Chapter 34: An Invitation
The news of the Rocks Pirates' rapid expansion had settled into the back of the crew's minds, but the rhythm of the Oro Jackson didn't change. Navigation, training, the occasional banquet—life at sea had its own pulse, and they followed it.
Kyle stood at the bow, his naginata across his knees, running through the duel with Whitebeard again in his head. The man's strength, his Haki, the way he moved—there was so much to learn. Beside him, Rayleigh practiced slow, deliberate strikes, his blade barely whispering through the air.
"You're thinking about him again," Rayleigh observed.
"I'm thinking about how far I still have to go," Kyle replied.
Rayleigh smiled. "That's the first step."
A shout from the crow's nest cut through the morning calm. "Fleet ahead! Multiple ships! They're flying the Rocks flag!"
The deck snapped to life. Weapons were drawn, the crew forming up with practiced speed. Roger emerged from his cabin, still fastening his sword, his grin already in place.
"Rocks himself? Or just his dogs?"
The fleet grew larger on the horizon—a dozen ships, their sails marked with the jagged skull that had become a symbol of fear across the Grand Line. The lead vessel pulled ahead, and figures became visible on its deck.
Golden Lion Shiki stood at the bow, his mane of hair unmistakable. Beside him, a massive woman with pink hair and hungry eyes. Behind them, a man in silver armor carrying a great axe, and another with twin swords and a flamboyant coat.
"Shiki," Roger called out. "Brought your whole crew this time?"
Shiki's laugh was sharp. "Rocks wants you, Roger. He's impressed. He's offering you a place in the strongest crew the world has ever seen."
The crew of the Oro Jackson went still. Roger's grin didn't waver.
"Tell Rocks I sail where I want, with who I want. I don't take orders."
Shiki's expression darkened. "I thought you'd say that."
He drew his swords. The sea beneath him bucked, rising into two massive lion‑shaped waves. The battle began.
---
Roger met Shiki in the air, their clash sending shockwaves across the water. Rayleigh engaged Captain John, their blades moving too fast to track. Jabra charged the silver‑armored man, axes ringing against steel.
And in front of Kyle stood Charlotte Linlin.
She was younger than the stories would later tell, but already immense, already dangerous. Fire sparked in one hand, lightning gathered in the other.
"A boy?" she said, her voice low. "They send a boy to face me?"
Kyle didn't answer. He settled into his stance, his naginata ready.
Linlin struck first. Fire roared toward him; he sidestepped, sending a shockwave to scatter the flames. Lightning followed; he met it with a vibration that disrupted its path, the energy splashing harmlessly against the deck.
"Mamamama… not bad." Linlin drew her sword, Napoleon, its edge gleaming. "But can you take a real hit?"
She swung. Kyle blocked, but the force drove him back, his arms screaming. Her strength was absurd—raw, unrefined, but overwhelming. He used a shockwave to push himself away, buying space.
She came again. He dodged, parried, retreated. Each exchange left his hands numb. He couldn't match her power, not directly.
"Jabra!" he called. "Switch!"
Jabra, locked in his own fight with the silver‑armored man, glanced over. He saw Kyle being driven back and grinned. "Can't handle a woman?"
"She's stronger than she looks!"
Jabra laughed, slammed his axe into the armored man's guard, and bounded across the deck. His axe met Linlin's sword with a crash that shook the ship.
"Go!" he shouted. "I've got her!"
Kyle didn't hesitate. He spun, facing the silver‑armored man now advancing on him. The armor was thick, seamless—a walking fortress.
Kyle closed his eyes, reaching out with his vibration sense. The armor was strong, but it wasn't alive. It had seams, imperfections, frequencies that didn't match.
The man swung his axe. Kyle ducked, pressing his palm against the armor's chest plate. He sent a focused vibration—not to shatter, but to find the resonance, to feel where the metal was weakest.
There.
He pulled back, dodging another swing, and shouted to Jabra. "Left side! Under the arm!"
Jabra, mid‑exchange with Linlin, changed his grip. His axe came around in a wide arc, not toward Linlin, but toward the armored man. The blow caught the exact spot Kyle had indicated, and the armor cracked.
The man stumbled, shock breaking through his stoic mask. Jabra followed up, driving him back toward the edge of the deck.
Linlin, seeing her ally faltering, clicked her tongue. "Enough."
She pulled back, calling her homies to her. Shiki, still dueling Roger, caught her signal. His eyes swept the battlefield—the armored man wounded, John struggling against Rayleigh, the Oro Jackson's crew holding firm.
"Interesting," Shiki said, disengaging. He hovered above the deck, blood trickling from a cut on his forehead. "You've got some real fighters, Roger."
Roger landed on the bow, sword on his shoulder. "You came to test us."
"Rocks wanted to see what you were made of." Shiki's grin was tight. "He's seen enough."
He raised his hand, and the Rocks fleet began to turn, withdrawing the way they'd come. Linlin cast one last look at Kyle, something almost like respect in her eyes.
"Next time, boy," she said, "I won't hold back."
The ships sailed away, leaving the Oro Jackson scarred but standing.
---
The crew gathered on deck, tending wounds, checking the ship. Kyle leaned against the mast, his arms still shaking from the fight.
Jabra clapped him on the shoulder. "Good call on the armor. I'd have been hacking at that can all day."
"You held off Linlin," Kyle said. "That's more than I could do."
Jabra shrugged. "She's strong. But we've got time."
Roger walked among them, checking on his crew, his laughter already returning. "A good fight! We showed them what we're made of."
Rayleigh joined Kyle at the mast. "You did well. You found the weakness, used your allies. That's what wins battles."
Kyle looked at his hands. "I couldn't match her. Not directly."
"You weren't meant to. Not yet." Rayleigh's voice was calm. "But you will."
The Oro Jackson's sails caught the wind, and the ship resumed its course. The Rocks fleet was gone, but the message was clear: they were being watched, tested. The storm was gathering.
Kyle gripped his naginata. He wasn't ready for Linlin, not yet. But he was learning. And he wasn't alone.
That would have to be enough.
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End of Chapter 34