Roya strolled out of the castle.
He had to find someone to lead the way first.
As he was thinking this, a shadow loomed over him.
"Hey! Kid! What happened just now doesn't count! Let's start over again!"
Roya looked up.
Loki, wrapped in several bandages—his face almost completely covered—looked menacing.
Roya's eyes shifted thoughtfully, then he said seriously, "That won't do. Pirates have their own code. I can't bully an injured man."
Loki paused.
Was this guy actually a decent person?
He had thought that someone who treated people like puppets and didn't care whether they lived or died couldn't possibly be good.
Loki pounded his chest. "Don't underestimate me, brat! Ahem… I'm fine… Ahem… No problem at all… Ahem… totally fine!"
Roya couldn't help but be impressed by Loki, who coughed violently every time he hit his chest yet still stood his ground. His wounds were bleeding again.
What a stubborn guy.
Even for an ancient giant, getting stabbed in the lung had to hurt.
"You just want to join the Rocks Pirates, right?"
Roya's innocent little face beamed with a smile.
"So what?" Loki's voice lowered a bit.
"Well then."
Roya placed his hands on his hips and said proudly, "Clearly you don't understand! The one standing in front of you is the youngest officer of the Rocks Pirates, the world's highest-bounty child, Mr. Roya—joined the crew at age five, and I'm only seven now!"
"Whoa!"
Loki's jaw dropped. "You're really that strong?"
"Why would I lie?"
Roya gave him a knowing look. "Do you know why the captain rejected you?"
Loki shook his head blankly.
Rocks had said he didn't like brats—but the kid in front of him was an even bigger brat.
"Exactly. If you don't even know why you were turned away, how are you gonna change that?"
Roya sounded like a wise teacher.
"I guess… that makes sense?"
Loki scratched his head, clearly confused. His years spent in the wild left him with more brawn than brains—future Cursed Prince or not.
"But it's all good,"
Roya crossed his arms and said earnestly, "I'll teach you how to get into the Rocks Pirates!"
"Are you serious?"
Loki was stunned.
"Of course!"
Roya jumped and landed on Loki's shoulder. "But first, take me to see the murals from the Halley Canon."
"Murals? You're interested in that stuff?"
Loki took a step forward but hesitated, frowning. "You're not tricking me, are you?"
"Why would I?"
Roya smiled. "You're so cool, who could lie to you?"
"Heh! That's true! Murals it is—let's go!"
And so, the boys' journey began.
Loki truly was a monster who could survive being stabbed by Shamrock's Dog sword in the future. Being stabbed in the lung by Roya was like getting scratched by a cat. Bleeding from his chest, he carried Roya on his back and dashed through the village.
The village was called Xicun, home to many soldier-giants.
Most of the Giant Pirates came from here. Even Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, had lived here for a year.
Loki wasn't very popular. Even though he was heir to the kingdom, most of the giants looked away when they saw him. A few gave brief greetings.
Tch, even giants had social cliques.
Fortunately, strong people in this world tend to be thick-skinned. Loki didn't care about the atmosphere at all.
He just ran with Roya on his back, not slowing down.
A little giant kid in a helmet stood in his path, trying to say something—only to be sent flying when Loki bulldozed into him.
Speed bump.
Complain to the king if you've got a problem!
Roya looked back at the kid struggling to stand.
Oh, that one was probably Harald's son too—Hajrudin.
Loki's half-brother. The gap between them was massive.
Soon, Loki ran out of the village and onto an enormous branch.
They passed through thick leaves and approached the trunk of the great Adam Tree.
In the distance, the murals carved into the trunk came into view.
They were prophetic paintings from the Void Century.
"Whoa! That's incredible!"
Roya stood on Loki's shoulder, approaching the murals.
Even though he already knew what they showed, seeing them in person was awe-inspiring.
"It's really that great?"
Loki sounded unimpressed. "It's just a painting."
"That's where you're wrong."
Roya's eyes gleamed. "It's the past already written… and the future I'm going to change."
"Huh?"
Loki blinked. "The future you'll change?"
What was that supposed to mean?
These murals were said to record the truth of the world.
The mural was divided into three parts, representing three eras, aligning with the three chapters of the Halley Canon passed down by the giants.
In the First World, humans defied the forbidden sun. The first Sun God was born from the slaves' hopes—likely the one the giants worshipped. His enemies were the Earth God and the Serpent of Hellfire.
In the Second World, the God of the Deep Forest sent demons—possibly symbolizing the birth of Devil Fruits. The second Sun God, Joy Boy, led a rebellion, but was betrayed and slain. A tyrant took the throne. The Sea God was enraged—possibly referencing the great flood or rising sea levels.
The Third World represents the future. A third Sun God brings the dawn and ushers in a new age. That's obviously Luffy.
Even with all this, many elements remained unclear: the Earth God, the Fire Serpent, the Forest God, the Sea God, the People of the Half-Moon, and the People of the Full Moon… who or what were they?
Still, the murals revealed plenty.
The First World showed a flourishing civilization with towering structures.
In the Second World, an evil dragon sat atop a tree. Was this meant to be Imu? That might explain why the Celestial Dragons called themselves "dragons."
In the Third World, Luffy's final enemy was a demon holding the sun.
Who was that supposed to be? Blackbeard?
So many mysteries remained.
It was far too early to think about changing time. This world was still full of secrets.
"Since you're into this stuff,"
Loki suddenly said, "Wanna see another place?"
"Oh?"
Later, Loki brought Roya to a massive structure.
"Ohh!"
Roya gasped, remembering this place.
Before them stood a huge building, perfectly blended with the branches of the Adam Tree. A canopy even stretched overhead.
The building's core was a giant robot. Although remodeled into a structure, its original shape remained obvious.
"They say it's a robot from three thousand years ago!"
Loki grinned. "Super cool, right?"
"Absolutely," Roya nodded. "It's awesome."
Who didn't love giant robots?
This must've been the first Sun God's companion.
Each Sun God had one.
Joy Boy had Emet. Luffy had Franky.
"Alright! I showed you everything you wanted to see!"
Loki got to the point. "Now tell me how to get into the Rocks Pirates!"
"No rush,"
Roya stretched and yawned. "There's always after-sales service, right? Take me back first."
"You little—!"
Loki roared, then turned and sprinted back toward the village.
(Be sure to send powerstones and add this book to your Library.)