"Hahahahaha!"
Reno could no longer suppress the wild joy in his heart and threw his head back in laughter.
"Hey!"
"Reno, does your racial ability have any limits?"
Charlotte Linlin couldn't help but ask.
Logically, an ability this powerful should come with severe drawbacks.
If his Demon Conversion truly had no limits… just how fast would his strength grow?
"Hahahahaha!"
"Of course not!"
Reno flew up close to her, leaning in as he spoke in a low voice.
"My Linlin, I'm afraid I'll become the ruler of the world before anyone else."
"Don't worry—when that time comes, I'll crown you Queen of the Seas."
Linlin was indeed shocked that his ability had no side effects—but hearing his bold claim only made her burst into laughter, her nine tails swaying wildly in the air.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Quit dreaming, Reno!"
"You've still got a long way to go!"
Then she waved her hand toward her crew.
"Listen up, you lot!"
"Bring out all the food and booze—we're throwing another banquet today!"
"To celebrate me becoming a demon!"
"Wrrrrr!"
"Long live Big Sis Linlin!"
Cheers erupted across the deck as the pirates sprang into action.
Reno watched the lively scene and shook his head helplessly.
These pirates… if they Weren't fighting or looting, they were partying.
…Though honestly, he quite liked that.
Soon, the two ships drew together, and an even grander, more fRenozied banquet began.
The pirates surrounded Linlin—now in her nine-tailed form—marveling and praising her.
As for Reno, the man who had transformed their captain, his status skyrocketed. He was surrounded by pirates, drinking cup after cup.
In the distance, Streusen stood apart from the crowd, his long, gaunt face dark and gloomy as he stared at Reno and Linlin being celebrated.
...
Just as everyone was getting drunk, arms slung over shoulders and singing off-key—
"Buru buru buru…"
A Den Den Mushi rang inside the captain's cabin.
"Aarle, go get it!"
A scar-faced female pirate hurried inside and brought out a rather fierce-looking Den Den Mushi with two large horns.
"Captain Linlin, a call!"
Linlin grabbed it and answered casually.
"Oi, Rocks! Don't you know I'm in the middle of a party?!"
There was a brief silence on the other end.
Then a low, hoarse, yet commanding voice came through:
"Charlotte Linlin. You agreed to join my crew—why haven't you reached Beehive Island yet?"
"The first hunt is about to begin. You're not planning to be late, are you?"
In his words, the drunken haze vanished from Linlin's eyes, replaced by excitement.
"A hunt? Sounds interesting!"
She grinned, her nine tails swaying behind her.
"Relax, Rocks! I'll be there in two days! Just wait for me!"
"Hmph. You'd better."
Rocks' tone carried clear impatience.
"This hunt's target is the Heavenly Tribute."
"Get here soon, Charlotte Linlin. Let me see what your 'new generation' is worth."
Click.
The line went dead.
A brief silence fell over the deck.
Then Linlin tossed the Den Den Mushi back to Aarle and turned to her crew.
"You heard that, didn't you, you lot?!"
Her voice rang out, full of excitement.
"In two days, we're teaming up with the Rocks Pirates for a big score!"
"—The Heavenly Tribute!"
The crowd exploded.
"The Heavenly Tribute?!"
"Our first job with the Rocks Pirates is this big?!"
"That's worth tens of billions of Beli!"
Linlin laughed and raised a barrel, drinking straight from it.
"Then let's keep the party going!"
The atmosphere became even more intense than before.
...
Over the next two days:
Reno and Linlin spent their nights deepening their relationshipLinlin trained him brutally during the day
Despite getting knocked around repeatedly, Reno's control over his power improved rapidly.
Linlin also taught him Haki techniques.
Though, unfortunately for him, her teaching style was extremely… hands-on.
Still, the results were undeniable.
These two days became the most productive period of Reno's life—both in strength and experience.
...
Morning of the third day.
"Captain! Land spotted ahead!"
The lookout's voice rang out.
"It's Beehive Island! We've arrived!"
Reno and Linlin stepped out together.
On the horizon, a massive island came into view.
Its shape was eerie—it resembled a gigantic skull.
The harbor was packed with dozens of pirate ships, each flying its own Jolly Roger.
"We're here…" Linlin muttered, eyes gleaming.
Without hesitation, she unleashed her Conqueror's Haki across the island.
In an instant, countless weaker pirates collapsed unconscious.
But just as her Haki reached deeper into the skull—
BOOM!
An even more terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted in response.
It was several times stronger than Linlin's.
A voice echoed across the island:
"Welcome to Beehive Island… Charlotte Linlin."
Reno looked toward the top of the skull.
There, standing at its highest point, was a towering figure.
Bare-chested, draped in a dark high-collared coat.
His face hidden in shadow.
Yet his mere presence radiated absolute dominance—as if he ruled the world itself.