This was the true nature of the Rocks Pirates.
If you didn't have real strength, then even if you managed to join, you'd still end up dead. That was the brutal truth, no real loyalty just a system based on power.
But Ayr didn't need to worry about that.
With his current strength, he could stand his ground. Unless one of the top mates made a move, the other crew members couldn't pose much of a threat.
"I see," Ayr nodded slowly.
Rocks leaned closer, his voice a low whisper only Ayr could hear.
"Come to the bow tonight. I've got something to say to you."
"…Hm?"
Ayr blinked in surprise, as he was about to ask something, Rocks turned and walked off without another word. He left behind only a dazed Ayr with unanswered questions.
Something to say?
What did he mean?
He'd just joined today. Why not just say it now instead of keeping it secret till nightfall?
Ayr frowned. The more he thought about it, the less sense it made. But there was only one way to find out.
"Jie hahaha… Congratulations, Ayr! You're now a full-fledged member of the Rocks Pirates!"
Golden Lion, as familiar as if they'd known each other for years, walked up grinning.
"You seem happier than me, Mr. Shiki," Ayr replied with a puzzled look. "Don't tell me there's something in this for you?"
Though in the original timeline he knew all about the Golden Lion, this was the first time Ayr had physically encountered the crew, let alone met Shiki. He had only just joined. So why was Golden Lion acting so friendly?
"I just like talking to smart people," Golden Lion said with a toothy grin. Then his tone shifted.
"Be my mate, Ayr. You know as well as I do, without a master's guidance, swordsmanship hits too many dead ends. My swordsmanship is far above yours right now. But if you follow me, I'll teach you. Personally. I believe you'll grow stronger… maybe even stronger than me some day."
Everyone on this ship had joined the Rocks Pirates for personal gain. No one here wanted to help Rocks rule the world, they were all after their own rise.
Golden Lion was no different.
Officially, he was a key figure in the crew, a trusted mate. But in the shadows, he'd already begun recruiting his own people.
He had seen Ayr's strength firsthand. A swordsman who had already wounded him twice in battle, Golden Lion didn't overlook that kind of talent.
If he could win Ayr over, train him… then when the time came, he'd rise to power without Rocks. Just him and Ayr, seizing the seas together.
Ayr was caught off guard, he hadn't expected a proposal like that, straight to the point like that, especially not on his first day.
"It's a tempting offer," he admitted. "Getting your guidance could be useful. But… is that really what this is about, Mr. Shiki? You just want to help me grow?"
"Of course," Golden Lion nodded. "I see potential in you. A lot of it. So, what do you say? Are you in?"
Ayr paused.
It did sound good. But to him, the benefit wasn't nearly as tempting as Golden Lion might think. After all, he had the system.
He didn't need to depend on anyone to get stronger. Not even someone like Golden Lion. The man could offer sword techniques, yes, but the system could offer something greater. Something that transcended this world.
"No thanks, Mr. Shiki."
Golden Lion didn't look angry at all. In fact, he grinned wider.
"Have you really thought this through? Being my mate only has benefits, no downsides. You sure you want to refuse?"
"I'm sure."
"Jie ha ha ha… You're direct, I'll give you that," Golden Lion said, clenching his fists with renewed determination. "But I'm not giving up. I want you on my side, Ayr."
The more Ayr rejected him, the more Golden Lion wanted him. He saw Ayr as a raw gem, something rare. And he wanted to be the one to shape that gem, to mold him into a true powerhouse,his powerhouse, his right hand he could call upon to help him seize the seas.
"Hey, Shiki. Didn't you hear the kid? He said no," Charlotte Linlin approached, rolling her eyes. "No need to keep talking nonsense."
"Linlin," Golden Lion shrugged, "he was my first pick."
"So what? You picked him. He didn't pick you."
"…What do you mean by that?"
Charlotte ignored him and turned to Ayr with a smile.
"My name's Linlin. I'm going to be the queen of the sea one day. Let's rule the seas together, what do you think?"
Ayr stood still.
Wait… what?
First Shiki, now her?
And she's openly saying this while Rocks is still aboard?
But maybe he was overthinking it. Rocks didn't care about titles like Sea King or Queen. His ambition was likely much bigger, he wanted to rule the world—after all.
So Linlin talking like this probably didn't really bother him.
"…Thanks, but no," Ayr said with a sigh. "I just joined Captain Rocks. I'm not looking to follow anyone else."
He really hadn't expected both of them to throw offers at him so quickly.
To save time, he didn't bother thinking up any clever excuses. He just used Rocks' name to shut it down.
Golden Lion crossed his arms, smirking. "Looks like he's not into you either, Linlin."
"Shut up, Shiki," she snapped, not even looking at him.
As the two bickered, a crew member carefully approached and cleared his throat.
"U-Um… First Mates… Captain Rocks asked me to show Lord Ayr to his room…"
Golden Lion and Charlotte Linlin both fell quiet. They glanced toward the departing figure of Rocks in the distance… and said nothing more.