The giant leading the way stiffened. He had assumed Rocks would at least give Harald some face. After all, this was Elbaf, the land of giants. He had never expected that Rocks would not only fail to stop Ron, but even explain Ron's actions in such a matter-of-fact tone.
These people were simply arrogant to the extreme.
The cold wind swept between them, lifting the hem of Rocks's cloak.
"Hah." Ron softly exhaled, and white mist quickly dissolved into the freezing air. After throwing that punch, he felt much better. Ever since the whole mess with Roger, he had come to understand one thing more and more clearly: not everyone was suited for reasoning. Some idiots should be greeted with fists.
"Go on, Rocks. I'll return to the ship and wait for you there," Ron said slowly. In any case, even if he went along, he would not be of much use. At most, he would look at the scenery and freeload a feast.
If he insisted on forcing his way in, making things hard for the giant kingdom did not matter. But if it made things difficult for Rocks, or affected whatever Rocks was about to do, then there was no need.
Rocks understood what Ron meant. This guy was doing it for the bigger picture. Then Rocks said something to Ron that sounded somewhat unclear. "Ron, I'll remember this for you."
After saying that, he turned and walked toward the giant guide, calling for the others to keep moving.
"You're not going?" Ron asked Kaido with a smile.
Kaido stood in the snowstorm with his kanabo on his shoulder. "Don't underestimate our intern alliance, Ron. You and I are heart to heart! I don't care about this lousy place anyway!"
"Ew." Ron glanced at him in disgust and shuddered. Who said words had no attack power? In that one short line, goosebumps had already crawled all over his back.
Then his gaze landed on another person, and surprise clearly appeared on his face. "You..."
"Hahahaha!" Silver Axe laughed. "Add me to your alliance."
Before Ron could speak, Kaido jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Get lost, Silver Axe! What do you think this is, adding dishes at dinner?! Ron and I have a life-and-death bond! What do you have?!"
"Bastard Kaido, I don't like the way you talk!" Silver Axe glared back unwillingly. "Careful I chop you up!"
"Tch." Kaido turned to Ron with disdain. "Ron, lend me some strength. I'm going to kill him."
"Come on then! Who's afraid of who?!" Silver Axe took a step forward, sending snow flying.
Ron looked at the two men glaring at each other like they might start fighting at any moment and could not help sighing.
"Kaido, I told you before. Young people like us shouldn't be too hostile. Don't spend all day talking about killing people, especially not our partners."
Silver Axe glanced sideways at Ron. What was this brat talking about? Now he was teaching people? Why didn't he say that when he was the one rushing up to beat people?
Kaido, however, seriously thought about it for a while. Then he nodded with an expression of sudden understanding and said, "Ron, lend me some strength. I'm going to shorten Silver Axe's lifespan."
Silver Axe: "..."
Tap, tap, tap.
Loki carried his kanabo and stopped in front of the three of them.
"My name is Loki," he said with a grin. "I would like to ask you all to help me convince Rocks to let me join the Rocks Pirates!"
"I refuse," all three said in unison at almost the same time.
Loki's smile stiffened slightly. He tilted his head, his tone carrying confusion. "Why? If I successfully join, I'll help you in the future! If that doesn't work, at least tell me some experience on how to join the Rocks Pirates."
That question made all three of them fall into thought at the same time.
"No idea," Kaido was the first to speak. "I was directly invited."
"Same," Silver Axe nodded.
"Uh... I guess I'm the same." Ron spread his hands.
After hearing that, the corner of Loki's mouth twitched. What a humble brag. But he did not give up and asked again, "Then how can I get Rocks to invite me?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Kaido grinned. "Prove your worth, of course!"
"Prove my worth..." Loki lowered his head, as if digesting the weight of those words.
Ron said nothing more and continued walking toward where the Saber of Xebec was moored.
"Hey, Ron, aren't we going to look around?" Kaido chased after him from behind. "This place might have treasure!"
Ron's steps suddenly stopped.
Right. Going back empty-handed would mean he had come here for nothing, wouldn't it?
He slowly turned around, a bright glint flashing through his eyes. "Change of plans, Kaido."
"Heh heh heh." The moment Kaido saw that expression, his grin became even brighter.
Silver Axe followed behind indifferently, arms crossed, walking at an unhurried pace. He wanted to see what Ron was planning this time.
A long while later, in the Sun World, inside the palace, enormous stone pillars supported a towering dome. Ancient totems and stories of giants waging war were carved across the walls.
The long table was filled with enormous vessels. Every chunk of meat looked like a small hill, and fragrant wine steamed inside massive wooden cups.
Rocks stood at one side of the long table. Before him sat a wooden cup half as tall as he was. He lifted it, tilted his head back, and took several huge gulps. Wine slid down the corner of his mouth and dripped onto his clothes. Then he set the cup down and laughed toward Harald, who sat in the highest seat.
"Harald, I'm glad you invited me here."
Harald sat on a chair carved from a single block of stone. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze falling on Rocks. "Rocks, I invited you here because, to be honest, I have an important request."
"Wahahahaha!" Rocks laughed. "You know, with our friendship, as long as it's something I can do, I will help you."
Harald's gaze sank slightly, and his tone carried an odd certainty. "You can do it."
Then his voice changed, carrying a trace of pleading. "I hope you can save Elbaf. Save our giant kingdom. Save me, Harald."
Rocks's smile faded a little. He did not think too deeply and assumed Elbaf had encountered some external enemy or crisis, so he agreed readily. "Within my ability, I will do my best to help you, Harald."
He had never thought of taking advantage of Elbaf's crisis to force Harald to board his ship as a condition.
He simply wanted to lend a hand as a friend. Even if Harald refused him afterward, Rocks would not say anything.
Harald looked into Rocks's sincere eyes and fell silent for a moment. Then he spoke, his voice slowing down. "Rocks, this matter is very simple for you. I know that not long ago, your Rocks Pirates added a new crew member named Ron. I would like to ask you to make him leave the Rocks Pirates."
This was the most perfect solution Harald could think of. As long as Ron left the Rocks Pirates, Elbaf could join the World Government as an affiliated nation, and Harald would not have to break with Rocks.
It was as if all the air in the palace was sucked away in that instant.
Rocks's hand, which was holding roasted meat, stopped in midair. His gaze slowly lifted and landed on Harald's enormous face.
"Are you... serious?"