Inside the Skull Rock
In a massive room, Rocks was leaning alone by the window, gazing out towards the sea with an indescribable sense of weariness. Bob walked straight up to him and stood shoulder to shoulder.
"Captain what did you need me for?" Bob asked.
Rocks didn't look at him, replying indifferently, "Bob your strength is formidable!"
'I know that! Surely, you didn't call me here just to tell me this!' Bob raised an eyebrow.
"And your progress is remarkable! From a month ago to now, you are not on the same level!"
Hearing this, Bob was momentarily stunned. How did Rocks know about his strength from a month ago?
'My first display of power was at the testing grounds! But after a moment's thought, it made sense.' he reflected.
Rocks, who possesses top-tier Haki, seemed to have been observing from the shadows.
'As expected of the old fox who commands the Rocks Pirates' Bob thought with a dry chuckle.
He didn't continue the thought, uncertain about what Rocks would say next. Better to stay silent.
"Do you know why I promoted you to a commander?" Rocks asked, finally shifting his gaze from the outside.
"Because I'm strong enough!" Bob replied.
Rocks shrugged, speaking bluntly, "Ha ha ha! Strength is definitely necessary! But I need someone who is not only strong but can also look down upon this era!"
"So! You think I'm that person?" Bob responded, his gaze equally calm as he looked at Rocks.
Continuing along that thread, Rocks laughed, "Ha ha ha ha! Yes!"
"I think you're quite good because I sense an aura about you that doesn't belong to this era."
"And I also see a shadow of my younger self in you!"
Hearing this, Bob couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Captain, captain! I'm afraid you've misjudged! Are you sure you were as handsome as me when you were young?"
'But the first part is correct. I'm not from this era; of course, I don't have the characteristics of this time'
"Captain! There's no shortage of people like me on this ship! Like Edward!"
"Isn't he enough to stand at the pinnacle of the world with you?"
Hearing this, Rocks couldn't help but laugh heartily.
"Edward?"
"His strength is indeed formidable, with the potential to become a top-tier powerhouse!"
"But... he lacks the most crucial thing!"
"Do you know where all the treasures Edward has plundered over the years have gone?"
Bob narrowed his eyes, putting on a pensive expression.
"The whereabouts of Whitebeard's treasures."
Of course he knew, having seen the anime and manga in his previous life.
The treasures he received from the Rocks Pirates were almost all returned to his hometown. However, Bob chose not to say this directly.
"Oh!"
"That's an interesting question!" Bob tossed the topic back to Rocks.
"All those treasures, he gave them to his hometown!"
"A pirate, plundering treasures not for himself, but always thinking of his hometown!"
"This is undoubtedly foolish!"
"For a great pirate, a top-tier powerhouse!"
"Without a doubt, family will become Edward's fatal weakness!" Rocks added thoughtfully.
He seemed somewhat reflective, perhaps with a tinge of regret for Edward. Bob couldn't help but admire Rocks' insight into what he had said.
In the original story, the Marineford War occurred. Whitebeard died trying to save Ace.
If he hadn't treated his crew like family, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to save just one person.
However, compared to this, Bob was more concerned about how Rocks knew about the whereabouts of Edward's treasure.
It seems Rocks isn't just about using brute force to intimidate his subordinates. He probably has some understanding of the actions of some of his officers in private!
"What about Golden Lion? He's no weaker than Edward!"
"Haha! Him?"
"Golden Lion is just a traitor!"
"I have some knowledge of the deeds he's done in the underworld!" Rocks said with a laugh.
As if he wasn't talking about his own subordinate, but rather a traitor from the enemy's side. Not a ripple of emotion showed on his face.
Hearing this Bob was startled. Rocks knew all this? Then why did he continue to let him stay on the ship as commander? Seemingly, he noticed Bob confusion.
Rocks revealed a sinister smile.
"Do you know why the people on this ship come to me?"
"Is it loyalty? Is it affection?"
"Neither. They're just a bunch of ambitious people after wealth!"
"Indeed! It seems the captain is smarter than anyone!" Bob replied.
"Hahaha, you're absolutely right!"
"Here, I don't care if my subordinates are loyal to me, nor do I care about so-called affection. I even enjoy seeing them kill each other!"
"Because this pirate crew is just a tool for me—a tool to help me become the king of the world. The reason for them joining the Rocks Pirates is just an exchange of interests!"
"The weak ones who kill each other deserve to die; only then can my ship always have fresh blood replenished!"
"Ensuring that the people on the ship are all strong!"
"..."
Bob had nothing to say about Rocks' words. He was well aware of what the Rocks Pirates were like.
But what he didn't expect was that the captain would call him here, only to lay all his cards on the table.
He was well aware of what the Rocks Pirates were like.
What he didn't expect was that the captain would call him here, only to lay all his cards on the table.
But why would he tell him all this? Bob couldn't help but ponder this question. According to Rocks' cunning and deep calculations, it just didn't make sense.
"Captain! Is there anything else? If not, I'll take my leave." Bob now just wanted to exit this place.
But before he could finish his words, Rocks suddenly turned and threw a punch at Bob. Rocks' speed wasn't fast, so Bob easily dodged it.
"Captain, you…"
Just as he was about to speak, Rocks' aura suddenly surged, and the Conqueror's Haki was released.
"Bob, you also possess the three types of Haki, don't you?"