Chapter 76: The Young Sengoku
On an island in the first half of the Grand Line, a pirate ship lay anchored by the shore. Charlotte Linlin, dressed in a red cowboy hat, stood at the bow, gazing at the doctors her Homies had gathered.
Once, she had dreamed of building a kingdom—a place of equality and warmth, like the one her beloved mother had envisioned.
But after learning of her mother's death, and realizing that Roy was her only family left in the world, that dream had shattered.
She finally understood.
The ideals of mother Carmel no longer guided her. Now, she had a simpler wish—to change herself. To lose weight, to overcome her cravings, and to become someone her brother could proudly call beautiful.
"Brother… it's not that you're unreasonable," Linlin whispered, forcing a smile as tears welled up in her eyes. "It's me who's terrible."
If she wanted to keep her brother by her side, then she'd have to become better on her own.
"This isn't about money, Charlotte Linlin! What you're doing is madness!" a doctor shouted, trembling with fear but defiant in his pride.
Her bounty had risen again—now at 800 million Berries.
At such a young age, Charlotte Linlin had surpassed every Rookie Overlord, every so-called prodigy of the era. She was a one-woman crew, a walking force of nature with the Soul-Soul Fruit.
"If I report her to the Navy… I'd be rich," the doctor thought greedily, the idea overpowering any trace of conscience.
"So annoying," Linlin muttered coldly. "If Brother didn't hate the cold-blooded Linlin… I'd kill you where you stand."
Her eyes flared as a wave of Conqueror's Haki burst forth. The doctor collapsed instantly, eyes rolling back.
Her Homies quickly dragged the unconscious man back to the ship.
"The Navy's here, Mama!" cried Zeus, floating nervously behind her.
"Oh." Linlin merely nodded. "Let's go."
"Boom!"
Zeus spat out a bolt of blue lightning. It streaked through the air and struck a Marine warship head-on. The explosion lit up the sea as the ship went up in flames.
Linlin wasn't worried about ordinary Marines. What she feared was a certain admiral—Kong coming after her again.
"Brother… don't look for me yet," Linlin whispered, adjusting her red hat. "When I've changed, I'll come find you."
The silly, smiling Linlin of the past was gone. Still young and naive, she was trying to grow up—for his sake.
Roy had promised to teach her a few things before leaving: to help renovate Cake Island, to build the "World of all Races" project they'd dreamed about.
But Linlin thought differently. If I don't see him, he won't leave yet, right?
And so, for over a year, she never once called him back. Not a single Den Den Mushi answered.
In her childish stubbornness, she wanted to make him worry, to keep him anchored in her world—just a little longer.
---
A week later.
In the pirate paradise of the first half of the Grand Line, a white cloud glided swiftly across the sea, leaving ripples in its wake.
"We've checked every island with good doctors," Roy said, resting his chin on his hand. "Next stop—the South Blue."
"I hope we can find her there," said Amatsuki Toki, her voice soft but hopeful.
"Mom will be fine!" Horus chirped proudly.
Pandora rolled his eyes. "Idiot, watch where you're flying!"
Suddenly, the sea below erupted as a massive red sea beast lunged upward. Horus swerved wildly, nearly tossing Roy and Toki off his back. Toki clung tightly to Roy's arm as the white cloud steadied itself.
"Careful, you big fluffball!" Pandora snapped.
Roy sighed. "That's what I get for traveling with talking weather."
Then, Toki leaned closer, resting her chin on his head with a teasing smile. "Tell me, will you use the same tricks you used on me… on Linlin next? Or maybe on Tsuru? Or perhaps a princess from some kingdom?"
Roy froze. How many times has she caught me off guard like this?!
"What nonsense are you spouting? I'm a gentleman!" he stammered, face turning red. "I'd never do such things!"
Toki smirked knowingly. "Oh really?"
Roy panicked and pounced, pinning her down in mock retaliation. "You're impossible, Sister Toki!"
As they playfully bickered, the clouds carried them toward the horizon.
Meanwhile, far behind them, Linlin continued her own journey—visiting every renowned doctor she could find. On their advice, she too began heading toward an island in the South Blue.
Fate, it seemed, had both siblings walking parallel paths once more.
---
To understand the seas of this world, imagine it from above: the Red Line circling the globe like a colossal ring.
The East Blue and South Blue lay in one hemisphere, the West and North Blue in the other. Between them stretched the first half of the Grand Line, divided by the Calm Belts—regions of windless seas teeming with Sea Kings.
For rookie pirates brave (or foolish) enough to cross those deadly waters, the Calm Belt was a trial of survival… or a chance for a hearty meal, depending on one's perspective.
Charlotte Linlin, traveling by ship with her retinue of doctors, made her way slowly toward the South Blue.
Roy and Toki, however, soared through the skies on Horus and Pandora—cutting across the Calm Belt with ease, their speed far outpacing any vessel.
Even so, the Grand Line was vast and unpredictable. One could travel the same route as another and still never cross paths.
---
South Blue.
In a peaceful island nation, within a modest but well-to-do home, a young man with an afro sat cross-legged before a desk.
A calligraphy brush rested in his hand, and on the parchment before him were two bold characters: "War Country."
The young man was Sengoku.
He adjusted his glasses, one hand on his knee, as his companions across the room laughed among themselves.
"Hey, Sengoku, stop pretending to be some scholar! Come outside—there's a cloud flying over your house!"
"What?!" Sengoku's eyes widened. He set down his brush and rushed to the window, curiosity ignited.
<><><>
I have a new Naruto fanfic out, guys!
The main character is Orochimaru's disciple, and I'll say this upfront: he is also a scientist and just as evil as his teacher.
So for those who don't like evil or morally dark main characters, you might want to skip this one.
The fanfic is titled Naruto: Orochimaru's Disciple.
You can search the title directly, or just click on my profile and you'll find it there.
<><><><><>
[Check Out My Patreon For +40 Advance Chapters On All My Fanfics!]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03]
[Every 100 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter]
[Join Our Discord Community For Updates & Events]
[https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9]