After sailing for several days, the heavenly tribulation had left the waters under Hachinosu Island's influence. Ordinary folk and pirates began to appear on the surrounding islands.
That day the sky was clear and cloudless. A Kuja lookout suddenly shouted a warning:
Captain Linlin! Port side, three o'clock—unidentified pirate ship closing fast!
In an instant the relaxed mood on deck vanished, replaced by trained vigilance.
Charlotte Linlin lounged in a custom-built wide seat, savoring her special dessert.
At the report she rose at once, popped the treat into her mouth, and swallowed.
Days of rest had returned her to peak condition. Powerful Observation Haki swept outward, sizing up the approaching vessel in a heartbeat.
After being stuck in a weak state for days, she itched for action.
Captain worth about a hundred million Berries, crew of mixed quality… tch, not a decent fighter besides the Captain.
What her Haki told her killed any interest in moving. Fodder didn't even qualify as a warm-up.
Still, it was the perfect first live drill for her crew in the New World.
'Know their name? Any reputation issues?' Righteous Pirate Crews were rare, but Charlotte Linlin asked anyway.
She didn't want to kill people she deemed 'good,' though she knew the question was pointless.
Any pirate who charged a stranger this openly in the New World couldn't be decent.
Lilith, handling intel, answered at once: 'Lava Pirates, Captain Yako, Paramecia-type Heat-Fruit user, can control his own and ambient heat.
Violent arsonist, burned several towns, one of this year's Supernovas, notorious.'
'Heat-Fruit? Sounds like a walking oven or microwave,' Charlotte Linlin mused, then waved.
'In that case, Gloriosa, they're yours. Practice on them—finish fast.'
'Leave it to me, Linlin! I won't disappoint!'
Gleam flashed in Gloriosa's eyes. Her newly awakened Conqueror's Haki wasn't refined yet, but her fighting spirit soared.
She spun to face the assembled Kuja warriors and ordered,
'All hands ready! Show Captain Linlin the might of Nine Snake Island! Vina, watch the wind—don't let them escape! Battle formation!'
'Yes, Lady Gloriosa!'
The Heavenly Punishment Pirates moved like the wind, sharp-eyed and unpanicked, every warrior in place.
Under Navigator Vina's command the helmsman spun the wheel; archers lined the rails, drawing bows in perfect unison. Black Armament Haki coiled at arrow tips—still partial, but enough.
Charlotte Linlin watched calmly, glanced at the dozens of heavy cannons, and muttered,
'With these girls around, those iron lumps feel redundant…'
On the opposite Lava Pirates' ship the lookout finally noticed and yelled,
'C-Captain! That's no merchant! It's a pirate ship—an all-woman pirate ship!'
Only now, as heavenly tribulation turned broadside, did he spot the flag.
Captain Yako, dreaming of an easy haul, growled,
'Hmph! Pirates or not, women are women! I'm this year's Supernova, "Fire-Man" Yako! We'll seize ship and women alike!'
'B-but Captain! Their flag—Heavenly Punishment Pirates, a Rocks Pirates sub-crew!' the lookout stammered.
'What! Why didn't you say so! Hard to port—get us out of here!' Yako blanched; provoking the strongest crew in the New World was suicide.
'Turn! Retreat! Now!'
'Captain, they're running—we can't catch them!' the heavenly tribulation lookout reported.
'Tch, if we were on Perfume Yuda they'd never escape!' Gloriosa grumbled.
'No matter,' Charlotte Linlin said calmly.
'This ship's built as a heavy gun-frigate—slow but packed with firepower. Still, they won't get away.'
She smiled playfully; a sci-fi blue-grey sniper rifle appeared in her hand, barrel shimmering.
While the crew watched, she braced, rested the heavy rifle on her shoulder, cheek to scope.
Invisible energy gathered at the muzzle, pulsing dread.
'You're not escaping, trash.'
She squeezed the trigger.
Crack!
A soft yet piercing hum; a blood-red beam lanced the sky and smashed the Lava Pirates' mainmast.
Cr-rack!
The mast toppled, sails crashing onto the deck in chaos and screams. The Lava Pirates lost all speed.
Lowering the rifle gracefully, Charlotte Linlin chuckled.
'Lava Pirates? Tsk—Sakazuki, your ship's gone… haha!'
'Sakazuki? Who's that, Linlin?' Gloriosa asked, puzzled.
She wondered not only at the name but how Linlin had conjured the weapon—had she eaten a second Devil Fruit? Now wasn't the time to ask.
'A guy who might be interesting later. You'll meet him,' Linlin answered enigmatically, stowing the rifle.
'For now, go finish your first battle—don't let the duck fly off the plate.'
'Understood! Close the gap and board them!' Gloriosa barked, curiosity replaced by battle fire.
'Yes! We won't let Captain or first mate down!'
The Kuja warriors shouted in unison.
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