Hachinosu Island, a quiet cove.
"Lady Linlin, this is the ship Captain Rocks ordered delivered to you. Are you satisfied?" Kurozumi Mushi gestured obsequiously toward a huge vessel moored at the shore.
Charlotte Linlin looked over and couldn't hide her admiration. The ship was enormous, its lines sleek and powerful; even the giant Gölz would not look out of place aboard it.
Most striking of all, the wood of the hull had a unique, lustrous sheen, faintly pulsing with life.
"It really is much bigger than my heavenly tribulation…" Charlotte Linlin marveled, then frowned slightly and asked,
"Tell me, is this ship really built entirely from adam tree? That's… outrageously extravagant, isn't it?"
By now she knew the value of adam tree—just a single plank could fetch hundreds of millions of Berries. A warship massive enough for giants to walk its decks must have cost well over a billion, more than her current bounty.
Kurozumi Mushi chuckled behind her sleeve. "Indeed, Lady Linlin. This vessel was a gift from King Harald of Elbaf to Captain Rocks when he first visited the island. As for why it's so 'extravagant'…"
She paused, a glint of mystery in her eyes. "When you reach Elbaf yourself, you may understand. I've only heard that there, adam tree isn't as scarce as the outside world believes."
"Is that so? Elbaf… truly an interesting place." Big Mom nodded thoughtfully.
"No matter the reason, such a gift carries weight. I'm indebted to Rocks."
Her gaze returned to the giant ship as she began planning its refit. Unless something went wrong, this would be her flagship as she conquered the seas.
The former heavenly tribulation could hold five hundred, but it had grown cramped.
After Gölz joined, the twenty-metre giantess had almost no room; her mere presence squeezed everyone else to the edges.
For the first time, Charlotte Linlin felt the happy annoyance of having too many crew.
"Lady Linlin, what do you think of this layout?" Kurozumi Mushi seemed prepared, unfolding a rough sketch.
"We can build a tall chamber on the port side solely for Lady Gölz, and use the starboard as a large hold.
Your Captain's cabin sits dead-centre in the sterncastle for the best view, with officers and crew forward—comfortable and easy to command."
Studying the sketch, Big Mom's mind sparked. Place it forward, like guardian statues… wait, guardian giants?
If, every time she appeared, a giant warrior flanked each side, the spectacle would be magnificent.
In a month they would sail for Elbaf; by then she would be fully recovered. With her strength, "inviting" another giant aboard shouldn't be hard.
With that thought, she slapped the deck.
"Decided! Proceed along these lines—but don't build one cabin, reserve space for two giant quarters and activity areas!
Keep the rest unchanged for now, yet reinforce the decks and keel to bear giant weight and movement."
Surprise flickered across Kurozumi Mushi's eyes, then turned to respect. "Understood, Lady Linlin. Your foresight is admirable.
I also suggest recruiting a giant Crew member—mighty in battle and ideal for handling this ship's huge sails and anchor chains."
"Good, we're of one mind. I leave the refit entirely in your hands."
Big Mom nodded approvingly, then shifted topics.
"And don't forget the Devil Fruit information you're tracking for me.
Handle both tasks well and I'll owe you a favour. Should you ever face an unsolvable problem, come to me."
Kurozumi Mushi's face lit with barely contained joy. This wasn't coin—it was a promise from a sovereign, a vital step toward the goal she had long hidden.
"Rest assured, Lady Linlin! I will devote every effort and see everything done to perfection!" She bowed, her tone more earnest than ever.
Without another word, Big Mom let the air swirl around her, shifting into Dragon Girl Form. Dragon Wings spread, and she shot from the harbour in a streak of light.
Moments later she landed on heavenly tribulation's deck where Gloriosa waited.
"Linlin, seen the new ship? How is it?" Gloriosa stepped forward to ask.
"Excellent—a vessel that can carry our future." Big Mom smiled, then looked around.
"How are preparations here? Ready to sail?"
Gloriosa nodded. "All set. Supplies are topped off. As you ordered, Mia leads half the warriors, staying with Gölz to guard our Hachinosu Island territory. With Gölz there, few will dare provoke us."
"Good."
Big Mom gazed across the boundless sea, anticipation shining in her eyes.
"Thanks to Rocks' madmen clearing these waters, there are no other pirate or merchant ships nearby. We'll have to sail farther to resupply."
She drew a deep breath of salty air and commanded,
"Hoist sail! Weigh anchor! Time to meet the pirates of the New World!"
heavenly tribulation's canvas rose, caught the wind, and bore away from Hachinosu Island.
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