Chapter 199: Under Linlin’s Watch

"Mama-hahaha!"

With a burst of peculiar laughter, Charlotte Linlin, tall and dressed in a pink gown while holding a tiny parasol-like accessory, made her entrance.

Honestly, her outfit was quite… striking. Considering her look, it's hard to believe she was once renowned for her beauty.

Shin thought to himself, 'If only the Return-Return Fruit could start an anti-aging clinic—it'd be wildly popular among the elderly.'

"Today is Mama's birthday tea party!"

"Mama looks so young! Absolutely radiant!"

As soon as Charlotte Linlin appeared, her children began flattering her. Nearby, various influential figures from the underworld joined in, praising her fervently.

Shin squinted, keeping silent as he observed the scene. Nearby, Page One adjusted his hat lower over his eyes; Kyros tilted his head slightly downward while Ulti and Violet looked utterly uncomfortable.

Fortunately, as they were on the outskirts of the event, no one paid them much attention.

Afterward, several prominent figures from the underworld approached to offer tributes to Charlotte Linlin, akin to paying homage. The Charlotte family's intelligence network, which was reputedly unparalleled in the New World, thrived on its deep connections to the underworld.

While Kaido accepted Doflamingo, who focused on the arms trade, as a close ally, the Charlotte family primarily protected other areas such as loan sharking, news distribution, smuggling, and brothels.

Shin's gaze momentarily hardened as he observed a human-like albatross, known as "Big News" Morgans, whose sensationalistic stories had often tarnished his reputation.

Among the notable individuals present was a young, beautiful woman named Stussy, also known as the Queen of the Pleasure District. However, according to Shin's hazy memories, she was also affiliated with CP0.

Despite her seemingly youthful appearance, she carried herself as a peer of Charlotte Linlin, suggesting she was far from ordinary.

Soon, a colossal birthday cake was brought forward. Charlotte Linlin, visibly delighted, grabbed an enormous slice and began devouring it with gusto.

'She's certainly a glutton,' Shin mused, watching her. 'With this level of indulgence, along with her tendency to have children almost yearly in her younger days, it's astounding she still retains the combat strength of a Sea Emperor. Her monstrous moniker is well-earned.'

Of the Four Emperors, Charlotte Linlin's raw talent was unmatched. Her natural gifts ranked at the pinnacle worldwide.

Shin imagined that if someone like Kaido, known for his intense training regimen, possessed her physical prowess, the balance of power among the Emperors would likely have shifted long ago.

Charlotte Linlin consumed the entire cake, nearly as tall as she was. Shin initially assumed that a birthday cake of that size would be shared with the guests. Yet such decorum was meaningless to Charlotte Linlin.

Given her voracious appetite, attempting to take food from her would be a fool's errand. She was notorious for eating anything—even people, at times.

Once satisfied, Charlotte Linlin patted her stomach, her face shifting to a more serious expression. She clapped her hands, and, in response, her sons, daughters, and a legion of pirate and Homie soldiers immediately encircled the gathering.

"Linlin, what's going on?"

"Big Mom, what's happening?"

Charlotte Linlin, now with an air of indifference, addressed the crowd. "Well, well, it's nothing serious. I suspect a few guests might have taken something they shouldn't have, so I'll be conducting a search."

Upon hearing this, a few underworld figures appeared taken aback but quickly silenced any objections as they noted Charlotte Linlin's unyielding expression.

Pleased with the response, Charlotte Linlin continued, "Alright, this will be a family matter. Pudding will check your memories. That way, we'll know who remains a friend of the Charlotte family."

"What?! Check our memories?!"

This declaration pushed the underworld bosses to their limits. In their line of work, many memories contained secrets they couldn't afford to expose. If any of those secrets leaked, consequences would be dire—even deadly.

Some had even secretly betrayed the Charlotte family. If those actions were uncovered, their fates would be grim indeed.

Not to mention, if Stussy, Queen of Pleasure District, was exposed as a spy, she wouldn't just face the wrath of the Charlotte family; the CP0 organization would tear her apart themselves.

So, just as Charlotte Linlin's words trailed off, several of the underworld bosses stood up, incensed.

A moment later, with a loud thud, two of the so-called dark world bosses collapsed, their heads pierced, as two mochi bullets bounced on the ground.

With an icy demeanor, Katakuri sat with one leg crossed over the other, his voice cold and commanding. "That's the fate of those who attempt to flee!"

Hoping to escape under the observation of Katakuri, a user of advanced Observation Haki capable of peeking into the future, was an impossible dream.

This brutal warning swiftly silenced the underworld bosses. Though outwardly influential, their personal strength was lacking. The strongest among them, Stussy, held a CP0 background, comparable at best to a Rear Admiral or Vice Admiral.

In Katakuri's eyes, these individuals were negligible. He could eliminate them all in minutes if he wished, and in the presence of Charlotte Linlin, their lives were even more insignificant.

As the crowd quieted, fearful and compliant, Charlotte Linlin clapped her hands again. "Well, are you ready for Pudding to check your memories…?"

"…Or would you rather die?"

"Of course, we choose to let Miss Pudding check our memories!"

"Yes, yes! Checking memories is no big deal. We're loyal to the Charlotte family!"

The remaining bosses voiced their agreement with mock enthusiasm, though the rolling of their eyes slightly undermined their credibility.

*******************************

BONUS CHAPTER: 100 Powerstones achieved

For each power stones milestone—25, 50, 100, 150, and beyond—I will release a bonus chapter.

If you would like to gain early access, you can join me at www.patre on.com/bookbattalion