Between Two Worlds: Nen and Haki

They never imagined she would have the audacity to tell Mama she was casting aside the name Charlotte.

It was simply unthinkable...

Stunned, the elites of the Big Mom Pirates instinctively shifted their gaze from Pudding toward Zane.

Their shock vanished instantly.

Of course.

Pudding wasn't standing alone.

She had a terrifyingly powerful clansman at her side.

Charlotte Linlin's expression flickered through a series of emotions.

She glared intently at Pudding.

As if trying to confirm if this was truly the same obedient daughter she knew.

Alas.

No matter how she looked at it, this was undeniably Pudding.

"Let's go."

Zane was quite pleased with the courage Pudding had displayed.

He would naturally protect his own people.

But if a clansman was too cowardly, his protection would be nothing more than a duty, devoid of any real sentiment.

Pudding's bravery perfectly aligned with Zane's own temperament.

It made him grow even fonder of this kinswoman he had accepted as his sister.

Taking Pudding's small hand in his, Zane turned and led her through the still-open Space Door.

Watching Zane's retreating back and her traitorous daughter, Charlotte Linlin's face was veiled in shadow. Her fists clenched repeatedly, yet she made no move to stop them until the Space Door finally snapped shut.

"AAAAAAAAAH!!!"

As the Space Door closed, a piercing shriek erupted from Charlotte Linlin's throat. The horrifying soundwaves agitated the very air, creating a shockwave that shattered the surrounding earth and forced the nearby members of the Big Mom Pirates to clutch their ears in agony.

"Worororo! To have your daughter taken away so brazenly... how pathetic, Lingling. Still, that Zane certainly has some tricks up his sleeve. It looks like the seas won't be boring from now on."

On the ravaged coastline, Kaido sat amidst the spray of the sea, gulping down wine from a jug he had scavenged from who-knows-where.

One moment he was mocking her, and the next his face darkened as he violently smashed the wine jug against the ground.

His head was battered and bloodied, and even worse, of the two horns that marked his Oni lineage, the right one had been snapped off entirely.

"Admiral, we've received the latest news from Totto Land! The battle between Three-Eye Zane and Big Mom has ended. Three-Eye Zane has already departed from the territory!"

On a warship heading toward Totto Land, a Rear Admiral rushed out of the cabin to find Borsalino, who was sitting on the deck calmly slurping down a bowl of noodles.

"Oh? Quick, contact Headquarters immediately and report this situation!" Borsalino paused, maintaining a facade of calm as he replied.

Then, suddenly finding his appetite, he immediately ordered the chef to bring several more servings.

Unaware of Borsalino's inner relief, the news of the battle's conclusion quickly reached Marine Headquarters and was subsequently forwarded to the World Government.

Inside the majestic and solemn Pangaea Castle.

"He actually managed to suppress a woman like Charlotte Linlin?"

"It seems we need to further re-evaluate his combat capabilities. He isn't just relying on the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit to run wild."

"It's more than just the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. According to the detailed intelligence from Totto Land, it is now confirmed that he has found some way to master multiple Devil Fruit abilities."

"He truly is an anomaly. We can no longer let a man like this roam free. If we don't eliminate him soon, he will only become harder to deal with in the future."

"Agreed. To suppress Charlotte Linlin at his age... his potential likely exceeds even that of Rocks. He must be eliminated as soon as possible."

"Prepare to deploy the Holy Knights. Our previous strategies were too conservative; they are no longer sufficient to deal with this individual."

"Seconded!"

"Agreed."

Inside the palace—which had been fully restored to a state even more magnificent and glorious than before—the Five Elders quickly reached a consensus on how to handle Zane, their voices echoing in agreement.

*

*

*

The Calm Belt.

Two massive sea serpents, as large as Sea Kings, pulled a magnificent red vessel through the water.

This ship was none other than the Perfume Yuda, the flagship of the Kuja Pirates.

"Sister, has Master Zane returned yet?"

At the bow of the ship, Hancock stood with one hand on her hip, her purple cheongsam perfectly accentuating her domineering figure as she gazed toward the distant silhouette of Rusukaina.

Standing behind her were her sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold.

The two looked at their sister, and Marigold asked with a look of high expectation.

Whether it was Hancock or her two sisters, they all held Zane in extremely high regard.

Zane had left so abruptly last time that Sandersonia and Marigold barely had a chance to speak with him.

They had already learned from their sister that Zane had stationed his subordinates on Rusukaina for training.

With Hancock suddenly suggesting a trip to Rusukaina, Marigold and Sandersonia naturally assumed that Zane had returned.

"Huh? What did you say?"

She seemed calm and composed on the surface, but her mind had actually been drifting for quite some time. Marigold's question snapped Hancock out of her daze, and she turned to look at her sister in confusion.

Marigold and Sandersonia both looked at their elder sister with surprise.

What was going on? Their sister had been spacing out quite frequently these past few days.

"I was asking..." Marigold had no choice but to repeat her question.

"That... I do not know. This trip is merely a visit to check on our neighbors," Hancock said, brushing a lock of hair from her cheek as she turned back to look at Rusukaina with feigned indifference.

'Mr. Zane, do you not miss me at all?'

'If not, why haven't you called even once?'

As she stared at the island, Hancock felt a wave of melancholy wash over her.

She didn't understand what was happening to her.

Lately, she found it difficult to sleep, and whenever she did, her dreams were filled with her time spent with Mr. Zane.

This trip to Rusukaina was because she could no longer bear the restlessness; she needed a change of pace.

His subordinates were there... perhaps Mr. Zane had already returned.

At that thought, Hancock's heart filled with anticipation and joy.

"Hey, everyone! Come check out what we caught!"

"Whoa! Is that the crocodile from the northern marshes? Nice work! You guys actually managed to bag that thing!"

"You bet! I remember this guy clearly. Look at this scar—back during our first exploration, I almost got eaten by this bastard. I swore I'd take it down eventually."

"Crocodile meat, huh? We'll have to prepare this properly. You lot clear out; it's time for the chef squad to show off our skills!"

All around the giant radish-shaped tree, people were bustling about as the members of the Hunting Team went about their work.

Some were returning in triumph with their catch, others were turning the haul into a feast, and some were receiving treatment for their injuries.

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