"Uh... no need to trouble yourself. I... it's nothing major..." At this moment, Lodar's somewhat weak but clearly conscious voice came from the bottom of the pit. He was seen struggling to prop up his upper body with his arms. Although his face was pale and traces of blood still hung from the corner of his mouth, he had indeed regained consciousness.
Seeing this, Charlotte Linlin couldn't help but feel moved. "The recovery and durability of Zoan Type Ability Users are truly abnormal..."
After taking a heavy blow from her that was enough to crack the ground, he had actually recovered after only a brief period of unconsciousness. But on second thought, she herself was an even rarer Mythical Zoan Type, so she didn't seem to have the right to talk about others... Some time later, inside the main hall that originally belonged to the "Giant Crocodile" Pirates.
Lodar and his three cadres—Skinny Monkey, Fat Ball, and Quick Blade, who had already woken up but was covered in bandages and looked quite unwell—sat somewhat uncomfortably in the lower seats. In the main seat, Charlotte Linlin sat there in a relaxed and easy manner, her huge nodachi "Nothingness" leaning casually against the armrest.
The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat subtle; the losers were waiting for the winner's judgment.
Lodar took a deep breath and broke the silence, his tone carrying awe and a hint of confusion:
"I wonder... Captain Linlin, did you keep us here specifically because you have further instructions?"
He had originally thought the other party would just kick them out after seizing their territory, but he hadn't expected her to wait until they had treated their injuries before calling them over.
Charlotte Linlin tapped the armrest lightly with her finger, her gaze scanning the four people below as she spoke directly:
"I see that you guys have decent strength, and your coordination is somewhat interesting. How about it? Are you interested in joining my command?"
Before this morning, she had indeed wanted to form a Pirate Crew consisting entirely of beauties, but the attack on Vina and the others made her realize that she now needed some people to protect this group of Damselettes who had not yet grown up. Otherwise, it would be impossible for her to go out and subdue her targets in the short term.
Lodar and the other three were stunned upon hearing this, glancing at each other and quickly exchanging looks.
An invitation to join?
After a brief silence, Lodar spoke as their representative. He first cupped his fists respectfully, his tone carrying a bit of flattery:
"Captain Linlin is powerful and famous throughout Hachinosu Island. To receive a personal invitation from you is truly a blessing for us. We are overwhelmed by the favor..."
He then changed his tone, a look of extreme difficulty and apology appearing on his face:
"It's just... Captain Linlin, I am truly extremely sorry. The few of us have long since set a goal; we only wish to join Lord Edward Newgate's command and become his subordinates. This wish has not changed to this day, so... we can only fail to live up to your kind intentions, Captain Linlin."
Skinny Monkey, Fat Ball, and Quick Blade also hurriedly nodded along, their expressions uniformly saying, "It's not that you're not good, it's that we have our difficulties."
Charlotte Linlin raised an eyebrow. "What? Are you worried that I'll use you as cannon fodder like Shiki does?"
She waved her hand. "You can rest assured on that point. If you join my command, your main task will be to help me guard this territory on Hachinosu Island and protect my Crew members who temporarily have no combat power. I won't send you on any suicide missions."
Hearing this, the eyes of Lodar and the others flickered slightly. To be honest, this condition sounded quite good; it was both safe and gave them actual power and responsibility. It was even much better than they imagined it would be under Newgate, where they might have to start from the bottom. Their hearts did indeed waver for a moment.
But when they looked up and once again saw the pink-haired Female Giant in the main seat—with her stunning looks, hot figure, and powerful aura—that trace of wavering was quickly suppressed by another deep-rooted concept. The several men exchanged another look, and all saw the same thought in each other's eyes.
Lodar gritted his teeth and prepared to refuse again. "Captain Linlin, we..."
"Enough." Charlotte Linlin interrupted him, a flash of understanding and slight displeasure in her purple eyes.
Just now, her Observation Haki, which could perceive emotions, had captured their brief moment of attraction followed by a deeper resistance.
That wasn't out of concern for the future, but a near-instinctive contempt and unwillingness to yield based on gender—in the end, they still felt that submitting to a woman was something that wasn't very honorable. Even if this woman was strong enough to easily crush them.
Since they weren't sincere, there was no point in forcing them to stay.
Charlotte Linlin instantly lost interest in recruiting them, and her tone turned cold. "Forget it. Since your hearts belong elsewhere, I won't force you. You may leave."
She stood up and gave her final orders: "Immediately vacate the best building in this area and the surrounding houses for my people to move in. I'll give you one day to pack your things. By this time tomorrow at the latest, you must all have moved out of this territory. Do you understand?"
Hearing this, Lodar and the others felt a sense of relief and a vague, inexplicable sense of loss at the same time, but mostly it was like receiving a great pardon. They hurriedly stood up and responded respectfully:
"Understood! Thank you for your magnanimity, Captain Linlin! We'll get right on it!"
The four didn't dare to stay any longer. After bowing, they quickly retreated from the hall and began organizing their subordinates to prepare for the move... The setting sun dyed Hachinosu Island in a magnificent orange-red.
Under Mia's direction, the Damselettes moved into the area vacated by the "Giant Crocodile" Pirates in an orderly fashion. Although it seemed crude compared to their former life in the kingdom, it was already a good place compared to the cramped space and wandering on the ship.
That dragon horns lightning skull flag, symbolizing the "Heavenly Punishment Pirates," was also raised at the highest point of the main building, fluttering in the wind and announcing that this territory had welcomed a new owner.
Charlotte Linlin stood on the roof of the building, which had been renamed "Heavenly Punishment Pavilion," looking out over Hachinosu Island as it was gradually shrouded in night. The noisy sounds of pirates came from the distance, and further away was the endless sea.
On the first day of arriving at Hachinosu Island, quite a lot had happened. She had met the current undisputed Emperor of the sea, fought a battle, seized a piece of territory, and hung up her own flag.
"Finally... I have a decent starting point." She whispered to herself, her purple eyes flashing with the light of ambition in the twilight.
Next would be how to consolidate this place and begin the next step of her plan.