The news that the Empress had decided to join Jiang Lin's crew might not have been as explosive as if Ace himself had joined, but it was more than enough to capture the attention of the reporters waiting on standby at Sabaody Archipelago.
"The Pirate Empress makes a high-profile declaration: she is joining the crew of the rookie pirate D. Jiang Lin, whose bounty already stands at 800 million berries. What kind of storm will this formidable alliance stir in the New World? Stay tuned to find out!"
"Former Warlord of the Sea Boa Hancock has cast aside her title. On the battlefield at Marineford itself, she publicly announced her decision to join D. Jiang Lin's pirate crew. What fate now awaits Amazon Lily and the Kuja? Will they draw the wrath of the World Government and other pirate powers? We will continue to follow developments closely!"
The reporters of Sabaody moved their pens the instant the Empress declared her decision. In barely a minute, they had already written eye-catching articles filled with shocking headlines and were distributing them worldwide through their channels.
Thanks to their relentless reporting, Jiang Lin's pirate crew—despite not having a name yet—had already succeeded in drawing the notice and scrutiny of every major power in the New World.
"Hahahaha! Good! Good! Good! He reminds me of myself in my youth!"
Whitebeard chuckled as he looked at Jiang Lin and the Empress beside him. His smile finally broke free and spread across his face.
"Yo, Jiang Lin—you're forming your own pirate crew now, huh?"
Luffy grinned as he punched a flying Marine soldier, laughing as he called out to Jiang Lin.
"That's the plan. But until I've gathered enough crewmates, I'll have to continue traveling with you for a while. Tell me, Luffy—will you welcome me and the Empress aboard?"
Jiang Lin's smile was calm, but his tone was serious. Though he had the intention to form his own crew and set out across the New World, he knew he didn't yet have enough members. On top of that, he wasn't well-acquainted with the New World's dangers. Charging blindly with only himself and Hancock would be reckless. For now, staying with Luffy's crew was the smarter move.
Together, they could watch each other's backs. That way, when facing threats, the risks would be shared—and far smaller. After all, the New World was not the seas they had known before. Even Jiang Lin could capsize if he let his guard down.
"Of course! Of course, I welcome you! Jiang Lin, you'll always be my crewmate!"
Luffy's arm stretched around Jiang Lin and the Empress, wrapping them tightly in his embrace.
"Uh…"
"Luffy, you…"
Because Luffy's actions were innocent, and because Jiang Lin hadn't expected him to do that, their bodies were suddenly pressed together—Jiang Lin and Hancock in full contact.
Luffy might have intended it as a friendly group hug, but the reality was that Jiang Lin and Boa Hancock's bodies pressed completely against each other.
"Whoosh!"
Fortunately, Luffy didn't hold them for long. After a goofy laugh, he quickly retracted his arms.
Luffy had stepped away, but the awkward "atmosphere" between Jiang Lin and the Empress lingered stubbornly in the air.
"That… wasn't my fault—it was all Luffy! That's right! Completely Luffy's fault!"
Jiang Lin declared righteously to the Empress. Of course, he would never admit that he had enjoyed it for a moment. No—wrong was wrong, and if punishment was due, let Luffy take the fall!
"Luffy! Taste this—Mero Mero Mellow!"
Flustered and furious, Hancock pressed her hands to her chest, forming a heart before blasting a wave of pink hearts straight at Luffy.
"Empress…"
As her attack spread out, scores of Marine soldiers were struck, their eyes glazing with infatuation before their bodies turned to stone.
"Eh? What just happened? Oh—thanks!"
Luffy, the actual target, only laughed in confusion and thanked her when he saw the petrified Marines.
"You—come with me!"
Jiang Lin scanned the battlefield, then stepped forward to take the Empress by the hand.
A frozen path appeared beneath their feet, carrying them swiftly across the bay.
"Be careful on your own. I have another crewmate to rescue."
Jiang Lin released Hancock's hand once they reached the main force of the Whitebeard Pirates. With her strength, surviving this battle wouldn't be difficult. By leading her away from the Admirals and Warlords, he ensured she'd be safer, freeing him to focus on the task at hand.
"Mm!"
Hancock let go of his hand, watching his back as he departed, her cheeks flushed red.
The battle had now reached the point where the Whitebeard Pirates were launching their all-out assault. The Marines were being driven back on every front. The pirates' faces burned with fierce determination, while the Marines looked every bit the image of impending defeat.
"Luffy, let's go rescue your brother together!"
Having just gained his first crewmate, Jiang Lin's spirits were high. He rushed to Luffy, grabbed his arm, and in a flash of yellow lightning, the two sped toward the execution platform.
"Wahahaha! Zombies, advance!"
Moria bellowed as he spotted Jiang Lin's charge, hurling his undead forward in a desperate attempt to block the way.
"Boom!"
But before the staggering zombies could reach them, a massive column of seawater slammed down, sweeping the undead aside.
"Seawater!"
Moria roared furiously as his zombies collapsed in heaps before him.
"Moria, your zombies are weak to salt, aren't they?"
A blue figure streaked across the battlefield, arriving at Jiang Lin's side with focused eyes fixed on Moria.
"Jiang Lin, Luffy—leave the zombies to me."
It was Jinbe. As a former Warlord himself, he had no trouble handling Moria.
"Thanks!"
Jiang Lin didn't bother with formalities. With a nod of thanks, he raced onward with Luffy. But just then, a Marine giant loomed ahead, swinging a massive club straight down at them.
"Crash!"
Jiang Lin swiftly swapped his Devil Fruit card, then lashed forward with his hand. Fracture lines split the air—and the towering giant, many times Jiang Lin's height, rolled his eyes back, coughed blood, and toppled like a felled tree.
"Vice Admiral!"
The Marines nearby gaped in horror at the sight, their hands trembling, their will to fight shattering. Their eyes, locked on Jiang Lin, brimmed only with fear.
"No… It's impossible… we can't defeat him!"
Some Marines threw down their weapons, fleeing in panic. If even a Vice Admiral had fallen in a single blow, what hope did they—the ordinary soldiers—have?
"What are you doing? Don't let a mere rookie decide the outcome of this war!"
As the tide of battle threatened to break, Sengoku's voice roared through a Den Den Mushi, echoing across the battlefield. At his words, the retreating Marines halted, forcing themselves to turn back.