"Hahahahaha… Rocks!"
"I'm here!"
Charlotte Linlin's laughter echoed across the sea. With a powerful sweep of her nine golden fox tails, she shot into the sky like a streak of pink and gold light, charging straight toward the top of the skull!
No hesitation. No small talk.
When facing a man who claimed he would become the king of the world, this was her way of greeting him.
Reno stood at the bow, watching the sky seemingly tear apart under the clash of two Conqueror's Haki.
Soon…
He clenched his fist slightly.
I'll reach that level soon.
Go on, my Linlin.
Show this era the power of demons.
At the Top of the Skull
Rocks looked down at the rapidly approaching figure—and the nine dazzling golden tails behind her—with a hint of confusion.
"What form is that?"
Before he could finish—
Linlin was already in front of him.
"Ikoku!" (Mighty Nation!)
She drew Napoleon, coating it with both Armament and Conqueror's Haki, and slashed forward!
A massive shockwave of crackling black lightning tore through the air, carrying enough force to flatten the entire skull.
Yet—
Rocks didn't even draw his sword.
He simply raised his right hand, coated in Armament Haki, and met the attack head-on.
Buzz—
There was no massive collision.
Linlin's full-power strike… vanished the moment it touched his palm.
"What?!"
Her pupils shrank.
Her attack had been completely suppressed.
"Not bad," Rocks said calmly. "But you're still far from enough."
Then—
He struck.
A single punch, wrapped in pitch-black Haki, tore through the air and slammed into her.
"—!"
Linlin was sent flying like a cannonball, blood spraying as she crashed back onto her ship.
BOOM!
The deck shattered, splinters flying everywhere.
The pirates froze in terror.
Too strong.
Just one casual blow had sent their captain flying.
Is that man even human?!
Reno's expression grew serious as he flew over to Linlin.
She rose from the crater, wiping the blood from her mouth—
—and burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
"As expected of Rocks! You're insanely strong!"
Her injuries rapidly healed thanks to her demonic physique. Her eyes burned with even greater battle intent.
"Now this is a real fight!"
Rocks looked at her, slightly impressed.
"Hmph… Not bad."
"At your age, you already possess Admiral-level strength… Charlotte Linlin, you're qualified to stand on my ship."
His voice echoed across the harbor.
The surrounding pirates were stunned.
Admiral-level?!
This girl—barely in her late teens—was already that strong?!
"Again!"
Linlin roared and shot back into the sky.
Her speed exploded, leaving afterimages behind. Her nine massive tails lashed out like living whips from every direction.
Each one was coated in dual Haki, carrying enough force to shatter mountains.
"Still not enough," Rocks muttered.
This time, he drew his sword.
A black blade wrapped in Conqueror's Haki.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Swords and tails collided midair, sparks flying, thunder roaring.
The entire sky above Beehive Island became their battlefield.
Linlin grew fiercer with each strike—
—but Rocks remained completely in control.
With effortless swings, he deflected every attack, occasionally countering and leaving deep wounds across her body.
She was completely suppressed.
No matter how she pushed herself, she couldn't break through his defense.
The gap between them was simply too large.
"Hahahahaha! You really are strong!"
After being knocked back again, Linlin steadied herself midair and laughed.
"Rocks—let me show you my new power!"
Purple smoke erupted around her.
Under everyone's gaze, her body began to change.
In just seconds—
Charlotte Linlin disappeared.
In her place stood—
Another Rocks D. Xebec.
Same build.
Same face.
Same coat.
Even the same overwhelming presence.
"What?!"
For the first time, Rocks showed visible surprise.
A Devil Fruit ability?
But Linlin had already eaten the Soul-Soul Fruit…
At that moment, several powerful auras rose across the island.
They gathered nearby to watch.
"Gurarara… wasn't that woman's ability the Soul-Soul Fruit?"
A massive man with a crescent-shaped white mustache gripped a naginata, eyes sharp.
"Such an intriguing ability…" a tall, elegant woman in a short skirt remarked softly.
Edward Newgate.
Buckingham Stussy.
The core members of the Rocks Pirates had arrived.
They stared at the two identical Rocks figures in shock.
"Come on, Rocks!"
The transformed Linlin didn't give anyone time to think. She roared and charged again, wielding a black blade formed in her hand.
Two "kings" clashed.
Black lightning split the sky as their attacks collided, sending shockwaves across the entire island.
Though their techniques and Haki looked identical—
One was still stronger.
One of the "Rocks" was blasted away.
"Gurarara… impressive," Newgate said, watching closely.
"She copied everything perfectly—but in raw power, the real captain still wins."
While everyone focused on the battle—
A figure silently appeared aboard Linlin's pink ship.
Like a ghost.
Wooden clogs.
Golden hair like a lion's mane.
A cigar clenched between his teeth.
A wild grin on his face.
"Golden Lion" Shiki.
He didn't look at the sky.
His gaze locked onto a single person on deck—
Reno.
Shiki slowly descended, stopping in front of him, looking down with sharp eyes.
He exhaled a puff of smoke, his expression arrogant.
"Hey… you."
"What kind of race are you?"