Looking at the guy in front of him who looked almost exactly like Blackbeard, Shano's pupils suddenly shrank.
Rocks?
Shouldn't this guy have died more than 30 years ago?
Truth? Illusion?
But it didn't matter...
He raised his head and looked at the domineering aura that was overwhelming like a torrent.
With this level of Conqueror's Haki, you think you can overwhelm me?!
Stop dreaming!
Shano grinned and opened his arms. A domineering aura no less powerful than the opponent's burst from his body and clashed fiercely with the terrifying pressure coming his way!
Boom!
The two Haki forces collided violently in the air, and black-red lightning exploded through the void like spiderwebs. The whole space trembled violently.
"Oh?"
Rocks showed a surprised expression, the strong wind billowing his cloak. "This level of Conqueror's Haki… not bad. Hey kid, what's your name?"
Shano didn't answer right away, instead glancing around.
The waning moon in the sky, the sheer cliffs—everything felt so real, even the salty wind in the air...
But...
It was only true to a point.
After being hit by his Conqueror's Haki, this illusory space had become much harder to maintain.
Looking carefully—
The farthest areas, like the horizon and mountain edges, were blurred, as if covered in mosaic—details were indistinguishable.
"Fake is fake, after all."
Shano raised his head and looked up at the cliff again. "But with such a strong entrance and simulated Conqueror's Haki, it's no wonder ordinary people would be scared out of their minds."
"Fake?"
Rocks raised an eyebrow, the grin on his face growing even wilder.
"Fake?! Ha! Kid, you've got some nerve!"
He suddenly stepped forward and leapt high. The cliff exploded beneath his feet as Rocks charged down with a fist aimed straight at Shano!
"Show some respect, brat! I am the real Rocks D. Xebec! If it wasn't for those traitors ganging up on me, I would have been the king of the world!"
"Even your illusion likes to brag like the real thing!"
Shano didn't dodge. He punched forward.
"Speaking of which, I've always wondered—can you answer something on behalf of Rocks?"
Bang!
Their fists clashed, sending a massive shockwave out. Gravel and dust exploded everywhere. Rocks spat out a pebble and growled:
"What generation this, generation that! I already said I'm the real deal, dammit! If you've got a question, just ask it!"
"Everyone else has their surname first and given name last. Why do you go by 'Rocks'?"
Rocks froze for a moment, scratching his head. After a long pause, he suddenly roared:
"What kinda dumb question is that?! I'll do whatever I want! Why do you care?!"
But there was no one in front of him.
Rocks's expression changed sharply.
"Can't answer? That proves you're fake."
Shano's voice came from above.
Rocks looked up in shock—Shano was already in mid-air, his right fist wrapped in black-red lightning, crashing down toward his head!
Crack!
Before the fist even hit, the illusionary space cracked under the overwhelming pressure of Shano's Conqueror's Haki.
Rocks's body began to fracture, his face frozen in surprise as he shattered inch by inch like a broken mirror.
Boom!
Endless black and red lightning exploded from his disintegrating form like wild snakes, flooding the entire space.
The scene continued for a while—proof of how terrifyingly dense the sealed Haki in this "Rocks" illusion had been.
But Shano's Conqueror's Haki was just as fearsome—how could he be affected?
He stood firm, fists lowered, calmly watching the aftershocks of Haki fade away. The blood moon collapsed, the cliffs crumbled, and everything else receded like a tide—
And the next moment—
Swish!
The illusion blurred, and he returned to the wooden house.
The pitcher plant's leaves in front of him drooped weakly, as if something within had been drained.
At that moment, the old patriarch on the bed suddenly coughed violently and slowly opened his eyes.
"Grandpa!"
"Patriarch!"
Chia and Noah were overjoyed, rushing to the bedside. The surrounding warriors were also thrilled and excited.
As for the crew members of the Ender waiting outside the room, they exchanged confused glances.
What had just happened? The captain only stood there quietly for a moment, and the old patriarch woke up?
"Noah... Chia... You're here. My head hurts so much... How long have I been unconscious?"
The old patriarch struggled to sit up and was immediately drawn to the pitcher plant. His eyes widened in surprise:
"Huh? This is… has someone released the sealed power of the holy fruit?"
"If by sealed power, you mean Rocks's Haki…"
Shano replied casually, "Then yes, I did it."
Hearing that, the old man's pupils shrank sharply, and he looked at Shano in shock.
"You? You… you withstood Rocks's Conqueror's Haki?"
He pointed a trembling hand at the pitcher plant: "This thing… Rocks left it to me. It contains the purest Conqueror's Haki he compressed to the limit! Just releasing a little bit can make sea kings foam at the mouth and beasts flee…"
"Is that why your tribe's been protected by it for decades?"
Robin entered at that moment, keeping a distance as she gazed at the now-limp pitcher plant with fascination. She chuckled softly:
"What a cute and interesting plant... But old man, don't underestimate our captain. He is—"
"I'll do it! I'll do it!"
Nami burst in and raised her right arm excitedly. "I'm great at this sort of thing. Leave it to me, Sister Robin!"
She clenched her fist, mimicking a microphone, and cleared her throat with a few coughs. Then she pointed to Shano and announced proudly:
"Listen up, old man! Standing before you is—
The world's number one swordsman Shano!
Captain of the End Adventure Group!
A super-wanted criminal with a bounty over 2 billion berries!
Feared by the World Government!
He cut off the arm of Rayleigh the Dark King!
He repelled a Navy Admiral!
He even fought against Emperor Kaido—Ow, ow, ow! What was that for?!"
She clutched her head, tears welling up as several lumps formed on her forehead.
Behind her, white smoke rose—Shano retracted his fist with a dark expression.
This girl just never stops...
After kicking Nami out of the house, he gave Robin a strange look.
That pitcher plant was interesting,
But "cute"? Seriously?
"..."
The old patriarch looked dazed for a moment, clearly processing Nami's loud introduction. After a long pause, he nodded slightly:
"Over 2 billion bounty... So that's it... One of the new generation's emperor-level figures has come to our island..."
"Grandpa, that's not all! Brother Shano also…" Chia rushed over and whispered everything that had happened.
"The flamingo is dead? And you were saved by Lord Shano too?"
The old man glared at Chia. "You're only thirteen and already making trouble... I'll deal with you later!"
He turned to Shano again, trying to get out of bed, but Shano quickly held him down.
"Old man, you just woke up. Don't force yourself. Rest for now."
"No… I must thank you personally."
With the help of his two grandsons, the old patriarch struggled upright and bowed deeply to Shano:
"I am Link, patriarch of the Agatha Clan. You not only saved me and my grandson, but also avenged our tribe's blood feud. This grace…"
"It's nothing."
Shano waved his hand, looking tired of hearing the same praise over and over.
Maybe… this was a hidden perk of defeating a famous villain. People all over treat him like a savior and want to repay him.
It was like this in Paradise, the New World, and maybe even in the North Sea, Donquixote's old turf...
He didn't think much of it. Helping Link back into bed, he smiled:
"Old man, don't take it to heart. I'm more interested in your connection to Rocks. Can you tell me?"
Rocks?
Old Link sat on the bed, sighed deeply, and his gaze became distant.
"That was... many, many years ago..."
The drizzle soaked the muddy roads.
In front of a run-down restaurant in Thunder God Town, a ragged red-haired boy huddled in a corner, dying of hunger.
A young chef glanced over and quietly turned back into the kitchen.
Soon, he came back with steaming stew and two blackened pieces of bread, placing them in front of the boy.
The boy looked up in surprise. The chef crouched beside him, lit a cigarette, and said casually:
"Don't look at me like that, kid. Eat and leave. If the boss sees me, I'll be fired."
The boy stared at him. The chef felt a little uneasy, but then the boy suddenly dug in, devouring the food.
After a while, the boy mumbled, "Hey… what's your name?"
"Why ask that? Planning to repay me later?" the chef sneered. "You'd better just survive first."
"My name is Rocks," the boy muttered. "I'll become king of the world. Someday, I'll have my own ship… I'll come back for you and make you my chef!"
"You're crazy."
The chef scoffed. "Should've eaten it myself… What luck, saving another lunatic."
"I asked you your name!" the boy demanded again.
The chef frowned but saw the fire in the boy's eyes. Something about it was unnerving.
"I can't win with you…"
He exhaled smoke and finally smiled:
"Link. My name is Link."
Ten years later, bandits raided Thunder God Town.
The chef Link was beaten and stomped on in his restaurant.
"My money!" he cried. "That's for my father's treatment!"
The bandit sneered—just as a black shadow smashed into him.
Boom!
The leader was sent flying into a wall. The rest panicked.
A young man with one hand in his pocket stood tall.
"Hey, uncle, your money."
Link stared. When he saw the man's face, his eyes widened in shock.
"Ro... Rocks?!"
"Yo, cook. Still remember me?" Rocks grinned.
He snapped his fingers. A massive Haki wave burst out. All the bandits collapsed instantly.
Link was speechless.
That starving boy had become so powerful?
"I've got a ship now, cook," Rocks said. "How about you stop getting bullied here and come with me?"
Link hesitated.
"Don't worry," Rocks added. "I'll take you home to see your dad one last time."
"It's for treatment, bastard!" Link shouted, crying. "Not a funeral!"
"Same difference!"
Rocks laughed and held out his hand.
"You asked my name for a reason, didn't you?"
Link glared—but finally took his hand.
"Link. Call me Link."
As they sailed the seas, their bond deepened.
Years later, Rocks gathered a fearsome crew—including Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido.
But Link eventually left, disillusioned by Rocks' cruelty and obsession with domination.
"I can't be your partner anymore."
"Who cares? I don't need you."
But as Link walked away, Rocks' eyes darkened, his voice filled with rage—but deep inside, something else flickered.
"Let's go! Target—Roger's crew!"
Back in the present, Old Link stared at the holy fruit and murmured:
"Thirty years ago, before heading to the Valley of the Gods, he claimed he left a treasure behind… and said the map was placed in the old place."
Everyone in the room was silent, still immersed in the story.
Nami tilted her head.
"The old place? You stopped halfway. What place?"