Silas never expected his recent adventure would bring the Seven Warlords of the Sea system into existence forty years early.
This was a special recruitment system that wouldn't normally be implemented until after future Pirate King Roger's death, when the world entered the Great Pirate Era and Marines couldn't handle the explosive growth in pirate forces.
The so-called Seven Warlords meant the government granting seven pirates special powers and qualifications, but these seven pirates had to suppress ordinary pirates and obey government summons at critical moments.
Predictably, pirates recruited by the World Government would be powerful—minimum standards probably requiring 200 million Berry bounties.
Though such pirates weren't numerous on these seas, there were still twenty or so.
These pirates posed no threat to Silas individually, but in numbers could achieve effects like Dorry and Brogy.
Also appearing simultaneously was the World Military Draft that wouldn't normally occur for another sixty years.
Due to Rona's departure, Marines had to fill the Admiral vacancy.
But Admiral-level fighters weren't easily cultivated!
They'd assumed Ortega, Rona, and Kong were young enough to last another decade, when naturally new people would emerge.
But suddenly, Rona defected.
Marines had no new Admiral-level fighter to replace her.
Normally this would be manageable. Leave it vacant. Better nothing than something inadequate.
But there were the White Wolf Pirates, Giant King, and Marine traitor—three forces united.
This was terrifying power that could shake the world.
Under such circumstances, how could the Admiral position remain vacant?
Seeing this news, Silas immediately smiled.
"Seems Rocks won't worry about lacking opponents after leaving."
Previously, they didn't know where powerful pirates hid.
Now they knew, right?
However, not everyone was as indifferent to Rocks's departure as Silas. Newgate, who'd been close with Rocks, was troubled by this.
Even fighting Rocks over it.
"Big Brother Rocks, Why are you leaving the White Wolf Pirates?"
"Isn't staying with White Wolf Pirates good?"
"As long as everyone stays together, we can overcome any difficulty!"
In Newgate's heart, without scheming, with everyone helping each other, fighting together, and progressing together, the White Wolf Pirates was like a family.
So he completely couldn't understand why Rocks would leave.
"Shut up, Newgate!"
Rocks wasn't sure what he'd become when returning, or if he'd truly turn against Silas then.
He didn't dislike Newgate.
But precisely because he didn't dislike him, he hoped Newgate wouldn't hold back from facing him in the future.
"I never felt happy joining the White Wolf Pirates!"
This statement was half true, half false.
Initially forced to join by Silas, he indeed wasn't happy, but as Silas trained him and his strength grew, after experiencing companionship with Ripley and Newgate, he no longer hated being in the White Wolf Pirates.
But precisely because he didn't hate it, he had to leave now.
He feared that staying longer would make him reluctant to leave!
Then he got beaten up.
"I don't believe it! I don't believe those happy memories of Big Brother Rocks taking me to pleasure districts were all fake!"
On the street, before a crowd of onlookers, Newgate shouted at the top of his lungs.
Rocks's face immediately turned as red as a monkey's bottom.
"Idiot, shut up!"
The battle between Rocks and Newgate was quickly decided.
Having awakened Conqueror's Haki and mastered Life Return, the current Rocks wasn't someone Newgate could defeat.
"If I stay here, I can't become stronger!"
"Is becoming stronger really so important?"
"Yeah, very important!"
Rocks remembered Sabaody Archipelago, that Holy Knights member nearly crushed Newgate's skull.
If he didn't grow stronger, next time this happened, he'd remain powerless.
"Then I'll prove to you—"
Facing Rocks's departing figure, Newgate struggled up from the ground.
Hoarsely shouting.
"Even staying with the White Wolf Pirates, I'll definitely become strong!"
"Stronger than you!"
Without warning, Newgate's Conqueror's Haki awakened.
The future "World's Strongest Man"—how could Newgate lack Conqueror's Haki?
"As expected, you too..."
Sensing Newgate's Conqueror's Haki, Rocks smiled.
"If so, then try stopping me!"
Rocks shouldered his pack, back turned to Newgate, leaving only his silhouette.
"In the future, I'll challenge the old man."
"If you want to prove you're right, then remember to defeat me!"
Young people's passion and bonds often drive them forward—this was why Silas fought so arrogantly.
Without fighting spirit, people might mistake him for an elderly grandfather.
"Old man, come see my masterpiece!"
A large hand suddenly grabbed Silas, stuffing him into her collar.
If not for his strong body, Silas would have nearly suffocated between giant breasts.
"Cough cough, Ripley, mind your image in public."
"Don't you love touching them at night?"
"That's at night..."
Though Silas considered his face quite thick, seeing Roy and Ed's disdainful looks still made him uncomfortable.
So what if he liked young women?
Two guys frequenting pleasure districts had no right to despise him!
Besides, Ripley wasn't much younger than him.
Ripley's so-called masterpiece now appeared before Silas.
Actually, this was something Silas had asked Ripley to do. Since her fruit ability hadn't awakened, Silas didn't know what she could achieve.
But when the result truly appeared before him, Silas still felt delighted.
Several months had passed since leaving Sabaody Archipelago and reaching Sphinx.
Silas had already planned the next step.
But considering Marine and World Government reactions, he'd delayed departure, remaining at Sphinx.
Now, he finally had no concerns.
A nearly thousand-meter island appeared before Silas. Looking carefully, one could see many miniature buildings on the island.
Like children's toys.
The entire island, which had consumed dozens of giants, including Ripley, took thousands of craftsmen nearly half a year to construct.
Though only initial construction, it symbolized his plan's solid first step.
No natural barriers? Then create them!
When Sphinx Island residents used Ripley's ability to shrink into the prepared alternate island, everyone obeyed orders to close their eyes.
But many bold people still peeked.
Then they saw in terror an unimaginably massive lantern fish blocking out the sky.
Swallowing the entire island whole.
From this day forward, Marines could no longer locate Sphinx.
Because it was inside a fish's belly!