By evening, the Phantom had been fully supplied—mainly by clearing out all the unique edible plants and minerals from the Island of Whispering Shadows. As for the two CP captives, Rocks knocked them out and tossed them onto a lifeboat found on the Phantom, leaving them to their fate on the high seas.
As an excited Dolum started the engines, the black, kingly vessel slid silently out of the harbor, like a true phantom, melting into the vast darkness of the night.
Life on the ship became much more comfortable. In the spacious dining room, Ren was preparing dinner. With a brand-new kitchen and a richer variety of ingredients, he could finally let his skills shine. He made a delicious, savory stew using a naturally salty moss from the island and several types of mushrooms. He also roasted a giant lizard, whose meat was similar to free-range chicken, until its skin was crispy and its flesh tender.
When the food was served, Gatz's eyes nearly fell into his soup bowl. "Whoa! This smell! Head Chef, I feel like my soul is being lured away by this aroma!"
"Eat up," Ren said flatly. "This ship consumes a lot of energy. You all need to replenish your strength."
A hearty dinner left everyone deeply satisfied. The effect of the "Boon of the Feast," enhanced by better ingredients and culinary skill, became even more pronounced. Everyone could feel their bodies growing stronger and more resilient.
After dinner, Rocks gathered everyone. He spread a huge sea chart on the table—the latest internal World Government version found on the Phantom, a hundred times more accurate than any available on the market.
"Our next target." Rocks's finger slid across the chart, finally landing heavily on a place in the first half of the Grand Line called the Island of Splendor. "According to the intel from those two wastes, the Celestial Dragon Saint Jalmack has a resort villa here. He comes here every year to escape the summer heat and enjoy the delicacies and toys gathered from all over the world."
A cruel arc formed on Rocks's lips. "He wanted the Soul-Echo Fruit as a toy, didn't he? Then let's go and inform him that we've already eaten his toy."
Gatz slammed the table excitedly. "Yeah! Let's go beat up a Celestial Dragon! I've hated those guys who dress like light bulbs for a long time!"
Dolum was a little worried. "Captain, that's a Celestial Dragon. The World Government is sure to send heavy protection, maybe even a Marine Admiral..."
"So what?" Rocks cut him off, a flash of arrogant Haki flaring for an instant. "Perfect. Let's make the World Government and those high-and-mighty Celestial Dragons remember our name." He looked at Ren. "Head Chef, are you ready? Let's go see what kind of goodies are hidden in the kitchen of a so-called World Noble."
Ren was polishing his kitchen knife. Hearing this, he paused. He looked up, his eyes calm and still. "I have no interest in their kitchen." After a moment, he added, "I just want to see if meat tastes better when it's roasted over a Celestial Dragon as firewood."
A dead silence fell over the room. Then, Rocks burst into a laugh louder than ever before.
The Phantom sailed through the treacherous waters of the Grand Line for nearly half a month. The ship's performance far exceeded Dolum's imagination. It was not only incredibly fast but also sturdy, easily handling all kinds of extreme weather. Dolum practically lived in the captain's quarters and the engine room, maintaining every part of the ship as if caressing a lover, muttering "my sweet treasure," which gave Gatz goosebumps.
Life on board was also made vibrant by Ren's presence. Every meal became a feast the crew eagerly anticipated. Using the ship's advanced equipment and ingredients gathered along the way, Ren's culinary skills were on full display. From giant deep-sea squid takoyaki that burst with flavor, to crystal jellies made from the fins of flying fish, to smoked ham made from wild island boar, every dish redefined the crew's understanding of delicious.
Under the dual effects of the "Boon of the Feast" and the Soul-Echo Fruit, their strength grew at a visible rate. Gatz could now lift his giant anchor with one hand and create shockwaves with his punches. Silver's spear skills became even more phantom-like; he could lock onto the left eye of a seagull hundreds of meters away with his aura alone, without even firing. Dolum's defense had also become more astonishing. He tried ramming his body into a reef; the reef shattered, but he didn't even have a scratch.
The Rocks Pirates, this newborn beast of the sea, were accumulating power in the most savage way, waiting for their moment to shake the world.
Finally, guided by the chart, a dazzling island appeared on the horizon. This was the Island of Splendor. The entire island seemed to be built from gold and jewels. The architecture was extravagantly luxurious, reflecting a blinding light under the sun. The harbor was filled with all kinds of magnificent ships, and the air was thick with a cloying, sickeningly sweet smell of money and perfume.
"Pah! This place is so bright it hurts my eyes," Gatz said from the bow, a look of disgust on his face. "Doesn't look like a good place."
"This is the capital of the Prosper Kingdom, a member of the World Government. It's also a famous luxury trade center and resort," Silver said calmly, observing the harbor through a spyglass. "The defenses are tight. There are marines stationed at the port, and the city is full of royal knights and plainclothes CP agents."
"How are we getting in? Just fight our way through?" Gatz was already cracking his knuckles.
"Not so fast," Rocks waved his hand, a playful smile on his face. "With a hypocritical place like this, we should use a more... civilized approach."
They docked the Phantom under a hidden cliff, changed into the plain clothes they had taken from the CP agents, and boarded a small boat, blending in with the ordinary merchant ships to silently disembark on the island.
The moment they set foot on the Island of Splendor, an air of opulence hit them. The streets were paved with white marble, and the shops on both sides displayed all kinds of expensive jewelry, fashion, and art. The pedestrians were all rich and noble, dressed in fine clothes, their faces arrogant.
"I really want to smash this place to bits with my anchor," Gatz muttered under his breath.
They found the most luxurious-looking restaurant and went inside, planning to gather some information first. The interior was magnificent, with crystal chandeliers hanging from high ceilings and silverware on every table. The waiters wore crisp tuxedos and were impeccably polite. However, when the menu was presented, the expressions on their faces turned a little strange.
"Golden Baked Snails, 800,000 Beli?"
"Diamond-Garnished Caviar, 1,500,000 Beli?"
"Seven-Colored Glazed Soup, 3,000,000 Beli?"
Gatz's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "This is robbery! Is this soup made of gold? Why is it so expensive!"
Rocks, however, didn't care about the price. He casually ordered a few of the most expensive dishes.
-------
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