"Officer Linlin!" Raiver Sky abruptly stood up, swiftly dodging behind Shiki and Newgate with a quick step.
Then he pointed at the two men who looked stunned before realizing the impending trouble:
"Look at them—what robust and burly physiques! How formidable and unmatched their strength is! How rich and seasoned their experience!
Most importantly, they're currently in their prime, at the golden age of peak vitality and energy!
Any children you have with them would absolutely have excellent genes, innate talent, born with the makings of powerhouses!
Really, they're the best candidates!
In comparison, I'm still too young, not mature or stable enough, probably not to your taste! You should go for ones like them!"
Raiver Sky put on a sincere expression of "I'm considering what's best for you and your future children."
Sure enough, after hearing Raiver Sky's "logical and well-reasoned" analysis, Charlotte Linlin blinked, finding it quite convincing.
A mountain-like physique and strength that stands at the pinnacle of the seas were indeed hard criteria for nurturing outstanding offspring.
Although Raiver Sky was young and handsome, compared to Newgate and Shiki, his strength was indeed somewhat "thin."
Could good looks put food on the table? Charlotte Linlin valued strength more.
Her eyes lit up, her burning gaze immediately shifting from Raiver Sky to Newgate and Shiki.
Her stare was even more intense and aggressive than when she had been eyeing Raiver Sky!
Just as Shiki and Newgate were about to settle scores with that brat Raiver Sky, questioning why he "diverted the trouble to them," they suddenly felt Charlotte Linlin's thirsty gaze.
Both shuddered, their faces instantly paling.
Terrifying memories of being "pursued" by Linlin in the past instantly flooded their minds.
Almost simultaneously, they shot up from their seats with a "whoosh," not daring to look back, bursting forth with astonishing speed as they dashed toward the castle's open gates.
"Shiki! Newgate! Don't run! Don't you think what Raiver Sky said makes perfect sense?
This is the golden age for reproduction. Miss these few years, and the quality of the genes can't be guaranteed!"
Seeing this, Charlotte Linlin quickly strode after them, shouting as she ran.
"Linlin! Go after Shiki! He's more experienced!" Whitebeard's voice came from afar, unhesitatingly passing the buck to Shiki.
"Bullshit! Newgate, you're talking nonsense! Linlin, look at Whitebeard's build, those muscles—he's worth two or three of me!
He's the right one! Any child with him would definitely be stronger than both of us!"
Shiki's furious voice came unwilling to show weakness from another direction.
"Neither of you is getting away! Come back here and have a few children with me before you leave...!"
Soon, a chase was underway on Hachinosu.
Listening to the gradually fading voices, Raiver Sky couldn't help but swallow hard, wiping nonexistent cold sweat from his forehead with lingering fear.
On the other side, John, Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and others who had been drinking said little throughout but had deep sympathy and a hint of schadenfreude in their eyes.
"Hahaha... you're really something, kid."
"Shiki and Newgate had only just managed to escape Linlin's pestering through their recent plundering expeditions, and now you've ruined it all with a single sentence! This is going to be entertaining!"
Silver Axe slapped his thigh and laughed heartily.
Back in the day, they had all unequivocally rejected Charlotte Linlin's invitations by any means necessary.
Despite Linlin's formidable strength and peerless beauty, these ambitious men held no romantic "interest" in her.
They pursued only tangible wealth, power, and strength. Even if they sought female companionship, they would never choose someone like Charlotte Linlin—a woman with ulterior motives and potentially complicated entanglements.
Raiver Sky took a deep breath to calm himself, picked up his wine glass, and approached Silver Axe with a wry smile:
"Sorry for the embarrassing spectacle, Officer Silver Axe. I never expected to draw such... 'special attention' from Officer Linlin right after joining, before I've even settled in."
Silver Axe raised his glass in response: "Understood, completely understood! We've all been there."
"You're quick-witted and sharp, kid! Come, let's have a drink!"
Though he had initially opposed Raiver's direct promotion to officer, Silver Axe now held greater respect for Raiver's strength and cleverness.
After downing several more cups of strong liquor and chatting briefly with Silver Axe, John, and others,
Raiver estimated the time was right and excused himself, leaving the boisterous central castle hall.
He decided to seek out Shiki after all.
He remained interested in both temporarily staying on the other's ship and their proposed sword exchange.
Their earlier discussion had been interrupted by Charlotte Linlin before he could respond.
Given Shiki and Newgate's capabilities and speed, they should have successfully shaken her off by now.
They were probably hiding in some corner, drinking to calm their nerves.
Contemplating this, Raiver headed toward the harbor where Shiki's pirate ship, the flagship of the "Flying Fleet," usually docked.
The open-air banquet outside the castle was even more chaotic and rowdy than inside, with bonfires blazing.
Pirates moved between tables drinking wildly, arms slung over shoulders as they boasted and joked, the air thick with the mingled scents of roasted meat and alcohol.
Shortly after Raiver departed, an officer glanced at several comrades who had already drunk themselves unconscious, snoring thunderously beside him, his eyes flickering with hidden thoughts.
Feigning drunkenness, he staggered to his feet claiming he needed to relieve himself and left the bustling center of the feast.
After winding through several passages and confirming he wasn't followed, he arrived at a secluded, wind-sheltered stretch of coastline.
Under the moonlight,
He cautiously scanned his surroundings once more before quickly ducking behind a massive rock. From his coat, he retrieved an encrypted Den Den Mushi.
Taking a deep breath, he deftly dialed a number...
...
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The fleet admiral's office was brightly lit.
Kong was discussing crucial matters with the Marines' current golden generation—Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr.
"The Rocks Pirates' expansion in the New World has grown increasingly rampant lately, almost to the point of recklessness,"
Sengoku tapped several red-marked Marine bases on the map with his baton:
"Our G-1 through G-5 branches in the New World are under unprecedented pressure. Supply lines are frequently attacked, and base garrisons suffer from low morale."
"The tentacles of the Rocks Pirates continue to squeeze our operational space. Many nations and forces that were previously observing are now beginning to waver."
"Our presence in the New World is practically non-existent."
"Indeed, as Sengoku said." Zephyr nodded with a grave expression:
"The Rocks Pirates not only have that monster Rocks D. Xebec.
Their officers, such as Edward Newgate, Golden Lion Shiki, Charlotte Linlin, and others.
Each possesses terrifying strength capable of standing alone or even destroying islands.
The gap in quality and quantity of high-level combat power between us is gradually widening.
What's more troublesome is their replenishment of fresh blood.
Previously, G-3 branch sent back top-secret intelligence about that newly recruited monster rookie named 'Kaido' in the Rocks Pirates.
His bloodline is suspected to be of the Ogre Tribe, with unimaginable physical strength.
He alone was able to withstand the joint assault of three vice admirals from a New World branch.
They keep recruiting monsters of this caliber!"