"Because only then, Aunt Linlin, will the Charlotte Family have a place in the brand-new world of the future."
Ian's smile didn't fade. "Otherwise, you'll be swept away along with the old era."
The moment he said that, everyone in the Charlotte Family fell silent.
Perospero's face twisted with visible fear, and Katakuri's expression darkened ominously.
Ian's meaning was painfully clear.
"Ian!"
The hot-headed Cracker slammed the table and stood up immediately. "Are you threatening us?!"
"No, no, no."
Ian waved his hand casually, explaining, "I'm merely telling you what situation you're in right now."
"After all, I really don't want a few scavengers wandering around the battlefield during the final war, waiting to pick up scraps."
"If I fight tooth and nail to barely win, only to get bitten to death by hyenas who sat back and waited—that would be way too stupid, wouldn't it?"
"So."
Aunt Linlin gritted her teeth. "You brat… you want to eliminate every potential nuisance before the final war begins!"
"Exactly! That's right!"
Ian laughed. "If you don't want to be my friends, then you'll have to be my enemies."
"After all, you're far too strong. Strong enough to affect the final outcome."
Aunt Linlin's face turned as dark as iron.
How the hell did this little bastard say the words "you're too strong" with a straight face?
If we were really that strong, would a brat like you dare to speak to us like this?
If we were really that strong, do you think the Beasts Pirates would still be strutting around so arrogantly today?
"Linlin—"
Kaido's expression turned serious as he spoke, "This time, this kid isn't joking at all. You're not an idiot, and I trust you'll make the right choice!"
"Kaido!"
Aunt Linlin glared at Kaido viciously. "Don't you forget, you still owe me a huge favor, you bastard!"
"It's precisely because I owe you, you crazy old hag, that I'm standing here right now!"
Kaido's voice grew loud with impatience. "I'll be honest with you, Linlin. If you refuse, then even if I have to beat you senseless, I'll make sure you accept it!"
"Bastard! Is that your idea of repaying a favor?"
Aunt Linlin slammed her hand on the table, her Conqueror's Haki spreading fiercely.
Ian quickly shielded the table and the dishes with his own Haki, preventing the table from being smashed and the food from flying everywhere.
Really, wasting food is never a good thing.
"Kaido, you idiot… are you just going to let this brat ride all over you?"
Aunt Linlin began trying to drive a wedge between Ian and Kaido, targeting their master-disciple bond.
"This bastard is acting so recklessly. Let me tell you, if you join forces with me right now and deal with this brat together, the Beasts Pirates will be back under your control!"
"Pft…"
Ian nearly spat out the meat in his mouth.
No wonder Aunt Linlin is clever.
Even Katakuri was a bit speechless.
Mom really does have wild ideas.
Does it even need saying how close Ian is with Kaido?
He's been raised by Kaido since childhood—both disciple and adopted son.
In the future, he'll even marry Yamato, becoming Kaido's son in the truest sense.
A bond this strong isn't something you can just manipulate with a few words.
As expected, Kaido roared in the next moment. "Don't talk nonsense! The strong rule, the weak obey—that's the simplest truth in the world!"
"This kid Ian is stronger than anyone ever has been, so he takes everything! If I'm weaker, I should be under his command!"
"And you, you idiot—don't think that you and I together could defeat Ian, do you?"
"What?"
Aunt Linlin froze in shock.
Even Kaido and her together couldn't beat Ian?
That brat… has really gotten that strong?
"Kaido, are you joking?"
Aunt Linlin gritted her teeth. "You think saying such stupid things will make me believe you?"
That bastard Ian might indeed be strong, maybe even stronger than Kaido.
But how could anyone in the world be so strong that even teaming up with Kaido couldn't defeat them?
Even Roger and the Rocks back in the day could never have possessed such overwhelming power!
"I have no reason to lie to you!"
Kaido sneered. "Hey, Ian, let this old hag see your strength!"
Sigh.
Ian let out a sigh. In the end, it still came down to him, didn't it?
But he could feel Kaido's determination to keep Aunt Linlin alive.
Kaido-sensei… right now, you're so gentle.
Then.
Buzz!!
A violent aura crushed downward in an instant.
Almost immediately, the Charlotte family officers fell one by one, like wheat being harvested.
Katakuri's body trembled.
He couldn't move! His body was completely paralyzed!
Terrifying!
Unprecedented terror!
How could there possibly exist such a powerful Conqueror's Haki in this world?
Around him, Brûlée, Cracker, Smoothie, and the others all fainted instantly.
Impossible!!
Katakuri's face went pale, staring at Ian in sheer horror.
How could anyone's Conqueror's Haki reach this level?
Aunt Linlin's complexion also drained away bit by bit.
As a true master of Conqueror's Haki, she could fully grasp just how absurdly strong Ian's aura was.
Even she felt immense pressure, her head spinning!
Unbelievable!
Unbelievable… how could there exist Conqueror's Haki this strong?
Since Conqueror's Haki is directly tied to individual strength, the fact that this kid possessed such terrifying Haki meant that his actual power had already reached an unfathomable, terrifying level!
But how… how could there possibly be someone this strong?
A monster!
How could such a monster exist in this world?
"Do you understand, Linlin?!"
Kaido shouted angrily, "From the very beginning, your only choices were obedience or destruction!"
"Now, come on—give me your answer!"
Kaido bellowed, "If you still refuse, then I'll have no choice but to eliminate you, and then deal with your children!"
Aunt Linlin fell silent.
**********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 20 early chapters.
patreon.com/PirateKing24