused expressions, clearly ready to enjoy the spectacle.