'Whoooosh—'
The massive island-cloud Homies descended from the sky, landing on the shores of Drum Kingdom. At the top, the Fallen Angel Pirates' flag waved prominently, instantly catching the attention and causing panic in the nearby villages.
"Is that…?"
"A huge cloud?"
"There are buildings and people on it…"
"Wait, it's the Fallen Angel Pirates!!"
"What? The ones who kidnapped and killed the World Nobles, and destroyed a Navy stronghold?"
"Why are they here?"
The villagers along the kingdom's border, recognizing the Fallen Angel Pirates' flag, were filled with fear and unease. On the cloud were thousands of warriors in gleaming white armor, each carrying swords, spears, or shields, along with knights on towering horses. Above, an army of sky knights rode on pterodactyls, griffins, and other creatures, circling the area.
These living Homies, with human-like faces and expressions, looked like terrifying monsters from the depths of hell.
Hundreds of soldiers from the Drum Kingdom's military arrived, sweating nervously as they cautiously held their ground.
"Pirates… What is your purpose here?"
The lead commander, gathering his courage, stepped forward with his troops ready for battle.
"No need to be alarmed; we're not here to cause trouble…" Tsuru sighed, stepping forward to negotiate. "We're just here to find someone and do a little sightseeing!"
She knew very well how powerful Gerd's Homies army was. Most were created using the souls of elite Navy soldiers, and while some would only last three to five years, these Homies were practically invulnerable, tougher than steel, and completely fearless. Their combat strength was something no regular kingdom's army could match.
"Sightseeing?"
"Looking for someone?"
"Are you kidding?"
The kingdom's soldiers exchanged skeptical glances, reluctant to trust Tsuru's words. They kept their eyes fixed on the group atop Atlantis, staying on guard.
"This kingdom doesn't welcome you…" The commander, gritting his teeth and showing hostility, shouted, "Pirates, leave at once!"
Tsuru: "…"
I'm being polite and telling you the truth, and you don't listen.
Do you really want the Fallen Angel Pirates to "negotiate" with you using swords?
"Haha, Tsuru, looks like your negotiation skills aren't working!"
With long golden hair, sapphire-blue eyes, and a stylish dress, Lillian laughed, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. Although El and others had encouraged her to reveal her third eye, Lillian still habitually wore a headband to cover it.
At her waist hung a magnificent rapier named "Castanel," one of the famed Supreme Grade swords, previously wielded by Saint Howard, the Supreme Commander of the Holy Knights. It had been brought back by Jien, the Fish-man, and was gifted to Lillian by El as a sign of trust and encouragement.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma, let me handle this…"
Linlin's towering figure stepped forward with a wicked grin, drawing her massive saber, Napoleon, slowly and deliberately.
The soldiers and armed villagers, holding muskets, spears, and bows, tensed at the sight, their faces turning pale.
"Haha, Linlin, they're just ordinary citizens; there's no need…" Tsuru raised an eyebrow, trying to intervene.
"I know… do you think we're common pirates who only know looting and pillaging?" Linlin rolled her eyes and waved a hand. "El Oniichan told us to win people over with respect, not to rely on brute force all the time!"
Although Linlin had used Life Return to shrink her height to about five meters, her size was still intimidating to ordinary people, radiating an undeniable aura of power.
"Tsk!"
Before anyone could react, Linlin's saber lifted and sliced toward an empty part of the distant shoreline.
'Slash—' A terrifying shockwave surged forward, cutting through the air.
'Boom…' An explosion erupted, sending dust and debris flying.
A stretch of coastline, over a hundred meters long, broke cleanly away from the island and crashed into the sea with a smooth, clean cut where it had been severed.
"The coast… it's been sliced off!"
"What kind of monster is this?"
The sight left the soldiers and villagers, who had never seen such power, utterly speechless and horrified. Faces turned pale, and many stood shaking, gazing at Linlin's towering figure in terror.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma…"
Linlin smiled down at the panicked soldiers and villagers, calling out, "If we were here to cause trouble, do you think we'd be wasting time talking? Isn't that right?"
"Heh, yes, you're absolutely right…"
"We apologize; it was our mistake!"
Sweating and wary, the villagers and soldiers dared not argue further, realizing they couldn't face a power like this—a force that seemed like a natural disaster.
"Well then, may we go in now?" Lillian asked with a friendly smile.
The soldiers and villagers, still visibly shaken, nodded hastily, "Of course…"
Tsuru: "…"
Now 'that' is what you call "winning people over."
With a sigh, she rubbed her forehead, realizing she had learned something new.
"Alright then, go explore at your leisure…"
El, who had been observing quietly, folded his arms and spoke with a smile, "Just be back before evening, don't lose track of time!"
"If anything happens, send a signal."
"Yes, El-sama!"
Lillian, the mermaid Ily, and the dancer Baka were visibly excited as they prepared to explore.
A moment later—
A thundercloud sped off into the distance, passing over villages and snowy plains below, before arriving above Drum Kingdom.
The kingdom's fortress stood atop a towering peak, resembling an iron barrel.
'Swoosh!'
In an instant, as they neared, an invisible shockwave rippled outward.
The guards, attendants, and officials below were struck all at once, their eyes rolling back as they collapsed, frothing at the mouth.
"Let's confirm the location first!"
Three tall figures descended from the thundercloud, Zeus.
El placed a hand on the head of a guard captain, instantly reading his memory and confirming the king's location within Drum Kingdom.
"El Oniichan, your Observation Haki is so handy!"
"Lillian gained the Paramecia-type Glare-Glare Fruit, but she can only read people's current thoughts—not memories like this…"
Linlin and Gerd, familiar with this ability, exchanged glances. They were among the few in the Fallen Angel Pirates who knew that El's Observation Haki could read people's thoughts, and even access their memories.
They quickly made their way to the royal chambers.
Without having mastered the art of Life Return to shrink her size, the grandiose halls would have been uncomfortably cramped for someone like Linlin. Even with her reduced height, her presence was imposing, and these vast halls felt nearly small.
And for El and Gerd, the castle seemed even more confined.
"Hmph, it really is the Paramecia-type Munch-Munch Fruit!"
Inside the lavish royal chambers, El placed his right hand on the king's head, locating the Devil Fruit. "And it seems there's also a Paramecia-type Shroom-Shroom Fruit here?"
"Oh? Another Devil Fruit?"
"Haha, buy one, get one free, not a bad deal!"
El was pleased, and Linlin and Gerd were thrilled by this surprise find.
They made their way to the treasury, where they found the two Devil Fruits: one a deep purple-black resembling a Venus flytrap, and the other a pure white mushroom shape.
Both seemed to give off an odd allure, tempting someone to take a bite.
Ignoring the piles of gold and jewels, the three took only the fruits and left directly.
~~~
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