Chapter 174: Conqueror's Clash and a Teasing Welcome
Gion's expression softened as the overwhelming pressure of her newly awakened Conqueror's Haki ebbed away like a retreating wave. She stood there, catching her breath, while Ross regarded her with a warm smile—genuine admiration shining in his eyes.
"Congratulations," he said simply.
It was a milestone. Finally, someone in his crew wielded the King's Haki alongside him. But why her? Gion stepped closer, her usual sharp gaze now tinged with uncertainty. Ross could read her like an open book; no words needed.
"Conqueror's Haki doesn't mean you can't follow someone," he said, cutting through her doubts. "It's about unshakeable will. Look at Rayleigh, Roger's right-hand man. He served loyally and still commanded his own Conqueror's Haki."
Gion's eyes sparked with fire. "The world's strongest first mate? I'll top that someday!"
Just like that, Ross's words washed away her worries. In the pirate world, Conqueror's Haki often screamed independence, a refusal to bow. She'd feared it might make Ross question her loyalty. But no—this was her true self emerging, fueling her drive to match him, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in battle.
If anything, her preferences had shifted. She used to crave the lead, but now? She was content right where she was.
Ross shot her a sideways glance, his expression turning peculiar. Is she thinking something naughty?
They knew each other inside out—intimately. Gion had always demanded the most from him, session after session, outlasting the rest of the crew combined. And damn, it was always worth it.
No, stop it! Gion flushed, averting her eyes in a rare show of guilt. This is all his fault anyway. If he hadn't set the bar so high...
Ross chuckled, lightening the mood. "Doesn't matter if you have it or not. We'll celebrate properly once we're back on board."
He pivoted, his attention shifting to Gan Fall, still slumped unconscious nearby. The old god would wake on his own in about half an hour, but Ross wasn't patient. He raised his palm toward the man's face.
A jet of frigid seawater erupted from his hand, slamming into Gan Fall like a cold slap.
Splash!
The shock yanked Gan Fall upright. He flailed, sprawling sideways as he hacked up water, chest heaving. That near-drowning sensation had pierced his haze like a dagger.
But a steady, piercing gaze froze him mid-cough. Ross watched impassively as the former god straightened, swallowing his discomfort. With a heavy nod, Gan Fall approached and dropped to one knee.
"Lord Ross," he said gravely, "Skypiea yields to the World Government. We accept your administration."
The display of power had crushed any fight left in him. Ross's casual dominance left no room for rebellion—the gap was insurmountable. Even annihilation would take Ross mere effort. Resistance? Pointless suicide.
"You're done fighting?" Ross asked coolly.
"We surrender fully," Gan Fall replied, head bowed low, forehead nearly kissing the cloudstone ground.
He cared deeply for his island and its people. That's why surrender felt right. Ross's earlier actions spoke volumes: recruiting him as administrator, sparing the guards by striking empty earth. No needless blood. If cruelty came later, the Skypieans could adapt—they always had.
"Not bad. You've got sense," Ross murmured, nodding once before turning away. Endless talks with a grizzled veteran held no appeal. He'd already briefed Sora on his vision for the island: integration, order, progress under World Government oversight.
Sora stepped forward smoothly, her smile professional as she knelt beside Gan Fall. "Allow me to explain. Lord Ross is a Celestial Dragon of the Jaygarcia family, and his plans for Skypiea include—"
Ross tuned it out, strolling toward Conis instead. The young Skypiean girl was still dazed, wide-eyed from the chaos.
Smack!
"Hey!" Conis yelped, clutching her backside as her cheeks burned red. She whirled on him, a mix of embarrassment and irritation flaring—until fear overtook her, making her shrink back.
Ross grinned playfully. "Earth to Conis. You with us?"
Teasing her beat bureaucratic chit-chat any day. Shaping Skypiea's future stars? Even better.
"You didn't have to do it that way..." she grumbled, but made no move to argue. In her eyes, Ross had evolved from dangerous intruder to divine force. Wiping out an island with a flick? Godlike.
Meeting his gaze, she fidgeted and blurted, "Lord Ross, are all Blue Sea folk as strong as you?"
"You saw Roger's crew, right? A couple of them could hang with me."
All dead now, anyway. No harm in inflating their legend a bit. Survivors? He'd handle them later. Prime targets for grinding experience.
"Roger was that powerful?" Conis's jaw dropped. She'd found the crew friendly, figured their edge over the gods was modest. Matching Ross? Mind-blowing.
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