Chapter 186: The Agreement is Made, I Shall Go to My Death
[Memory-Memory Fruit (Memo Memo no Mi) LV5]
[Fruit Ability: Manipulate memories.]
[Effects by Level]
[LV3: Gain full fruit effect. Can read, extract, replace, and tamper with people's memories. Requires 1 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
[LV4: Deep-Dive Development. Can use 'Memory Thread'. Those touched and pierced by the thread fall into 'Memory Confusion' briefly. Requires 3 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
[LV5: Fruit Awakening · Memory Absorption. Ability affects all nearby creatures, extracting memories. Can search specified memories by setting keywords. Requires 9 Billion Berries for Unlock.]
This fruit from Charlotte Pudding was undoubtedly special.
In terms of combat strength, it was purely a support type—combat enhancement was minimal, almost negligible.
But for Star Lord now, it was crucial.
Because...
VMMM!
Star Lord's hand touched Linlin's soul slowly.
Then, a film-like memory strip was extracted in his hand.
In the memory, Star Lord saw Linlin's past—abandoned by parents in childhood, meeting Mother Carmel, then Elbaf... everything was there.
Star Lord didn't alter these memories—good or bad, they were Linlin's path.
He just used the Awakening effect to search keywords in the memory.
[Memory Search — Rocks]
With his thought, Linlin's memory changed constantly.
Most memory films disappeared, replaced by only a few short strips.
Star Lord looked at the film.
"Hey! You're called Linlin, right?"
A voice he had heard entered his ears.
"You're pretty strong—wanna join my pirate crew and be my subordinate!?"
That was Rocks' voice.
Young Charlotte Linlin, chewing delicious cake and carrying "Napoleon", frowned at him. "Why should I join you?"
Rocks said matter-of-factly, "Why? As a pirate, seeing a strong partner I like, naturally I invite."
But Linlin was more puzzled. "I don't have the habit of sharing treasures with others. And speaking of which, why am I a subordinate?"
She was clearly unhappy.
"Don't worry, I have no interest in taking subordinates' treasures."
"As for why you're a subordinate, naturally because... I'm stronger!"
"Ha? You guy—really dare to say!"
So, angry Linlin swung her sword.
In the following time, she became a member of the Rocks Pirates.
Subsequent memories matched Star Lord's knowledge.
Ochoku, Whitebeard, Kaido, Shiki, Silver Axe, Gloriosa...
Rocks Pirates grew stronger; countless powerhouses joined.
Until that day.
In the place named God Valley, Rocks Pirates faced a turning point.
In Linlin's memory, the final chaotic battle of God Valley appeared clearly before Star Lord.
Kaido, Linlin, Whitebeard, Rocks, Roger, Garp—six powerhouses symbolizing the "Peak of the Era" back then and now, fought against a descended existence.
That was the god of this world, named "Imu".
It resided in the body of one of the Five Elders, "Saint Saturn". The lower body was a spider-like "Ushi-Oni"—Saturn's ability.
The upper body was its own form, a pitch-black, formless massive thing.
In Star Lord's view.
Its form looked extremely like... The Shadow of a Tree.
"As expected..."
Under the mask, Roy confirmed again.
The mural he saw on the Abyss, the black shadow born from the massive unknown tree was "Imu" itself.
Subsequent developments matched Roy's knowledge.
Rocks was "Dominated" by Imu's shadow; then Linlin withdrew from the battlefield.
Memory faded gradually.
"No valuable clues..."
Roy was somewhat disappointed.
Yes.
Since the Abyss, he hadn't given up investigating the truth of God Valley—in fact, he cared even more.
After all, he could basically list the World Government, Celestial Dragons, and that "Lord Imu" as absolute enemies now.
Values and attitudes shown by them were all opposed.
In this situation, the "Davy Family" represented by Rocks and the truth of 800 years ago were naturally parts he must note.
Figuring out Imu's origin, Davy Jones, and Joy Boy's situation would facilitate dealing with Imu in the future, even... killing him!
But unfortunately, Linlin wasn't one of the last fighters at God Valley.
She didn't lie to Ochoku before—she indeed didn't see "Star Lord" at God Valley.
But just as Star Lord planned to end reading Linlin's memory.
"...Hm?"
Next moment, he froze.
Because he saw.
After the "God Valley Memory", another memory film related to "Rocks" appeared slowly.
Based on length and position, Star Lord realized instantly.
"This is... memory After God Valley!?"
Frowning, he raised his hand without hesitation.
[Soul Projection]
His soul dived into that film abruptly.
[Memory Reading · Soul Experience]
Instantly, the scenery changed.
Splash!
Sound of surging waves and unique sea breeze smell, accompanied by scattered sunlight overhead—everything in memory was real.
Star Lord saw the behemoth above at a glance.
A massive tree covering half the sky, like a world pillar.
Twisted roots like giant pythons; rainbow bridges on the tree; countless villages visible from afar.
"Elbaf."
This scene confirmed his location instantly.
Built on the World Tree "Adam"—the "Kingdom of Giants" Elbaf.
But seeing this, Star Lord had another thought instinctively.
"Treasure Tree Adam is this huge... how massive is the tree on the mural?"
Yes.
He recalled the tree on the Abyss mural—based on his guess, "Adam" constituting Elbaf might just be a root sprout derived from that tree, granted to the Giant race by Davy Jones.
But he didn't have time to think much.
"Mamamama! Scared me when I received the letter—amazing you survived that situation, Rocks!"
"How did you break free from control? You didn't look like you had spare energy back then!"
A voice from the side interrupted his thoughts.
Turning around, he saw young Linlin sitting cross-legged behind him.
Holding a huge red cup, obviously a Giant race product, cheeks slightly flushed.
Of course, what surprised Star Lord more were the three figures sitting beside Linlin.
Tall and burly, crescent mustache, golden hair—young "Whitebeard" Edward Newgate.
Bare upper body, horns on head, muscular youth—young "Kaido of the Beasts".
Besides them, sitting in the main seat was Rocks D. Xebec.
White bandages wrapped around his left body, and Linlin's words just now proved... he had experienced "God Valley".
"..."
Even mentally prepared Star Lord was surprised.
After God Valley, resurrected Rocks actually met Kaido, Linlin, and Whitebeard in Elbaf?
"Gulp gulp... haa..."
Rocks finished the wine, putting down the cup. "Didn't I say?"
"It was an 'Accident'."
He grinned. "An accident... beyond fate."
He didn't explain much, looking at Kaido. "Hey, Kaido, what's wrong with you—drinking alone? Didn't you get the ability? You were happy at God Valley!"
As he said, Kaido had a sour face.
Hearing this, Kaido downed the wine again. "Got the ability, was happy originally... but looking now, what's the point of this thing!?"
"To become the world's strongest creature, win the most heated war, it still has to be 'Haki', right?"
Hearing this, Linlin was unhappy. "Hey, Kaido, what do you mean? Don't forget your ability is a 'Legendary Fruit' snatched from me..."
"So what!?"
Kaido, clearly drunk, glared back at Linlin. "You saw that 'Monster' at God Valley too—fruit abilities are useless against It."
"Haki didn't seem useful either; even Rocks' Conqueror's couldn't hurt It!"
"But at least made It feel pain!"
"Ha? So you're denying it—just right, I haven't forgiven you yet, wanna fight? You apprentice brat!"
"Fight then! Linlin, we aren't 'Comrades' anymore... if we fight, I won't hold back!"
Seeing the two rolling up sleeves for a brawl, Whitebeard silently raised his cup and drank. "Haa... Giant race wine, haven't had it for a long time."
Saying so, he put down the bowl, looking at Rocks.
"So, Rocks, what do you want to do next?"
"Only called us three, specifically asked not to tell anyone, and in Elbaf... you should know, right? Harald is working for the Government now."
Clearly the most serious of the three, he pointed out the situation in a few words.
This meeting in Elbaf was completely unexpected for Whitebeard, Kaido, and Linlin—called by resurrected Rocks, not knowing details beforehand.
Rocks even specifically asked for secrecy.
Normally, with their pride, they wouldn't follow instructions.
But clearly...
To them, Rocks was different.
He was the "World's Strongest" Kaido once respected, the patriarch of the "Family" Linlin once stayed in, the man Whitebeard acknowledged.
So, they came.
Whitebeard pointed out another key issue.
Elbaf, where they were, was ruled by King Harald working for the Government.
Although once Rocks' best friend, for them who severed ties, meeting in Elbaf wasn't wise.
"Hahaha! As expected of you, Newgate!"
Hearing this, Rocks laughed unconcernedly.
"I know Harald signed a contract with 'The World', becoming 'God's Blade'... don't worry, entering Elbaf has nothing to do with him."
"I already had someone tell him the truth about 'God Valley' and 'The World'... but with his personality, probably won't believe it fully."
Speaking here, he sighed.
Friends know friends best.
As Harald's former best friend, he knew how stubborn the Giant King, equal in strength to him, was.
But...
"Can't help it—he and I are no longer friends; men must be responsible for their choices."
Rocks shook his head, regaining spirit.
"As for inviting you, you should guess why?"
He looked at the three.
"You were my partners, faced that monster with me at God Valley—you understood, right? That guy is 'The World'!"
"That guy... is my 'Ambition'!"
Hearing this.
"..." (x3)
The three before Rocks fell silent.
Standing in memory, Star Lord was silent too.
He guessed the answer long ago.
These three fought Imu directly at God Valley—they truly saw "God".
So, only they were called by Rocks.
As for Rocks' words, Star Lord wasn't surprised.
Rocks D. Xebec's ambition was never hidden.
Not to be Pirate King, but to "Conquer the World".
Or rather, establishing Rocks Pirates, gathering ambitious powerhouses was for this—even if they didn't submit to each other, had different ambitions, and were unruly.
Rocks didn't care; he even indulged them.
Power, freedom, kingdom, wealth...
He appreciated any ambition.
What he wanted was for people... to challenge the "Order of this World"!
Clearly...
Even after God Valley, he hadn't given up that ambition.
"I am a pirate—a pirate's ambition ends only with death!"
Rocks stood up.
Spreading his arms, holding the wine cup, looking at the three with burning fighting spirit. "Might as well tell you."
"Preparation for the 'Agreement' is complete, I shall go to my death!"
"Calling you here is my last invitation to you."
Waves roared; sea breeze whispered.
His wild laughter intertwined with ambitious declaration. "Want to join me... and be enemies of 'The World' once more!?"
"Those willing, drink this cup together!"
☆☆☆
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