When Rocks spoke, the room fell into stunned silence.
Though Ayr had the power to initiate the final war at any time, he chose restraint. Rocks respected that choice.
Even so, Rocks had only recently learned of a name that surprised even him—Im. The name felt like a shadow looming behind history, unfamiliar yet deeply unsettling.
"Im?" he muttered. "Has the time… come?"
Although Golden Lion, Kaido, and Linlin had offered to follow Ayr, he ultimately refused. It wasn't that he distrusted them—it was that he didn't need them.
If Ayr were to acquire all of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's abilities from the system, his power would ascend to a god-like level.
Hearing this, Golden Lion's expression turned to confusion.
But Rocks knew. If Ayr acted too soon, Im would not remain idle. The true ruler of the World Government would retaliate.
After a pause, Rocks finally spoke, breaking the silence.
Golden Lion was the first to find his voice. "There's no one left in this sea who can truly stand against Ayr…"
Whitebeard, quiet until now, raised his head in shock. He had lived through an era of monsters, but he never expected another to rival Ayr's power.
For Rocks, it was still difficult to understand what sort of dominion Im held over the world. Even the World Government's leaders—the Five Elders—seemed subordinate to her. To his surprise, he'd never once heard the name before.
"There's no need to provoke her yet," Rocks murmured. "Ayr isn't afraid of Im… but he's not reckless."
"Of course," he added, turning back to the others. "Allegiance was the condition."
The three pirates—Golden Lion, Kaido, and Linlin—relaxed slightly. So long as they declared loyalty, they would be spared.
"Captain Rocks," Golden Lion said respectfully, "we accept your terms. If it means our past grievances vanish, we will follow Ayr."
Rocks nodded, but his voice remained solemn. "That's why, for now, we will not move against Im. Even I can't predict her full strength."
Im's name sent a chill through the room.
Golden Lion, hearing it again, exhaled sharply. "Im…? You're saying she's above even the Five Elders?"
Kaido frowned, sinking into thought. "She's real…?"
But Rocks already knew the truth. Ayr would eventually topple her.
Suddenly, Ayr broke the silence. "Your allegiance isn't necessary."
Golden Lion, Kaido, and Linlin exchanged surprised looks.
Ayr, sensing Rocks' confusion, explained calmly, "If I accept your allegiance now, the World Government will act sooner. The moment I rise with an army, Im will move."
Linlin felt a chill at Ayr's voice. That gaze—calm and cold—stripped away her pirate pride.
As long as they pledged loyalty, they could live. That was what Rocks had promised.
Now, Ayr stood unmoved, refusing their fealty.
Rocks did not grow angry. "Of course," he said quietly. "A promise is a promise."
Linlin, however, looked shaken. Ayr's rejection, unexpected, was like a door slamming shut.
Even so, Rocks believed—deep in his bones—that Ayr was the one destined to conquer the world.
With these powerful figures behind him, and Ayr's otherworldly abilities, their chances of victory were nearly absolute.
Rocks clenched his left hand into a fist, observing it carefully. Not just Golden Lion and the others, but even Rocks was surprised by Ayr's refusal.
Time, however, was a factor. The longer Ayr delayed, the more abilities he could unlock. Victory would eventually be certain.
Golden Lion couldn't contain his curiosity. "Captain Rocks… your hand?"
Everyone turned to look.
The flesh on Rocks' right arm had decayed, exposing bleached white bone. His body was deteriorating rapidly.
Even Ayr hadn't anticipated this.
The pirates had agreed to Rocks' conditions. And now, Ayr had rejected them.
Many thought Rocks would retaliate. But he didn't. Not yet.
Still, his skeletal arm foreshadowed a ticking clock—a looming final conflict.
Only 99% of the plan was certain. The remaining 1%? Im. The great unknown.
The three pirates now felt a strange relief, tempered by dread. Rocks had not turned on them. But he was dying.
Linlin, finding courage, stepped forward. "Im… who is she?"
The name made Rocks scowl.
For Golden Lion, allegiance to Ayr had seemed a good deal—better than dying.
But now it was rejected.
Ayr could dominate the world, they knew that. His strength rivaled legends. Even the Devil Fruits might pale in comparison to what Ayr could now do.
"Im survived for 800 years," Rocks explained grimly. "And no one knows what kind of Devil Fruit power she possesses."
But Ayr shook his head.
"If they follow me now," he said, "we'll be declaring war. I know you want me to rise, Rocks… but not yet."
Linlin lowered her eyes. "Although Ayr refused, Captain Rocks… will you keep your promise?"
Rocks looked at her. Then nodded once.
Golden Lion, Kaido, and Linlin let out a breath they hadn't realized they were holding.
Had they been accepted under Ayr's flag, the balance of power in the world would have shattered.
Now, they had been spared from death—and from a war that wasn't theirs yet.
Rocks glanced at his skeletal arm. The decay was spreading fast.
No one had expected this to be the price.
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