The battle between Rocks and the two CP0 agents was without suspense.
After ten minutes of intense fighting, the two CP0 agents collapsed to the ground from exhaustion, while Rocks had merely consumed a large amount of stamina.
However, Rocks was unsatisfied with his own performance.
Because the two CP0 agents were already severely injured and had impaired mobility, which gave him the opportunity to wear them down continuously. In the end, his victory over the two CP0 agents was not a complete triumph. Rather, the CP0 agents, realizing they had no chance of escape, resolutely consumed deadly poison.
Silas did not try to stop this.
Preventing CP0 from committing suicide was not such a simple matter. Besides, he generally understood the situation. It was nothing more than CP organization leaders believing that with the White Wolf Pirates disbanded, some previously shelved plans could be restarted.
The changes certainly were not limited to just Carmel's side.
"It has been more than half a year since the crew disbanded."
Initially, Silas's idea was to find a place to retire after disbanding the crew. But if he could barely fight anymore, why should he risk his life for old promises?
But the system's appearance changed everything.
Throughout the past six months, Silas had felt his body gradually healing. His improved physical condition, refined techniques, and the awakening of his Conqueror's Haki had all culminated in that pivotal battle with Rona, where he finally transcended his previous limitations entirely.
And Ripley and Rocks were also growing at an astonishing rate.
This world was divided by the Grand Line and the Red Line into four seas: East, South, West, and North. The Grand Line was a ring-shaped oceanic region that intersected perpendicularly with the Red Line. It was also the most miraculous and dangerous route in the world.
Some called the first half of the Grand Line a paradise for pirates, while others called it their graveyard.
But regardless, the pirates and Marines active in the first half of the Grand Line were not particularly powerful.
The second half of the Grand Line, the New World where Silas and his crew currently were, was where the truly strong resided.
Silas chose to stay in Elbaf partly because using Adam Wood to forge ships required extensive drying and anti-corrosion treatments. Building a ship, even with the giants' craftsmanship, would take several years.
On the other hand, he wanted to train Rocks and Ripley.
To become stronger, one had to battle the strong.
But facing enemies that were too powerful all at once was not a battle. It was suicide.
Now, Silas felt that even Rocks, the weakest member, was qualified as a crew member.
Of course, pride leads to complacency.
Until Rocks could defeat Ripley, he could only remain an intern.
With three people on one ship, someone had to do the odd jobs, right?
After Silas and his group brought Gertz and Hajrudin back to Elbaf, they immediately received a warm welcome from the giants.
Especially after learning that Ripley had single-handedly severely injured three CP0 agents, old giant Yoruru was so delighted that he drank three large barrels of Green Fairy in succession. After getting drunk, as if remembering something, he blushed and clamored to challenge Silas to a duel.
Ripley naturally could not let the old man challenge her captain, so she decisively knocked Yoruru unconscious, letting him fall into a baby-like sleep.
At the banquet, Silas clinked glasses with Harald.
"Harald, I might not be able to keep my promise."
"Oh?"
"I originally planned to stay in Elbaf for two years, waiting for Rocks to grow and Ripley to become stronger before setting sail."
Silas poured himself wine with a cup larger than his body.
"But plans cannot keep up with changes."
Silas smiled, pointing toward the sea. "The sea is calling me. This world has prepared a stage for me. If I refused it, I would be too tactless."
Silas's eyes blazed with determination.
After his battle with Rona, his presence in Elbaf would definitely be exposed. If the World Government brought their full force to bear, Elbaf might not be able to withstand that pressure.
After all, those old monsters in the World Government had found the giants displeasing for a long time. They just had not made up their minds yet.
Silas did not want to become that spark.
At least not now.
"What about your ship?"
As Elbaf's king, what Silas could think of, Harald could naturally think of too. It was just that some things could not be said by him.
"I will just leave it here temporarily."
Silas laughed heartily. The Adam Wood ship would still take considerable time, especially since Silas wanted to build a large ship that could easily accommodate giants like Ripley, which would take even longer.
Originally, Silas could not make up his mind, but after Ripley ate the Mini-Mini Fruit, the most practical problem was also solved.
"I will just have to make my old partner work hard for a while longer."
Elbaf had no other ships, so Silas had to bring out his old companion again, making his Black Pearl hold on for a bit longer.
This might be the Black Pearl's final voyage.
"Carmel, leave Linlin in Elbaf for now. She is too large. The Black Pearl cannot accommodate her."
Silas found Sister Carmel.
"I will come get her before Elbaf's next Winter Solstice Festival."
As long as she did not go hungry, Charlotte Linlin's eating disorder would not easily trigger. Silas originally wanted to bring her along, but with Charlotte Linlin's weight, he was afraid she would directly crush his Black Pearl.
The Black Pearl was getting on in years and could not handle too much strain.
"Leave it to me."
Carmel sighed, looking at the gray-bearded Silas.
She wanted to persuade him but did not know where to start.
"Do not die out there."
"Pfft-hahahaha! Carmel, you would die before I would."
"Get lost!"
Carmel took back her previous second of sentimentality. This man was still as annoying as ever!
However, before leaving, Silas looked at the only remaining task on his system panel.
Mission: Defeat Giant King Harald!
Unbelievable! The Giant King of Elbaf is actually willing to engage in a fair one-on-one duel with you. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Mission Reward: Increase Conqueror's Haki strength, increase cellular activity. (Incomplete)
After fighting Rona, Silas clearly realized that so-called Haki could only improve through battles with the strong.
With Silas's current strength, only this world's top-tier powerhouses could pressure him.
Ten years ago, both Silas and Harald had only touched that threshold without being able to cross it.
Ten years later, Silas looked at Harald, his Conqueror's Haki rising.
"Harald, let us fight!"
"Good!"
Despite his peaceful nature, Harald never feared a challenge.
The same Conqueror's Haki rose from Harald.
Black-red lightning intertwined and collided.
No one knew the outcome of this battle.
They only knew that Elbaf's entire Underworld shook for three full days.
Then, two bloodied men sat on the leveled mountains, raising their cups to drink together and laughing in unison.
One week later, the White Wolf Pirates left Elbaf.
[Chapter Complete]
***
Want more? Check out my Patreon for:
✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories
✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics
✓ Early access content [email protected]/meowthtl
💪 Community Goal: 500 Power Stones unlocks a bonus chapter!
Thanks for reading and supporting the story!