[Favorability Mission: Gain Charlotte Linlin's favorability.]
[Reward: Each 10-point increase slightly enhances cell activity. At 80 favorability: gain Armament Haki. At 100 favorability: unlock Advanced Armament Haki – Internal Destruction.]
[Base Favorability: 0]
[Current Favorability: 10 (Friendly)
Charlotte Linlin: "This old man seems close to Mother."]
Originally, Monger had planned to recruit Charlotte Linlin as a crew member. Even without the system assigning a mission, he would've tried to win her over.
But who could refuse a path to becoming stronger?
The Haki rewards were tempting, of course. But more than that, it was the increase in cell activity that intrigued him.
After receiving a few of these rewards, Monger started to notice the effects: his metabolism sped up, his loose skin regained elasticity, and his appetite returned. He even looked younger than he had just two months ago.
What worried him most about returning to sea at 70 years old wasn't power, but lifespan.
Who knew how long he could survive, even with his old injuries healed?
If he hadn't already eaten a Devil Fruit, he would've hunted down the Bat-Bat Fruit, the same one Redfield had once sought, to restore his youth.
But now, with steadily improving cell activity, the possibility of regaining youth felt real.
---
"You must be Lingling, right? I'm Monger, captain of the White Wolf Pirates. Nice to meet you."
He smiled warmly. "And greetings to everyone from the Lamb House."
Despite his age, Monger still had the air of a gallant man. Even as an old man, he gave off the vibe of a kind, handsome grandfather from next door. When he smiled, the fierceness of a pirate vanished completely.
"Ah! Are you really the captain of the White Wolf Pirates?"
Before Charlotte Linlin could answer, the little giant girl beside her—wearing a headscarf—covered her mouth in surprise.
"They say you're one of the strongest pirates on the sea!"
"Haha, I didn't think people still remembered me after all this time." Monger chuckled. "But I can't take that title anymore. If I want to become king of the sea, I still have a long way to go!"
In truth, the current Giant King, Harald, wasn't any weaker than he was. And Harald was still in his prime. Ten years meant little to a giant, but a lot to someone like Monger.
Still, he wasn't discouraged. This was just the beginning.
He would reclaim his former strength—and then surpass it.
In every era, pirates talked about the Pirate King.
But to reach the final island, one had to rise above all others, unlock the secrets of the Poneglyphs, and most of all—have the strength to crush the Navy.
At the very least, you had to be strong enough to defeat an Admiral.
Even at his peak, Monger was never quite at that level. He could survive against an Admiral, but not overpower one.
---
"My name is Gertz! I love tiny people like you the most!"
Although she looked young, the giant girl was three times Monger's height. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she stared at him, like she'd discovered a new toy.
"Gertz! Don't be rude!"
Just then, Lipri appeared, carrying the Black Pearl on her back.
"He's my captain now. You should show him the same respect you show Grandpa Alulu and Grandpa Yorulu!"
Boom!
She set down the Black Pearl. Even for a giant, running dozens of kilometers while carrying a ship larger than yourself would wear anyone out.
"Captain?"
Gertz tilted her head, eyes widening.
"Wait! Sister Lipri, you joined his pirate crew? But didn't Grandpa Alulu and Grandpa Yorulu want you to join the Giant Warrior Pirates?"
Lipri shrugged. "Yeah, but who knows when those two captains will come back? Am I supposed to wait forever?"
Besides, all she ever heard were stories of the Giant Warrior Pirates' glory. She'd never actually seen it with her own eyes.
The White Wolf Pirates, though? That was real—alive, right in front of her.
"You're going to get scolded for this…" Gertz said, looking worried.
"I don't care! I'm a member of the White Wolf Pirates now. If anyone has a problem, take it up with my captain!"
She pushed Monger forward, making him chuckle helplessly.
"Lipri, you're making enemies for me."
"What's the big deal? No one in Elbaf can beat you anyway, Captain."
She looked smug, like a pig not afraid of boiling water.
Then suddenly—
"LIPRI!!"
An old giant stormed toward her with a massive sword in hand, veins popping in rage.
"You brat! Get back here right now!"
"No way!"
Lipri darted behind Monger and used him as a shield, playing cat-and-mouse around him like a child.
The old giant's grip tightened on his sword.
He almost swung at Monger on impulse.
This old villain had dared to abduct his great-great-granddaughter!
---
"Bokakaka! Yorulu, don't embarrass yourself in front of our guest."
Another old giant chuckled, stroking his fluffier beard.
"Lipri is grown up now. Let her make her own choices."
"Grandpa Yalulu, you're the best!" Lipri grinned.
"But," Yalulu added thoughtfully, "maybe it's time to call back Dongli and Brogy. It's been what—thirty years?"
"Forty!"
"Pop pop pop—it's been forty years!"
The old giants laughed heartily. For their long-lived kind, decades passed like seasons.
---
"Hey, Yorulu, Yalulu, are we going to stand around all day?"
Monger's tone softened as he noticed Charlotte Linlin zoning out.
The little girl's eyes were glowing green.
She was hungry.
And Monger knew—there was only one reliable way to raise her favorability.
---
"Let's eat."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the system panel flickered:
[Charlotte Linlin's favorability +30]
[Current Favorability: 40 (Close)
Charlotte Linlin: "Grandpa must be a good
person!"]
---
(End of Chapter)