At only eight years old, Charlotte Linlin and Streusen formed the BIG·MOM Pirates, burning, killing, and plundering across the New World.
In just a short time, her bounty had already soared to 200 million Berries!
The souls of the dead were collected and stored inside Linlin's body.
"Waaah—are we making new Homies?" Linlin's big, innocent eyes sparkled with childlike excitement.
"Heehee—"
Her eyes curved into crescent moons, her round, chubby cheeks puffed up. "Hey—Prometheus, would you like to have a friend?"
"Mama, I'd be happy to have new family, of course." A ball of flame floated beside Linlin, bearing human features and wearing a fawning expression.
The pouring rain from the sky couldn't dampen the ferocity of this flame's burn.
It thought smugly to itself: If Mama made a female Homie, I could make her my girlfriend, hehe—
"Heehee, I like the sound of that. Then let's make a new Homie family member!"
Linlin laughed happily. "That thundercloud over there—let me grant you my special soul and make you part of Linlin's family!"
In her giant hand, a brilliant white orb condensed. With a casual toss, it shot out in a beam of light toward the thundercloud in the sky.
This sight made Streusen extremely excited, joy blooming in his heart. With Linlin's talent and such a powerful Soul-Soul Fruit, she'll one day create the strongest family in the world!
"Kukukuku—"
Prometheus laughed as well.
"Mama!"
The laughter suddenly stopped.
A… male?
A male Homie!?
The cold rain pelted his face, and Prometheus's smile vanished without a trace.
The sound of Mama and Streusen's laughter rang in his ears. He only felt—
Noisy!
Annoying!
Prometheus instantly sank into utter disappointment.
Not that he really knew how he would even mate with a female Homie if there was one, but still…
The thundercloud drifted down from the sky. Granted a soul and given life, it beamed happily. "Mama, from now on, I'll be part of your family."
"From now on, your name will be Zeus!" Linlin grabbed him in her massive hand, squeezing without a thought. Zeus's face warped under the pressure, his black form turning white, yet she didn't notice.
"You are all Linlin's family!"
"Prometheus, come and say hello to Zeus!"
Prometheus lazily floated over to Zeus, smiling outwardly while cursing inwardly. Damn it, why couldn't you be female!?
I want a girlfriend!!
At that moment—
A howling wind carried a newspaper through the air. Streusen snatched it with one hand.
The bold headline read: [The Strongest Genius in Marine History: Moretti Klein!]
[Content: Klein, only eighteen years old, possesses the greatest learning talent in history. In just a few hours, he mastered the Rokushiki, and among this year's recruits, he firmly holds the number-one position.]
[His justice is 'Happy Justice.' According to interviews…]
[Klein may become the first cadet in Marine school history to graduate early!]
"The strongest genius in Marine history?" Streusen shook his head, glancing proudly at the giant Linlin beside him. "Linlin is the real strongest genius on these seas!"
Never had he seen such a "monster," such a "freakish" talent.
No matter the enemy—pirate or Marine—their attacks on Linlin were like tickling her, unable to harm her at all.
Those enemies were defeated with ease.
And now, she was… only eight years old!
In Streusen's mind, no one in the seas could match Linlin in talent.
He stared at the photo in the newspaper. The handsome face meant nothing to him; the key was—
"This Marine's talent may be beneath Linlin's, but it's still far beyond anyone else's. If he and Linlin had a child…"
"…the talent would be extraordinary!"
Folding the newspaper, he tucked it into his pocket and looked at Linlin. She's only eight now. Once her body matures and her strength grows, it'll be time to create the great Charlotte family!
He worried that if she bore children too young, it might affect her growth.
Just wait ten more years.
At eighteen, she could begin building the glorious, unparalleled Charlotte family!
Hive Island, Hachinosu.
The sky was clear, the sun shining bright.
Even in daytime, the bars were packed with rowdy pirates drinking and shouting—more lively than any marketplace.
One tall, broad-shouldered man with a golden mane like a lion's held a newspaper in one hand, a cigar in his mouth.
"Jiehahahaha—"
"The most talented Marine in history, eh?"
"I'd love to meet this guy out at sea and see if he's all talk or the real deal!"
A pirate beside him teased, "Oi, oi, Shiki1—what kind of guy could compare to a monster like you?"
"Rokushiki is nothing—your swordsmanship can cut through anything!"
Pouring Shiki a drink, the pirate laughed. "So, when are we doing another big job?"
"Zehahahaha—" Shiki drained the bottle in one gulp, leaning back in his chair with a domineering air. "Petty jobs are boring… far too boring."
In his mismatched eyes glimmered a hint of madness—and a boundless ambition.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Klein had expected the newspaper to raise his profile, but he didn't think it would draw the attention of certain "acquaintances."
Right now, Instructor Carter was publicly announcing: "Klein will take his early graduation exam in three days. The exam will be personally conducted in one-on-one training by Vice Admiral Kong!"
"???"
Klein was stunned. "Wait, wasn't Kong a Rear Admiral before? Now he's a Vice Admiral?"
That was… fast!
But what shocked him more was that his graduation exam would be personally overseen by Kong.
Me? One-on-one with Kong?
As he was still processing this, the other cadets erupted in chatter.
"Early graduation after just one year—genius is genius!"
"Kong? The one they call 'Steel Bone'? Hahaha—Klein's gonna get beaten black and blue!"
"Klein's finally graduating, thank goodness. If he stayed any longer, I'd go broke!"
"That monster leaving is the best thing—having him around was way too depressing!"
"We've always watched him beat us easily. Now we'll finally see him get crushed. This is one test we can't miss!"
"…."
Many cadets hoped Klein would graduate soon. Sengoku was one of them. "The sooner the better—this guy's presence in the school is just…"
"…a constant blow to our confidence!"
Rokushiki, swordsmanship, Conqueror's Haki—Klein was leagues ahead in everything.
It was like having a mountain pressing on his chest, with no hope of surpassing it anytime soon.
And lately… Klein seemed different somehow, though Sengoku couldn't say how.
Eating more, sleeping soundly…
Even when he put in minimal effort during exams, he was still number one, steadily growing stronger.
Sengoku knew Klein liked to "hide his strength." Who knew how strong he really was now?
No one had seen him go all-out.
Thinking on this, Sengoku couldn't help but smile. "If Kong himself is taking him on, maybe he'll force Klein to show his true power."
"Let's see him taste defeat for once!"
Sengoku's mood instantly improved.
Meanwhile, Garp sat frowning, scalp prickling in dread. "Ahhh—"
"If Bro graduates, who's gonna teach me Fistbone!?"
Sengoku twitched at that, glancing at Garp's head and recalling the sight of it covered in lumps.
This guy… has my brother developed a masochistic streak from Klein's 'training'?
Klein was truly terrifying.
Hurry up and graduate, you damn monster!