"Kid, achieving this level of strength at your age truly surprises me. In the future, you might even surpass me."
As he spoke, Rocks stepped out from the smoke left by the thunderous explosion—casually lighting a cigarette as he did.
"…."
He had taken the full force of the triple-layered Five Thunder Talisman head-on—and emerged completely unscathed. Even his coat was intact.
In an instant, Chu Qiye understood.
Rocks was strong, yes—but not invincible.
There was only one explanation for this outcome.
Rocks had used his Devil Fruit ability.
"Among pirates who've pushed me this far," Rocks said with a look of approval, exhaling a ring of smoke, "you're the third."
He looked at Chu Qiye and continued, "You've had your fill, haven't you? Go back and heal. The world is waiting for us to conquer it."
Anyone with eyes could see Chu Qiye was running on fumes.
"Heh…" Chu Qiye gave a faint smile and stared at Rocks. "You're a Logia user, aren't you?"
"You guessed right. I am a Logia," Rocks admitted openly.
"As I thought…"
"Very few know that secret. After all, on these seas, there are hardly any who can force me to use my ability."
He paused, then glanced at Chu Qiye.
"You… barely qualify as one."
"…."
Barely?
Chu Qiye felt mildly offended—but he understood this was Rocks' way of acknowledging his strength.
Still, Rocks' arrogant tone and lofty attitude irritated him deeply.
Unfortunately, strength spoke louder than pride.
"Within five years, I'll surpass him," Chu Qiye swore silently.
"Once you're healed, report to the crew. We set sail next month. Don't be late."
There was a subtle warning in Rocks' voice.
Chu Qiye snorted but said nothing.
Only after Rocks left did he finally lose the strength to stand, collapsing onto the ground.
Five days later, Chu Qiye had fully recovered. His severed arm had been completely reconstructed with Dual Fulfillment Hands.
That battle had benefited him immensely.
It drove home a simple truth: before absolute power, all tricks were meaningless.
His house had been destroyed in the fight—but that didn't matter. All his possessions were stored in the underground vault beneath it.
The vault, the size of a football field, was filled with treasures of every kind—worth tens of billions of Beli in total.
In the innermost chamber, there was nothing except a single wooden box placed at the center.
Opening it slowly, a spiral-patterned Devil Fruit lay quietly inside.
Chu Qiye bit his lip.
He reached out—but hesitated midway. His hand hovered in the air.
This was no ordinary Devil Fruit.
It was even rarer than a Logia—
A Mythical Zoan.
If he ate it, his strength would undergo a qualitative leap. Combined with Tongtian Talisman, even billion-Beli-class pirates might not be his match.
"So why am I hesitating?"
He lowered his head, struggling internally.
Becoming a Devil Fruit user had immense advantages—but equally severe drawbacks. Seawater and Seastone would become fatal weaknesses.
More importantly, he feared growing reliant on the fruit's power—neglecting the cultivation and mastery of the Eight Extraordinary Skills.
"No."
After a long silence, he finally withdrew his hand. The confusion in his eyes vanished, replaced by unwavering resolve.
"I don't need a Devil Fruit."
"I will become a legend of the pirate world—and prove to everyone that the Eight Extraordinary Skills are the strongest power of all. Greater than any Devil Fruit!"
In that moment, Chu Qiye rediscovered his original ambition.
Without another glance at the fruit, he closed the box and returned it to its place.
He didn't plan to take anything from the vault—not even the Mythical Zoan.
Bringing it aboard Rocks' ship would only invite trouble. After all, not a single person on that vessel was benevolent.
Chu Qiye wasn't afraid—
But he hated unnecessary headaches.
"…I just hope you're still here when I come back," he muttered regretfully.
Even if he didn't intend to eat it himself, letting such a treasure fall into someone else's hands would sting.
After a brief cleanup, Chu Qiye set off for the Rocks Pirates.
When he reached Hachinosu's port and saw the ship bearing Rocks' emblem, only one word came to mind:
Exaggerated.
Beneath the hull, seven or eight Giant pirates and a large group of human pirates were loading supplies.
Even full-grown Giants—over ten meters tall—looked small standing beside the ship.
Only after boarding did Chu Qiye understand why it had been built so massive.
The average height onboard was five meters. Every one of them was built like a Sea King.
There were more than a dozen Giant pirates alone.
Standing among them, Chu Qiye felt—for the first time in his life—short.
"FUCK. What the hell did these guys eat growing up? Can we even still be friends?" he muttered.
Thankfully, he wasn't the shortest person aboard.
He spotted a man who looked suspiciously like a certain comedian—shorter than himself.
"Gurararara… Qiye! Been waiting for you!"
A familiar laugh rang out.
Edward approached.
But today, he looked entirely different—wearing a black hat, draped in a white coat, and holding one of the Supreme Grade Blades, Murakumogiri.
He looked imposing and radiant.
"Edward, that outfit is way too cool. Get me one too!"
Edward waved it off casually. "Just a standard ceremonial coat. All the officers get one. You'll have yours."
As they spoke, Rocks approached.
Seeing Chu Qiye arrive on time, Rocks' lips curved upward in satisfaction.
"Qiye, you didn't disappoint me. Trust me—once you board this ship, you won't regret it."
"Heh…" Chu Qiye gave a fake laugh, too lazy to respond.
Rocks didn't take offense.
After all, there weren't many mild-tempered people aboard this ship to begin with.