Chapter 66: Not Violating the Art of War

Words : 1282 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

"Mom, no sign of the Marines." Aboard the BIG MOM Pirates' flagship, Charlotte Linlin had been eagerly awaiting the chaos of battle. The live feed of the war had cut off just as the fighting reached its peak, leaving her in the dark. Unable to see what was happening, she knew both sides must have clashed fully. She couldn't wait to come over and finish them all off. Especially the Whitebeard Pirates. Ideally, she could wipe them out—then large swaths of territory in the New World would fall into her hands. As she fantasized about dominating the New World, she also imagined eliminating both the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates. Hearing her daughter Smoothie's report, Charlotte Linlin was surprised. "No sign of the Marines? What do you mean?" she asked, confused. "We only see the Whitebeard Pirates. No trace of the Marines," Smoothie replied. "No Marines? Could the battle be over already?" Linlin walked toward the bow of the ship while questioning. "Unclear. But there's no trace of the Marines. The Whitebeard Pirates are all gathered on the shore... waiting for us." Smoothie said while holding binoculars. "Mama mamama! Doesn't matter. Even if it's just the Whitebeard Pirates, it's fine. They've just gone through a big fight with the Marines; this is the perfect time when they're weak. Taking them out will be enough. If the Marines were here, I'd worry about interference. But with them gone, we'll kill them all!" she declared domineeringly, eyes locked on the Whitebeard Pirates ahead. For years, she had been forced to endure Whitebeard's shadow. But age had weakened him. Now that an opportunity had come, she would finally trample over his legacy. "Fire!" Still some distance away, both sides began bombarding each other. The Whitebeard Pirates took a defensive stance, while the BIG MOM Pirates launched an offensive. "Let them come ashore." Roy's eyes narrowed as he watched the approaching fleet. Big Mom had taken the bait; she truly believed they were vulnerable. Those standing at the shoreline earlier were all injured members of the Whitebeard Pirates, meant to give Charlotte Linlin the illusion that the crew was in no state to fight. "Big Bro really loves setting up traps like this," Vista chuckled. "If you can eliminate the most enemies at the lowest cost, that's what war should be. Don't be foolish and go head-on. "If you've got a gun, then use it to kill your enemy." "Understand?" "Why fight fair when you can shoot them before they even draw their swords?" "Even the Marines use dirty tricks when needed, as long as they achieve their goal. After all, they're not the ones getting hurt." Roy admired an ancient figure in his past life, and he had studied him deeply. "Offending Heaven's way, violating human harmony, but not violating the art of war" Too many fools in this world rush headfirst into battle without thinking. When your power can absolutely crush, then fine, but if you're unsure of the enemy's strength, you must be fully prepared. Minimize your own losses and win at the smallest cost. "This is why I'm handing the pirate crew over to you," Whitebeard said nearby. "With you around, no one can outdo your ruthlessness. You'll use methods more brutal than the enemy's to protect your comrades." "You better stay alive. You'll get your fill of fighting soon. Continuing to battle the Marines just now would've done us no good," Roy replied, still stained with blood and his head wrapped in bandages. Never underestimate the will of the people in this world. Even if it looked like he had won, if the three Marine Admirals had gone all-out, the result could have gone either way. Roy might've managed to trade his life for taking down one Admiral and severely injuring the other two, but he couldn't guarantee there weren't other strong forces lurking on the Marines' side. Relying on Marco and the others wasn't viable. Against the Admirals at full strength, they weren't true matches. In Roy's eyes, the combat power of an Admiral and an Emperor was about equal, nearly the same. The final outcome often depended on endurance and willpower to continue in battle. If an Admiral truly fought to the end, they could take down one Emperor in return. You can't gamble on uncertain outcomes. The Whitebeard Pirates avoided heavy casualties, which alone was a victory. Besides, forcing the Marines to retreat after inflicting such losses was already a win. "You don't seem like a pirate at all. More like a businessman," Whitebeard remarked. "I don't like war at all. War means death. Of course, I'm not afraid of it, but I'll use any method to win. I don't care who the enemy is," Roy replied. "That's why we feel secure," Marco and the others said with a smile. "Is everything ready?" Roy asked. "All set. We're about to give them a big surprise," Marco grinned. "Don't be too hasty, wait until they fully land. Charlotte Linlin herself doesn't have much power; what she relies on is her Homies army," Roy said. The Whitebeard Pirates had had many run-ins with the BIG MOM Pirates in the New World. Charlotte Linlin possessed one of the Road Poneglyphs, inherited from the old Rocks Pirates. After the Rocks Pirates disbanded, Linlin gained the Poneglyph, Captain John swallowed the treasure, Wang Zhi took the territory, and Shiki inherited most of the crew. BIG MOM's pirate subordinates were few. Like Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin had a problem: She didn't trust her subordinates. As one of the earliest members tricked into the Rocks Pirates by Xebec, she had witnessed too much betrayal among comrades. Countless of her own companions had died at her hands. That leftover trauma from the Rocks Pirates lingered in both her and Whitebeard. Especially when facing subordinates who also had Conqueror's Haki. If Katakuri hadn't been her own son, she would've killed him long ago. Two tigers cannot share one mountain. Same with Whitebeard, he trusted his family, but he had initially been extremely suspicious of Kozuki Oden. He repeatedly refused to let him aboard. Because people with Conqueror's Haki are very ambitious. They all have the potential to become kings. How could they possibly bow to another? Whitebeard's crew was family. Charlotte Linlin's crew were literally blood relatives. She gave birth to 39 daughters and 46 sons herself. Each Emperor had their own flaws. Ironically, the Beasts Pirates resembled a true pirate crew the most, pillaging and warring everywhere. "Big Bro, they're coming." "Fall back a little," Roy said. "Yes!" Everyone pulled back. Charlotte Linlin landed on the island with her crew. "Newgate, long time no see," Charlotte Linlin greeted. "Gurararara, Linlin, It's been more than thirty years!" Whitebeard replied. "Mama mamama, has it? Feels like ever since that day, we haven't seen each other again. Not many of us old ones are still around." Charlotte Linlin still held a small parasol in her hand, walking over as leisurely as if on vacation. Her children following behind her, Katakuri, Cracker, Smoothie, Perospero, Oven, Daifuku, each one arriving. Only one Sweet Commander was missing, likely left behind to guard Totto Land. "You all... should watch your step." Whitebeard suddenly said after hesitating for a moment, not waiting for them to all finish landing. ... If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead. [email protected]/DaoistJinzu

Chapter 66: Not Violating the Art of War

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