Luffy's sudden confession truly caught Lynn off guard.
But that didn't stop Lynn from pulling off a bold move:
"Get lost! Who do you think you're whining to?!"
How was Luffy not becoming the Pirate King Lynn's problem?
With a swift kick, he knocked Luffy out cold and casually hoisted Nami over his shoulder.
The whole process was so smooth, even Nami was too stunned to react.
"OIOIOI! So you're declaring war now?! Put our navigator down!"
Zoro actually struggled to his feet and unsheathed his sword.
"Get lost."
Lynn's eyes flashed sharply. Purple lightning burst from him—
Heavenly Retribution from the Reverse Scale!
"Bzzt!!"
Zoro's body was lit up by crackling electricity. Bones briefly visible under the voltage, he collapsed in a cloud of smoke.
Nami, shocked and anxious, kicked her legs against Lynn's shoulder.
"Lynn! How could you be so brutal?!"
"Shut up! One more word and you're next!"
"...?"
Ignoring Nami's frozen expression, Lynn tossed Luffy's looted straw hat back to him.
He also picked up Zoro's long katana.
"Wado Ichimonji?"
Rustle.
He tied the sword to his waist with practiced ease, as if hesitating would be a disgrace to a fine blade.
Then he grinned at the unconscious Zoro.
"Read Tags!"
Zoro, the green-haired sword freak, was his next target.
[Read Target: Roronoa Zoro]
Master Poet (Red)
King of Getting Lost (Red)
Super Beast Physique (Pseudo-Gold, Unawakened)
Conqueror's Haki (Gold, Unawakened)
Master Poet (Red): Reciting poetry boosts combat power. The longer the poem, the stronger the attack. Requires literacy.
King of Getting Lost (Red): Even with directions, he'll still go the wrong way. Useless tag.
Super Beast Physique (Pseudo-Gold): A body stronger than a magical beast. Near-fatal wounds won't kill. Extreme durability. (Can awaken: Demon King Physique – Gold)
Of course. As Luffy's right-hand man, Zoro had to be decked out in broken tags.
He aimed to become the world's greatest swordsman and was equal to Rayleigh, the Pirate King's former first mate.
If he didn't have ridiculous tags, how else would he qualify as the deuteragonist?
Still, Lynn winced at the "King of Getting Lost" tag.
Skimming the rest, his excitement dulled. As powerful as the tags were, they weren't game-breaking.
Compared to Big Mom's "Iron Body + Monstrous Strength," Zoro's physical buff was decent but not top tier.
Big Mom—queen of childbirth and cake-eating—still ruled as an Emperor. Her physique tag had to be next-level.
So until Lynn loots Big Mom, Zoro's buff would do for now.
As for the rest? Meh. Lynn already had Conqueror's Haki, and no way was he keeping the "getting lost" tag.
Still, might as well grab something.
"Loot Tags!"
He took Master Poet and Super Beast Physique.
Zoro hadn't formed a swordsmanship tag yet. Even if he had, Lynn wouldn't take it.
What? Bite a sword like a hyena? No thanks.
His real goal was Mihawk. Skip the grind and grab greatness.
[Master Poet (Purple)] Looted Successfully.
[Super Beast Physique (Pseudo-Gold)] Looted Successfully.
[Fused with Beast Tag. Physique Awakened. New R18 Tag Unlocked.]
[Super Beast Physique (R18): More beastly than a magical beast. He's strong. So is it.]
Only Lynn could see the golden interface.
He glanced down.
Holy hell. I hit the jackpot!
...
"Kaya, go ask Merry for a ship. We're setting sail."
Lynn didn't waste time. He had just said earlier: once the Straw Hats were handled, they'd leave.
Kaya glanced nervously toward the fallen pirates. "Mr. Luffy and the others..."
"Hmm? Worried about them?"
"Ah! No, no! I mean—they did save me, you know? Don't be jealous, Lynn~"
Kaya clung to Lynn's arm, acting coy.
She didn't think he was petty—in fact, the more possessive he was, the more she liked it.
She snuggled against him for a bit longer before skipping home to say goodbye to Merry.
Nami, meanwhile, stayed with Lynn.
Even now, her gaze was still full of disbelief.
"What are you?"
Just remembering the massive dragon shadow in the sky made her shiver.
And yet... there was something in her eyes even she didn't notice—hope.
"Not a monster, really. Like Luffy, I'm a Devil Fruit user. I just happened to eat the strongest kind—Mythical Zoan."
"Mythical Zoan? What's that?"
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"It's the rarest Animal-type fruit. Think of it like... creatures from legends and mythology."
Lynn explained while draping his coat over her shoulders. "And as for how strong? Well... there's no one in the East Blue who can beat me now."
"..."
Nami didn't quite believe that, but it was hard to argue.
After all, Lynn had taken down Captain Kuro, a 16 million bounty pirate.
She lowered her gaze, clearly deep in thought.
Lynn noticed.
He stared at her with intensity.
"This is a one-time offer. Join my crew. Otherwise..."
"I'm in~!"
Nami didn't even let him finish. She agreed without hesitation.
Only a fool would turn him down.
She wasn't truly part of the Straw Hats anyway—it was just a temporary alliance.
And honestly, Lynn felt safer.
"You'll be glad you chose me."
Lynn smiled gently. His gaze softened.
"From now on, we're family. If anything troubles you, come to me."
"Don't ever hide it. Understand?"
"Mhm!"
Nami cupped her hands together and put on a sweet face.
Big, round eyes sparkled with fake admiration. "With someone as strong as you on my side, I can walk around like a queen!"
Lynn smiled quietly, seeing through her.
During their time with the Straw Hats, he had given her plenty of chances to be honest.
But she still chose secrecy.
So you underestimated me, huh...
"Kaya, is the ship ready? Let's go!"
"All ready! Goodbye, Mr. Merry!"