One piece: Establishing a Pirate Family

Chapter 41: A Blow That Breaks the Shackles

After resting for two more days, Charlotte finally stepped out of the room where he had been confined for four days.

"Boss!"

"Boss!"

The crew members greeted him enthusiastically as he descended to the deck. Charlotte nodded and smiled in response, his spirits lifted by the sight of his loyal crew.

The warm sunlight bathed his face, and as he gazed up at the clear blue sky, Charlotte felt a sense of tranquility he hadn't experienced in a long time.

The draw with Zefa was a pivotal moment. It signified that he had entered the ranks of the top fighters in the world, albeit among the weakest of them. But Charlotte had confidence in himself—he knew he would reach the pinnacle one day. After all, he was only seventeen.

At seventeen, he had already achieved so much. But he also had two children, with a third on the way.

The thought brought a bitter smile to his face.

Other transmigrators would rise to fame by challenging celestial dragons or clashing with emperors. But here he was—training relentlessly, battling endlessly, or… fooling around with his maids.

He chuckled wryly. Two kids and counting. If there were an award for the most productive transmigrator, he might just win it.

"Master! Be careful not to catch a cold!"

Martha's gentle voice pulled him out of his reverie. She approached with a robe draped over her arm, her slightly swollen belly a visible sign of the life growing within her. It was late autumn, and the air carried a chill.

"Thanks," Charlotte said, taking the robe from her.

Martha blushed as his gaze lingered on her for a moment. Charlotte still remembered the first time he had seen her—a brave young woman aboard a dimly lit slave ship, once a princess of a fallen kingdom.

Her cheeks flushed deeper under his gaze.

Charlotte sighed inwardly. He couldn't deny it—he was a scoundrel. A man who indulged his desires and left a trail of affection in his wake.

His thoughts often circled back to his actions. How had he fallen so far? Once disciplined and focused, now he was a man who ate the grass closest to his burrow, so to speak.

"Don't stay out here too long. The wind isn't good for you," he said softly, breaking the moment.

"Yes, Master," Martha replied with a small smile before retreating back to the cabin with her maids.

Now alone at the bow, Charlotte stared at the horizon. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts about his future.

Should he challenge the World Government?

No, that was Roger's or Luffy's destiny.

Become the Pirate King?

Again, not his ambition.

All Charlotte wanted was a simple life—sailing freely across the seas and protecting those he cared about.

But even such a modest dream felt out of reach in the chaotic world of One Piece. Especially now, with a bounty of 950 million hanging over his head.

It was the second-highest bounty in the Rocks Pirates after Shiki and ranked fourth overall. Surpassing figures like John, Ochoku, and even Charlotte Linlin felt surreal.

The Navy had painted a massive target on his back, and Charlotte could only laugh bitterly at the absurdity of it all.

The events of four days ago still weighed heavily on his mind. What had started as a personal battle had escalated into a global incident, nearly triggering a full-scale war between the Rocks Pirates and the Marine Headquarters.

Looking back, he realized how much his emotions had clouded his judgment. The constant pressure, the relentless training, and the desire to prove himself had turned him into a paranoid, driven man.

But now, having fought Zefa to a draw, Charlotte felt a sense of closure. He had proven himself—not just to others but to himself.

"Phew…"

Charlotte exhaled deeply, and with that breath, he felt something shift within him.

Suddenly, a powerful shockwave erupted from his body.

BOOM!

His Conqueror's Haki exploded outward with unprecedented ferocity. The sea churned violently, and countless fish and Sea Kings were stunned, floating to the surface.

Crew members near him collapsed instantly, their eyes rolling back as foam formed at their mouths. Charlotte, however, controlled the range of his Haki, ensuring it didn't reach the cabin where Martha rested.

Looking up, he saw the clouds above scatter, leaving a perfectly clear sky.

Charlotte relished the sensation of his unleashed power, but his moment of triumph was interrupted by a voice he recognized all too well.

"Hahahaha! I was wondering who had such strong Haki. Turns out it's you!"

The unmistakable laughter of Shiki, the Golden Lion, rang out as he floated over from Beehive Island.

Charlotte's eyes narrowed as he sent a surge of his Haki straight toward Shiki.

"Hahaha! Don't think that tying with Zefa means you can challenge me, kid!"

Shiki laughed mockingly as he drew his sword and unleashed a sharp slash toward Charlotte.

Charlotte responded instantly, drawing his newly forged sword and meeting Shiki's attack head-on.

BOOM!

The two slashes collided, creating a powerful shockwave.

"Hmm?"

Shiki raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the subtle difference he sensed in Charlotte's technique.

"Hahaha, not bad! But let me show you what it means to be a true great swordsman!"

Shiki drew his twin blades, Oto and Kogarashi, and released a devastating cross-shaped slash.

Charlotte felt the overwhelming intent behind the attack. It wasn't just a technique—it carried Shiki's indomitable will.

"Is this the essence of a great swordsman?"

Charlotte stood motionless as the slash bore down on him.

He closed his eyes, and memories of his journey flooded his mind: endless training, countless battles, and his own unshakable dream.

"What is my will?" he whispered to himself.

"To rule the world? No."

"To be the greatest swordsman? No."

"My will… is freedom."

His eyes snapped open, glowing with newfound clarity.

"My will is my own, and no one can shatter it!"

With a roar, Charlotte unleashed a slash of his own, infused with his awakened determination.

BOOM!

His blade cut through Shiki's attack, dissipating it entirely.

Shiki, watching from above, was momentarily stunned before a wide grin spread across his face.

"Hahaha! Interesting… very interesting!"

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