"Oh my, what a disgrace."
"What are you doing just sitting there? Isn't this embarrassing enough?"
"Get out of the way!"
Charlotte Linlin grabbed the slumped Charlotte Cracker and flung him aside without hesitation.
Throughout the entire ordeal, the Four Sweet Commanders—once so feared and revered—stood frozen, stunned into silence. None of them moved, letting Linlin act however she pleased.
"Are you alright?"
Just as Cracker's head was about to slam into a wall, a soft mochi cushion suddenly formed beneath him, breaking his fall.
"I-I'm fine..."
Cracker gasped, still shaken.
"Thanks for earlier, Katakuri."
As his mind settled, he quickly recalled how Katakuri had spoken on his behalf just moments ago.
"Whatever happens next, don't interrupt," Katakuri said calmly.
"We're not the same as Ragnar. Aside from being Kaido's son, he holds another title."
"The Fifth Emperor."
Katakuri's words hung heavily in the air before he turned and resumed his position behind Charlotte Linlin, once again playing the role of her stalwart deputy.
"I understand," Cracker replied with newfound clarity, gazing at Katakuri with gratitude.
He knew that without Katakuri stepping in, even his status as one of the Four Sweet Commanders wouldn't have saved him from punishment.
At the same time, Cracker finally saw the truth clearly:
Charlotte Linlin's rare civility toward Ragnar wasn't because he was Kaido's son—but because he was on the same level as her. A Yonko.
Not just in reputation, status, and power—but also in raw strength.
"I apologize for the disgraceful display just now."
Linlin offered a thin smile, then changed the subject with deliberate intent.
"Ragnar, since Kaido has made his stance clear, what do you think of my alliance proposal?"
Seeing that Kaido had ceded the decision to Ragnar, she went straight to the point.
"Auntie Linlin, I already said it earlier," Ragnar replied.
"The New World's gotten too small. Even with just four Emperors, it's crowded. Now that there are five of us, the balance can't hold."
"The map of the New World needs to be redrawn."
His words were firm, spoken without hesitation.
"Yes, yes, I understand that much," Linlin said with an exaggerated nod.
"But my proposal isn't just about carving up the New World."
"It's about the Navy."
At the mention of the Navy, the chill in her smile returned—tainted with fury and violence.
Clearly, losing the chance to crush the other Yonko due to Kizaru and Tsuru's interference still gnawed at her.
"Paradise," Ragnar murmured, his expression unchanged.
"You really do understand me, Ragnar," Linlin said, laughing.
"Clearing out the Navy's bases in the New World might feel satisfying, but it doesn't erase the anger. And today proves something else."
"Even if most of the Navy's forces are in Paradise, they won't sit still while the two of us split the New World."
Her laughter grew sharper.
"So, Ragnar... what do you say?"
She met his gaze directly, extending her right hand toward him with painted nails and a rare look of anticipation on her massive face.
Ragnar stared at the offered hand. Without a word, he transformed—his body growing until he matched her colossal size—then raised his hand and slapped it into hers.
"Good, good! Half a month from now, I'll be hosting a tea party in Totto Land," Linlin beamed.
"You'd better show up, boy!"
"And let me tell you something—Auntie Linlin has a little surprise waiting for you~"
With the initial alliance now sealed, Charlotte Linlin's tone turned lighter, the violence fading into mirth.
"Half a month?"
Ragnar thought briefly, then nodded.
"Auntie Linlin, since you've invited me—I'll be there."
As soon as these words came out, Charlotte Linlin's smile grew even brighter.
It was clear—
She genuinely liked and appreciated the Ragnar standing before her.
"Well, well, well... let's make it a deal then."
"In half a month!"
"See you in Totto Land!"
Charlotte Linlin withdrew her hand and descended from Thundercloud Zeus onto the deck of the Queen Mama Chanter.
"I think when I return to Wano Country, I should be hearing the news of your victory, Aunt Linlin!"
Ragnar, seeing her swift and resolute manner, naturally understood what she was rushing off to do.
"Well, well, you do understand Auntie Linlin!"
Charlotte Linlin laughed.
Her sharp cackLinlin was laced with unmistakable murderous intent.
As the Queen Mama Chanter gradually disappeared into the sea, along with the rest of the Big Mom Pirates' fleet, King flew over to Ragnar—Marco, still frozen in ice, in one hand.
But just as he was about to speak, he was met with Ragnar's cold, piercing gaze.
"Huh?"
King froze for a moment. Then, as if realizing something, he quickly swallowed the words that had been on the tip of his tongue.
"Charlotte's family still has talent..."
After a pause, Ragnar whispered those words to the wind.
Visit patreon.com/ShiroTL for more chapters.