The sound of laughter echoed across the deck wild, high-pitched, and unmistakably deranged. The man who stepped into view had golden hair that shimmered in the sunlight, his grin wide enough to split his face. He was one of the senior officers of the Rocks Pirates, known across the seas by his fearsome moniker: Golden Lion Shiki.
"What's your deal this time, huh? Don't tell me you're trying to split off again and start that ridiculous 'Golden Lion Pirates' nonsense," Whitebeard grumbled, not even bothering to open his eyes as he lounged against the rail.
No one knew Shiki better than Edward Newgate. Ever since the man joined the Rocks crew, he'd been pestering Newgate nonstop, trying to rope him into leaving the crew and forming a new pirate fleet that could dominate the world.
But Whitebeard was a man of loyalty. Once he swore allegiance to a captain, betrayal was out of the question. No matter how ambitious Shiki's promises sounded, they meant nothing to him.
"Gyahahahahaha! Don't be so cold, Newgate! You know I only want what's best for you," Shiki said, that signature manic laugh bubbling out of him again.
"Gurararara! What's best for me? Stop wasting my time. You're interrupting something important with the little leopard girl," Whitebeard replied, his tone heavy with annoyance.
He shot Shiki a sideways glare. This man could never sit still for five minutes. If Rocks ever found out that Shiki had been trying to convince two of his top lieutenants Whitebeard and Big Mom to leave the crew, the Golden Lion wouldn't have enough heads to pay for the mistake.
"You haven't read today's news? There are two new rookies on the Grand Line who're making waves kids who already possess all three types of Haki, and not just that. They've mastered them to a high level!" Shiki said excitedly, his words tumbling over each other as spittle flew from his mouth. "If I could recruit those two into my Flying Fleet as officers, the sky would be the limit!"
Whitebeard finally cracked one eye open, his expression shifting as he listened. Even he had to admit this was surprising. Few could awaken all three colors of Haki, let alone at such a young age.
He knew the names Shiki mentioned: Rahu and Kaido. Two rising pirates whose bounty posters had just shaken the world.
Even within the Rocks Pirates, there weren't many who had shown such monstrous potential at that age. If these two were to join their ranks, the crew's already terrifying power would climb to an even greater peak.
"Gurararara! Someone like that joining your fleet would be a waste," Whitebeard said, the deep rumble of his laugh echoing. "Better tell Captain Rocks. He'll decide what to do. You know the World Government and the Marines won't just sit back and let those kids join us without a fight."
Whitebeard had no interest in poaching recruits for his own sake. His loyalty lay with Rocks D. Xebec. As long as the captain's flag flew over them, his homeland Sphinx Island would remain safe from the World Government's greedy hands. If the Rocks Pirates grew stronger, Sphinx Island would be that much harder to touch.
Without Rocks, the tribute payments alone would have already reduced his home to a starving wasteland.
"Tch. You're such a bore. Rocks won't even fight the Government, and I've got nothing better to do than drink, gamble, and screw around. What kind of life is that?" Shiki groaned dramatically, dropping to his knees in fake despair as Whitebeard stood and began walking toward the captain's quarters.
It wasn't that Shiki didn't understand Rocks' position it was that he hated the stagnation. The Rocks Pirates had grown so powerful that there was no one left to challenge them. Even Shiki, ever hungry for battle, had spent years without a single fight that truly thrilled him.
But no matter how restless he felt, there was one man he wouldn't dare cross: Rocks D. Xebec, the captain himself. The man who had pushed all three types of Haki to their ultimate form.
Even among monsters, Rocks stood alone.
Shiki hurried after Whitebeard, unwilling to let him take all the credit. News of valuable recruits like Rahu and Kaido could earn them both favor and perhaps even a chance to learn Rocks' legendary techniques for mastering the "Ultimate Haki."
Within minutes, the two arrived at the towering black fortress at the center of Hachinosu Island the Skull Chamber, where Rocks resided.
Whitebeard didn't hesitate. He knocked firmly three times.
A low, gravelly voice answered from within, calm but carrying an unmistakable authority.
"Enter."
Whitebeard and Shiki exchanged a quick glance, then pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside.
Rocks D. Xebec sat behind a massive desk carved from sea stone, his eyes sharp and unreadable beneath the flickering lantern light.
"You've come about the two newcomers who robbed the World Government's celestial tribute, haven't you?" he said evenly.
Whitebeard froze. So did Shiki.
They hadn't even opened their mouths.
How did he already know?
"Oi, Newgate," Shiki whispered. "Isn't it said that when Observation Haki reaches its ultimate stage, it awakens… special powers?"
Whitebeard frowned, realization dawning. "You mean Captain's gained another ability? But he already had the power to see the future."
Rocks smiled faintly. "You're right. When Observation Haki ascends beyond its limits, it reveals a second gift the ability to peer into the hearts of men."
The words sent a shiver down Shiki's spine. His laugh died in his throat.
Peer into hearts?
If Rocks could see his thoughts, then all those times he'd fantasized about breaking away to start his own crew…
A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
If the captain ever knew, he wouldn't just lose his head he'd lose something far more precious.
The Golden Lion couldn't imagine a fate worse than living as the first eunuch of the seas.
"C-Captain Rocks! Congratulations! Truly magnificent! My admiration for you is as boundless as the Grand Line itself!" Shiki blurted, throwing himself into a dramatic bow.
Rocks waved him off, clearly unimpressed. "Save your theatrics, Shiki."
He didn't care about his subordinates' ambitions. Men with the spirit of kings were bound to seek their own thrones eventually. As long as they didn't cross him, he had no reason to interfere.
Whitebeard chuckled deeply. "Gurarara! Then, Captain, do you want us to bring those two in Rahu and Kaido?"
Rocks nodded. "Yes. Go yourself, Newgate. I'll have words with Shiki."
Whitebeard inclined his head respectfully, then left the chamber with steady, thunderous steps.
As the door closed, the air seemed to grow heavier.
Rocks' gaze turned cold, stripped of all warmth, and fixed upon the trembling Golden Lion beside him.
Shiki felt the blood drain from his face. The silence pressed down like a mountain.
And in that moment, the infamous Golden Lion realized that even the air inside Rocks' chamber could crush the will of kings.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to leave a comment, drop a power stone, or add it to your collection your support keeps the journey going!