Chapter 290: Flight and Betrayal Beneath the Fireball

Wang Zhi never imagined they’d be seen through so quickly. Their intentions couldn’t be clearer—trying to break out and run.

If they actually managed to escape from this fortress of bodies, it’d be the heist of the century.

Gritting his teeth, Wang Zhi realized there was no way out but to fight!

No time left to think. That massive fireball loomed close; he’d have to act right away.

The fireball was colossal, swallowing up hundreds of meters around. There was no chance to dodge in time.

To avoid taking a fatal hit, he’d have to muscle through the weakest part of the flames.

He clenched his jaw, shadows swallowing him up. Armament Haki flowed across his body, lending a sliver of safety.

A flurry of punches shot out, not much, but enough to thin the flames a bit. Arms shielding his head, he dashed from the fire’s edge.

Honestly, how could their plan ever have worked out that easily?

Karl and Ledfield on the side kept scanning their movements, eyes flicking constantly.

Perospero and the others looked eager to jump into the fray too.

Even if they slipped free from Charlotte Linlin’s grasp, death was inevitable. At best, they could choose the place for their grave.

Elsewhere, Silver Axe took a Sovereign Nation head-on. Blood sprayed into the sky as his body was sent flying backward.

Wounded badly, his energy crashed. Even his Armament Haki could barely shield his limbs and head now.

“Hey, I really didn’t volunteer for this!”

“Everyone, what do you say?”

Brown spread his hands. He’d only meant to watch the spectacle, yet here was a chance for a headhunting.

His crewmates all chimed in mischievously, offering the opportunity with sly grins.

“Go on! Don’t embarrass us now.”

“Yeah, we’re handing you the perfect shot. Make it count!”

“Don’t forget, this is a team favor!”

“Relax, there’s no way I’d forget.”

As they spoke, Brown unsheathed his longsword. His eyes hardened, locking onto his target.

He knew all too well about the grudge between Charlotte Linlin, Wang Zhi, and Silver Axe.

That meant he had to make his strike count.

After his blow, he’d leave the scene to Charlotte Linlin. So whatever he did had to matter.

Swish!

“Ah! Damn it!”

The little bean bounced through the air!

Silver Axe only had time to shout as a blinding pain ripped through him from below.

They say this kind of agony is dozens of times worse than childbirth—not that he could really confirm. Maybe it’s just a wild tale, so don’t blame him if it’s wrong!

Thud!

A man clutching himself in agony was all that remained in the clearing.

Krell had just raised his right hand to ask someone to take him down, but noticed Karl shaking his head.

He instantly understood Karl’s meaning and stopped the fishmen who wanted to rush in.

Charlotte Linlin, a spring in her step, strode quickly to Silver Axe’s side.

She raised her blade, pressing it to his neck.

A weak voice drifted out. “Linlin, we shared a ship once, didn’t we?”

“Can’t you just let me go?”

In the pit, Silver Axe huddled over, soaked in sweat, face drained of color.

Charlotte Linlin let out a mocking snort. “Comrades?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know why we all joined the Rocks Pirates?”

Her words triggered a rush of memories.

Back then, Charlotte Linlin and Longbread had formed their own crew, sailing free across the sea.

Longbread might have bossed her a little, but really, it was more fun than pain.

While she ran amok on the waves, the Navy started posting her bounty.

As her bounty soared, she finally caught Rocks’s eye.

She still remembered that day: sunshine blazing down, on some island, Rocks approached to invite her in.

Linlin wasn’t the type to let others boss her around. No way a few words could have talked her into joining the Rocks Pirates.

If it wasn’t for Rocks’s brute force, she’d never have joined his crew at all.

Same went for Golden Lion and Whitebeard—they only bent for power.

Otherwise, why else would none of them even mention the Rocks Pirates after all these years since his death?

When Roger’s crew broke up, Rayleigh, Shanks, and Buggy all looked back on those days with fondness.

Even among most of the newer pirate crews, save a few, the members actually got along decently.

“Linlin, last time, that siege wasn’t really our idea. We just owed John a favor.”

“Neither of us went up against you directly—we stayed on the sidelines. Can’t you see that?”

“Believe me, neither of us meant to cross you.”

That line might’ve fooled the Linlin of old, but not now.

The current Charlotte Linlin wasn’t about to let a couple of words sway her resolve to kill.

Seeing she didn’t act immediately,

Silver Axe dared to grab the blade with both hands, slowly pushing it away.

Unnoticed, a sheen of Armament Haki crept across his palms.

But Charlotte Linlin caught this the instant it happened, sensing a wave of cold from behind.

“Silver Axe, for a moment I almost believed you were really begging for your life. Didn’t think you’d try to trip me up behind my back.”

“Then die!”

Charlotte Linlin jerked her blade back. That sudden move left Silver Axe with no chance to grip it tight.

He’d been ready to block if she slashed sideways, but she completely threw off his plan.

In Silver Axe’s wide, stunned eyes, the blade swept from left to right with brutal force.

A perfect head soared into the air as a fountain of blood erupted.

Clang!

Blade still high, Charlotte Linlin whirled, swinging back behind her.

There, she clashed swords with a pair of iron fists.

Silver Axe had tried the sentimental approach to lower Linlin’s guard.

Because he spotted Wang Zhi sneaking up as he slipped out of the fireball, aiming to buy precious seconds.

“Silver Axe!”

Wang Zhi cried out in grief. He never got along with John, but he and Silver Axe— they were brothers forged through hardship.

Both eyes reddened at the sight.

The plan was, survive this and find a quiet corner of the world, never fighting again. Who would’ve guessed they’d end up burying their dreams here instead.

Sure, they’d both seen this coming, but when reality hit it hurt more than either could’ve imagined.

“Linlin, we shared a ship, remember?”

“Can you really cut down your old mates like this?”

“Why can’t you just let the two of us go?”

Clap, clap, clap!

Applause broke the silence.

Karl entered, still clapping as he strolled into the field.

“Wang Zhi, well said.”