All of this was done for one single reason: to serve El and make him their king!!!
In the original story of Naruto, the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique did not place any mental strain or negative effect on the one who used it.
However, from what he had witnessed in Rocks' behavior, El could clearly tell that the version of the technique he possessed had definitely influenced Rocks' mind and spirit.
That was the only explanation for why a man like Rocks would show such absolute loyalty and devotion to him!!!
Rocks was perhaps the person in this entire world who trusted El the most and would remain faithful to him above all else.
Because of that, El was certain that he would bring him back to life again in the future. And this time, it would not be just a temporary revival — he would find a way to bring Rocks back for good, permanently.
"Hahaha… by the time I wake up again, I have no doubt you will already have claimed that throne you seek, El. I am truly looking forward to seeing it!" Rocks laughed heartily as he spoke.
After death, his consciousness would fall into a deep slumber. But when he opened his eyes once more, he would awaken to see that glorious and magnificent future that El would create.
That was why, even as his life force faded away, Rocks felt no sorrow or despair. On the contrary… he was filled with nothing but eager anticipation.
The moment his words faded, all of Rocks' life force vanished completely, and his entire body crumbled away, leaving only a pile of white bones sitting motionless in the chair.
"Captain Rocks…."
Staring at the skeleton lying before them, Charlotte Linlin's heart was filled with complicated and conflicting emotions.
Even though Rocks had died once again right before their eyes, El had just clearly stated that he would bring him back again. That meant El possessed the ability to revive Rocks more than once!
Although El had defeated her in battle, Charlotte Linlin still harbored the ambition of conquering the world and claiming the title of King for herself.
But El alone had already made that goal seem almost impossible to achieve.
And now, knowing that he also held the power to bring someone like Rocks back from the dead… she could not help but sigh deeply in her heart.
As a pirate, no matter what I do or how far I go, it seems I will never be able to stand equal to someone like El… I will always remain beneath him!
El glanced at Rocks' remains resting in the chair and fell silent for a long moment.
Then he called one of his subordinates inside and ordered them to carefully preserve the bones for the time being.
Since he planned to find a way to bring Rocks back to life again in the future, there was no point in burying him just yet.
Once everything had been arranged, El turned his attention to Shiki and the others and asked:
"Now then… do any of you still have other matters to discuss?"
These men had all come here because they had heard the news that Rocks had returned from the dead.
Now that Rocks was gone once more, El assumed they had no further reason to stay.
Hearing his question, Kaido was the first to stand up, his expression serious and resolute.
"El… if one day you decide to start a war that will shake the entire world, I will stand beside you and lend you my strength!"
Kaido's greatest desire had always been to ignite a war that would engulf every corner of the world, to bring down all those who stood in positions of power and authority.
He dreamed of tearing the Celestial Dragons from their lofty perches and creating a new world where everyone was truly equal.
Originally, Kaido had intended to start this war with his own two hands.
But he had long since realized that as long as someone of El's power existed in this world, it would never be his place to do so.
Even if he tried, he would never be the one to lead it.
At the same time, he could not be certain whether the world that El would create after overthrowing the World Government would truly be the equal and just world he dreamed of.
But… right now, he had decided not to dwell on those questions too deeply.
The most important truth was that he did not have the power to make this happen himself — only El did.
And beyond that, he simply hated the way the world was right now with every fiber of his being.
No matter what the future might hold, he found himself feeling genuinely curious. He wanted to see if the world under El's rule would finally be different from the one they lived in now.
"Is that so?"
El smiled faintly in response.
Having knowledge of the original story, he was already well aware of Kaido's true ambitions.
In many ways, Kaido's dream was very similar to Luffy's — both of them wished to create a world where freedom and equality reigned above all else.
Because of this, El knew full well that every word Kaido had just spoken came straight from the heart.
"This world is nothing but an abomination to me. I truly hope that the world you build will become the kind of world I have always longed to see,"
Kaido said, before turning and walking away without another word.
"Well then… I suppose this is goodbye for now, El."
Shiki did not say very much at all. He simply gave a casual farewell and then also took his leave.
Although he and Kaido were allies, his goals and ambitions were completely different. He had never sought to create a world of freedom and equality.
Even now, Shiki's greatest ambition remained unchanged: he wanted to become the undisputed King of the Seas, ruling over all pirates and all lands.
If the day ever came when El and the World Government finally clashed in a war to determine the fate of the world, Shiki knew he would not choose to fight alongside El as Kaido intended to do.
Instead, he would stand back and watch from the sidelines, waiting to see how the conflict would end and what the future would bring.
"Then… I shall not linger here any longer either, El."
Charlotte Linlin spoke with a voice that carried her own complex feelings, and then she too departed from the tavern.
Now, the only person left inside was Whitebeard.
"So… is there anything you wish to say, Edward?"
El tossed a bottle of fine wine over to Whitebeard and asked.
"Gurararara… it was only those three who held grievances against Captain Rocks. I did not come here today to beg for his forgiveness like they did. My only reason for coming was to confirm whether the rumors of his return were true or not."
"But now… that no longer matters to me at all. All I want to do right now is sit down and share a few drinks with you."
The last time El and Whitebeard had met face‑to‑face was during the great battle in Mary Geoise.
Ever since then, Whitebeard had continued to expand and strengthen his own forces, while El had sent his subordinates far and wide across the New World to search relentlessly for Devil Fruits.
The two men had not had any contact with one another during all this time.
When Whitebeard first heard the news that Rocks had returned from the dead, he had decided to make the journey here simply to find out if it was fact or fiction.
But just as he had said, the truth of that matter no longer held any importance for him.
Now, his only wish was to share a drink and catch up with El, whom he had not seen in such a long time.
"It really has been quite some time since we last saw each other, hasn't it? Then let us drink today until we are both drunk, Edward — we won't stop until we've had our fill," El said, raising his cup with a smile.
Whitebeard was one of the very few people in this entire world whom El genuinely respected and felt comfortable around.
He did not dislike a man of such character and strength, so when Whitebeard expressed his desire to simply enjoy each other's company, El had absolutely no intention of refusing him.
"Agreed!"
Whitebeard laughed loudly, and then the two men clinked their cups together.
They drank every drop of wine in one single gulp, and as El wiped the traces of wine from his lips, he suddenly spoke up again.
"By the way, Edward… there is something I need your help with."
"Oh? Is there really anything left in this world that you cannot do yourself?"
Whitebeard asked, sounding both surprised and interested.
Given El's current level of power and strength, there was almost no place in the entire world that was off‑limits to him.
And with countless loyal subordinates at his command, it was almost impossible for anything he desired to remain out of his reach.
For a man like El to come to him and ask for assistance was something Whitebeard found truly unexpected.
"There is a certain item I am searching for. But… wouldn't it be easier to find something if you have more people working together toward the same goal? That is why I wish to make use of your influence and forces."
"Gurararara… there is no need to be so formal or polite between us, El. If you need something, just say it directly. I will do everything in my power to help you achieve it."
"I believe you have seen the illustrated guide to Devil Fruits before. In that book, there is a fruit known as the Revive-Revive Fruit. Do you know of it?" El asked without hesitation.
The Revive-Revive Fruit was widely considered to be one of the most overpowered and special Devil Fruits in existence within this world.
It granted the user the ability to bring the dead back to life, and even allowed them to wield the powers of the underworld once they had returned!
Of course, Rocks was already dead, and even if they managed to find the fruit now, he would no longer be able to eat it and gain its powers.
But El had not forgotten that he also possessed the power of the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique!
The version of that technique that El currently commanded…
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