Claudius's figure appeared in front of Linlin at some point, his legs seemingly non-existent as he floated midair like a ghost.
The Shinsō blade in his hand gleamed ominously, and as the words left his mouth, the blade extended, shooting out with incredible speed.
Linlin's face twisted in alarm. Without hesitation, she released her grip on her Sword. Her Observation Haki, honed to the utmost, guided her movements. Tilting her head just in time, she managed to catch the trajectory of Shinsō.
Even so, the razor-sharp tip of the blade stopped mere millimeters from her left eye, its icy energy radiating so intensely that beads of cold sweat formed on her skin.
If she had been just a fraction slower, her left eye would have been pierced clean through.
What a fast blade… Linlin thought to herself, a rare twinge of fear flashing in her heart.
Her remaining eye darted toward the figure holding the weapon. She didn't recognize him. The golden hair, the strong build, the black feathered coat—there was something about him that vaguely resembled Doflamingo, but this man was no one she had encountered before.
From the moment Claudius unleashed Shinsō, only the span of a single breath had passed. Though Linlin's Observation Haki allowed her to react, everything still happened so quickly it felt like an illusion.
Linlin's gaze locked onto Claudius's face, noticing the confident, almost smug smile tugging at his lips. Her heart sank further. She had caught the blade, so why did he look so self-assured? What had she missed?
Her thoughts were interrupted by an ominous chill spreading through her hand. A moment later, an icy mist erupted from the tip of Shinsō, enveloping her left eye in a burst of freezing energy.
Linlin's senses dulled, and within moments, her left eye lost all sensation.
"Frost Breath," Claudius murmured quietly.
The blade retracted back into its original short sword form, the icy vapor dissipating as Shinsō returned to its scabbard. Only then did Linlin unleash a pained scream, her voice echoing across the battlefield.
When she lowered the fist that had shielded her face, the extent of the damage became apparent to all. Borsalino and the others glanced toward her, their expressions shifting as they saw her left eye.
It was completely frozen.
The eye, locked wide open, was encased in frost, unable to close. As Linlin thrashed and wailed, the frozen eyeball began to crack, fragments falling away like shattered glass.
Charlotte Linlin, one of the Four Emperors, had been blinded in one eye.
Overwhelmed with fury and pain, Linlin slammed her massive fist into the ground. The force of the blow shattered the terrain, sending a powerful shockwave outward that forced Claudius, Borsalino, Enel, and Gion to retreat.
Claudius landed lightly, brushing dust off his coat. With a smirk, he said mockingly, "It's just one eye. If I had driven the blade deeper and unleashed more frost, your brains might have frozen solid. Look at the bright side, now with a blindfold, you'll look even more like a proper pirate."
Borsalino landed nearby, his usual nonchalant expression briefly giving way to surprise as he glanced at Claudius. The attack had been undeniably effective—but also undeniably underhanded.
As the smoke cleared, Linlin clutched her ruined eye with one hand, glaring at Claudius with her remaining eye. The fury in her gaze was almost palpable.
"You bastard!" she roared. "Who the hell are you?!"
For someone who had spent decades ruling the seas, Linlin could accept defeat or even injuries—though not easily—but to lose an eye to someone she didn't even recognize? That stung her pride more than anything else.
Claudius calmly shrugged off his black feather coat, rolling his neck as he offered a faint smile. "First time meeting, isn't it? Charlotte Linlin, allow me to introduce myself. Claudius, of the World Government. Leader of CP-X. I'm here to bring you to justice."
Linlin's eye widened in shock. Then her expression twisted into rage. "Claudius… You mean that Claudius? The Celestial Dragon?!"
"Ah, yes, that's me," Claudius replied with an easy nod.
Though she didn't recognize his face, his name sent alarm bells ringing in Linlin's mind. The man before her was no unknown upstart—he was a legend in his own right.
Back in her days with the Rocks Pirates, Linlin had rubbed shoulders with some of the era's most powerful figures: Ochoku, Captain John, Golden Lion Shiki, and Whitebeard Edward Newgate. Among them, she had been far from the most remarkable.
But over the years, most of those giants had fallen. Captain John was arrested in an operation led by Claudius. Shiki, the Golden Lion, had also been taken down by him. Even the Red Count- Redfield, and the Pirate King himself, Gol D. Roger, had been captured or killed with Claudius playing a significant role.
In the eyes of the world's greatest pirates, Claudius's name carried immense weight.
And now, with her eye gone and his abilities on full display, Linlin dared not underestimate the man standing before her.
"CP-X…" Linlin murmured, her Observation Haki spreading outward as she tried to grasp the situation across Totto Land.
Sure enough, she realized Doflamingo and Crocodile had blocked her Sweet Commanders, Smoothie and Cracker. Her reinforcements wouldn't be coming.
"All of this was your scheme, wasn't it?" Linlin growled.
Claudius casually touched his chin, glancing toward Borsalino. The Admiral caught his look and shook his head slightly, silently signaling that Sakazuki had yet to rejoin the fight.
Claudius sighed inwardly. He had been hoping for Sakazuki to step in as the vanguard. Between Gion and himself, both capable of holding their own, Claudius was inclined to let Sakazuki bear the brunt of the battle. After all, wasn't that what Naval Headquarters was for?
Though he was perfectly capable of fighting, Claudius saw no reason to exhaust himself unnecessarily when someone else could do it instead.
"Well," he thought with a wry smile, "I suppose I'll need to stall her a little longer."
Out loud, he said, "Yes, Charlotte Linlin, everything you see here has been meticulously planned by CP-X. Welcome to your own funeral."
Linlin's fury reached its peak. Raising her arms, she growled, "Soul Absorption!!!"
With her command, an overwhelming pull emanated from her body. The Homies surrounding her crumbled, their essence drained as she absorbed their life force. The power of souls surged into her body, amplifying her strength further.
Claudius's expression turned grim as he quickly drew his blade. Frost-coated energy surged along the blade's edge as he unleashed a slash, aiming to disrupt her.
Before the attack could land, the ground beneath Linlin exploded, molten magma erupting violently and throwing her into the air. Sakazuki's imposing figure emerged from the molten pit.
"Great Eruption!!!" he bellowed, his voice filled with fury.
A massive magma fist launched upward, striking Linlin and sending her hurtling high into the sky. Moments later, the fiery fist erupted like a volcanic explosion, briefly lighting up the battlefield.
When the flames subsided, Sakazuki stood breathing heavily, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. His injuries from earlier were evident, his movements slightly strained.
Claudius regarded him with mock concern. "Sakazuki, are you alright? Need to take a break?"
Despite his exhaustion, Sakazuki's fiery will remained unshaken. He waved Claudius off, his voice resolute. "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I can handle it!"
Claudius smirked inwardly. "That's perfect. As long as he's willing to keep fighting, I don't need to step in."
Outwardly, he nodded and said, "Very well, but be careful. Don't push yourself too hard."
***
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