"Charlotte Linlin, what are you still hesitating for?"
Seeing Aunt Linlin remain silent, even Kuma—usually gentle and composed—couldn't help growing anxious. He said, "This shouldn't be a difficult decision."
Though he was a pacifist who disliked conflict, he fully supported Ian's action this time.
Because the monsters still scattered across the world were like tumors—blocking the unprecedented unity of this era, standing in the way of a brand-new future.
For tomorrow to come, those monsters had to be eliminated.
Aside from that, Kuma never felt any affection or sympathy toward Charlotte Linlin.
But he didn't want anything to happen to her either.
Because this woman was not only a cruel pirate… she was also Bill's mother.
As a father, Kuma didn't want his child to lose his mother at such a young age.
That was simply his selfishness as a parent.
"Bill, hurry and talk to your mother!"
Seeing that neither he nor Kaido's words were helping, Kuma gently patted his son on the back. "Stop her from doing something foolish!"
"Mom!"
Bill, a bit slow and clueless, didn't understand what was happening. But when he saw the grave look on his mother's face and the worry in his father's eyes, his voice trembled with hints of tears.
Aunt Linlin's body shook.
"I don't want anything to happen to Mom!"
The boy held back the tears gathering in his eyes as he spoke, voice thick with emotion.
"I want to stay with Mom forever!"
It had to be said—Aunt Linlin's two years of constant companionship had a very noticeable effect. The child had developed a deep attachment to her.
And the same was true for her. Spending half the year with him every year, her feelings for this child were far more than simple pampering.
In her heart, his place was clearly very different from her other children.
"Bill…"
Aunt Linlin looked at the child, and her expression softened ever so slightly.
Wasn't this exactly the family she had always longed for?
"Mom…"
Katakuri, still paralyzed by Ian's overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, could do nothing but quietly watch his mother.
His mother would occasionally show kindness to very young children, but this gentle gaze… in all his forty-plus years of life, he had never seen her look like this.
Just as Brother Perospero had said—Mom truly treated this child differently.
"How touching," Ian said with a sigh. "Aunt Linlin, are you really so heartless? Can you bear to let this child lose his mother at such a young age?"
"…"
Aunt Linlin glared fiercely at Ian, grinding her teeth so hard it seemed they might shatter.
"Just admit it, Linlin," Kaido said coldly. "Our era ended a long time ago."
"From here on, it's Ian's era. No one can fight him for this world."
"So what are you still stubbornly holding onto?"
Aunt Linlin's body trembled violently again. She had never expected to hear such words coming from Kaido of all people.
This man who was more arrogant than anyone, more prideful than anyone, more determined than anyone to seize the world—now willingly stood behind Ian.
But then again… this brat's strength had already surpassed the realm of human common sense.
For someone like Kaido, who lived by the law of the strong devouring the weak, hesitation simply didn't exist.
"Aunt Linlin," Ian said with a smile, "if you're still unwilling to give up on the title of Pirate King, then when we head to Laugh Tale, why don't you come along?"
"What?"
Aunt Linlin's eyes widened instinctively—what Ian had just said was far too shocking.
"You brat… are you serious?"
"I already have three Road Poneglyphs. Only one remains. And I've long known where the last one is."
Ian spoke honestly, "Once we finish handling this matter, we'll probably go straight to get that Road Poneglyph, and then head to the final island."
"Aunt Linlin, you should come with us then," someone said.
Aunt Linlin stared at Ian.
Does this kid even know what he's talking about?
Does he really want to share that legendary great treasure with me?
Just how arrogant is this brat going to be? He doesn't even care about ONE PIECE?
Still… the great treasure.
Kaido wasn't entirely wrong. At this point, trying to compete with a monster like Ian was impossible.
Only the World Government had the ability and authority to do so.
And now, Ian wasn't even giving them a chance to snatch it up.
The great treasure.
The muscles on Aunt Linlin's face twitched slightly, as if she were chewing on something invisible and untouchable.
"Ian, you're not lying to me about the great treasure, are you?"
Aunt Linlin's gaze bore into him.
The position of Pirate King was already out of reach, but if she could personally go to the final island and see the legendary great treasure with her own eyes… wouldn't that be something?
"I have no reason to deceive you, do I?"
Ian said, "My goal is the entire world. A mere great treasure is insignificant."
Katakuri, hearing this, couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
This was Ian—the true emperor.
That treasure, which had enticed countless pirates for eight hundred years, and which countless ambitious souls risked everything for after Roger started the Great Pirate Era… in his eyes, it wasn't as important as ordinary people thought.
"Hmph!"
Aunt Linlin snorted coldly. "You better mean what you say, or I won't let this go easily!"
Ian nearly laughed.
Even in this situation, she was still trying to act tough, making herself seem like the victor.
But Ian didn't care.
After all, the final outcome was satisfactory.
If Aunt Linlin wanted to talk big, let her.
Ian even smiled slightly, saying, "In that case, I'll be counting on you later, Aunt Linlin."
Kaido twitched the corner of his mouth.
Without a doubt, Linlin's strength had improved immensely over the years of rigorous training. Just from her aura, it was clear that her power might not be inferior to his at this moment.
But compared to Ian, this level of strength was still incredibly far behind.
This action this time was really just to keep these guys from causing trouble.
If he had actually expected them to help with anything, Ian probably never even done this.
"This is truly wonderful."
Kuma let out a long sigh of relief.
That meant he didn't have to worry about Bill losing his mother at such a young age.
**********
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