Chapter 42: Branch Sign-in Quest Triggered – Splitting Up!
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have triggered a branch sign-in quest for the Supreme-level mission!]
Rok was already losing his mind over how absurdly stacked the main rewards were.
And now the system decided to double down!
His heart nearly leapt out of his chest.
The sudden jolt made Hancock jump in worry and rush over, fussing over him like a worried wife.
Commodore Barrens, standing guard at the door, was dumbfounded.
As expected of Rok.
He actually had the world's most beautiful woman throwing herself at him.
"I'm fine… just a little tired."
Rok barely suppressed his excitement and calmed Hancock down.
The Supreme-level rewards alone were already insane.
And now there was a branch quest?!
[Current Branch Sign-in Quest: Board Vice Admiral Candidate Momousagi (Gion)'s personal warship docked near Marineford and complete an overnight sign-in on her ship!]
[Rewards:
Demon's Blessing Heart ×1.5
Perfect-tier Navy Rokushiki · Finger Pistol
System Storage Space 9,999,998 × 10,000,000 m³ (near-infinite pocket dimension)]
Hiss——
Rok sucked in a sharp breath.
No exaggeration—these branch rewards were bonkers too.
The system was in a generous mood today. 10/10, would praise.
Just the 1.5 Demon's Blessing Hearts alone were priceless!
That meant…
He wouldn't have to choose between the Death God form and the Thunder God form.
He could eat both.
When that day came—
Right hand wielding the Scythe of the Death God.
Left hand commanding the fury of ten thousand thunders.
He could go toe-to-toe with an Admiral and win.
Even beating top-tier Admiral-level monsters would be within reach!
Even the Son of Destiny, Luffy, only had one god-tier fruit!
Of course…
Sneaking onto Momousagi-sensei's personal warship near Marineford and staying a full night?
That was… not exactly easy.
"Hey, Rok! You guys aren't eating? Then I'm finishing it all!"
While Rok was lost in thought plotting how to complete the branch quest and grab those 1.5 hearts first,
Luffy—having demolished more than half the mountain of food—suddenly remembered Rok existed.
Before Rok could reply,
Luffy inhaled the rest like a black hole, patted his ballooned belly, and let out a satisfied burp.
"Buuurp~ Finally full!"
Rok stared speechlessly, tempted to beat the crap out of him.
BAM!
Before he could move,
Hancock spun and delivered a flying kick that deflated Luffy's stomach in one hit.
"Those were ordered for Rok! You greedy bastard ate everything!"
The world's most beautiful woman rolled up her sleeves, ready to continue the beatdown.
Rok barely stopped her.
Neither he nor Luffy took the little scuffle seriously.
In fact, Rok was a little touched.
Since coming to this world, very few people had ever protected him like that.
Hancock might be cold and arrogant to everyone else, but to him? Pure warmth and devotion.
"Ace is in Impel Down?"
"Rok, Hancock—can you help me get to Impel Down? I have to save Ace! Nami and Robin are in your hands, Rok. The second I break Ace out, I'll rush straight to Marineford!"
After learning Ace was currently locked in Impel Down, Luffy thought for only a few seconds before making his decision.
He trusted Rok's strength.
And right now, they had to split up.
"Alright. Leave Nami and Robin to me."
Rok didn't refuse.
In fact, it perfectly matched his own battle plan.
With Luffy's reckless personality?
If they went to Marineford together, the chance of getting exposed early would skyrocket.
If their identities were blown before the Summit War began, he, Luffy, and even Hancock would be dead before the fighting started.
So letting Luffy follow the original plot and wreck Impel Down was the best possible outcome.
Knock knock knock—
"Vice Admiral Momonga here. Barrens, what's going on in there?"
Right as Rok and Luffy finalized the split-up plan,
Momonga's voice came from outside the door.
Rok's eyes turned ice-cold and flicked toward Barrens.
The Commodore nearly pissed himself, frantically signaling it wasn't him.
Hancock strode to the door and yanked it open.
"Who gave you permission to disturb me?!"
"Your clumsy Marines pissed me off, so I taught them a lesson. You got a problem with that, blind man?"
Her tone was pure venom.
After learning Momonga had once ambushed Rok with poison, the only reason she hadn't turned him to stone permanently was because Rok asked her not to.
She wasn't going to be nice.
"…My apologies for the intrusion. When Barrens is free, have him report to me. I'll take my leave."
Momonga swallowed the insult and turned to go.
"Wait."
Hancock stopped him.
"I heard we pass by Impel Down on the way to Headquarters. I'm curious. Take me to see it."
Exactly as Rok instructed.
Momonga didn't want to agree, but she was a Shichibukai, and Headquarters needed her power right now.
He had no choice but to comply and request permission from HQ.
Soon.
The warship arrived at Impel Down.
Blind and heavily injured, Momonga ordered Commodore Barrens to lead an elite Marine squad and escort the Empress on her "tour."
Exactly what Rok wanted.
This gave Luffy the perfect chance to sneak in.
He couldn't exactly hide in Hancock's clothes like in the original story.
These days, if Luffy got too close, he'd just get kicked into orbit.
In Hancock's eyes, no man except Rok was allowed within arm's reach.
A Shichibukai visiting Impel Down was a big deal.
But Warden Magellan was… occupied on the toilet.
So Vice Warden Hannyabal came out to greet them.
This created an even better infiltration window for Luffy.
Once past the front gates,
Under Rok's cover, Luffy successfully vanished into the prison's depths.
Mission accomplished.
But the act had to continue.
Hancock still needed to "tour" the prison.
Rok didn't want to go in, but to keep Barrens from doing anything stupid, he followed.
However…
At the security checkpoint,
Deputy Warden Domino suddenly locked eyes on Rok.
...
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