Shiki stared into Raiver Sky's eyes, awaiting a response.
Within those golden pupils lay anticipation, confidence, and an almost obsessive ambition.
Raiver Sky remained silent for a moment.
After a long pause, he slowly spoke, his voice calm yet resolute:
"Shiki, I appreciate the offer."
"But I must decline."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Shiki's eyes.
However, Raiver Sky's next words brought him some solace:
"I have my own path to walk. Undeniably, Shiki, Newgate, you've both given me much guidance during this time."
"But my initial choice to join was always to use this massive force as a stepping stone to reach the pinnacle of the seas!"
He paused, looking directly at Shiki:
"However, I can promise this: before the banner of the Rocks Pirates falls, I will temporarily remain on your ship."
"And after that day... I will forge a path that belongs solely to me."
A barely perceptible glimmer of approval flashed in Whitebeard's eyes.
This was the true spirit a pirate should possess.
Not bound by gold or silver, not restrained by power, but solely chasing the deepest desires and freedom within one's heart.
But Shiki's ambition was far grander than this.
"Gehahaha... Good lad, Raiver Sky! You're still the same as ever!" Shiki burst into roaring laughter.
"Shiki, it seems your thick-skinned nature is beyond curing."
Whitebeard's deep voice cut in, carrying a hint of mockery:
"Raiver Sky's achievements are destined to surpass both of us. When that day comes, would you truly be willing to yield your captain's position and become a subordinate?"
His words weren't meant as disdain, but to make Shiki face reality.
The heights Raiver Sky might reach in the future could very well tower above both of them.
A single ship cannot accommodate two kings.
Whitebeard himself didn't share Shiki's ambition to conquer the four seas.
All he sought was a group of sons he could regard as family, to build a true "family."
Thus, he understood Raiver Sky's choice all the more—a true powerhouse would never willingly remain under another's command forever.
Shiki unusually didn't retort immediately.
He fell into a brief silence.
Seeing this, Raiver Sky reached out and patted Shiki's shoulder, his tone half comforting, half joking:
"Don't look so dejected, Shiki. How about this—if you can ever defeat me fair and square, I'll join your crew."
It was meant as a lighthearted remark to ease the tension.
But Shiki took it seriously.
"Raiver Sky—then let's settle this right now!"
Those words seemed to instantly ignite Shiki's fighting spirit.
He snapped his head up, eyes blazing with fervent fire, issuing a challenge to Raiver Sky.
He possessed absolute confidence, or rather, a near-arrogant certainty.
At least at this moment, Raiver Sky was at best his equal; surpassing him was utterly impossible.
And this was his opportunity.
As long as Raiver Sky fell to his hands, that blueprint for jointly dominating the seas would take its most crucial step forward.
"Hey now... Shiki, are you serious?!"
Raiver Sky was momentarily taken aback.
His intention had merely been to placate, never expecting the other party to take it seriously.
Even Whitebeard was stunned; he hadn't anticipated Shiki would so directly challenge Raiver Sky.
"Of course I'm serious! Don't forget what you just said.
If you lose, you must join my crew!
Conversely, if I lose, I'll never mention this matter again!"
Very well, since things had come to this, he would use this battle to completely sever Shiki's ambitions and avoid endless future entanglements.
These thoughts flashed through Raiver Sky's mind.
"Ding! Special plot node detected—Golden Lion Shiki's Challenge!"
"Mission: Accept the challenge and defeat Golden Lion Shiki!"
"Mission Reward: Haki Infusion application technique!"
A glint of light flickered deep within Raiver Sky's eyes.
It seemed this battle was unavoidable.
"Shiki, since you insist, I shall grant your wish!"
...
"Did you hear?! Officer Raiver Sky is dueling Officer Shiki!"
"Absolutely true! A duel at the officer level—we haven't seen one in years! We can't miss this!"
"Who do you think is stronger... Officer Raiver Sky or Lord Shiki?"
"Nonsense, of course it's Lord Shiki! He's a great swordsman renowned across the seas, and his Float-Float Fruit ability makes him even more formidable!
Officer Raiver Sky is powerful, but he's still too young after all..."
"Bullshit! Officer Raiver Sky once confronted the Navy's 'Black Arm' Zephyr head-on!
Last time after we plundered the Celestial Tribute, when Garp came chasing, it was Officer Raiver Sky who stepped forward and fought him to a standstill in a battle that darkened the skies!"
The surrounding pirates argued incessantly, their faces alight with exhilaration and anticipation for this duel.
The pirate world operated on the law of the jungle—conflict was an instinct carved into their bones.
Daily grudges were usually settled with bloody fights, commonplace in the Rocks Pirates.
But such formal duels between officers were extremely rare.
The collision of powerful figures was an irreplaceable feast in their eyes.
News of the impending duel between Raiver Sky and Shiki spread like wildfire across Hachinosu Island.
The already boisterous banquet atmosphere ignited completely, reaching a boiling point.
Pirates hearing the news swarmed from every corner of the island, packing the area around the two combatants until not a drop could leak through.
Even many officers were drawn by the commotion.
Now, the crowd kept gathering, clearing a central space that encircled Raiver Sky and Shiki.
Seeing Raiver Sky rise to accept the challenge, Shiki wore an expression of certain victory.
"This guy... still as arrogant as ever." Whitebeard shook his head and murmured softly.
Had he still not realized? Raiver Sky was no longer the rookie who had just boarded the ship.
Now... he was someone who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with core officers like them, even proving more troublesome in certain aspects!
"Let's go, the usual spot!"
Shiki threw back his head and drained the last of the precious liquor from his jar, casually tossing it behind him.
Then, his figure shot forth like a cannonball, speeding rapidly toward a nearby deserted island.
Raiver Sky remained motionless in place, yet his feet seemed to shatter space as his form blurred, following with teleportation-like speed.
At this moment, the pirates on Hachinosu Island descended into utter frenzy, their roars shaking the very earth.
"Set sail! Quickly, set sail! Follow them!"
"Stop pushing! I boarded this ship first!"
This officer-level duel had captured the attention of nearly the entire Rocks Pirates crew.
Hundreds of pirate ships converged from all directions, encircling the desolate island completely. The decks teemed with bustling figures, roaring with clamorous excitement.
"Look over there!"
"It's Captain Rocks!"
"Not just him... All the Officers are here!"
As the high-ranking members of the Rocks Pirates appeared almost in full force, the atmosphere on the scene surged to a fever pitch once again.
Rocks stood tall at the prow of the flagship, arms crossed, his black cloak flapping sharply in the night wind.
His hawk-like gaze locked onto two figures on the barren island, a faint, amused smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
The Officers also held their breath, watching every movement on the island intently.