Newgate was initially a bit annoyed by this new partner's challenge. This wasn't the kind of partner or family he wanted.
But hearing Ignis's words, he felt somewhat comforted.
At least there was one guy worth cherishing and befriending.
Listening to their conversation, Newgate began to understand the rules on this pirate ship.
Might makes right!
As long as you were strong enough, you didn't even have to put Rocks in your eyes.
"I accept your challenge, big fish-man!"
Newgate spoke calmly. This catfish fish-man was even taller and bigger than him. He wanted to see just how strong he was.
Now, without needing to consider Vaghar's feelings, he wanted to see how far he could grow.
"Bwahaha! That's the spirit!"
Barbel grinned, his attitude towards Newgate improving considerably.
To have status on the ship, you had to fight your way through, proving yourself with strength.
"Vohahaha! I welcome you all to challenge me, too. My fists are just itching for a fight!"
Rocks laughed heartily, giving Ignis a deliberate glance.
He had to make this future-seeing little guy truly understand the cruelty of this sea and the rule that strength is paramount.
Ignis was always thinking about Devil Fruit abilities and things like feelings and bonds. That wouldn't get him far in this world.
Only strength mattered.
Sunbell watched the guys, who seemed to be at odds with each other, feeling a bit nervous.
Among the official members here, he was the weakest.
If it weren't for the Great Strategist Ignis putting in a word, he probably wouldn't have made it onto the ship.
Originally, Rocks wanted him to be an apprentice, but Ignis made him an official member.
But to become an executive like Barbel, he needed to keep getting stronger until he gained the Captain's recognition.
"Itching for a fight? Go find Harald. Only strong people at your level can make you stronger!"
"And in the future, try out your advanced Haki on those immortal monsters of the God's Knights."
"Figure out how to thoroughly destroy their immortality with advanced Conqueror's coating!"
"Don't end up unable to kill even one God's Knight or Elder!"
Ignis looked at the arrogant Rocks and reminded him.
If Rocks couldn't even kill a God's Knight or an Elder, there was even less chance he could kill Imu.
"Harald! That guy is indeed strong! I want to recruit him!"
"Immortal monsters? I don't believe I can't kill them!"
Rocks shot Ignis a meaningful glance. This kid liked to talk back and crackdown him.
Seemed like his daily beatings of Ignis were justified.
But with Ignis's reminders, he would definitely become stronger in the future, and could avoid danger until he finally overthrew Im.
"What's the God's Knights? And what's this about an immortal body?"
Newgate listened to the exchange between Rocks and Ignis, his eyes full of confusion. Even Barbel and Sunbell looked blank.
The Five Elders, the world's highest authority, they had at least seen that name in newspapers.
"Then let me properly explain the true power structure of the World Government."
"Above the Five Elders, the world's highest authority, there is a 'King of the World' hidden behind the scenes. That guy is also the absolute ruler of the Celestial Dragons."
"The Five Elders are merely servants. They have to kneel and pay respects when they see this King of the World."
"The God's Knights are elites selected from among the Celestial Dragons, each possessing immense strength."
"The Commander of the God's Knights is also a candidate for the Five Elders. If an Elder ever dies, the Commander succeeds that position."
"Both the Five Elders and the God's Knights have been granted immortal bodies by the King of the World using a Devil Fruit ability."
"Only advanced Conqueror's coating can truly kill them!"
"Of course, maybe knocking them into the sea also has a small chance of killing them."
"This is the 800-year foundation of the Celestial Dragons ruling the World Government!"
"So, hearing about these immortal monsters, feeling a bit of fear?"
Ignis finished speaking meaningfully and looked at these guys with interest.
"So it's an immortal body granted by a Devil Fruit ability. I thought they were truly unkillable!"
"Advanced Conqueror's coating! Knock them into the sea! As long as there's a way to kill them."
The wariness in Newgate's eyes diminished significantly. Knocking them into the sea was a method he was very good at.
Perhaps this was why the Five Elders and God's Knights didn't want to provoke this future Yonko, because Newgate's Tremor-Tremor Fruit could casually trigger tsunamis.
"And what is advanced Conqueror's coating?"
Barbel heard another new term. He had never heard of such a thing on Fish-Man Island.
He did know how to use Armament Haki hardening.
Indeed, only after leaving Fish-Man Island did he realize the vastness and unknowns of this world.
"Vohahaha! Only those who have awakened Conqueror's Haki are qualified to learn Conqueror's coating."
"How many guys with the qualities of a king go their whole lives without mastering Conqueror's coating!"
"Mastering coating gives you the strongest combat power, enough to kill a Marine Admiral."
"And advanced coating is the further mastery and development of Conqueror's coating."
"So, right now, you guys are an ocean away from me!"
Rocks grinned widely. Even among his own Clan, no one except him had mastered coating.
He was the strongest genius of the Davy Clan in 800 years!
Not only had he awakened Conqueror's Haki and mastered coating, but he had also even trained it to a higher realm.
And it was this confidence that gave him the audacity to use the Reverie to ascend to Mary Geoise and fight his way to Imu's presence.
But he still underestimated that old monster's terrifying strength.
If he could have won that day, the ruler of this world would have already changed.
"To master coating, you need to awaken Conqueror's Haki?"
Barbel's face darkened. He didn't have the qualities of a king, meaning he had no chance of obtaining this ultimate power.
Then the only way he could kill those Five Elders or God's Knights was by knocking them into the sea.
"Conqueror's..."
A glint flashed in Newgate's eyes. He had to master this power; otherwise, he could never become a monster like Rocks.
"Vohahaha! Newgate has the qualities of a king. I can already feel his determination."
"Maybe just one opportunity and he'll awaken Conqueror's Haki."
Rocks valued Newgate's talent highly, recognizing him as a right-hand man.
"Damn it..."
Barbel was frustrated that he lacked this quality. Why was he inherently a step below Rocks and Newgate?
"Hey, Barbel, don't lose heart. Awakening Conqueror's Haki is very much about the mind. It mainly depends on your life experiences."
"It's not that you need the qualities of a king to awaken Conqueror's; it's that awakening Conqueror's is what makes you someone with the qualities of a king."
"I have a method here that might increase the probability of awakening Conqueror's Haki. Anyone want to hear it?"
Seeing Barbel's unwilling expression, Ignis suddenly spoke with a smile.
At this, not only Barbel and Sunbell, but even Newgate and Rocks all looked sharply at Ignis.
"Really, Great Strategist!"
Barbel exclaimed excitedly, like a child grabbing a lifeline, almost wanting to call Ignis Vice Captain.
Rocks's face was full of disbelief. Their Davy Clan, with a thousand years of inheritance, had never heard of such a method.