Chapter 185: Twin Generals' Ocean Sovereignty, an Unforgivable Past
"I was still too impatient. Sister Amphelite has this habit too... Why does everyone in this race have the habit of randomly switching to speed mode mid-fight...?"
The unique traits of the Phoenix naturally made Amphelite far more suited to that kind of fighting style. After all, taking damage meant absolutely nothing to a Phoenix.
The moment Bullet struck Alber, Nanamo tossed Hermes out, acting as a cushion to catch the backward-flying Alber.
"Alber, are you going to keep going?"
Although Alber hadn't lost his ability to fight, pushing it to this extent was already enough.
"Princess Nanamo, are you taking over the fight?"
"If you want to fight to the bitter end, that's not impossible either."
"No... he is a bit stronger. I still need more training. If this keeps going, this entire area will have to be rebuilt. Princess Nanamo, I'll leave the rest to you."
In terms of pure physical prowess and Haki, Bullet was indeed a notch above. After fighting for this long, Alber clearly understood this reality.
Recognizing the reason for one's defeat was an essential part of growing stronger.
If he continued fighting, it would cause severe, irreversible damage to the surrounding environment. Taking everything into consideration, Alber chose to bow out early.
"Hey! That Bullet guy! This round goes to you!" Nanamo called out.
"Hmph. Then bring out someone stronger! What about that Nereus?! I want to see for myself exactly what level the strongest in the deep sea is at!"
Bullet was utterly dissatisfied with this result. Alber possessed decent strength and was certainly troublesome, but in Bullet's eyes, he was far from being a true powerhouse.
"You do have some strength, but if you want to meet the Old Man, you're not qualified yet. We have plenty of time. You can rest for a bit, or you can choose to end the fight right now and take your prize."
Even if she didn't like the big brute in front of her, Nanamo still clarified some things with Bullet according to the rules of the arena. After all, on Fish-man Island, rules were a matter of utmost importance.
Even Nereus himself operated within the boundaries of the rules he established.
"I don't need rest! Just how many people do I have to beat to make Nereus show himself?! I'm in no mood to play house with you weaklings!"
"Oh? You don't have to worry about that. Let me just confirm one more time—you don't need to rest, right?"
"Of course not!"
"Very well. Then don't blame me for bullying you."
Seeing Bullet's attitude, Nanamo gently swung her arms as she began walking forward.
Her unhurried movements looked more like she was doing light stretches in a public square. Yet Bullet—who had just chosen to tank Alber's attacks head-on with sheer physical endurance—suddenly tensed up, his expression shifting as if he had just seen a terrifying monster.
It was the instinct he had honed on the battlefield over many years—an instinct that had saved his life more than once.
[Damn it... what the hell is this feeling...]
His gut feeling completely contradicted Nanamo's harmless outward appearance. But soon enough, Bullet understood exactly what that feeling was.
Nanamo swinging her arms was merely her channeling her Haki. Even though it was a single person, the Haki in her left and right hands flowed at entirely different frequencies.
And the moment she thrust both fists forward, those two streams of Haki fused back together into one.
"Twin Generals: Ocean Sovereignty!"
Meanwhile, in the New World.
Ships resembling various pastries were sailing one after another through the Juice Sea, heading toward the central Whole Cake Island.
This was the territory of Charlotte Linlin, also known as Big Mom.
The ships arriving here were invited to attend Big Mom's Tea Party, an event Charlotte Linlin hosted at regular intervals.
Ever since the founding of Totto Land, this had become a fixed tradition.
If any invited guest chose to refuse, they would face Big Mom's terrible vengeance.
At the center of Whole Cake Island, upon a mountain built of cake, many people had already gathered, doing their best to cozy up to Charlotte Linlin.
Today, Charlotte Linlin seemed to be in high spirits, currently giving a few guests a tour of her castle and showing off her collections.
"T-This... is this a painting by the great South Blue artist Pablo?! To think it's actually here in your collection!"
"Mamamama! It's just some loot I acquired in the past. If you like it, I'll just give it to you! Compared to the gift you brought me, this is nothing."
"T-Truly?! I am incredibly honored! Thank you so very much!"
"Mamamama! Don't mention it; we are friends, after all."
It seemed like a scene of perfect harmony between host and guest. But this peace vanished in the blink of an eye. The Underworld broker who received permission to take the painting picked it up, only to discover another picture frame hidden right behind it.
Inside was a photograph. In the center of the photo was a beautiful, youthful woman—looking almost identical to the Charlotte Linlin before them, but much younger and with far fewer sharp edges to her features.
Judging by her dress and appearance, they were undoubtedly the same person.
"Linlin, your charm is just as magnificent as it was back then! You are still so beautiful."
He offered a sycophantic compliment to Charlotte Linlin, but then he noticed a piece missing from the bottom of the photo. Judging by the poses of the other people in the picture, it was obvious someone was supposed to be there.
"It seems the photo hasn't been preserved perfectly. I actually specialize in restoring things like this. May I ask which Minister this is? If you have older photos, I can help you restore this one."
Charlotte Linlin had established Totto Land here, and her children served as the Ministers. At a glance, that photo was clearly a family portrait.
The missing person had to be one of Charlotte Linlin's children. He thought he could use this opportunity to build an even closer relationship with her.
However...
[Oh no!]
Katakuri, who had been following closely by her side, instantly felt a sense of dread the moment he heard those words. In the very next second, a terrifying aura swept across the entire room.
Under the sheer pressure of this aura, the surrounding collectibles came crashing down. The people behind Charlotte Linlin were so terrified they didn't even dare to twitch.
The previously utterly amiable Charlotte Linlin now stared viciously at the merchant who had asked the question, her eyes completely bloodshot.
"DO NOT... ASK ABOUT... MY PAST!!"
The surging Conqueror's Haki instantly stripped the man of his consciousness. No one else understood why the smiling Charlotte Linlin had suddenly flipped.
"Ah... this must just be a small misunderstanding! Please, let's not mind it. How about we talk about other news on the sea?
"My men just passed by Fish-man Island. They said that guy Bullet on Roger's ship was actually defeated by Fish-man Island's Princess with a single punch! Isn't that unbelievable?!"
Someone nearby tried to smooth things over. The moment Katakuri heard the words "Fish-man Island," he wanted to stop the man, but unfortunately, it was too late.
The already enraged Charlotte Linlin erupted with an even more horrifying aura. Some of the guests were so terrified that their souls uncontrollably floated out of their bodies.
[It seems... in the future, when strangers come to visit, I should just maintain my Future Sight at all times...]
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