Chapter 32: Learned Just by Looking? Everyone is Shocked
Upon arriving at the banquet venue, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, and the others immediately saw that Rocks, Whitebeard, and Rono were already seated.
After greeting Rocks and Whitebeard, they all couldn't stop sizing up Rono.
It couldn't be helped; the rumors surrounding Rono were too bizarre, and they were extremely curious.
Moreover, it was directly related to their bet for the day.
"His Conqueror's Haki is at least on par with Whitebeard's."
After a quick scan with their Observation Haki, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, and the others came to this conclusion.
He was indeed powerful. To have Conqueror's Haki on par with a monster like Whitebeard before the age of 20 was incredible.
After all, Whitebeard was the second-in-command of the Rocks Pirates, his strength second only to Rocks himself.
With such strength, it was only natural that he would be so highly regarded by Captain Rocks.
"Since everyone is here, let the banquet begin."
"I've specially held this banquet today to celebrate Rono joining us."
Rocks was the first to raise his glass, and the other officers followed suit out of respect.
"Drink to your heart's content, have fun, and revel!"
With that, Rocks declared the banquet had begun, and everyone erupted into celebration.
"Another twenty plates of roast meat! And twenty plates of rice cakes and vegetables!"
"Thirty more plates of that Sea King meat from earlier!"
"Where's the booze? Bring another fifty barrels! This little bit is nowhere near enough!"
Everyone present was a pirate, each with a shockingly large appetite, starting with at least twenty plates.
It had to be said that the Rocks Pirates were wealthy; a grand banquet for tens of thousands of people would cost at least 1 billion Berries at a time.
However, since the Rocks Pirates always targeted prosperous nations or the Heavenly Tribute, 1 billion Berries was not a significant sum.
During the banquet, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and the others were waiting for an opportunity.
How could they find an excuse to test the truth of the rumor?
Unfortunately, they couldn't find a chance.
Just then, Whitebeard gave them that opportunity.
Whitebeard suddenly approached Rocks, his face slightly flushed from the alcohol, and said with a smile:
"Captain, I recommend Rono to become a Division Commander. With his strength, he is absolutely qualified for the position."
"I personally witnessed his battle with 'Iron Fist' Garp. He defeated Garp!"
Whitebeard patted his chest, guaranteeing his words. This was also the promise he had made to Rono.
Hearing this, the pirates present stopped their revelry and froze.
Becoming a Division Commander right after joining the crew?
And with a personal guarantee and recommendation from Captain Whitebeard himself!
His future would be set!
This Rono was too lucky! They were so envious!
"Oh? If he truly defeated Garp, then he is indeed qualified to be a Division Commander." Rocks seemed to agree.
He had always cherished talent, and he had already scanned Rono with his Observation Haki the first time he met him.
This gave Rocks a general assessment of Rono's strength.
It could be said that Rono's current strength was by no means weaker than Division Commanders like Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, John, and Charlotte Linlin. In fact, he was likely a cut above them!
His aura was even comparable to Golden Lion's.
Of course, a fight would be needed to determine who was truly stronger between him and Golden Lion.
What's more, Rono was so young. His potential was definitely several times greater than that of Golden Lion, Silver Axe, and Wang Zhi!
His potential might even surpass Whitebeard's. Such a genius had to be nurtured.
What Rocks admired most was the deep-seated blood feud between Rono and the Celestial Dragons!
Rocks believed that the next time they encountered Celestial Dragons, Rono would be the most eager person on the ship besides himself. It would be a waste for such a person to be just a crew member.
Even if Whitebeard hadn't brought it up, Rocks would have found an opportunity to do so himself.
"Do any of you have any objections?" Rocks then asked for the opinions of the other officers.
This was the Rocks Pirates, but Rocks did not rule with an iron fist.
When he recruited these powerful individuals, he used the ironclad rule of "Strength Reigns Supreme" to attract them!
On Rocks' ship, strength was everything!
Want to be an official crew member? Pass the assessment first!
Want to be an officer? You have to pass the officer's assessment!
Want to be a Division Commander? Then you must have the strength of a Division Commander!
You could even challenge Rocks for the captaincy, no problem!
As long as you had the strength and could defeat Rocks, he would gladly step aside!
However, no one had dared to challenge Rocks so far.
After all, no one had ever seen what the captain looked like when he was truly going all out.
The standard for assessment was simple: as long as the majority of the crew believed you had the strength to be a commander, it was settled.
"Here's our chance!"
Hearing these words, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, and the others knew that the opportunity they had been waiting for had finally arrived!
"Rono has a bounty of 1.5 billion and has defeated 'Iron Fist' Garp."
"I personally have no objection to him becoming a Division Commander."
"However, since he has joined the Rocks crew, we have our own rules."
"On the Rocks Pirates, strength reigns supreme!"
"As long as you have enough ability to pass the assessment, becoming a Division Commander is absolutely not a problem!"
Just then, Golden Lion stood up, his words flawless.
Seeing this, Whitebeard went to Rono's side and explained the rules of the Rocks Pirates to him.
Rono nodded in understanding and had no objections.
"No problem. Since I've joined the crew, it's only natural to abide by the crew's rules."
"As for the assessment, any kind of test is fine."
Rono said confidently. His Conqueror's and Armament Haki had both reached the highest level!
In terms of pure destructive power and attack strength, he was a genuine powerhouse at the Admiral and Emperor level!
Rono believed that getting a Division Commander position with his strength would be as easy as playing a game.
"Good! Brother Rono is indeed a straightforward man." Golden Lion nodded, knowing his chance had come.
"I've discussed it with Silver Axe and Wang Zhi. We've heard that our brother Rono possesses a very terrifying talent!"
"That is, you can learn any move, no matter what it is, just by seeing it once!"
"This assessment is also very simple. As long as you demonstrate this talent, we will all agree to you becoming a Division Commander."
Golden Lion said, emphasizing each word.
Hearing this, everyone present was stunned once again!
Learn any move just by seeing it once?
Impossible!
How could anyone have such a monstrous talent?
"Interesting..." Rocks's interest was piqued as well.
This was the first time he had heard of Rono possessing such a talent.
If he really had such a terrifying ability, his assessment of Rono might have to change again!
"Of course, I don't mean to make things difficult for you, brother Rono. If you think this is too hard, we can change the assessment method."
Golden Lion continued, observing Rono's reaction.
"No problem... I can demonstrate it." Rono agreed almost without hesitation.
He originally thought he would have to fight a commander-level figure, but this seemed much easier.
Seeing Rono's completely confident demeanor, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, and Wang Zhi were taken aback.
From his tone, it seemed like this was very easy for Rono. Could the rumor actually be true?!
It wasn't just them; the other officers were also stunned.
What was going on? Rono actually accepted such an assessment?
Learn any move after seeing it demonstrated once?
Could anyone really pass such a test?
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