Chapter 31: The Rumors, and a Probe from Golden Lion, John, and Silver Axe
New World, Hachinosu, the main base of the Rocks Pirates.
Having been notified by Rocks to attend the evening banquet, the officers were all preparing to go.
On the way to the banquet venue, John, Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, Charlotte, and Shiki happened to run into each other.
"Did you guys hear? 'The Heinous' Rono has joined us," Silver Axe said, getting straight to the point as soon as he saw them.
"I know. The rookie who hijacked the Heavenly Tribute and killed a Celestial Dragon."
"Tonight's banquet is to welcome him," Wang Zhi said with a hint of sourness.
In his memory, this was the first time a new member's joining had warranted the attendance of the entire Rocks Pirates crew.
Is this guy really that important?
"That's right. I heard he also defeated Garp and escaped from 'Steel Bone' Kong, Sengoku, and Zephyr alongside Whitebeard."
John recounted Rono's deeds; it seemed he paid close attention to everything about Rono.
"Defeated 'Iron Fist' Garp? No wonder his bounty is as high as 1.5 billion."
This was the first time Shiki had heard this, and he couldn't help but be surprised.
Garp was a Marine the Rocks Pirates frequently encountered, and Garp's 'Iron Fist' had left an extremely deep impression on all the officers.
Garp was defeated? This Rono sounds very powerful.
"Mamamamama, he looks like a handsome young man on the bounty poster. I'm going to get him as soon as possible!"
Charlotte Linlin, whose figure had not yet grown plump, chuckled lightly, looking forward to meeting Rono.
Such a handsome man with outstanding strength should have a child with her.
The child they produce would surely be powerful!
"How disgusting."
The others were disgusted by Charlotte Linlin's words and subconsciously moved away from the crazy woman.
This woman was notoriously promiscuous on the Rocks crew; the members of her division were all children she had with men of various races.
Charlotte Linlin had also made advances on Shiki, John, Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and even Whitebeard.
But they all found her repulsive and were afraid of catching a disease, so they flatly refused her.
"But do you know the most bizarre thing about this Rono?" John suddenly spoke up.
"What is it?"
At his words, Golden Lion, Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, and Charlotte's curiosity was instantly piqued, and they pricked up their ears to listen.
"Rumor has it that this Rono has a terrifying talent. He can quickly learn other people's special moves!"
"He can even learn them just by seeing them once!"
"Garp's 'Iron Fist' was learned by Rono during their battle, which is why he lost," John said smugly.
He paid very close attention to Rono, so he knew the rumors. The reason for his interest was simple.
John was a man who loved wealth, and Rono had a vendetta against the Celestial Dragons.
John wanted to win Rono over. If Rono specialized in killing Celestial Dragons, he could just follow behind and pick up their treasures. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?
"Learning an enemy's moves in the middle of a battle? How is that possible!"
Golden Lion immediately refuted upon hearing this.
He had personally experienced Garp's 'Iron Fist'.
The last time they fought the Marines, he had been hit by Garp's punch, and the wound still ached to this day.
'Iron Fist' was Garp's signature move, developed after long and hard training. How could someone learn it just by seeing it once?
Just like Golden Lion himself had his own special moves.
Slashing Wave, Two-Sword Style, Lion: Thousand Slice Valley, and the development of his Float-Float Fruit—all were techniques he had developed after a long time of exploration.
It's impossible for someone to learn them with a single glance. This must be a rumor.
"Exactly! The Government's reports always like to exaggerate!"
"This must be a rumor. John, you always love these bits of gossip," Silver Axe and Wang Zhi also felt that John was bluffing.
How could someone quickly learn another's special move?
You see a move someone has worked hard to develop for over a decade and you learn it just like that?
Do they take all the world's powerful fighters for fools?
"Hehe, there's a banquet tonight. Why don't we test him out? And make a bet on it?" John chuckled.
When he first heard this rumor, his reaction was the same as Shiki's and Silver Axe's; he didn't believe it at all.
But he had sent his men to investigate, and it seemed the matter was true.
John realized this was an opportunity to get rich.
"A bet? Alright, what do you want to bet?" Golden Lion, Silver Axe, and the others were intrigued.
The outcome of this bet seemed too simple. This was a chance to pick up free money.
"How about we bet 1 billion Berries? If the rumor is true, you each give me 1 billion Berries!"
"If the rumor is false, I'll give each of you 1 billion Berries!" John gritted his teeth and made the offer.
Golden Lion, Wang Zhi, and Silver Axe were all startled.
They suspected that the John in front of them was a fake, an imposter.
After all, how could the notoriously money-grubbing John suddenly become so generous?
A bet of 1 billion Berries? That's not a small sum.
John had probably only saved up that much after all his years with the Rocks Pirates.
Could it be that the rumor is true?
They immediately became suspicious, but then shook their heads in denial.
Impossible. How could someone have the talent to learn a move with a single glance?
If such a talent really existed, they wouldn't have had to train so hard every day for so many years.
"Fine, a bet's a bet. No reason to turn down free money!" Wang Zhi and Silver Axe immediately decided to accept the bet.
In their eyes, this money was as good as picked up off the street.
Moreover, it was 1 billion Berries. Even for great pirates like them, it was not a small amount.
"I'm in too. But John, if you lose, will you have enough money to pay up?"
Golden Lion also decided to join the bet. 1 billion Berries was not to be refused.
However, he was worried that John wouldn't have enough money to pay.
After all, 1 billion per person meant 3 billion Berries. Did that kid John really have that much money?
Or even if he did, would he really be willing to part with it?
"Don't worry, I won't welsh on the bet. Besides, I'm not stupid enough to try and cheat the three of you at once."
John assured Golden Lion.
Hearing this, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, and Wang Zhi nodded, thinking John had a point.
"Alright. Anyway, if you dare to welsh on the bet, you can forget about getting a share of the loot from our future raids."
Silver Axe said confidently. He knew John's strength.
Let alone the three of them teaming up, he would have a hard time fighting Golden Lion alone.
If he really dared to welsh, he could expect a beating, and he could forget about his share of the spoils in the future.
"In that case, it's settled." John decided to take the gamble, trusting the information his subordinate brought back.
After settling the bet, the group walked together towards the banquet venue.
Soon, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, and the others arrived at the designated location.
At a glance, Captain Rocks, First Division Commander Whitebeard, and that 'Heinous' Rono were already seated.
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