Boom…
Whoosh…
The Ikoku Sovereignty was deflected by Bazel's full-force punch, grazing the edge of the Whole Cake Chateau and flying higher into the sky.
After that initial probe, Bazel had gauged the power gap between himself and Linlin.
If converted into a formula…
One unit of Linlin's strength was roughly equal to 1.5 to 2 units of Bazel's current strength.
As for why there was a range, combat isn't just about physical attributes… it also depends on one's condition during the fight.
If the comparison target was speed…
Even though the current Linlin wasn't as obese as she would be 29 years later, her speed was still slightly inferior to Bazel's.
It was just that her massive body gave her attacks a much wider area of effect.
If Bazel wanted to dodge, he would need to expend far more stamina than he did fighting Rayleigh.
He stepped forward, charging!
Closing the distance with extreme speed, he threw a punch.
But it was perceived and blocked by the enemy's Observation Haki in advance.
Seeing that the skin the enemy used to block wasn't even coated in Haki, Bazel's heart sank.
A sense of foreboding washed over him.
Iron Balloon…
As a transmigrator, Bazel naturally knew the few things Linlin was famous for.
Monstrous strength, iron-like skin, and being blessed with many children…
Leaving the last element aside, a human actually possessing strength and defense comparable to a giant… just these two points made Bazel extremely wary.
It could be said that Linlin had definitely maxed out her talent in physical attributes.
After all, Kaido's special physique relied more on the ancient giant bloodline within him.
Linlin was different. Whether it was information from before his transmigration or the news Bazel heard from Kaido now, it all pointed to one thing.
That is, Linlin is human.
One hundred percent pure human!
He retreated several steps, avoiding the descending Napoleon.
Bazel knew that relying solely on Gear 2, he couldn't continue the fight against this enemy.
Unless his body underwent several more years of growth, and his muscles were further strengthened, perhaps then he could fight Linlin using just Gear 2.
He recalled the Fire Kirin, leaving only the Lightning Serpent to entangle with Zeus.
He sucked the remaining two serpent spirits into his mouth.
Linlin, who was charging towards Bazel, stopped in her tracks, her brows suddenly furrowing tightly.
"His aura has changed..."
At the same time, the many children of Big Mom watching the battle from not far away looked puzzled.
Only Katakuri and Perospero's expressions turned grave.
"Katakuri, you sensed it too, right!?"
Katakuri's expression was grim. He had thought the other party's statement, 'you can't even witness my stronger forms', was meant to mock him.
After all, their ages weren't far apart. Even if the other party was stronger than him, it was impossible for him to be that much stronger.
But now, it seemed he had been too naive.
"This aura... like a frenzied wild beast... Perospero-nii, can a human really possess an aura of this level?"
"Frenzied wild beast? Wahahaha~"
Hanafuda, hearing this, laughed disdainfully, "Bazel is far more than just a wild beast, Charlotte Katakuri!"
"Just watch! In this state, Bazel can fight that Dark King Rayleigh to a draw!"
"You think what you're seeing is a wild beast? Wrong!"
"Only when Bazel activates the complete Gear 3 does he become the true Calamity!!"
"Watch! If Charlotte Linlin can't defeat Bazel quickly, the Whole Cake Castle will soon be destroyed!"
…
"Haaa…"
A breath mixed with sparks exhaled from the corners of his lips.
"Gear 3: Setting Sun Body."
Scales like the crimson gold of the sunset, golden vertical pupils radiating a fearsome wildness.
It was different from the time with Rayleigh.
Back then, Bazel had forced his growth, prematurely activating Gear Third.
If it weren't for Babanuki and the others stumbling upon a solution, he would have surely become addicted to the immense power Gear 3 brought.
After so much training, Bazel could now perfectly control the numerous enhancements brought by Gear 3.
Although his mind would still become extremely excited in this state, it was much better compared to before.
At least he could control his thoughts, unlike during his fight with Rayleigh, where he would stop at nothing for victory.
Boom!
Crimson Conqueror's Haki shot into the sky, forming a vague, large curtain. Countless wailing spirits and skeletons 'swam' within it, screaming before turning into wisps of blue smoke.
Roar…!!!
At this moment, the Conqueror's Haki seemed to have its own consciousness. Within the blood-red mist composed of countless wisps of blue smoke, the figure of a crimson-gold eight-headed serpent slowly coalesced!
The ground cracked, flowers and plants withered.
In less than half a minute, the area where Bazel stood began to develop into a wasteland.
A scorching hell where living beings absolutely could not survive!
Bazel, who had been hanging his head low, lifted it. His body turned into an afterimage and vanished.
Linlin's expression turned grave. She controlled the now-free Prometheus to spew flames behind her.
"Low temperature…"
A murmur sounded. Bazel, who had originally intended to attack Linlin from behind, shifted his gaze.
His body abruptly rose into the air.
A hand wrapped in Haki reached out towards the sun.
But another palm appeared in advance on Bazel's charging path.
"Get lost!"
Bang!
Bazel was sent flying by a palm strike.
Linlin hurriedly took Prometheus and skewered it onto Napoleon. Looking down at her scorched left hand, surprise flashed in her eyes.
"To actually break through my skin's defense. Not bad at all."
"I'm liking you more and more now. Your flavor must be far more delicious than my other husbands~"
"Then have a taste of this."
The sound of tearing air rang out!
Bazel, his body wrapped in red light, suddenly charged into Charlotte Linlin's embrace.
Third Form: God Hunter!
His right fist first slammed heavily into the enemy's chest, then moved upward to swat away a fireball spat at him. As it moved down, he took the opportunity to grab the opponent's collar and yanked her towards himself.
His left arm was wrapped in two types of Haki, muscles tensing and swelling.
Third Form Kai: Dusk Spear!
He threw his left arm forward like a cannonball.
"Argh!"
Linlin let out a scream, her entire body flying backward at extreme speed.
After crashing through countless cake structures, she landed with a thunderous boom.
The watching Big Mom Pirates' members all gasped in shock.
"Mom!!"
"Are you okay, Mom? Damn it, I'll kill you!!"
"Silence."
Just as the many children were making a racket, Streusen, who had been hiding, stepped forward.
Though short in stature, the authority radiating from his eyes brooked no resistance.
Whoever was swept by those eyes, from their previous anger, became quiet.
"Linlin, that's enough testing. You should already understand that man's caliber."
"Mamamamamama~"
"That's right, Streusen. I've already tasted his fists. Unlike my previous husbands, Bazel possesses very powerful strength."
"He will definitely be my most outstanding husband. Nana, Bazel, marry me~"
"If I'm happy, I might even let you become the second captain of the Big Mom Pirates!"
"You'll enjoy the same status as me. As long as you're willing to stay, I might consider not taking any other husbands in the future."
Bazel, in his Gear 3's state, should have maintained an endless, undiminishing high fighting spirit.
Setting Sun Body.
The name of this form itself represented its raison d'être.
Dusk, the final setting sun is about to descend.
But before it sets completely, the sun is still the sun.
Even knowing it will vanish the next second, it still radiates the brilliance unique to the sun.
This is the pride of the setting sun.
But even if he was as prideful as the setting sun now, he became listless after Linlin's few sentences.
Bazel instantly exited his Gear 3's state.
"Ah ha, hahaha~~ Kaido-san, I suddenly feel very tired. I'm going back. I'll come again on the day of the Tea Party."
Jumping onto Hanafuda's back, feigning weakness, Bazel's deliberately lowered, urgent words sounded in the man's ear.
"Run faster, you bastard! Make your damn legs move quicker!!"
"If I become Linlin's husband, I'll definitely arrange to get you in bed too!"
Hearing this, Hanafuda instantly shivered. Ignoring the strange looks around him, he broke into a sprint towards the coast where the Lizard King was docked.
"Kaido-sama, it's bad! Bazel is severely injured and about to die!
"As expected of the Great Pirate Charlotte Linlin! Just her aura alone severely injured Bazel, bringing him to the brink of death! But don't worry! I'll take him for treatment right now!!"
"I'll leave this place to you!!"
Kaido: "???"
'When did Linlin become so strong?'