ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

Charlotte Linlin's mouth hung open in a ghastly grin, reminiscent of a cackling witch, while her eyes gleamed with an unsettling mix of hunger and menace.

Caesar Clown—who had spent enough time studying the Yonko—felt his heart sink. His suspicions were confirmed.

At this moment, Big Mom was in her usual wicked state. However, when hunger overtook her, she would transform into a rampaging, mindless beast, a force of destruction known as her Hunger Pangs. Only on rare occasions did a gentle and affectionate version of Linlin emerge, like a fleeting illusion.

It was a pity—Caesar actually preferred that side of her.

"Well then, come on. Let's see how strong you really are."

The clash that followed was far more intense than Caesar's previous battle with Kaido.

When he fought Kaido, it was an overwhelming contest of brute force—Kaido's sheer durability and monstrous strength made him nearly unshakable. But against Linlin, the fight was different. Wielding Napoleon, her massive living sword, she attacked with astonishing agility. Her strikes weren't just physically powerful—they carried Haki-infused flying slashes, each one cleaving through the air with terrifying precision.

The onlookers were left in awe, their eyes struggling to follow the battle.

In the end, Caesar was defeated.

After two days of recovery, he sought out Whitebeard.

Edward Newgate—Whitebeard—was reputed to be the strongest man aboard the Rocks Pirates, second only to Rocks D. Xebec himself.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Whitebeard accepted Caesar's challenge. He had been a battle-hardened warrior even in his youth, long before he earned the title of "The Strongest Man in the World."

With a deafening clang, Whitebeard's Bisento shattered Caesar's sword, forcing him to rely on hand-to-hand combat.

Caesar countered with Haki—his arms turned jet-black as he coated them in Busoshoku Haki. His movements were sharp, seamlessly blending Kenbunshoku Haki for foresight and Haoshoku Haki for sheer willpower.

"UORAAAA!!!"

Whitebeard's roar echoed across the ship as his enormous frame lunged forward, bringing down his Bisento with a devastating overhead swing.

Caesar gritted his teeth and met the strike head-on, his hardened arms intercepting the massive blade.

A tremendous clash of Haki erupted between them.

BOOM!

A powerful shockwave burst into the sky, forming a transparent dome of energy.

The ship quaked violently under the force.

Brad, who had been hiding behind a mast, watched in utter disbelief. He hadn't seen Caesar fight before—having fainted early in the previous battle against Kaido and Cross—but this time, he was witnessing the full extent of Caesar's strength.

"…They won't break the ship, will they?" Brad muttered, scratching his head, a bit concerned.

BOOM!

Another collision sent a second shockwave rippling through the air.

The entire hull trembled. Crew members shouted complaints.

"Oi, oi! You two want to wreck this ship or what?!"

"This ship is still new, damn it!"

Even as Caesar felt the overwhelming difference in their strength, he didn't falter. Seizing a spare cutlass from a fallen crew member, he charged at Whitebeard once more.

---

[14: The Unpredictable Grand Line!]

A gentle breeze swept over the ship as it drifted across the now-calm sea.

Caesar stretched his arms, standing on the deck, enjoying this rare moment of peace. The warmth of the sun brought back childhood memories—lazy days spent lying on the beach.

Over the past weeks, he had challenged Big Mom, Whitebeard, Kaido, the Golden Lion, and others.

His combat skills had sharpened dramatically.

His mastery over the three types of Haki had also improved.

Fighting the strongest was the only way to grow.

Suddenly, an urgent voice shattered his tranquility.

"Unknown phenomenon ahead! Full left rudder! Turn now!"

Caesar's eyes snapped open.

Five hundred meters ahead, an ominous dark cloud loomed unnaturally low in the sky.

Zzzzt—Zzzzt—

Lightning crackled within the mass of swirling darkness.

BOOM!

A deafening thunderclap rang out, and a downpour of golden lightning bolts rained from the cloud, striking the sea in rapid succession.

As the ship swerved, Caesar clutched the railing for balance, eyes widening at the eerie spectacle.

"What the hell…? The storm is localized to just one area?"

The ship barely managed to evade the strange storm. Within minutes, the sea returned to complete stillness.

Caesar let out a slow breath, then sat beside Brad, dangling a fishing line over the edge.

Brad wiped sweat from his forehead. "Seriously? After all that, you're just gonna sit here and fish?"

Slap.

A heavy thud echoed across the deck.

Both men turned their heads.

Their jaws dropped.

Without warning, hailstones had begun to fall—first sparse, then rapid, as dense as a torrential downpour.

Caesar yanked Brad into the cabin for cover. Through the glass window, he observed the storm outside, his curiosity piqued.

Whitebeard glanced at the two, his laughter booming across the room.

"Gurararara! First time at sea, huh?"

Caesar turned to Whitebeard, momentarily embarrassed.

Whitebeard shook his head, grinning. "The second half of the Grand Line—the New World—is unpredictable. You'll get used to it."

But the weather wasn't the only thing that left Caesar in awe.

The islands, too, were bizarre—some floating, others engulfed in flame, some frozen solid despite the tropical heat.

Luckily, Caesar hadn't eaten a Devil Fruit, so he often joined the crew in swimming or fishing. Sometimes, he'd stand at the ship's edge and watch as the others scared fish out of the water with a single punch.

One night, while eating grilled fish, something unexpected happened.

Charlotte Linlin extended a piece of fish toward him.

Caesar froze. His pupils contracted.

Big Mom… was offering him food?

Though it was just a palm-sized fish, the gesture itself was shocking.

Linlin, who was notorious for her obsessive food hoarding, never shared.

…Unless she was in her rare, gentle state.

But as Caesar glanced up at her, he saw not kindness, but a sinister, bloodthirsty glint in her eyes.

'No… this is definitely her usual wicked self.'

Sensing his hesitation, Linlin's expression darkened.

"Hmm?" She narrowed her eyes dangerously.

"Don't want it?"

Caesar hesitated for only a second before reluctantly taking the fish.

Linlin grinned.

"Caesar, why don't you join my crew?"

Caesar sighed internally. He had seen this coming.

Her ambition was blatant.

"Your crew?" He raised an eyebrow. "You mean your division?"

Linlin nodded confidently. "I've got plenty of food and strong subordinates."

Before Caesar could reply, another voice cut in.

"Tch. My division is better."

The Golden Lion, Shiki, sauntered over, his sharp eyes gleaming as he glared at Linlin.

It wasn't a simple invitation—there was a threatening undercurrent in his tone.

Caesar frowned. When did he become the most sought-after recruit?

Meanwhile, Whitebeard observed the situation quietly.

After a moment, he smiled and explained, "The Rocks Pirates operate under Captain Rocks, but beneath him are six major divisions. The divisions compete for strength, resources, and prestige. You're strong—so naturally, they want you."

Caesar exhaled, nodding. "Thanks for the explanation."

---

[15: The Terror of Rocks D. Xebec!]

"Pirate ship ahead!"

The scout in the crow's nest shouted, voice brimming with excitement.

Caesar blinked in confusion.

In most pirate stories, encountering another crew meant danger. But here, the Rocks Pirates' reaction was completely different.

"Hahahaha! Ready for battle?!"

Rocks D. Xebec, standing at the bow, grinned wickedly, his eyes filled with greed and anticipation.

A chorus of cheers erupted.

Charlotte Linlin licked her lips, eyes gleaming like a starving beast.

Kaido hefted his spiked club over his shoulder, grinning in anticipation.

Whitebeard, still smiling, had a dangerous glint in his eyes.

This was the Rocks Pirates.

A crew that thrived on chaos and destruction.