His goal in going to sea had simply been to advance his Sage Body—
—and to search for Devil Fruits to offer to the Nine-Tails.
But the New World of this era was far too dangerous.
Even without hostility toward anyone, encounters with pirates were inevitable...
The pirates attacked him as if he were their mortal enemy.
Left with no choice, he fought back.
But after killing too many of them, he caught the Navy's attention and clashed with them as well.
Soon after, a bounty was placed on his head.
And so, he had no choice but to become a pirate himself.
That was how El's past year had gone.
When it came down to it, it was really difficult to explain to Rocks exactly why he'd become a pirate.
Rocks, seeing that El hadn't answered for quite a while, turned his gaze toward the vast sea before him and murmured,
"My purpose in becoming a pirate… is to conquer this sea. But… my ambition doesn't end with the sea. I want to conquer the entire world!"
Rocks—without question—was one of the strongest, most ambitious men in the world of pirates!
After all, he had the power to dominate an entire era, standing alone as the undisputed ruler of the seas.
He was the man who crushed the likes of Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido, Roger, the Red Count, Garp, Sengoku, and even Steelbone Kong beneath his overwhelming might.
Had Rocks not been so arrogant—had he managed the relationships among his crew with care—then perhaps the tragic fate awaiting him at the God Valley Incident might never have come to pass.
He might well have overthrown the World Government itself… and become the ruler of a new era.
"So, Captain Rocks," El asked, a puzzled look on his face, "you called me out here today just to tell me this?"
Sure, Rocks's ambitions were grand—lofty even.
But… what did that have to do with him?
It was literally his first day on the crew. Why was he being told all this?
Did Rocks do this with every new recruit? Call them out alone, lecture them about his grand ideals, and preach his glorious dreams?
Hmm… he didn't get it.
Right now, El didn't really have any big goals. He just wanted to drift along and grind his system's progress bar.
"Since becoming a pirate," Rocks continued, "I've seen countless monsters rise up… but none of them have earned my admiration. Because not a single one of them was stronger than me."
"As of now, I've mastered Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror's Haki to their peak."
"My Observation Haki, in particular, allows me to see into the hearts of men—to discern their essence. That's why, the moment I laid eyes on you, I personally invited you to join me."
As those words fell, Rocks's piercing gaze fixed once more on El.
"I can see it—you possess a power unlike anyone else. I don't know what it is exactly, but your difference… is undeniable."
"You have the potential to become a king among kings, El!!"
Rocks's strength now stood at the absolute pinnacle of the world.
And with his top-tier Observation Haki—capable of seeing into hearts and perceiving the essence of being—his ability to recognize true talent was unmatched.
That was why Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido—future titans of the world—all ended up recruited under his command.
He could see what made them different.
"To see into hearts and discern one's essence, huh…" El frowned slightly at that.
Rocks must have sensed the abnormalities of his body—the power of the Sage Body he had inherited.
Still, Rocks didn't know what kind of power El truly possessed; he only noticed that he was… special.
"Your potential," Rocks said, "surpasses even that of Edward, Golden Lion, and the rest of those monsters. If you grow to your full potential, you may one day rise above them all."
"Is that so?" El nodded slightly, unmoved.
He wasn't excited by Rocks's praise.
Ever since crossing into this world and awakening his Sage System, El knew—his future would eclipse all others.
Everyone else would become his stepping stones.
Seeing El's lack of surprise, Rocks smiled faintly.
"So, you already know what kind of power you hold."
"Then, Captain Rocks," El asked, "what exactly did you call me out here for tonight?"
"To serve me, El."
"I'm already a member of the Rocks Pirates, Captain. Aren't I already serving you?" El chuckled, spreading his hands.
"No. I don't know why you agreed to join my crew, but… what I want isn't just lip service, El."
"What do you mean, Captain?"
"You possess immense potential and an extraordinary power, but… right now, you're too weak. I can make you stronger—but in return, I want your word. Until the Rocks Pirates disband, you must never betray me."
As captain, Rocks understood all too well—
Most aboard his ship had joined with their own agendas.
Some were already quietly recruiting and building private forces of their own.
Rocks had considered purging the crew and starting over…
But he knew it was far too late for that.
Men like Golden Lion were already untamable beasts. Even if subdued by force, they would never truly obey.
El, however, was only sixteen or seventeen—young enough to mold.
Rocks's plan was simple: train El before he reached his full potential, help him grow stronger, make him owe a debt of gratitude, and subtly indoctrinate him.
That way, Rocks could gain a far deeper level of control over him.
"What do you say, El?" Rocks asked gravely.
"As a member of your crew, Captain Rocks, I would never betray you," El replied with an easy smile.
Though he possessed a system and a peerless talent that could one day rule the world, El was very aware of his current weakness.
Unlike working under Golden Lion, serving Rocks came with no real downside.
He only needed to promise not to betray him—and in exchange, he'd receive personal training from the strongest man alive.
No matter how he looked at it, that was a great deal.
And besides… El already knew Rocks would one day meet his fated death at God Valley.
When that time came, leaving the crew would be simple.
So he agreed without hesitation.
As for being brainwashed—ha! That was impossible. After all, he had the perspective of a god!