"Wahahahaha!"
Rocks' laughter rang out behind Ron. Ron turned and saw Rocks walking toward him unhurriedly with his long blade resting on his shoulder.
"I didn't expect this... I really didn't expect this, Ron." Rocks stopped in front of him, tilted his head, and looked him over twice, wearing that unreadable smile. "You actually hid yourself this deeply. If Kaido knew that, when you sparred with him back then, you used your weakest move, do you think his mentality would collapse?"
"Heh." Ron chuckled twice. He felt it was still necessary to explain. "You shouldn't speak nonsense, Rocks. I have always respected my opponents very much."
"Oh?" Rocks' mouth curled upward exaggeratedly, his tone carrying obvious disbelief. "Then according to you, these powers and abilities you showed later were all learned after we separated?"
Ron nodded lightly, his tone carrying a sincerity even he found a little absurd. "Although it sounds unrealistic, if I said that was really the case, would you believe me?"
"Heh-heh." Rocks immediately switched faces with a cheap grin. "Do I look mentally disabled to you?"
"..."
Ron no longer bothered explaining. No one would believe something like that. Mainly because it was truly too outrageous.
Not long ago, he had been a "cannon battery" who relied on Tailed Beast Bombs to dominate. A few days later, he had become an all-round warrior with the Eight Gates and Ice Release. Even he felt it sounded like bragging.
"All right, kid. Go back and rest." Rocks patted Ron on the shoulder and walked past him toward the front. "Leave the rest to me."
"I can help." Ron followed. He had tested the Eight Gates, but Ice Release had only just begun.
"Heh." Rocks did not look back. His voice carried a trace of disdain. "You brat, you really look down on your captain."
He paused, then added, "Also, your killing intent is a little too heavy. It will ruin my business."
Ron stopped, watching Rocks' back with a slight movement of his brow. "Business? Are you planning to discuss something with Roger?"
Rocks also stopped, but still did not turn back. "Not long ago, I learned some truths. But for you all, knowing them now would be too early."
He turned his face slightly, revealing half his profile. "There were too many people around earlier, so I had no chance to say it. Now the chance is good, so I'll go ask him what he plans to do."
Ron did not answer immediately. When he crossed over, the One Piece anime had not yet ended, so many truths were unknown even to him.
But he was not anxious. Sooner or later, he would learn everything.
"All right." Ron did not press further and simply responded. Then he turned and left.
Back on the Saber of Xebec, the atmosphere was surprisingly peaceful.
Golden Lion and Linlin were calculating accounts, counting how much treasure they had robbed from Roger's ship.
As for Rocks chasing after Roger, none of them cared.
Whitebeard sat cross-legged on the ship rail, one hand supporting his head, his gaze looking toward the commotion on the island in the distance. No one knew what he was thinking.
Annika sat beside the steps at the ship hall entrance, both hands properly placed on her knees. Her eyes occasionally looked toward the island, checking whether Ron had returned.
She had just entered this entirely new environment. Everything was still being adapted to, and she seemed somewhat cautious.
At that moment, Whitebeard's gaze shifted slightly downward and landed on Kaido, who was slowly walking back. The guy looked rather gloomy, as if he had just lost something. Usually he carried his kanabo, but now he was dragging it.
"Got beaten?" Whitebeard spoke first, his tone carrying some teasing. "Why the depressed look?"
Kaido raised his head at the sound and glanced at Whitebeard but did not speak immediately.
He quickened his pace, leapt up, and sat steadily on the rail beside Whitebeard.
"Newgate."
After a moment of silence, Kaido suddenly asked, "When do you think I'll get a powerful Devil Fruit?"
Whitebeard turned and glanced at him.
No need to ask. This guy had definitely been stimulated by Ron again.
"Didn't I say it before?" Whitebeard withdrew his gaze and said slowly. "Things like that depend on the right time, place, and people. You can't rush it."
"Do you know any taijutsu moves?" Kaido asked with a probing tone.
"What do you mean?" Whitebeard looked at Kaido with interest.
"Mm..." Kaido frowned, as if trying to remember a vague image. "That kind where you shout something about 'open,' and then your power suddenly increases."
After hearing that, Whitebeard looked at him with disgust. "Are you still asleep? Stop having that kind of daydream. How could something like that exist in this world? If it does, teach me."
"Tch. Newgate, your vision is really narrow!"
Kaido immediately became energetic, straightening his waist as his tone carried the smugness of someone saying, "You don't get it, do you?"
"I'm telling you, Ron knows it! Just now, he showed me the world's 'ultimate taijutsu.' He shouted once, and his strength exploded!"
Whitebeard shook his head with a smile. "Is it possible... he was tricking you?"
"Impossible!" Kaido said decisively.
At that moment, a figure descended from the sky and landed steadily on the deck of the Saber of Xebec.
"Ron, you came back at the perfect time!" Kaido turned his head and said, "Newgate doesn't believe you know the strongest 'ultimate taijutsu' in the world!"
Ron looked at Kaido, then glanced at Whitebeard's expression of "I'll see how you make this up," and the corner of his mouth lifted.
He did not explain anything. Instead, he teased Kaido, "Kaido, do you want to learn? If you want to learn, I'll teach you."
Before Kaido could respond, an unexpected voice came from the side.
"R-Ron-sama." Annika had stood up from the steps at some point. Her hands nervously clenched the hem of her clothes, and her eyes carried expectation and caution. "Can... can I learn too? If I learn it, I can help you in the future."
Ron froze slightly and looked at Annika.
Mainly because he was not yet sure whether people in this world could learn the Eight Gates at all.
"Ron!"
Kaido had already rushed over excitedly. "What did you just say? Did you just say you were going to teach me?!"