Happy Birthday

In a colorful splash page, Nami stands with an angry expression, furrowed brows, red eyes, and clenched fists at her sides. She wears a pink dress with a brown collar and buttons. A large blue slime-like creature with a wide grin, sharp teeth, and a brown hat clings to her shoulder and back, dripping liquid. The background shows a bright outdoor setting with trees, buildings, and floating particles under a blue sky.

A massive black creature with scales and a spotted tail thrashes violently, roaring 'LAAAAA AAAAAA!' amid impact lines and debris. Sound effects explode: 'MMMM MMMM', 'SEEE EEEE', and large 'ドゴォ'. Multiple panels show close-ups of shocked faces, including a wide-eyed armored figure exclaiming 'AN ARM STRONGER THAN A GIANT'S BLADEI!'. Other panels depict fighters recoiling with 'UUUU UGH!', 'FFG HH!', 'OOGH!', and '!!I'. One panel shows a character shouting 'STOP THIS AT ONCE! LINLIN!' as the creature continues its rampage, sending shockwaves and fragments flying.

Chaos erupts as a giant mouth gapes and a wild-haired figure with a beard laughs maniacally. Villagers and fighters react in panic: 'LORD YORLE!', 'KYAAH!', 'LORD FALL-BEARD!'. A 'THUD' impact creates a large crater. A woman with long hair shouts 'WE'VE GOT SOME FOOD WE WERE SAVING FOR THE MIDWINTER FESTIVAL IN THE VILLAGE'S STOREHOUSE, BUT...'. Another voice pleads 'CAN YOU PREPARE SOME SEMLAI!'. A small figure cries 'LINLIN!' as the giant black creature continues rampaging with 'SEEEEEEEMM MMMMMLLLL AAAAAAAA!' and more impact effects. Background buildings are damaged amid smoke and debris.

A massive elderly woman with wild hair and a dark cloak stands amid flames, shouting "GEVURAH." as wind rushes past. Villagers panic and yell "GET BACK!" "MOTHER! WHAT ARE YOU DOINGI!" "PUT OUT THE FIRES AROUND THE VILLAGE!" "HOLD LINLIN DOWN!" while a lone small figure stands in the burning village below. The woman declares "THIS IS TOO DANGEROUS!" A close-up shows her face twisted in rage as she thrusts both hands forward with a glowing orb, unleashing "TSAALK!" The blast sends people flying as they scream "MOTHER!" "AAA GH!" In the largest panel, the woman’s enormous, monstrous face emerges from smoke and fire, grinning wildly. She proclaims "I GIVE THEE SPEECH." while a voice cries "HEED MY CALL!" Panicked giants continue shouting "MOTHER!" "WHAT THE HELL IS THATI!" as the destruction spreads.

Mother Carmel raises her hand and summons a smiling sun that declares "YES, MOTHER!" while villagers react in shock. She commands "BE STILL!" as the sun expands. A narration box states "THE SUN GOD HAS MADE ALL RIGHT." The village calms, with one giant noting "IT'S A MIRACLE..." and another saying "NO." In the background, a massive explosion erupts with the symbol of a cross-like sun radiating outward. A small figure stands watching from the clouds below. Nearby, a giant with a spotted shell shouts "SHE IS NO CHILD! JUDGE HER..." while another cries "TREAT HIS WOUNDS! LORD YORLE!" as the radiant sun effect dominates the sky.

A giant snores loudly "SNOOORE" while another figure yells "LINLIN!" Lord Mountbeard lies injured as warriors shout "LORD MOUNT-BEARD!" Mother Carmel pleads with outstretched arms, "YORLE... IS A BATTLE COMRADE I FOUGHT ALONGSIDE FOR... 300 YEARS!" "YOU DARE COMPARE ME, CARAMELI" "PLEASE! MERCY!" A giant warrior declares "LINLIN IS LIKE THE OTHER POOR CHILDREN IN THE LAMB'S HOUSE. ABANDONED BY THE WORLD, WITH NO-WHERE TO GO. I CAN'T JUST LEAVE HER TO DIE!" Another responds "I UNDERSTAND! BUT EVEN IF YOU CANNOT FORGIVE HER, WARRIORS CARE NOT HOW LONG THEY LIVE, BUT HOW THEY DIE! I CANNOT FORGIVE THIS CHILD." An elder giant concludes "AT HIS AGE... HE IS BEYOND SAVING!"

Mother Carmel shouts with fierce determination, "AND LEAVE THIS COUNTRY! I WILL TAKE THIS GIRL" as a giant cries "CARAMELI!" In the next panels, warriors demand "FROM MY SIGHT! THEN BE QUICK ABOUT IT. DISAPPEAR" "HOW FAR HAS THE PRIDE OF ELBAF FALLENI!" "LORD MOUNTBEARD! KILL LINLIN!" while one giant falls, exclaiming "HAJRU-DIN!" A framed narration box recounts: "THE HERO OF THE GIANTS, YORLE, HAD DIED. THE EXISTENCE OF THE DEMON LINLIN. AND CARAMEL'S MIRACLE." Another box adds "THE EVENTS OF THAT DAY." A young giant girl reacts in horror, gasping "HUHI WHAT HAPPENEDI" "LORD FALLBEARD DIEDI" as background figures react with shock.

Narration explains that Mother Carmel, having earned the full ire of the giant race, left Elbaf behind with Charlotte Linlin in tow. As they were unwilling to leave Mother's side, she took the children of the Lamb's house in tow. A new life at a new Lamb's house begun. Young Linlin smiles brightly as the children thank Mother Caramel, saying "THANK YOU. YOU CAN ALWAYS RELY ON US. YOU ARE MOTHER TO THE GIANT RACE TOO, CARAMEL." Caramel's smile never once faltered. The sounds of the children's laughter echoed throughout the Lamb's house. One child shouts "KYAAH! LINLIN'S GONNA KILL US!" while another cries "WAIT, WAIT!" After a few days, everything had returned to normal.

Mother Carmel rages, "THINK ABOUT IT! AT THE AGE OF 5, SHE MANAGED TO HALF-DESTROY THE VILLAGE OF ELBAF! SHE'S IRREPLACEABLE! DON'T TELL ME YOU CAN'T PAY IT! BUT THIS PRICE..." She recalls, "I NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D LEAVE ELBAF." The Lamb's House was known for taking in problem children who would be 'reborn' under Mother's miraculous power. Eventually they would meet nice foster parents. Mother Carmel reveals, "THEN LET ME TELL YOU, AS A CHILD SLAVER FOR 50 YEARS... THIS IS MY GREATEST PRODUCT YET! 37 YEARS AGO I PULLED A FAST ONE ON THE MARINES AND SLIPPED INTO ELBAF." She explains how the orphans make perfect spies and how she deceives the government every two years by selling one orphan after another. A Marine official notes her rank and connections, leading to the first giant Marine soldier, John Giant.

Mother Carmel declares, "I THINK I SHOULD START WINDING MY ACTIVITIES DOWN. TIME TO WASH MY HANDS OF THIS BUSINESS. THIS IS MY LAST DEAL!" A sign reads "ORPHAN SELLER MOTHER CARAMEL UNDERWORLD NAME: MOUNTAIN WITCH." She adds, "OF COURSE YOU WILL! IT ISN'T EASY PLAYING THAT MOTHER ACT, YOU KNOW!" The children play happily outside the Lamb's House. One says, "NOPE, I'LL JUST SELL OFF EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU TO THE GOVERNMENT!" Another replies, "YEP! AND WE'LL BE PIRATES ONE DAY, TOO!" They sing, "WELL, THAT'S A PIRATE SONG, SILLY! BINKS' SAKE!" Mother Carmel smiles, "LILUFU! WHAT SONG SHALL WE SING TODAYI" The children gather for a lively celebration with music and dancing.

A massive six-layer birthday cake towers over the party as everyone shouts "CONGRATS, LINLIN! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" and "AND..." Linlin beams with joy, tears in her eyes, crying "THANK YOU, EVERYONE! WAAAHHH!" The children cheer around the cake. One says, "YEP! EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT!" Another exclaims, "YOU CALL IT A CROQUIEM-BOUCHEI! I WONDER IF IT TURNED OUT ALRIGHTI IT'S CALLED A CROQUIEM-BOUCHE. WE PILED UP A BUNCH OF YOUR FAVORITE SEMLAS TO MAKE THIS! IT LOOKS SO YUMMY! EAT, EAT!" Linlin responds with delight. Someone suggests, "LET'S HAVE A TEA PARTY!" The celebration continues with laughter and excitement.

In a bright, cheerful flashback, young Linlin sits at a long table outdoors with Mother Caramel and many friends from the Lamb's House. She eats voraciously with a huge grin as Mother Caramel smiles warmly and says, "EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT, LINLIN!" Friends cheer around her. Narration boxes explain: "manga panda VANISHED INTO THIN AIR. THAT WAS ON THE DAY OF THE" and "HER FRIENDS FROM THE LAMB'S HOUSE, WHO HAD GROWN UP LIKE HER, AND THE KIND AND GENEROUS MOTHER..." Linlin cries out in pure joy, "WAAAH! I'M SO HAPPY!" and "YUUU-LUMMY!" while Mother Caramel suggests, "LET'S MAKE SOME TEA. SHE SURE CAN EAT!" The scene shows everyone smiling as Linlin devours her sweet birthday cake. Narration continues: "FUNNIEST BIRTHDAY OF LINLIN'S LIFE." and "AND AS SHE ATE HER BELOVED, SWEET BIRTHDAY CAKE LINLIN COULDN'T HELP BUT CRY." Linlin shouts with hearts, "YUUUUUM-MMMYYYYY!!" as tears stream down her face. Friends surround her with warm smiles. Narration concludes: "SHE WAS SURROUNDED BY EVERYONE'S SMILES." and "WHAT A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY TODAY WAS! WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY THIS WAS! SHE COULD BARELY SEE THROUGH THE TEARS."

Linlin finishes eating with a massive burp, patting her full belly and beaming. She thanks everyone, saying "THANKS, EVERYONE! I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET TODAY'S..." and adds dreamily, "HAAAH... I WAS SO FOCUSED ON EATING THAT I CHOMPED DOWN ON THE TABLE A FEW TIMES." The scene cuts to an empty landscape with the Lamb's House in the background. Linlin stands with her back to the viewer, looking confused as she calls out, "HUHI EVERYONEI MOTHERI" Large sound effects "ばッ" and "ん!!" emphasize the sudden silence and shock. Narration boxes state: "VANISHED INTO THIN AIR." Linlin's face twists in panic as she screams, "WHERE'D THEY GOI" A final narration box repeats: "ONE DAY, MOTHER CARAMEL".

A massive close-up shows Linlin's face contorted in anguish as she roars "MOTHE-EEEEEER! WHERE'D YOU GOI!" with tears flying and a huge impact effect. Narration notes: "HER ROAR IS LOUDER THAN EXPECTED. THE ASSASSINATION PLOT CONTINUES!" Smaller panels show shocked reactions from other characters with cries of "HUUUHI HUHI" and questions like "IN THE HOUSEI EVERYONE... WHERE ARE THEYI" and "WHERE ARE YOUI" One figure stands alone near the house asking "WHERE ARE YOUI" while another calls "DON'T LEAVE ME!" The final panel fades to black with a distant voice saying "HEY, MOTHER..." as the chapter number "CH. 867" appears.

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