Reno naturally didn't refuse Linlin's invitation.
After all, there was one thing a man could hardly accept—being asked if he could continue, and admitting he couldn't.
(Scene fades out)
By morning…
"…Alright, my Linlin. Next time, I'll tone it down a bit."
Reno spoke casually.
"I've just awakened another racial ability. Don't you want to know about it?"
That immediately caught Charlotte Linlin's interest.
She turned onto her side, propping her head up with one hand, looking at him with curiosity.
"Oh?"
"What kind of ability? Something like changing size again?"
Reno smiled slightly.
"Something far more interesting."
"An ability that can turn others… into demons like me."
"What did you say?!"
Her reaction was even stronger than Reno expected.
Linlin shot upright instantly, all traces of laziness gone. The bed creaked loudly under the sudden movement.
In the next moment, she grabbed Reno and pulled him close, her amber eyes blazing with excitement and desire.
"Turn others into demons? Like your race?"
Her voice trembled slightly from excitement.
Reno remained calm despite the pressure.
"That's right. My newly awakened ability—Demon Conversion."
He paused deliberately, letting the anticipation build.
"As long as I have a Devil Fruit as a medium, I can transform someone into a corresponding 'demon' of that fruit."
"They gain the fruit's power, become a true demonic race…"
"And most importantly—they lose the weakness to seawater and Seastone."
"Even if they've already eaten a Devil Fruit."
Linlin froze.
Then—
"Hahahahaha!!!"
Her laughter exploded across the room, filled with pure exhilaration.
"My Reno! Choosing you as my husband was the best decision I've ever made!"
She pulled him into a tight embrace.
"I just so happen to have a Devil Fruit!"
Her eyes burned with anticipation.
"A Mythical Zoan—the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Nine-Tailed Fox!"
"Reno! Use it on me! Turn me into a demon!"
The Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit…
Reno's mind flickered with recognition—this was the same ability that would one day belong to Catarina Devon.
But right now, it belonged to Linlin.
And that was all that mattered.
"Of course," Reno said calmly.
"But the transformation will take some time."
"How long?"
Reno checked with the system.
[Target: Charlotte Linlin]
[Power Level: Yonko-Commander Tier]
[Estimated Conversion Time: 6 hours]
[Note: Target will enter a sleep state during conversion. Ensure safety.]
"About six hours," Reno replied. "You'll be asleep during the process."
"Six hours?"
Linlin waved it off without concern.
"No problem! Even if it took six months, I'd wait!"
She immediately got out of bed and retrieved a Devil Fruit from a large chest in the room.
It resembled a dark-blue mango, covered in swirling patterns.
"Let's begin! What do I need to do?"
Reno took the fruit and gestured for her to lie down.
"Close your eyes."
Linlin obeyed without hesitation, her face full of anticipation.
Reno placed the Devil Fruit on her forehead.
"System—begin conversion."
Buzz—
The fruit transformed into a stream of blue light, slowly merging into Linlin's body.
Her breathing gradually steadied as she fell into a deep sleep.
Reno observed her for a moment and nodded.
The process looked no different from ordinary sleep.
Since it was now daytime, he got dressed and walked out of the captain's cabin.
Creaaak.
The door opened.
The deck was already lively, filled with pirates chatting noisily.
The moment Reno appeared, all voices stopped.
Hundreds of eyes turned toward him.
Their expressions were a mix of curiosity, awe… and a certain kind of admiration.
"B-Big bro…"
One pirate stammered.
"Where's Boss Linlin? Why hasn't she come out?"
Reno glanced around, a relaxed smile on his face.
"She's tired. She needs some rest."
Gasp—
A collective inhale swept across the deck.
Every pirate stared at Reno like he was some kind of sea monster.
He actually wore Linlin out?!
What kind of monster was this man?!
At the edge of the crowd, Streusen stood frozen, holding a plate of freshly made food.
His face turned pale… then ashen.
The plate slipped from his hands, crashing to the ground.
Reno noticed and walked over calmly, stopping in front of him.
"From now on, don't get close to Linlin."
"And keep your Devil Fruit ability in check."
"Her eating disorder… you've had quite a hand in that, haven't you?"
His voice was calm, but the threat was unmistakable.
"Understood?"
Streusen trembled, lowering his head.
"…Yes."
Reno ignored him after that and walked to the ship's railing.
In the distance, his own smaller ship was being towed behind Linlin's.
His crew had already woken up and were gathered on deck.
The moment they saw him, they waved excitedly.
Reno spread his black wings—
And in a flash of crimson light, he flew straight toward his ship.