'Boom… boom…'
On Island No. 1, two figures clashed violently. Despite his immense strength, Oars Jr., the Ancient Giant, was eventually overpowered by Garp's relentless assault. Like a cannonball, he was sent flying through the air, crashing into tree after tree at a frightening speed.
'Boom… boom…'
The massive green figure spun uncontrollably, smashing through tree trunks until he tore through one of the island's giant trees, causing it to collapse with a thunderous crash.
"Oars—!"
Rock, Fish-man Jien, and the others were shocked. They hadn't expected Garp to be so powerful, capable of sending Oars flying despite his formidable attack. Oars' technique, one of his most powerful, harnessed the Ancient Giant's immense strength combined with high-speed rotation, capable of devastating force. If Oars shrank himself to thumb size, he could potentially pierce any target with that spin. Among their crew, only Linlin and their leader, El, could withstand such force; the others could only dodge. Yet, Garp had managed to overpower it head-on.
"Don't worry, Oars isn't that fragile!" Linlin waved dismissively, unconcerned for Oars' safety. The members of the Fallen Angel Pirates had sparred countless times, and Linlin knew Oars' capabilities well. His powerful body may have taken some damage, but he wouldn't be defeated so easily.
'Crackle…'
Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, Sengoku, though he had managed to release a shockwave at the last moment to block Linlin's devastating attack, was still sent flying, crashing into a large tree. Now back in his human form, he stood up, covered in blood and looking disheveled.
"Sengoku, are you alright?" Garp, wary of Linlin and the others, quickly moved to Sengoku's side. Seeing the deep, bloody gash stretching 20 to 30 centimeters across Sengoku's chest, Garp's face darkened.
"I'm fine…" Sengoku waved him off, though blood still trickled from his mouth. His eyes locked on Linlin and her crew before darting toward the auction house, filled with concern. "Tsuru…"
But as Sengoku, Garp, and the nearby Marines and CP agents turned pale, two figures emerged from the dust of the auction house. Tsuru, with a green collar around her neck, walked stiffly, clearly under someone's control. Walking beside her was Naef.
"Tsuru—!"
Sengoku and Garp's expressions grew grim. Tsuru had been captured and was now unable to resist.
"Sorry, Sengoku, I made you lose focus…" Tsuru, seeing Sengoku covered in blood and badly injured, understood what had happened and felt guilty. "Are you alright?" she asked, full of concern.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me… 'Life Return!'"
With that, Sengoku stood tall, his muscles rippling as he used the technique to suppress his injuries and prevent further blood loss.
'Blip… blip…'
Suddenly, a sound came from the Den Den Mushi in Tsuru's pocket. Naef raised an eyebrow and took it from her, answering the call.
"The Navy fleet has arrived and is about to completely surround the Sabaody Archipelago. Admiral Hark is preparing to land. What's the situation? Have you rescued the Celestial Dragons yet?"
'Click!'
Before Tsuru could respond, Naef hung up the Den Den Mushi.
"You heard that?" Garp, furious, clenched his fists and glared at Linlin and her crew. "You're finished. Don't make this harder on yourselves. Surrender now!"
"That's right. The Navy fleet is here. Not even a fly can escape this island. Let our comrade go!" Sengoku gritted his teeth, his concern for Tsuru clearly affecting his judgment.
"Hehe, there's no need to worry… With your strength, you wouldn't have lost so quickly. You were just distracted by her," Linlin teased, motioning toward Tsuru. Then, with a smirk, she added, "Is she your lover? Or perhaps you secretly love her?"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Tsuru's face flushed red as she rebuffed Linlin's claim. She and Sengoku were close comrades, having joined the Navy together and fought in countless battles over the years. Their bond was one of deep friendship and trust, strong enough to entrust their lives to each other. If Garp had been the one injured, Tsuru was sure Sengoku would have been just as worried.
"We're just comrades!" Sengoku, his face pale from blood loss, also blushed slightly. Tsuru was admired by many in the Navy, known as the "Navy's Flower." Naturally, Sengoku harbored some feelings for her, though he had never acted on them, fearing rejection and awkwardness between them. For now, he kept those feelings hidden, insisting, "It's a deep camaraderie, something a ruthless pirate like you wouldn't understand!"
"Ha! Still trying to deny it…" Linlin scoffed, clearly not convinced by Sengoku's words. "But I've got a more interesting idea…"
A wicked grin spread across Linlin's face as she approached Tsuru and Naef. Sengoku, Garp, and the others sensed danger and braced themselves.
"What are you planning?" Sengoku's expression darkened.
"What am I planning?" Linlin sneered, her claws brushing against Tsuru's face. "She's got quite a lovely face. I bet El would like her. I wish I could grow up this quickly…"
With that, Linlin's claws seized Tsuru.
"Stop it!!"
"Don't come any closer, or I can't guarantee her life!" Linlin's threat stopped Sengoku and Garp in their tracks, their anger mixed with dread.
But what happened next left them in shock.
Tsuru's body rapidly aged before their eyes. Her dark blue hair turned white, her face wrinkled, and her posture became hunched.
"What did you do to me?"
Feeling her youth draining away and her body weakening, Tsuru's voice trembled. Even her voice had grown old and frail.
"This…"
"How is this possible?"
Sengoku and Garp were left speechless, their jaws dropping. Even the Marines and CP agents around them were stunned. The once beautiful and powerful Rear Admiral Tsuru, admired by many, had been transformed into an old woman in an instant. The sight was horrifying.
"Ahhh—!" Tsuru screamed in horror, staring at her now wrinkled hands and frail body, struggling to accept what had happened.
"Damn you… what have you done to me?"
She glared at Linlin, her fury burning as she demanded an explanation.
Linlin licked her lips and laughed darkly, "What did I do? I simply took your youth! Now, you're like an eighty-year-old woman. If you were meant to live to a hundred, you might have ten years left. Oh, and by the way, unless I give your lifespan back, even if you defeat or kill me, it won't return!"
"What!?"
"You monster—"
Sengoku and Garp's faces turned ashen, their rage intensifying as they stared daggers at Linlin.
Meanwhile, Tsuru, pale as a sheet, trembled as the terrifying realization sank in. The Marines and CP agents around them recoiled in horror, stepping back instinctively from the devilish figure before them.
"Charlotte Linlin, what do you want?" Tsuru took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. It was clear that Linlin didn't intend to kill her yet and wasn't afraid of their threats.
"Heh, you're a clever woman…" Linlin grinned, savoring the moment. "If you kill Sengoku, I'll return your youth. Or Sengoku, if you kill your comrade Garp, I'll return her lifespan and let her go."
"What!?"
"Never—"