Chapter 71: The Missing Linlin
"I don't have that many ambitions. I just want to travel the world with the people I like," Roy said with a smile, reaching out to hold Amatsuki Toki's hand.
"Hah! If I, this old man, still believe that nonsense, I'll shave my beard clean," Jorul laughed heartily.
He still remembered how Roy would tease young Prince Loki whenever he had a free moment. The little prince, only a few years old, adored him and followed him everywhere, practically worshipping him. If this went on, the future king of Elbaf might just become Roy's underling.
"Ahem, please don't misunderstand, I'm simply adorable," Roy said, pretending to be serious, puffing out his chest in front of Jorul and Jarul—two giants over three hundred years old.
Honestly, even with both of his lives combined, he wasn't close to their age. Only his hidden identity from eight hundred years ago gave him any semblance of seniority—but that was a secret he'd never dare mention.
For now, he could only play the role of a cheeky child.
"Get out of here! Who the hell lands a wife before even becoming an adult?!" Hajrudin barked, pretending to kick him.
He'd been dragged into countless schemes to help Roy "win over" his woman, earning Elbaf quite a reputation in the process. Still, for his student's happiness, he played along every time.
"My adorable little giant" Roy teased back with a grin.
"Shut up, you're insufferable!" Hajrudin snapped, his face still bruised. The memory stung—he'd once challenged Roy in a fit of pride, thinking they wouldn't see each other for years. But every few days, Roy would drop by Elbaf just to "spar." Each visit ended with him getting flattened.
"Roy! Big Brother!" a small voice cried.
Prince Loki came running up, eyes shining. "Don't go! I'll give you half of Father's throne!"
"Pfft!"
"Hahaha!"
The villagers of Elbaf burst out laughing, along with Roy, Toki, and the children of the Sheep's House.
Even the old warriors couldn't hold back their laughter.
Somewhere, the King of Giants sneezed angrily. "That brat of mine—what nonsense is he saying now!?"
"Loki, keep my notebook safe," Roy said gently, handing him a small leather-bound journal. "When you grow up, I'll come back and see if you've become a worthy king."
"I don't wanna be king!" Loki pouted, his round eyes full of defiance.
"Then how will you protect everyone?" came a booming voice from behind. Loki's father sat on a boulder, exasperated.
"Then… I'll do it!" Loki shouted, changing his mind instantly.
The king buried his face in his hands. "This child…"
Roy laughed and patted Loki's head. "Alright, it's time for us to go."
He turned, took Toki's hand, and climbed onto Horus's soft, rolling cloud. As they lifted into the sky, Roy glanced down one last time at the boy waving below.
"Take care, Loki. Let's see what kind of king you'll become."
Above, Horus soared higher and higher, the clouds swallowing them whole.
Jarul and Jorul craned their necks, watching until the figures vanished into the sunlight.
"Old man, are you crying?" Jorul asked, smirking.
"Nonsense! Just got some sand in my eyes," Jarul muttered, wiping his face.
"Me too…" Jorul murmured quietly, turning away.
At first, they had only admired Roy's potential—but over time, the clever boy had stolen both their hearts.
"I'm getting old," Jarul said softly. "I just hope that kid has a son before I'm gone."
"You idiot," Jorul snorted. "Even if he does, we're too small to hold a human grandchild!"
"You—get out!"
---
High above the clouds
Horus and Pandora burst through the mist, gliding into the open sky.
Roy and Toki nestled together on Horus's fluffy back, bathed in golden sunlight. The scene looked almost divine—their figures framed by a sea of light and drifting clouds.
"Pandora, stop fooling around!" Roy shouted behind him.
Pandora, who had turned into a miniature sun to show off, sheepishly dimmed his glow until only a soft warmth remained.
"Special effects, minus one," Roy muttered, pulling the little sun into his arms. "Better. Toki, warm enough now?"
"Mm-hm. Much better," she said, smiling and holding him close. "I didn't expect it to be so cold up here."
"Let's head toward Whole Cake Island," Roy said. Horus nodded, changing course.
His goal was clear—find Charlotte Linlin, and while at it, visit Little Garden in the first half of the Grand Line to track down Dorry and Brogy.
It had been a year since Linlin vanished, and every attempt to contact her through a Den Den Mushi had failed.
That wasn't normal.
She was his sister in all but blood—the one who had always called him "Brother." There was no way he could just ignore it.
And with the World Government still keeping their warships stationed around Elbaf, watching his every move, his worries only deepened.
He feared Linlin might have been captured… or worse, brainwashed.
When they arrived above Whole Cake Island, Pandora returned from scouting.
"How is it?" Roy asked.
"Nothing. She's still not back."
Roy frowned. "Impossible. She can't just vanish… she's Big Mom, one of the future Yonko."
He stared down at the island, his expression darkening.
"Pandora, gather information. Someone must know something."
---
Two days later
On a rowdy pirate island, laughter and drunken songs filled the air outside a tavern.
A short man in a black suit and gray cloak passed by quietly, a demon mask concealing his face. In his hand were fresh newspapers and bounty sheets—newly printed, newly deadly.
"Hey, kid," a drunk pirate called out, stumbling forward with a hiccup. "You dressin' up for a funeral? Gimme your cash."
The man didn't reply.
The pirate pressed his pistol against the stranger's back. "You deaf? I said—"
In an instant, the masked man turned, snatched the flintlock from his hand, crushed it into scrap, and tossed it aside.
The pirate blinked, confused. "Wha… my gun?"
A pale hand slipped out from under the cloak, grabbed his neck, and with a sharp twist—crack.
The man fell dead before he hit the ground.
The masked figure continued walking, unfolding a newspaper as he passed under the flickering lanterns.
Across the front page was one name in bold letters: Charlotte Linlin – Missing.
The man stopped for a moment, then lowered the paper slightly. Through the holes in his mask, his eyes glinted coldly.
"I see."
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