"Is this you in the photo?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes, that was when I was still on the ship."
Rocks never imagined he'd get caught just passing through a small mountain village trying to grab some local specialties.
Despite swearing that though he had no money now, as a man who'd become the sea's overlord in the future, he absolutely wouldn't default on debts, the youth who caught him simply didn't believe it.
The youth held a wanted poster, pointing at the somewhat thin young man pictured—not particularly handsome, but at least somewhat refined. Then looking at the man before him—clearly older, scruffy-bearded, and completely unrelated to the word "young"—an uncle through and through.
"This isn't you!"
Hearing Barolick's words, Rocks helplessly shrugged. "I didn't expect it either."
Though only a year had passed, the constant wandering and outdoor living made Rocks realize how many troubles Silas had solved for them on White Wolf Pirates—taking care of everything for them.
Of course, calling Rocks an uncle was definitely exaggerated. He was only in his twenties, just that his recent ship had wrecked, leaving him swimming alone who knows how far, stranded on a deserted island, unable to maintain his appearance, looking somewhat rough.
However, only Rocks thought so. This was evident from when he and Newgate went to pleasure districts—Newgate was more popular. Though neither looked great, comparatively, Newgate at least looked more honest.
Rocks just looked rough.
"Hmph, let's say it's you then."
Actually, when Barolick called out to Rocks, he'd already regretted it. He possessed an ability to see through people's hearts.
When calling Rocks, killing intent flashed through Rocks's heart instantly, but for some reason it quickly dissipated—otherwise he'd have no chance chatting with Rocks here.
Possessing this ability, Barolick could naturally distinguish whether Rocks spoke truth or lies.
"No wonder villagers all say White Wolf Silas picks crew by looks—men must be ugly, women must be beautiful."
Barolick muttered. By that logic, he definitely couldn't join White Wolf Pirates.
Luckily he had no intention of joining.
"Become my crew member."
"Mm."
Distracted, Barolick didn't notice what Rocks said. Coming to his senses, he found Rocks's hand already on his shoulder.
"Being able to see my movements, you're no ordinary kid. I'm no longer a White Wolf Pirates member—I'm preparing to challenge that old man. Help me, then we'll dominate these seas together!"
Rocks spoke passionately. Challenging Silas alone was definitely insufficient—he needed powerful crew members. Otherwise, hearing Barolick's call, why would he stop? Wasn't it because Barolick was young?
Youth meant potential. Though his Observation Haki saw Barolick indoors, he could still discover him stealing cured meat outside—showing talent.
Potential plus talent—weren't these exactly the crew members he dreamed of?
"Hah?"
But Barolick's voice raised eight octaves. "Why would I become your crew member and challenge that monster Silas with you?"
Dominating the sea was far from Barolick's concerns. Even if he was just some isolated weirdo the villagers disliked, that didn't mean Barolick would do such dangerous things with Rocks.
Moreover, he could see what drove Rocks; it was pure desire and ambition. He didn't want to follow such a person!
"That's not up to you!"
Rocks laughed heartily, directly knocking Barolick unconscious. He remembered his first meeting with Silas. Back then, hadn't Silas kept him through force?
This was Rocks and Barolick's first encounter.
Finding his first crew member, Rocks was eager to continue—at least securing a usable ship at the next kingdom. Finding an Adam Wood ship was beyond hope.
But after waking, Barolick's first action was sneaking out to report Rocks to the local military. Things immediately escalated.
Barolick thought the military would drive away pirate Rocks. Who knew the local military would respectfully invite Rocks into Magra Kingdom's palace, bringing him along too.
Rocks even loudly declared Barolick was his new crew member. Barolick was dumbfounded.
If Rocks confirmed his identity, wouldn't he be forced into piracy forever?
Thus followed subsequent events. At the first palace banquet, Barolick sensed a terrifying presence flash by outside, staying alert.
Magra Kingdom's king seemed to need White Wolf Pirates, treating Rocks as honored guest and even promising a new ship. If they could ally with White Wolf Pirates, what was one ship?
Though Rocks kept saying he'd left, in the king's view, Silas was just delegating Rocks to establish external forces! Otherwise, with pirate temperament, if Rocks truly betrayed, how could he appear here? White King would've cleaned house already.
So Rocks couldn't deny it. At least until truly defeating Silas, he'd carry White Wolf Pirates' label.
Change came at the second palace banquet. Rocks was preparing to leave. Though unable to promise Magra Kingdom's alliance with White Wolf Pirates on their behalf, given the ship gift, Rocks didn't mind contacting Silas for them.
CP0 appeared then.
Since birth, White Wolf Pirates had constantly entangled with CP organizations. Though Rocks had left White Wolf Pirates, he seemingly inherited this fate, colliding with CP organization.
CP0's highest action officer—Glyndwr!
Rocks didn't recognize Glyndwr. After all, White Wolf Pirates' three CP encounters—the latter two were personally handled by Silas. Only the first time at Elbaf was his closest to CP organization.
Several CP intelligence agents tried kidnapping giant children, discovered by Linlin. He hadn't contacted CP organization then, instead fighting berserk Linlin.
So Rocks didn't know Glyndwr. Though unfamiliar, he sensed dangerous aura from him.
Just right to test this year's training results. Rocks fearlessly issued his challenge.
The result was naturally crushing defeat.
A year after leaving White Wolf Pirates, Rocks's physical arts and Haki had progressed further, but Armament Haki's internal destruction and Observation Haki's future sight remained tantalizingly out of reach.
Glyndwr clearly exceeded what current Rocks could handle.
However, though unable to win, realizing the gap, Rocks still used Magra Kingdom's complex sewer system to successfully escape.
With Barolick's help.
"Why not escape?"
Being carried by Barolick, covered in claw marks, weakened Rocks asked, "You could completely abandon me or hand me to Marines for reward."
"Shut up! You think I don't want to?"
Barolick was frustrated. Without Rocks, how would he encounter such things or be considered White Wolf Pirates? But possessing the ability to see through hearts, Barolick was certain—if he dared do so, his head would fall next second.
Rocks's words were complete tests!
Yet he couldn't leave Rocks alone, because in those Marines' and CP intelligence agents' eyes, he was already White Wolf Pirates. Not saving Rocks meant prison if caught.
Saving Rocks...
"Do you have escape plans?"
Barolick asked worriedly. He wasn't yet the formidable Lonely Red of later times. Though possessing heart-reading ability, his strength wasn't particularly outstanding.
"Escape? Why escape?"
Who knew Rocks would grin, showing a fierce smile. "I escaped that guy once—I can escape twice, thrice. If he can beat but not kill me, that guy's my best whetstone!"
Silas said strong fighters must constantly challenge stronger opponents—Haki only grows rapidly through battle.
Rocks had vaguely grasped future sight traces, otherwise the earlier battle would've killed him. Glyndwr was strong, yet not like Silas—so strong there was no way to win.
Silas might need only one slash to kill him. But facing that bastard Glyndwr, he could maneuver awhile.
Ten years had already wasted one. Finally encountering a suitable opponent—how could he flee without fighting?
Glyndwr wouldn't expect he'd encountered not an isolated White Wolf Pirates member, but a beast sharpening its fangs.
Rocks found his opponent. Ripley and others also fought Wano samurai repeatedly under Silas's arrangements, rapidly improving.
The battles with Glyndwr pushed Rocks to his limits, but each injury could mean weeks of recovery. He was literally gambling with his life.
Battles with samurai were much less intense. After all, samurai were Silas's defeated opponents.
Though agreeing to fight White Wolf Pirates crew, such battles were at most sparring, not life-or-death struggles. Samurai didn't dare truly kill White Wolf Pirates members.
But practice makes perfect.
Battle was the same.
Wano had not just sword-wielding swordsmen, but also weapon-free strongmen and nearly extinct ninja. Fighting various opponents, constantly accumulating experience, whether new or veteran crew, everyone progressed at slow yet steady rates.
Silas was no exception.
They say Conqueror's Haki only sharpens through battle, but that's just Haki's upper limit. Alone, though unable to make Haki stronger, he could improve usage techniques.
Moreover, Silas wasn't completely without opponents.
"Tentsuki Style: Radiant Light!"
A seemingly thirty-year-old young swordsman attacked Silas at extreme speed. Though appearing young, his swordsmanship faintly exceeded Silas's.
But halfway through battle, the youth's movements began slowing, transforming from young man to decrepit elder.
Crack!
The old man's expression changed, clutching his waist in agony. "My back!"
The elder was naturally Tentsuki Takiichi, Wano's only great swordsman. His temporary youth restoration was thanks to Stussy's youth hormones.
Though Takiichi was eighty, one youth hormone injection directly transformed him into a young man.
However, this ability's flaw was obvious—once users extensively employed Haki, hormone effectiveness drastically shortened, unable to sustain even one battle.
Even so, sparring with Takiichi slightly improved Silas's swordsmanship level.
"Still need to fight strong opponents!"
Still, in this era, the fighters who could make him go all-out could be counted on one hand.
As for why great swordsman Takiichi willingly sparred with Silas, naturally because: "Miss Toki, you've returned! Leave grocery shopping to servants—your most important task now is resting well."
Then bear several plump sons for the Toki family!
Heaven knew how delighted Toki family descendant Takiichi was seeing Toki—like finding an oasis in the desert.
Now the entire Toki family had only Takiichi left. At his age, remarriage was impossible. Watching Toki family bloodline about to end with his generation, then Toki appeared.
Though learning Toki married outsider Silas disappointed Takiichi somewhat, perhaps this was better. After all, Silas was a top fighter who could single-handedly suppress all of Wano Country.
If he and Toki united, their child would definitely have outstanding talent.
So much that Takiichi's gaze toward Silas became favorable. Takiichi now had only one thought: hoping to see Toki bear new heirs before death.
Preferably several, expanding Toki bloodline! Not asking much—just hoping one could inherit the Toki name.
For this goal, Takiichi was willing to be Silas's free sparring partner.
Even promising if Silas truly wanted Wano to open borders, this time he'd definitely agree.
But Silas only smiled. For him, Wano wasn't necessary.
So it shouldn't be him requesting Wano open borders, but Wano requesting his protection with opening as condition!
However, by then he probably wouldn't be in Wano anymore.
Now Silas's only remaining interest in Wano was just one thing.
Initially, Silas wasn't certain what level Wano's dragon-slaying swordsman reached. Until one day, Silas saw the famous blade Shusui, treasured by Wano as a national treasure.
Also Shimotsuki Ryuma's sword during life.
In Shusui, Silas saw a sealed presence—nearly dissipated Haki!