Under the curious gazes of the crew, Charlotte Linlin conjured golden, glowing orbs from her palm and infused them into a pair of jet-propelled shoes.
Suddenly, the shoes sprouted eyes, ears, a mouth, and a nose, becoming animated. They let out joyful cries and began flying around on their own in perfect synchrony.
"From now on, you will follow Shakky!"
Linlin chanted a soul-binding spell, commanding the shoes to recognize Shakky as their new master. Though they would obey Shakky, Linlin, as the wielder of the Soul-Soul Fruit, retained ultimate authority. Shakky, however, was granted secondary control.
The shoes imdiately flew to Shakky's feet, slipping onto them and lifting her into the air. She tested them out, soaring up and down, speeding forward and slowing down at will.
Antonio, Silva, and Crocus watched in amazent. It seed they needed to bond with this new crewmate—her abilities could be extrely useful!
"Have you ever seen a poison-dispensing clam? A seawater-spraying shellfish? How about an automatic sniper rifle?" Antonio grinned. "I bet she can bring all sorts of crazy ideas to life!"
Without hesitation, Antonio eagerly led Charlotte Linlin to her room, openly admiring Shakky's new shoes. Linlin, seeing his excitent, wasted no ti in imbuing his jet shoes with a soul as well.
Linlin was delighted with the massive pink-thed room Antonio had prepared for her. anwhile, Silva and Crocus exchanged glances, both considering how they might ask for a favor of their own.
...
"Oh no, I almost forgot! Brook, hurry up and bring Streusen and that seahorse aboard! We can't leave them behind!"
Charlotte Linlin erged from her room, fully satisfied. She could feel the warmth of the crew—everyone was so eager to help her. Creating Homies was no big deal for her, after all.
"Alright, let's go help Linlin move in!"
Although there wasn't much to salvage from the pirate ship, Brook still hyped up the crew, encouraging everyone to help Linlin integrate into the group.
"You guys are the best! I love you all!"
Linlin was genuinely moved. It had been years since she'd felt this kind of camaraderie among crewmates.
The Golden Ark descended onto the ocean, pulling up alongside the pirate ship. With a cheerful leap, Linlin landed back on her forr vessel.
There, Streusen lay on a deck chair, seemingly asleep, while the mory Seahorse road around aimlessly, letting out an occasional burp.
"Streusen! How could you be napping on such an important day?!"
Linlin grabbed him and shook him violently. Shakky and Antonio exchanged nervous glances—was he going to survive that?
Streusen, jarred awake by the brutal shaking, found himself staring into the massive face of a towering woman. Fear gripped him instantly.
What happened?! Was he captured?!
The last thing he rembered was his pirate crew being defeated. He had fled for his life and successfully escaped enemy pursuit... so how had he ended up here, in the hands of pirates once again?
Pain shot through his body, making his terror intensify.
"I surrender! I surrender! Please don't kill !"
Linlin stopped shaking him, puzzled. "What's wrong with you, Streusen? Why would I kill you?"
Thinking she had gone too far, Linlin carefully placed Streusen down on the deck.
"Great warriors, spare ! I'll do anything! I'm a skilled cook! A master chef!"
Streusen dropped to his knees, desperate. He still had no clue what was going on, but his survival instincts kicked in. These pirates didn't seem to be the ones who had attacked his crew, but he wasn't about to take any chances.
"Streusen, are you an idiot? It's —Linlin!"
Linlin scowled at him. He had opposed her going after Brook before, and now that she'd found him, he was still acting crazy.
The other crew mbers, aware of the mory Seahorse's abilities, exchanged knowing looks. Could this be Brook's doing?
"Linlin, does your friend not want to join the Hell Pirates?" Brook asked, his face the picture of 'concern.'
"Well..."
Linlin hesitated. She really had no idea what Streusen was thinking. He had opposed her decisions before, and now he was acting strangely again.
"I—I'll join! I swear, I swear! Just don't kill !"
Streusen glanced around nervously at the powerful pirates surrounding him. His gaze landed on the Golden Ark, gleaming with an imposing presence. A crew this strong could surely protect him.
"Streusen, what nonsense are you spewing? We were always planning to join Brook's crew!"
Linlin lifted him to eye level and stared at him seriously.
"I understand, I understand! Yes! Of course, we're joining!" Streusen nodded furiously. In his mind, he counted himself lucky—this monstrous woman was actually speaking up for him. Maybe fate was on his side after all.
"That's great! Streusen, you've finally co around! Just don't badmouth Brook again, alright?"
Linlin's words sent a chill down Streusen's spine. What?! Badmouth Brook? He didn't even know these people! But he forced himself to nod like a pecking chick.
The Hell Pirates looked between Brook and the mory Seahorse, deep in thought. Had Streusen lost his mories just because he spoke ill of Brook? Could Brook really be that petty? Maybe they should all be more careful with their words... perhaps even praise Brook a little more often...
"No need for wild speculation," Brook said smoothly. "Streusen is our crewmate now. Let's leave the past behind. Just make sure you don't harbor any weird thoughts about Linlin."
His words made the crew co to their own conclusions. So that was it! Streusen must have had inappropriate thoughts about Linlin, and Brook had erased his mories as punishnt!
Tiger and Newgate, who had arrived later and didn't yet know about the mory Seahorse's ability, watched in confusion, unable to piece together what had happened.
Streusen, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief. He had managed to survive and, sohow, ended up joining this pirate crew. But what had Brook ant? Him having 'those kinds of thoughts' about Linlin?
Ridiculous! He was barely 1.4 ters tall! How could he possibly be interested in an 8-ter-tall monstrous woman? Besides, she had nearly killed him just monts ago!
"I will dedicate myself to being the best chef possible! I promise to cook delicious als for everyone!"
Streusen quickly pledged his loyalty, eager to prove his worth and secure his safety.
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122 Chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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