The Strongest Lunarian in One Piece

As soon as the Fallen Angel Pirates relented,

agreeing to the Navy's asking price without further negotiation, both sides quickly made arrangements. Ultimately, they decided that in two days' time, the trade would take place on an Island, located in the middle reaches of the New World.

That island once served as the Navy's frontline outpost in the New World, specifically to monitor every move made by Totto Land's forces. But it had long since been taken over by the Fallen Angel Pirates. During the fierce battle back then, the Navy—while retreating—had blown up the entire base, which would now cost a significant sum to restore. Hence, the Fallen Angel Pirates never bothered establishing a new base there.

…

Two days later—

two tall figures arrived in flight, their wings spread. It was the Bat Doppelganger that Linlin had dispatched, accompanied by Fire Calamity Afar, both landing on Funn Island.

Steel-Bone Kong, assisted by Kaido's Paw-Paw Fruit ability, had already arrived there in advance and was waiting.

"Mamamama, did you bring the goods?"

The doppelganger of Charlotte Linlin fixed a strange grin on the white-haired Steel-Bone Kong. Her gaze flitted briefly toward Kaido—tall and carrying a spiked club—now exceedingly ferocious.

It was hardly surprising that Kong had only brought Kaido, currently a rising star in the Navy and already holding the rank of Rear Admiral despite his youth. Because of the recent theft of treasure from Pirate Island, the outraged Rocks Pirates had clashed violently with the Navy. Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr—three top fighters—were stationed at G-1 Fortress to guard against the Rocks Pirates, leaving them no time to spare.

As Fleet Admiral, Kong was acting cautiously. Even though he hadn't brought more Navy troops, he had Kaido—the Paw-Paw Fruit user—on hand. Should any accident occur, they could be teleported away immediately, or even teleport back to the Navy's G-1 Fortress or to Mary Geoise. Within the shortest time, they could summon reinforcements.

That said, if the Fallen Angel Pirates truly intended any mischief, Kong was essentially finished. He would never guess that the very Marine top brass so highly valued Kaido—treating him as a prime candidate for Admiral—was in fact the Fallen Angel Pirates' undercover agent from the start.

"Of course… heh heh…"

Steel-Bone Kong spoke calmly. He opened a briefcase, indicating for "Blood Calamity" and "Fire Calamity" to see. "Here are the Devil Fruits you requested."

In truth, he was gambling—gambling that the Fallen Angel Pirates wouldn't rashly tear up their current relations with the World Government and ignite total war. Because if he, the Fleet Admiral, were assassinated here, the World Government definitely wouldn't tolerate the Fallen Angel Pirates further undermining them. All-out war would be inevitable.

However, Kong had no choice but to risk it. Having his 20 years of stolen lifespan restored was simply too crucial for a man of fifty-five, especially one who had only recently ascended to Fleet Admiral. He refused to be forced into a pitiful retirement before fulfilling his political goals.

"Everything checks out."

Afar stepped forward and inspected the Devil Fruits. Turning to Linlin's doppelganger, he nodded.

"Mamamama, then let's get started."

Linlin's double let out a weird laugh and casually extended a large hand toward Kong.

Kaido, gripping his club, tensed as if on reflex. Steel-Bone Kong lifted a hand to stop him, letting Charlotte Linlin's right palm rest atop his own head. Still, his fists remained clenched and his nerves taut, unable to suppress his anxiety.

"Mamamama, don't get so tense—it'll be over in a flash!"

Linlin's clone made a playful remark but had no intention of killing him. Right before their eyes, Steel-Bone Kong's appearance changed dramatically—he suddenly seemed ten or twenty years younger, his hair turning mostly black aside from some white around the temples. For the Fleet Admiral, the sensation was one of being in better condition than ever, as though he'd returned to his prime.

"It really worked!"

Kaido gawked, visibly stunned.

"The exchange is complete," Linlin said with a faint smile as she withdrew her hand. "A pleasure doing business."

"Hmph, you truly know how to cut a deal."

Confirming his recovery, Steel-Bone Kong let out a cold snort, clenching his fists as his aura surged. Though he felt a twinge of pain over losing those Devil Fruits, he clearly had no inclination to break off negotiations and start a fight.

"But of course…"

Linlin's double chuckled, sprouting demonic wings from her back and taking flight alongside Afar, who was carrying the newly acquired Devil Fruits, including the Logia Sand-Sand Fruit.

…

".…What? You only gave back fifteen years?"

Meanwhile, on the edge of Totto Land's seas, atop the airborne fortress Atlantis,

Sally, Gerd, Lillian, and others were all wide-eyed, staring at Linlin in shock.

"Mamamama, just a little trick…"

Linlin's real body, which was still on Atlantis controlling the Bat doppelganger, let out a sinister laugh. "If I only returned ten years, he'd easily notice something was wrong since he's not that young anymore. But if I gave him all twenty, I wouldn't be satisfied either… Fifteen is just right."

"After all, the World Government was too stingy to surrender the Glint-Glint Fruit willingly!"

No one could say for sure if the World Government might end up offering the Glint-Glint Fruit for trade or awarding it in the Celestial Dragons' next hunting event. Missing out would have been a disappointment for her.

"Heh heh, but if they had offered the Glint-Glint Fruit, you'd already planned to do the same thing, right?" Gerd asked knowingly, smiling at the companion who'd been with her for over twenty years and understood her thoroughly.

"Mamamama, well, the trade is done…"

Linlin was about to continue, clearly quite pleased. "Even if he senses something off now, it's too late to do anything!"

No matter how angry he might be, they had still returned fifteen years of his life—enough that he wouldn't be driven to wage war in a frenzy. Linlin had precisely calculated that even if Steel-Bone Kong realized the discrepancy later, aside from impotent rage, he couldn't do anything about it. Fifteen years was at least acceptable to him, enough to keep the peace.

~~~

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