Reno saw a tall yet powerfully built woman standing at the bow.
Her long pink hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, a few strands framing her face.
Her bright amber eyes burned like fire, and her vivid red lips glistened faintly.
She wore a dark polka-dot top, draped in a captain's coat, and a black wide-brimmed hat adorned with a pirate emblem.
Charlotte Linlin!
The future Emperor of the Sea—Big Mom!
"So you didn't fall, huh..."
Charlotte Linlin looked down at Reno, the only one still standing on the deck, a hint of surprise flashing through her eyes.
Then she withdrew her Conqueror's Haki, a look of interest spreading across her face.
As the terrifying pressure vanished, Reno gasped for air, sweat dripping down his face.
Even so, his muscles still trembled, and he couldn't help swallowing nervously.
Linlin paid no mind to his disheveled state. She casually leapt down from the bow, landing heavily on the deck with a dull thud that made the entire ship sway.
"Interesting."
She walked up to Reno. The height diffeRenoce forced her to lower her head slightly to see his face clearly.
Although Reno was nearly 3.5 meters tall, he still seemed small compared to Linlin's towering height of 8.8 meters.
"You… What race are you?"
Linlin reached out, her cool fingertips gripping Reno's chin without courtesy, turning his face side to side as she examined him.
Her amber eyes gleamed with curiosity, as if she had discovered some rare treasure.
"These horns, these wings… and that face..."
Her voice carried a note of excitement.
"I've traveled the seas for years, and this is the first time I've seen a race like yours."
"And why do I feel… strangely drawn to you?"
Though still catching his breath, Reno's mind was already racing.
At this point, Linlin was about eighteen. She likely hadn't joined the Rocks Pirates yet—
But she was already a monster standing at the top of the seas.
Fighting back was out of the question. He only had Rear Admiral-level strength; Linlin was at least at Yonko-Commander level, if not higher.
Running was even more unrealistic.
So that left only one option…
Reno steadied his voice, trying to sound respectful.
"My name is Drac Reno. I'm not entirely sure what race I am either."
"I've been like this since childhood, and I've never met my family."
A lie.
But Linlin had no way to verify it—so whatever he said became the truth.
"Oh?"
Linlin released his chin but kept her gaze fixed on his face.
"You've been like this since you were little?"
"Haahaha—!"
She suddenly burst into laughter, baring her white teeth, then looked at him with blazing eyes.
"My name is Linlin. I'm a woman who will become the ruler of the seas."
"Reno—be my husband!"
…What?!
Reno's eyes widened in shock as he stared at her, almost thinking he had misheard.
"You're much better-looking than that Streusen guy!"
Linlin said with satisfaction, gripping Reno's shoulder so tightly it made him suck in a breath.
"And you can withstand my Conqueror's Haki—your potential isn't bad either!"
"Follow me, and I'll give you everything—wealth, power, status!"
Reno's mind went blank, question marks practically floating over his head.
He had thought he was done for—but instead, she was proposing?!
Looking at the pink-haired woman with the radiant smile, countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
If he refused, he'd probably get beaten half to death… and then forcibly taken anyway.
If he agreed—not only would he avoid physical suffering…
But also…
Reno discreetly glanced at Linlin's figure.
He had to admit—at seventeen or eighteen, Charlotte Linlin bore no resemblance to her later, bloated self.
Her waterfall-like pink hair, her exaggerated yet soft curves, and that stunning face—all radiated overwhelming femininity.
It stirred an instinctive urge to conquer.
"I…"
Just as Reno was about to agree, Linlin cut him off.
"Don't drag it out!"
"If I've taken a liking to you, that's your honor!"
She laughed boldly.
"It's settled!"
"From today on, you're my man!"
Reno opened his mouth, then ultimately swallowed his words.
"…Alright. I agree."
His voice was firm, without a trace of hesitation or cowardice.
"Haahaha! That's more like it!"
Linlin nodded in satisfaction.
"I like men who know what's good for them!"
"Much better than those noisy fools!"
"Come on, get on my ship!"
Hearing that, Reno quickly shook his head, glancing at his crew sprawled unconscious across the deck.
They might not be strong, but they had followed him for nearly two years—there was some bond there.
He couldn't just cling to a powerful woman and leave them here to die.
Besides, they were the team he had painstakingly built—navigator, doctor, cook—losing them would be a waste.
So before Linlin could get annoyed, he cleared his throat and spoke first.
"Linlin… since I've agreed to be your man, then my crew should naturally come under your command as well."
His tone carried less defeRenoce now, sounding more natural.
"They may not be very strong, but they are loyal to me."
Linlin raised an eyebrow, studying him with Renoewed interest.
She hadn't spared a single thought for the unconscious fodder on the deck.
But Reno's words surprised her.
This guy actually dared to make a request.
"You've got guts—I like that!"
Linlin burst into hearty laughter again, then reached out with her massive hand and wrapped an arm around Reno's waist, lifting him effortlessly.
"Fine! Since you said so, I'll take in your little crew!"
She spoke casually.
"Perfect timing—I'm heading somewhere that could use more hands."
Hearing that his crew would be spared, Reno felt a wave of relief.
Living under someone else wasn't ideal—but it was far better than dying at sea.
After all, his crew wasn't particularly strong.
Following her lead, he asked,
"Where are we going?"
"Hachinosu Island."
Linlin answered without hesitation.
"A man named Rocks D. Xebec invited me to join his pirate crew. Sounds interesting, so I'm going to take a look."
Rocks… Hachinosu…
Reno's expression turned slightly strange.
He had just ordered Rob to steer away from Hachinosu—only for it to become their destination moments later.
Noticing his shifting expression, Linlin asked,
"Scared?"
"Of course not. Being able to meet a powerhouse like Rocks makes my blood boil with excitement, Linlin."
"Haahaha! That's more like it—my Reno!"
Linlin was extremely pleased with his answer.
She admired strength and despised cowards above all else.
"Alright, let's go. To my ship."
With that, she leapt into the air while holding Reno, landing atop Zeus.
"Hey—!"
Reno had just started to speak—something along the lines of "I can walk myself"—
But Linlin gave him no chance.
The moment she stood on Zeus, she shot off toward the distant pink pirate ship.