After finally voicing what had been weighing on him, Edward visibly relaxed.
"This road is long… I wonder how much farther we still have to walk."
Chu Qiye suddenly stood up and punched him lightly in the shoulder.
"Quit whining. You're not walking it alone."
Edward understood the unspoken meaning. A knowing smile tugged at his lips.
With a friend beside him, perhaps he wasn't so alone after all.
"Gurararara… Then you'd better keep up. Don't fall behind."
"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm clearly ahead of you. You should be the one trying to catch up."
"Oh? Then let's see who walks faster."
Edward extended his fist.
Chu Qiye bumped it with his own.
"Deal."
The World Government had 170 affiliated nations.
Each paid the annual Heavenly Tribute to the World Government and the Celestial Dragons in exchange for protection.
Those unable to afford the tribute could not join.
And those outside the system received no protection.
Such places inevitably descended into lawless islands—havens for pirates and traffickers.
Most pirate crews only dared prey on those impoverished backwaters.
But the Rocks Pirates?
They weren't interested in scraps.
Rocks' target was clear:
Affiliated nations.
Attacking them was equivalent to openly declaring war on the World Government.
Yet instead of fear, the pirates aboard were ecstatic.
After all—wealth beyond imagination awaited them.
Chu Qiye, however, felt nothing about it.
He only wanted stronger opponents to hone his Tongtian Talisman and push it to Major Mastery.
Inside the cabin, Rocks convened a meeting with his officers.
"Our first target is called Basback. The island is rich in gold mines—one of the wealthiest affiliated nations. Their annual Heavenly Tribute is astronomical."
"Of course, the World Government keeps a close watch on such a place. Besides a large Marine presence, the island maintains its own national army…"
Suddenly, Charlotte Linlin interrupted without warning.
"Are there delicious donuts on the island? Linlin wants donuts!"
As she spoke, her eyes began turning red.
The officers stiffened.
They had long heard about Linlin's eating disorder—but had never witnessed it.
It seemed the episode was about to begin.
"Get Streusen. Have him make her some donuts," Rocks said irritably.
"No!"
Charlotte Linlin's voice trembled with hysteria.
"Linlin wants real donuts! Real donuts!"
Her eyes grew bloodshot, violence and madness surfacing. Her voice rose higher and higher.
"What a pain."
Without hesitation, Chu Qiye acted.
"Immortal-Binding Talisman — Triple Layer."
Three glowing chains shot out, binding Linlin tightly and gagging her.
"Mmmph—!"
But Linlin possessed monstrous innate strength.
In her frenzy, she was even stronger. The chains began dimming under her struggle.
"Edward. Help me knock her out."
"Got it."
Chu Qiye showed zero chivalry.
In his eyes, Charlotte Linlin was not a "woman."
He could have used Dual Fulfillment Hands to alter her cognition and cure her disorder.
But honestly?
Physical therapy felt more satisfying.
Chu Qiye and Edward struck simultaneously from opposite sides—no holding back.
Edward even infused his punch with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power, just to be sure.
BOOM.
As Linlin collapsed, silence returned instantly.
"To hell with your donuts. No one's indulging you on this ship."
"Nicely done!"
Several officers gave Chu Qiye thumbs up.
Rocks didn't even glance at Linlin's unconscious body.
"Now then. Back to business."
"This time, we can't deploy the entire crew. Half will remain behind to guard against Marine reinforcements. The rest will land and take Basback."
"There are also Devil Fruit users on the island. Stay sharp."
At the mention of ability users, Chu Qiye's interest spiked.
"I'll join the landing force."
Rocks nodded.
"Fine. You'll command the assault team. Once ashore, all personnel answer to you."
Given Chu Qiye's strength, Rocks had no concerns.
But aside from Edward and Rocks, few others truly knew how strong he was.
To them, he was just a doctor with a 580-million bounty who often held back in battles.
How strong could he really be?
Golden Lion Shiki stepped forward first, clearly dissatisfied.
"Captain, leading the assault is no small matter. How can you hand it to some brat? Either Edward or I should command."
His tone carried open contempt.
Chu Qiye didn't get angry.
If anything—he wanted to laugh.
He had never cared to prove himself with words.
Fists were proof enough.
"Doesn't matter to me. I was planning to slack off anyway. If you want it, take it."
Edward added flatly, "I'm not interested either."
Rocks shrugged.
"Fine. Then you'll lead, Shiki."
"…."
Golden Lion felt humiliated.
Utterly humiliated.
He had expected a rivalry for command.
Instead—
They didn't even want it.
It was as if the "treasure" he valued was trash to them.
From that moment on, Chu Qiye earned himself a spot on Golden Lion's mental blacklist.
He had no idea.
If he had known, he might've laughed.
Pirate grudges were born for the pettiest reasons.
"We arrive at Basback in twenty days. Prepare yourselves."
"Understood."
After the meeting, Golden Lion glared at Chu Qiye's retreating back.
"Damn brat… I'll deal with you sooner or later."
Time passed swiftly.
Basback drew nearer with each day.
Meanwhile, Chu Qiye devoted himself entirely to mastering Tongtian Talisman.
He had now learned over ten different talismans.
[Tongtian Talisman (Minor Mastery), Proficiency 49%]
Once proficiency exceeded 50%, it would advance to Major Mastery.
At that level, his understanding of Tongtian Talisman would ascend to a new realm.
What changes would follow?
He didn't know yet.
But perhaps because he was too eager—
That final 1% simply refused to budge.
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