On Linlin's very first attempt at imitation, there were very few errors.
After a few tries, Linlin's movements were extremely standardized, just not quite proficient yet.
And even that lack of proficiency disappeared quickly.
In just one morning, Linlin had learned the basic movements of swordsmanship. Even Hank was shocked to the core.
With her suspicions confirmed, Carmel became even more determined: she had to get Linlin at all costs.
Half a month passed quickly.
On this day, at the training ground, Linlin and Hank stood facing each other.
"Linlin, your talent is not only the best I've ever seen, but likely rare in the entire world. Apart from a few ultimate techniques of our Giant Kingdom, you have already mastered all other swordsmanship."
"Let's have a match. Let me see your current strength. After the match, I will teach you the remaining warrior techniques."
"Okay, Uncle Hank! You have to be careful; Linlin is very strong!"
"Just bring it on."
Hank waved his hand, signaling Linlin to attack.
"Here comes Linlin!!"
Linlin gripped the hilt of her sword with her right hand. Boom!
The hard ground cracked instantly under her step, and her figure vanished, shooting towards Hank like a streak of light.
"So fast!!"
Hank and Carmel exclaimed in unison.
The next second, Linlin appeared in front of Hank. Gripping the hilt with both hands, she slashed down ruthlessly, the sound of tearing air following her blade.
Linlin's speed and the powerful attack she displayed horrified Hank.
It seemed that in previous training, Linlin had still been holding back.
However, as the strongest warrior of the Giant Race, his combat experience was rich.
Combat instinct drove Hank to slash upwards immediately.
But he still held back his strength; if he used full power, it wouldn't be a joke.
CLANG!
A loud bang echoed as their swords collided.
SNAP!
The next second, neither Linlin's nor Hank's sword could withstand the terrifying force, and both snapped one after another.
Two giant broken swords fell to the ground with a dull thud.
"This..." Licking his dry lips, Hank said helplessly:
"Linlin, you are even stronger than I imagined. Starting tomorrow, I will officially teach you the Giant Race's warrior techniques!!"
He glanced at Linlin, whose clothes had been cut by the blade. On her fair skin, there was only a faint red mark; the skin hadn't been broken.
"Even the skin surface wasn't broken... defense comparable to steel!!"
After witnessing Linlin's physical defense, he felt like he had discovered a new continent, clicking his tongue in secret amazement.
Before this, he simply thought Linlin had great cultivation talent, high comprehension, and powerful offense.
He hadn't expected her defense to be equally uncompromising.
"Hehe... Big Brother, did you hear that? I'm going to learn Ikoku tomorrow!!"
Happy, Linlin turned and waved to Reno. Reno smiled and nodded.
After nearly a month, this day had finally arrived.
The giant warrior technique Ikoku (Sovereignty) was a top-tier move with massive destructive power, even in the context of the entire world.
In the original story, because Big Mom destroyed Elbaf when she was young, she had a poor relationship with the giants and never mastered Ikoku.
However, she created her own imitation move that was no less powerful than Ikoku, called Elbaf Spear: Ikoku (Sovereignty/Nation's Might)!
It displayed impressive performance during the Onigashima war.
In the distance, Carmel watched the battle between Linlin and Hank.
Even though she knew—and had witnessed over these days—how terrifying Linlin's talent was, seeing her shatter the giant sword in Hank's hand with one move still shocked her brain into shutting down.
After recovering, Carmel was ecstatic.
Just now, she had seen with her own eyes that the broken blade touched Linlin's skin. But aside from cutting her clothes, it left no trace on her body.
Defense! Linlin also had top-tier defense!!
Every so often, Linlin would give her a massive surprise.
She had hit the jackpot. This time, she really hit the jackpot.
Every talent revealed by Linlin was enough to earn her hundreds of thousands more Berries.
For Linlin, the World Government would definitely pay any price.
The price of selling Linlin alone could rival the value of the entire House of Lambs.
The greed surging in her heart almost made Carmel reveal her true colors in front of Reno.
I must kill him. I must kill Reno!!
Although Carmel disguised it well, Reno still keenly caught the fleeting killing intent in her eyes.
Old hag, can't hold it in anymore, can you??
Reno sneered inwardly.
Once they mastered Ikoku, it would be the death date of this old hag.
"Linlin, your training for today is over. Come to the House of Lambs; I'll make you something delicious."
"You haven't come for days. The children miss you. Jace has been talking about you."
"Reno, you come too."
Carmel warmly invited the two.
"Okay! Okay! Uncle Hank, that's it for today then. I'll come back tomorrow!"
Hearing about delicious food, Linlin couldn't wait to wave goodbye to Hank.
"You little brat..."
Hank shook his head helplessly. He had discovered something.
Linlin had peerless talent, but when faced with food, she had absolutely zero resistance.
Today was the day to learn the giant warrior technique, Ikoku. Hank was much more serious than before.
He looked at Linlin and said earnestly:
"The Giant Race has two most famous ultimate moves."
"The first is the one you came here to learn: Elbaf Spear: Ikoku (Sovereignty)!!"
"The second is a taijutsu technique: The Spear of Heroes!!"
"But to learn these two moves, you must possess a powerful physique to support them!"