Romu narrowed his eyes, focusing his senses for a moment.
Then he spoke with quiet caution.
"Four people."
"All strong."
His Observation Haki wasn't as overwhelming as his Armament or Conqueror's… but it was still refined.
Within a hundred meters, even the slightest disturbance didn't escape him.
And when he pushed it to the limit, he could even vaguely glimpse a heartbeat into the future.
Newgate's eyes lit up.
He praised Romu openly, without the slightest hesitation.
"Didn't expect your Observation to be this good too."
But unlike Romu, Newgate didn't look tense at all.
He relaxed again, grinning.
"Don't worry. It's—"
Before he could finish—
A massive boulder tore through the night sky and floated to a stop right in front of them.
A man stood atop it.
A long black cloak.
Golden hair whipping in the wind.
Then—whoosh whoosh whoosh—
Three more figures arrived in rapid succession.
One stepped forward first, encased in silver armor, holding a silver shield in one hand and a silver axe in the other.
Beside him—
One wore a deep wine-red robe with two rapiers at his waist.
The last had a beard so long it nearly brushed the ground, a gigantic greatsword slung over his shoulder.
Romu's tension eased instantly.
Now he understood why Newgate hadn't been wary.
The four who had arrived weren't enemies.
They were Rocks Pirates division commanders:
Shiki the Golden Lion.
Silver Axe.
John.
Wang Zhi.
…
Reading the scene
Shiki and the others scanned the surroundings.
Collapsed beams. Shattered boards. Pirates sprawled everywhere, eyes rolled back and foaming.
It was obvious Newgate had just fought someone powerful here.
Shiki's gaze sharpened.
"Looks like it was only a Conqueror's clash."
"A quick test."
If Newgate truly fought all-out, this wouldn't be just a ruined tavern.
Half the island would've been erased.
Silver Axe and the others seemed to come to the same conclusion.
Newgate spoke first.
"Shiki."
"What's this about? Four of you showing up at once—did the Captain order something?"
Shiki dug at his nose lazily, arrogance written all over his face.
"Felt your Haki spike."
"Came to check."
"As long as you're not dead, fine."
Wang Zhi, the most serious of the group, frowned.
"Newgate."
"Who did you clash with?"
"That Conqueror's pressure was nearly even with yours."
John's expression darkened too.
"There aren't many big names around here."
"So what was that… Marines?"
"At least Headquarters Vice Admiral-level."
At that, even Silver Axe and Shiki sobered.
All eyes turned to Newgate.
Newgate was about to answer—
when Shiki suddenly made a sound.
"…Romu?"
Silver Axe and the others froze.
Following Shiki's gaze, they finally noticed the man behind Newgate.
Gray shirt. Wide trousers.
The face from the wanted poster.
Romu — the one who killed Ethan.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Newgate saw it all.
So they want him too…
He swallowed the urge to explain, tipped his barrel back, and drained the last mouthful.
Then he slapped Romu on the shoulder and laughed.
"Gurararara!"
"Let me introduce my friend."
"Romu."
Romu stepped forward and gave the four a flat, unbothered nod.
Shiki stared.
"…What's this supposed to mean?"
Newgate knows him?
Silver Axe narrowed his eyes, as if a puzzle piece clicked into place. He tapped his shield and axe lightly, then spoke in a low voice to Wang Zhi and John.
"I get it."
"Marines came after Romu."
"Newgate recognized him and decided to recruit him—so he chased them off."
John nodded immediately. "Makes sense."
Wang Zhi stroked his absurdly long beard. "I knew it. No Marine would dare lurk this close to Hachinosu unless they had a death wish."
Newgate heard every word.
He almost laughed out loud.
Barely held it in.
Then he glanced at Romu and spread his hands with an innocent expression, as if to say—
See? Not my fault they're dumb.
Shiki's eyebrows twitched.
The look he gave Newgate turned colder.
So the big oaf got here first…
No.
Romu can't be allowed to slip away.
Rocks' ambitions were huge.
Shiki's were too.
He needed monsters.
And what monster was better than a teenager who could kill a Vice Admiral?
Even if it was a branch Vice Admiral… it was still absurd talent.
If it were anything else, Shiki might not contest Newgate.
But not this.
Still… he decided to ask first.
Shiki ignored the others and strode straight up to Romu.
Arrogant as ever, he spoke like granting a blessing.
"Kid."
"Relax."
"I admire your talent."
"I'm inviting you into the Rocks Pirates—join my division as my crew."
Romu blinked.
Again?
He looked sideways at Newgate.
Newgate immediately turned his head away.
Playing dumb.
Shiki's golden brows lifted higher.
He kept going.
"Whatever Newgate offers, I can offer too."
"My strength is no less."
"And I've got plans—big ones."
"Romu."
"Join my division."
"Let's stand at the peak of the world."
The confidence was absolute.
The arrogance was pure Shiki.
Behind him, Silver Axe and the others exchanged looks.
They wanted Romu too…
But Shiki was being far more direct than expected.
They were just about to step forward—
When Romu clicked his tongue and answered, the same way he'd answered Newgate.
"I'll join the Rocks Pirates."
"But…"
"I want to be a division commander."
The air froze.
Shiki. Silver Axe. John. Wang Zhi.
All of them went still.
Shiki was the first to move.
He let out a low, sinister laugh.
"Gya-ha-ha…"
"Don't kid yourself."
"This world isn't as simple as you think."
Romu's expression didn't change.
He repeated, calmly, like it was the only answer he had.
"Division commander."
Something snapped.
Shiki's temper flared like a fuse to powder.
To him, Romu's calm wasn't confidence—
It was blatant provocation.
Shiki narrowed his eyes and took a hard drag on his cigar.
His voice dropped into something cold.
"So your answer is…"
"You want me to kill you right here."
"Right now."
"…Is that it?"
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