"Gehahahaha... I guess I really did underestimate you, huh? Your strength is a bit beyond my expectations, brat." Golden Lion burst into laughter.
Truth be told, even when El released the Tailed Beast Bomb, he had still been taking things lightly.
After all, who was he? What was his status? What kind of strength did he possess?
Against an opponent like El, with only a bounty of a 100 Million Berries, he had never once fought seriously.
The same was true when he defended against El's Tailed Beast Bomb just now.
Because he got careless and didn't go all out, he ended up getting wounded by it.
And not lightly either—his injury was still throbbing faintly with pain!
"Seems I'll have to take you a bit more seriously."
Golden Lion gripped the hilts of his blades tightly, ready to launch another round against El.
But just then, Rocks suddenly spoke.
"That's enough, Shiki."
Golden Lion, who was already poised for battle, let the aura around him slowly dissipate. He raised an eyebrow and glanced at Rocks.
He had finally found an opponent worth his interest, someone he could really test himself against.
Now that Rocks had interrupted him so abruptly, he couldn't help but feel a little displeased.
Rocks merely gave him a calm, sidelong look.
Clink! Clink!
The next second, Golden Lion obediently sheathed Sakura and Kogarashi, spreading his hands with a helpless shrug.
"So that's it, huh? What a shame. I was looking forward to exchanging a few more blows with El."
As arrogant and self-centered as he was, even he knew that Rocks stood above him.
Rocks's word was law—no one aboard dared defy it.
Seeing Golden Lion put away his swords, Rocks strode toward El with a grin. "Your name's El, right? From today, you're a full-fledged member of the crew!"
Rocks had witnessed El's strength firsthand.
A fighter like this joining his crew was something to be pleased about.
And El's power was easily beyond that of an apprentice—he had earned his place as an official member.
"Then I'll be in your care, Captain Rocks."
Becoming a full crew member made El genuinely happy.
After all, in the Rocks Pirates, the higher your position, the greater your share of plunder.
And right now, El still cared deeply about money.
He had already planned that once he'd saved enough, he would attend an auction in the New World and buy a Devil Fruit.
"Promoted straight to a full crewman! Looks like Captain Rocks really values this guy El!"
"Isn't that obvious? The guy managed to wound Captain Shiki twice in their clash. Of course he deserves to skip the apprentice stage!"
"Damn it! I've been on this ship for years and I'm still just an apprentice. He joins today and he's already an official crewman?!"
"With that monster's talent, he might end up as an officer one day!"
"I'd even say he could become one of the main officers, like Captain Shiki himself!!!"
The Rocks Pirates had plenty of officers, but only a handful could be called main officers.
The rest were merely ordinary cadres.
"The Rocks Pirates will be the stage where you truly shine. Don't let me down... and of course, if you prove your worth, the crew will reward you generously," Rocks said, patting El's shoulder.
The Rocks Pirates were a crew where only strength mattered.
As long as you were strong enough—and didn't cross Rocks himself—you could even slaughter your comrades, and Rocks would turn a blind eye.
Chapter 11 – Factions Within the Rocks Pirates? (Please Send Flowers)
That was the true nature of the Rocks Pirates.
Without absolute strength, even joining this crew was a death sentence in the long run.
But El had no such worries.
With his current power, unless one of the officers made a move, none of the other crew members could really threaten him.
"I understand," El nodded.
Rocks leaned close to his ear and spoke so only he could hear: "Come to the bow tonight. I have something to discuss with you."
"Hm?"
El froze for a moment.
He wanted to ask more, but Rocks left right after saying that, leaving El standing there, puzzled.
Something to tell me? What does he mean by that?
He had just joined the Rocks Pirates today.
What could Rocks possibly have to say to him?
And why not just say it now instead of waiting until tonight?
No matter how he thought about it, El couldn't figure it out.
If he wanted to know, he'd have to go to the bow that night and speak to Rocks directly.
"Gehahahaha! Congratulations, El, on becoming an official member of the Rocks Pirates!"
Golden Lion strolled up with a grin, acting as if they were already old friends.
"You seem even happier about it than I am, Mr. Shiki. Don't tell me my joining the crew benefits you somehow?" El asked curiously.
In the original story, El knew Golden Lion well.
But in this world, he'd been around for a whole year, and this was his first time encountering the Rocks Pirates—his first time meeting Golden Lion in person.
And yet the man was already talking to him so casually, even happier than El himself.
So naturally, he wondered if his joining brought some advantage to the other man.
"I like talking to smart people," Golden Lion grinned, then continued.
"Become my subordinate, El! You must know that in swordsmanship, without a master's guidance, the path is full of detours. My swordsmanship far surpasses yours. If you become my man, I'll teach you the way of the sword myself. Under my guidance, you'll become even stronger!"
As always, everyone on this ship had joined the Rocks Pirates for their own benefit.
No one here dreamed of helping Rocks conquer the world—they only cared about themselves.
Golden Lion was no different.
Though outwardly one of the main officers, he had long been recruiting his own faction in secret.
El's strength—having wounded him twice in their brief duel—had left a deep impression on him.
Such raw talent appealed to him immensely.
If he could make El his subordinate, Golden Lion was confident he could train him into a great swordsman—perhaps even one as strong as himself.
With El's help, once he eventually left the Rocks Pirates, Golden Lion believed he could become one of the rulers of the seas!
El was caught off guard by the sudden offer.
He hadn't expected that on his very first day aboard, Golden Lion would already be trying to recruit him.
"Being taught by you does sound tempting... but, Mr. Shiki, do you really think that highly of me?" El asked, his bright eyes locking onto Golden Lion.
"Of course! I can see your potential clearly. So, what do you say? Interested?"
El thought it over. Though the offer sounded nice, it wasn't enough to sway him.
After all, he had the system. When it came to growing stronger, he had nothing to worry about.
Golden Lion could teach him great swordsmanship—
—but the system could grant him power beyond the limits of this world.
Following him wasn't necessary.
"I'll pass, Mr. Shiki."
Golden Lion didn't seem disappointed by the refusal. Instead, he grinned again.
"You sure about that? Being under me comes with benefits and no downsides. You're really turning this down?"
"Yes," El replied without hesitation.
"Gehahahaha! You're a straightforward one, El. But I won't give up that easily. A guy like you—I will make you mine someday!" Golden Lion said firmly, clenching his fists.