And not just that, but an overwhelming, high-intensity Conqueror's Haki.
Rainer clenched his teeth. Every muscle in his body trembled as he forced himself to remain standing against the crushing pressure.
Only when one truly faces Conqueror's Haki does one realize it is not merely physical suppression. It is a domination of the spirit itself.
He felt as if an invisible giant hand had seized his soul. The edges of his vision darkened, fading into black. His head grew heavy, his thoughts sluggish.
He never expected to encounter a true kingly presence here.
Damn it. The New World really is dangerous.
Just as Rainer struggled to hold himself upright, a massive shadow fell from above, blotting out the sunlight and swallowing him in darkness.
Summoning every ounce of strength, he slowly lifted his head.
Chapter 2: Charlotte Linlin
Standing at the bow of the ship was a tall, powerfully built woman.
Her long pink hair cascaded down like a waterfall, reaching her waist, with a few loose strands framing her face.
Her bright orange-brown eyes burned like torches, and her crimson lips carried a faint sheen.
She wore a dark polka-dot dress beneath a captain's coat and a black wide-brimmed hat adorned with a pirate emblem.
Charlotte Linlin.
The woman who would one day become one of the Four Emperors of the Sea. Big Mom.
"He didn't fall…"
Charlotte Linlin looked down at Rainer, the only man still standing on deck, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes.
She withdrew her Conqueror's Haki, and her expression shifted to one of open interest.
As the terrifying pressure vanished, Rainer sucked in deep breaths. Sweat streamed down his face. His muscles still quivered, and he swallowed hard.
Linlin paid no attention to his disheveled state. She leapt down from the bow alone and landed heavily on the deck. The impact sent a dull boom through the ship, making the entire vessel shudder.
"Interesting."
She strode toward him. Because of the difference in height, she had to lower her head slightly to meet his eyes.
Rainer stood nearly three and a half meters tall, yet compared to Linlin's towering eight-point-eight meters, he seemed almost small.
"What race are you?"
Linlin reached out, her cool fingers gripping Rainer's chin without ceremony, turning his head from side to side as she examined him.
Her orange-brown eyes glimmered with curiosity, as though she had discovered a rare treasure.
"These horns. Those wings. And that face…"
Her voice carried undisguised excitement.
"I've sailed these seas for years. This is the first time I've seen your kind."
"Why do I feel such an indescribable fondness for you?"
Though Rainer was still catching his breath, his mind was already racing.
At this time, Charlotte Linlin was around eighteen. She likely had not yet joined the Rocks Pirates.
Even so, she was already a monster standing at the summit of the seas.
Fighting back was impossible. He possessed only the strength of a Rear Admiral. Linlin, at minimum, already stood at the level of a future Emperor's core officer.
Running was even more unrealistic.
That left only one option.
Rainer forced his tone into respectful calm.
"My name is Drake Rainer. I'm not entirely sure what race I am."
"I've been like this since childhood. I've never even met my family."
It was a lie.
But Linlin had no ability to detect deception, so he spoke without hesitation.
"Oh?"
She released his chin, yet her gaze remained fixed on his face.
"You've always been like this?"
She suddenly broke into loud laughter, flashing a row of white teeth. Her eyes blazed as she stared at him.
"My name is Linlin. I will become the King of the Seas."
"Rainer, marry me."
What?
Rainer stared at her, eyes widening. For a split second, he thought he had misheard.
"You look far better than that man called Streusen."
Linlin squeezed his shoulder approvingly. The force made him hiss in pain.
"And you withstood my Conqueror's Haki. Your potential is impressive."
"Follow me, and I can give you everything you desire. Wealth. Power. Status."
Rainer's mind went blank.
He had thought this was the end for him.
Instead, this woman had just proposed.
Looking at the pink-haired woman smiling before him, countless thoughts flashed through his head.
If he refused, he might be beaten half to death and taken anyway.
If he agreed, not only would he avoid immediate suffering…
He stole a glance at Linlin's figure.
He had to admit that at seventeen or eighteen, she did not yet have the heaviness she would carry in old age.
Her pink hair flowed like silk. Her body was powerful yet supple. Her features were sharp and striking. She radiated a fierce, untamed femininity.
The kind that made one want to conquer her.
"I…"
Just as Rainer was about to accept, Linlin cut him off.
"Don't hesitate!"
"It's your honor that I've taken a liking to you!"
She burst into laughter.
"It's settled!"
"From today on, you're my man!"
Rainer opened his mouth, then swallowed his words.
"…All right. I agree."
His voice was steady. No panic. No weakness.
"Hahaha! That's more like it!"
Linlin nodded in satisfaction.
"I like men who know how to read the situation."
"Much better than those who chatter endlessly."
"Come. Board my ship."
At that, Rainer quickly shook his head and glanced at his unconscious crew sprawled across the deck.
They were not especially strong, but they had followed him for nearly two years. He had grown attached to them.
He could not simply cling to a powerful woman and leave them here to die.
Besides, they were the core team he had painstakingly assembled. Navigator, doctor, cook. Losing them would be a heavy blow.
Before Linlin could grow impatient, Rainer cleared his throat and spoke.
"Linlin… since I've agreed to be yours, then naturally my crew should also serve under your command."
His tone held less deference now, more composure.
"They may not be powerful, but they are loyal."
Linlin raised a brow and studied him again, interest deepening in her gaze.
She did not care about the unconscious pirates at her feet.
But Rainer's words surprised her.
This man dared to make a request of her.
"You suit my taste more and more!"
She laughed heartily and wrapped a massive arm around his waist, lifting him off the ground with ease.
"Fine! Since you asked, I'll take in your little brothers too."
She spoke casually.
"I happen to be heading somewhere that could use extra hands."
Hearing that his crew would not be abandoned, Rainer felt a quiet wave of relief.
Even if it meant living under another's banner, it was better than leaving them to sink into the sea.
After all, their strength was only average.
"Where are we going?" Rainer asked.
"To Hachinosu."
Linlin answered without hesitation.
"A man named Rocks D. Xebec invited me to join his pirate crew. It sounds interesting, so I'm going to take a look."
Rocks. Hachinosu.
Rainer's expression shifted subtly.
He had just ordered Rob to steer away from Hachinosu.
And now, his destination had become Hachinosu.
Linlin noticed the change in his expression.
"Afraid?"
"Of course not, my Linlin. To meet a powerhouse like Rocks, I'm thrilled."
"Hahaha! That's the spirit, my Rainer!"
She was extremely pleased with that answer.
Linlin admired strength above all else and despised cowardice.
"Enough talk. Let's go to my ship."
With that, she leapt into the air while holding him and landed atop Zeus.
"Wait!"
Rainer tried to protest, perhaps to say that he could walk on his own.