"This... this... that..."
The King's eyes darted evasively as he struggled intensely within.
How could he not be tempted by such an immense treasure?
Although the Glacier Treasure nominally belonged to the Happo Navy's inheritance, since his coronation, he had secretly coveted it deep down.
It was only due to the formidable strength and prestige of the current Happo Navy leader, Chinjao, that he hadn't dared to make a move.
Now, if the Rocks Pirates were to take it away... the mere thought made his heart bleed with unbearable reluctance.
The King pleaded pitifully: "That Glacier Treasure is an heirloom of the Happo Navy. Even I, as King, dare not touch it without permission...
Leader Chinjao is immensely powerful and hot-tempered. If he finds out I brought you there, he'll skin me alive!"
His words were half-truths, both an excuse and a subtle attempt to redirect the conflict toward Chinjao.
After all, the treasure wasn't entirely his to begin with. If he could make Raiver Sky and Chinjao destroy each other...
Dark thoughts flashed through the King's mind.
However, his feigned helplessness and fear were crystal clear to Raiver Sky.
Advanced Observation Haki not only predicted movements but also sensed emotions and lies.
"I'll only say this one last time."
Raiver Sky spoke coldly, his impatience showing:
"Otherwise, I won't mind making the Kano Country royal family... disappear completely."
Kano Country's territory was vast. Searching for the Glacier Treasure's exact location alone would inevitably take time.
For efficiency's sake, he had directly approached the nation's highest ruler.
"Sir... you're making this very difficult for me." The King continued his pitiful act.
"Difficult? Then don't bother!" As the words fell, Raiver Sky tightened his grip slightly on the King.
The King instantly felt an irresistible force crushing his entire body. His organs seemed on the verge of displacement, a sweet taste rose in his throat, and he couldn't hold back from spitting out a mouthful of blood!
"Sir! I'll take you there right now! Right now!!"
That nearly cost him half his life. The King begged for mercy desperately, genuinely feeling the aura of death.
He had no doubt that if he refused again, he would die on the spot.
Just as Raiver Sky was about to leave the palace, holding the ashen-faced King—
Outside the palace doors, a robust figure swaggered into the hall, surrounded by a group of elite subordinates.
The newcomer stood over five meters tall, with a build as burly as a giant bear. Most striking was the bizarre conical protrusion on his head.
He wore loose martial arts attire, a red belt tied around his waist, and arms as thick as pillars.
It was none other than the 12th leader of the Happo Navy, "Chin" Chinjao!
"This is the royal palace of Kano Country in the West Sea, not a place for you Rocks Pirates from the New World to run wild!"
Chinjao stared fixedly at the young figure holding the King beside the throne, his voice booming like a bell:
"Even if you're from the Rocks Pirates, you have no right to trample on a nation's ruler like this!"
The coastal military camp had long been infiltrated by Happo Navy spies.
The moment the massive pirate ship breached their territorial waters, the news had reached him.
At first, knowing it was a ship of the Rocks Pirates, a shadow of unease fell over his heart—the crew under that New World overlord was always filled with monsters.
But now, seeing it with his own eyes, that figure actually seemed somewhat youthful.
The West Blue was remote; surely Rocks wouldn't dispatch his strongest fighters here?
What waves could a young pirate possibly stir in the powerful Kano Country?
Thinking this, Chinjao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He had absolute confidence in his own strength.
The Eight Impact Fist—this fierce, generationally inherited martial art—had long accompanied him in battles across the seas, spreading the fame of the Happo Navy throughout the West Blue.
Even in the New World, as long as he didn't encounter legends at the pinnacle like Whitebeard or Golden Lion, he had the confidence to fight with all his might.
"Oh?"
A light scoff, devoid of emotion, echoed clearly through every corner of the hall.
Raiver Sky slowly turned around, his gaze sharp as a blade, staring straight at Chinjao.
"The Twelfth Leader of the Happo Navy, 'Chin' Chinjao—"
"Since you know who I am, why aren't you kneeling and begging for mercy?"
Seeing that the other recognized him, Chinjao's contempt grew.
Just a youngster—hearing my name should have taught him to know his place.
But before his words fully faded, his son beside him suddenly trembled violently, pointing a shaking finger at Raiver Sky, his lips quivering, unable to form a complete sentence.
"Useless fool!"
Enraged by the sight, Chinjao raised his hand to slap his son.
"—He's Raiver Sky!! Raiver Sky with a 2.5 billion berry bounty!!"
His son practically screamed with all his strength.
Chinjao's hand froze mid-air.
Raiver Sky?!
That monster whose first bounty shook the entire world? How could he possibly be in the West Blue?!
He frantically pulled out a crumpled newspaper from his chest—news that had only reached the West Blue a few days ago, bearing Raiver Sky's photo and that staggering bounty amount.
He glanced down at the paper, then up at the man in front of him.
"The Rocks Pirates are far away in the New World… Officer Raiver Sky, to what do we owe the honor of your visit to our remote West Blue?" Chinjao immediately became polite and courteous.
"Since you're here, just as well." Raiver Sky casually tossed the king aside like a dead dog, speaking without the slightest concealment:
"I want the treasure beneath the Ice Continent."
"Ouch!" The king cried out in pain as he hit the floor, but then shot a venomous glare at Chinjao.
If you had come just a moment earlier, I wouldn't be in this state!
Chinjao ignored the king's look, his face darkening completely the moment he heard the word "treasure."
As expected.
From the moment he recognized the other, he had vaguely guessed his purpose.
But that was the accumulation of eleven generations of his family! The foundation for his future ventures on the Grand Line! How could he simply hand it over?
"Old man…" his son whispered, voice filled with anxiety.
He too understood what that meant, but standing before them was Raiver Sky—with a bounty of 2.5 billion berries!
"Pirate—you go too far!!!"
Chinjao's rage and his determination to defend his family's legacy ultimately overpowered that sliver of fear evoked by Raiver Sky's name.
He roared in fury, hesitating no longer!
That was the accumulation of eleven generations of his family! The capital for Chinjao's future conquest of the seas! How could he possibly hand it over!
In an instant, his burly frame erupted with astonishing speed—a heavy fist, infused with formidable Haki and the essence of the Eight Impact Fist, tore through the air, ferociously aimed at Raiver Sky!
Chinjao had absolute confidence in his "Eight Impact Fist."
This ultimate technique, passed down through generations of the Happo Navy for a century, possesses not only astonishing destructive power but also releases a powerful, diffusing shockwave upon impact, rendering ordinary shields and defenses utterly useless.
Simultaneously, the Eight Impact Fist itself boasts exceptional defensive capabilities for dispersing force, truly embodying the unity of offense and defense.
This was his unparalleled reliance that allowed him to dominate the West Sea unchallenged.
"Eight Impact Fist Secret Art—Cone Dragon!"
Haki wrapped around his fist like a tangible substance, forming a spiraling conical energy.
Facing this heavy, shockwave-diffusing punch, Raiver Sky's expression remained as calm as still water.
He didn't even draw his blade, merely raising his right hand simply.
An invisible repulsive force highly condensed and compressed at his fist, causing the surrounding space to distort slightly.
Then, he met the punch head-on!
Not with brute force, but by concentrating the repulsive power of the "Almighty Push" at a single point on his fist, creating penetrating destructive force!
"Boom—!!!"
Fists collided!
A violent shockwave erupted with the two at its center, scattering the hall's lavish decorations and sending even the unconscious guards flying.
Immediately after, under Chinjao's disbelieving gaze, he was sent flying uncontrollably.
His feet carved two deep furrows in the ground as he staggered back over a dozen steps before barely regaining his footing.
"Damn it..." Chinjao felt a sharp, numbing pain throughout his entire right arm, his fist bone seeming on the verge of shattering, his blood and energy churning violently.
The bizarre and immense force transmitted from his opponent's fist completely exceeded his expectations.
It wasn't mere brute strength, but some kind of... spatial repulsion!
Chinjao lifted his head, staring intently at Raiver Sky, genuine gravity appearing in his eyes for the first time.
This young man...
Was far stronger than he had imagined.