One Piece: Crown of Darkness

"Eh?!!!"

"We thought he was a giant too!!!"

"..."

Uunu's peculiar body proportions completely shocked the entire Big Mom Pirates, prompting involuntary exclamations.

"Hey! Don't... don't mention words like 'Giant Race'!"

"Mama's going to get angry, Mama's definitely going to get angry!"

"Quick, run!"

"..."

After their initial surprise, everyone suddenly remembered one of Charlotte Linlin's great taboos and panicked.

But—

Thud~

Gurgle~

Charlotte Linlin remained in a daze, hearing nothing. The fruit in her hand unconsciously dropped to the ground. The scene instantly fell silent.

Under the gaze of so many people, Uunu timidly shrank into the corner of the iron cage. Somehow, he and Charlotte Linlin met each other's eyes...

After a long time.

"So cute~ Mamamama~ Like a puppy!" Charlotte Linlin cupped her face, acting bashful.

Uunu, on the other hand, shivered. His voice was deep but sounded as if all strength had been drained from him as he murmured, "I... I got a chill, it feels so good..."

Doflamingo: "..."

Everyone: "..."

"Send him to my bedroom! Mamamama! My little ones, Mama's in love again! I can't wait for the wedding cake!" Charlotte Linlin stood up, cheering joyfully.

"Huh?!"

"Ah? Ah! Mama, please rest assured, we'll prepare everything!"

"Wedding cake! Wedding cake!"

"..."

Clearly, everyone in the Big Mom Pirates apart from Charlotte Linlin was forcing a smile.

"Little brat! You didn't lie, Mama is very satisfied with your gift! State your name!" Charlotte Linlin sat cross-legged again, exuding a bold, iron-blooded aura.

Doflamingo's eye twitched, and he chuckled. "Doflamingo, captain of the Donquixote Pirates. I'm not famous at all right now, fufufufu~ In any case! I'm glad you're very satisfied with my gift."

"Doflamingo? What are the remaining gifts?" Charlotte Linlin asked.

Doflamingo handed her the smallest box. "You might as well inspect it yourself."

Charlotte Linlin didn't suspect anything. She rubbed her hands and joyfully opened the treasure chest. She loved these kinds of games, but the result greatly disappointed her: "Paper?!"

"What's important is the content on the paper," Doflamingo raised a hand, gesturing for Charlotte Linlin to continue reading.

Charlotte Linlin pinched the paper and read. Her previously good mood plummeted. Killer intent, malevolent aura, and Haki emanated from her, making the air feel solid and oppressive.

Click!

"You bastard!"

"What is it? What angered Mama?"

"..."

The Big Mom Pirates were tense and furious, their guns cocked and pointed at Doflamingo.

"Fufufufu~ Hey, hey, no need to change your expression faster than turning a page, is there?" Doflamingo spread his arms and spun around, indicating he meant no harm.

Just then, Charlotte Linlin roared, clearing Doflamingo of suspicion. "Jeremond! Erik! Get out here, you two!!!"

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Hundreds, even thousands of gazes, like searchlights, converged on two spots.

Then two figures were forced to step out, their eyes filled with fear for Charlotte Linlin, and also resentment for Doflamingo... They already knew the contents of that paper.

"You two bastards, World Government lapdogs, stinking rats... Prepare yourselves, you fools!" Charlotte Linlin's eyes suddenly changed, her pupils swirling. "Life or... Death?!"

Even caught between Charlotte Linlin and the Cipher Pol spies embedded in Big Mom's crew, Doflamingo felt a faint tremor. This was a direct interrogation of the soul!

"I..."

"No! Don't!"

"We were just following orders!"

"Aaaahhh!!!"

Unable to hold out for more than a few seconds, the two spies panicked uncontrollably, desperately trying to escape. They truly couldn't withstand Charlotte Linlin's suffocating, overwhelming presence.

Bang! Bang!

At the same time, an inexplicable gooey substance surged from their bodies. Charlotte Linlin grabbed them and stuffed them into her gaping maw. They stopped breathing, falling backward onto the ground.

"Fufufufu~ Interesting," Doflamingo twirled his finger. What arose from his heart was the aspiration of a fledgling monster for a mature one, utterly devoid of fear.

Charlotte Linlin suddenly leaned down, staring intently at Doflamingo. "Life or... Death?!"

"Mama! He's not an enemy!"

"Has Mama lost her mind?!"

"Oh no, this charming kid... What a shame."

"..."

A complex murmur of discussions filled the air.

"Life," Doflamingo grinned, showing his teeth. "Fufufufu~ Don't try to scare me, Big Mom. Is this how you treat a sincere guest who brings you gifts?"

Humming~

A powerful aura flickered, contained but palpable.

"That's... the same as Mama's... Conqueror's Haki?!"

"You've got to be kidding! This kid..."

"Mama's technique failed?!"

"..."

A ripple of astonishment spread.

Charlotte Linlin's eyes gradually returned to normal, and she burst into laughter. "Mamamama! What a gutsy brat! I acknowledge your spirit, Doflamingo! State your purpose!"

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