And you're Harald's son! As Harald's friend, Rocks would never let you join his Pirate Crew.
She kept the last part to herself; saying it aloud could spark trouble between father and son.
That Rocks, the man who speaks only with strength, actually has close friends—surprised her.
Then again, Harald's power made their friendship anything but strange.
"I don't believe it! I will join the Rocks Pirates!"
Loki shouted stubbornly, small fists clenched.
Watching him, Charlotte Linlin hatched a recruitment plan.
Leaving aside how adorable he looked now, Loki would grow into an Emperor-level powerhouse.
Even if it took years, right now he already had the strength of a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral in her eyes.
Worth a try—if it failed, she lost nothing.
"Heh-heh-heh~ Don't be so hasty." Charlotte Linlin smiled.
"Rocks probably won't take you. Why not sail with me? I'm a Captain too—Heavenly Punishment Pirates. Interested?"
"No."
Loki refused without a second thought.
Big Mom arched a brow, not annoyed in the least.
"What, think I'm too weak? I admit I'm not a hundred percent sure I can beat Rocks—yet—but I will be the last one standing."
"That's not why."
Loki shook his head. Hidden behind white cloth, his eyes lifted toward Big Mom, complex and suddenly low, trembling with a trace of loneliness.
"Because… you're beautiful, just… just like Mama was."
In Big Mom's Observation Haki, she felt the fierce, tangled sorrow that surged inside him the instant he spoke.
It held a child's Yearning for his mother, buried dread, a whisper of resentment, and, above all, thick, inescapable grief.
Big Mom blinked; she'd never imagined beauty could backfire.
(Childhood wounds…)
She sighed inwardly, pity stirring for the towering yet fragile boy.
"Is that so? Seems I came at a bad time."
Her tone stayed calm, touched with just enough regret—no pressure, no pity that would bruise his pride.
Had she arrived a few years earlier, before Rocks, she might have lured him aboard; now, the door was shut.
"Fine—everyone chooses their own path." Big Mom flicked her wrist, carefree.
"Wait here for Rocks, then. Hope we'll be comrades one day?"
"Comrades?"
The word baffled Loki; he scratched his helmeted head, bewildered.
"Aren't you Captain of Heavenly Punishment Pirates? How could we be allies? Crews fight each other. Once I join the Rocks Pirates, we'll be enemies."
"Hahaha!" Big Mom laughed at his blunt logic.
"But, little Loki, I never said I wasn't part of the Rocks Pirates~"
"Huh? R-really?" Loki's eyes widened further.
"You can do that? Belong to two crews at once?"
Elbaf's isolation had left his idea of the sea simple.
"The ocean is far more complicated—and fun—than you think."
Big Mom didn't elaborate; instead she made another request.
"Right, little Loki, since we might be 'comrades,' could you help me?
Know any young, strong Giants here who want to sail? Preferably a Female Giant? I'd like her as a nakama."
If she couldn't recruit Loki, gleaning leads on Elbaf's Talents was the next best thing.
"Ah! Hold on—let me think!"
Eager to aid a future "nakama," Loki shoved aside his gloom, folded his arms, tilted his shaggy head, and muttered:
"The Giant Warrior Pirates are out searching for their Captain—no word yet… Strong warriors… Grandpa Yarull? Too old, and a male… Most others farm or build under Father's orders, hardly fight anymore…"
After much thought his eyes lit; he clapped.
"Right! There's one! A new, pretty teacher at the school—Elbaf's last warrior of the Giant Race. The kids say she's really strong! Try her!"
Loki pointed, cloth-wrapped eyes hopeful: was that useful?
"If… if you want, I can take you there."
His big face twisted; he wanted to wait for Rocks yet help this new friend and future "nakama."
"Thanks, little Loki. Till we meet again," Big Mom said gently.
She shifted into her dragon form and flew the way he'd indicated.
"Outsiders… can fly?" Loki watched, stunned, through his unique sight as she vanished into the sky.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!