Chapter 25
A month had passed since the Rocks Pirates visited Elbaf. Today was another recruitment day for Rocks.
Ron sat with the other cadres while Gloriousa rested on his lap. He had no interest in recruitment and was busy stroking her hair lazily.
"Gurarara, still not interested in recruitment?" Newgate asked. Ron waved dismissively. "It doesn't really matter."
Rocks grinned. "Alright, let's start the show." The pirates below cheered as the fighting began.
Ron's eyes were drawn to a tall figure with horns. "Kaido?" he murmured.
Gloriousa glanced at Kaido but quickly lost interest. "You're interested in him?" she asked.
Ron nodded. "Yeah, but not in the way you think." He was more interested in his future father-in-law.
'Now that I think about it… Kaido had a Lunarian first mate. Albert, I think? After meeting Kaido, he took the name King,' Ron thought.
'The Suzaku Devil Fruit would be perfect for him. Should I interfere? Forget it.' He decided against it.
'I'll just give the Suzaku Devil Fruit to Kaido later. Once Yamato is born, I can recruit both Kaido and King,' he concluded.
Rocks and the others also noticed Kaido. "Jihahaha, a new rookie. His physique is monstrous, just like Newgate and Linlin," Shiki laughed.
Rocks watched with interest. "Vohahaha, another monster is coming. The day won't be far," he said.
Linlin licked her lips, drool forming as she stared at Kaido. "An Oni… how rare," she muttered, clearly interested.
Ron glanced at her and fell into thought. 'Is Linlin really Yamato's mother?'
'If she was, she wouldn't have left someone like Yamato with Kaido. Yamato is one of the rare few who mastered Conqueror's infusion and awakened a Mythical Zoan,' he reasoned.
Gloriousa pecked his cheek. "What are you thinking about?"
Ron shook his head. "Nothing."
Soon, Kaido joined the Rocks Pirates. The crew was finally complete.
Ron's eyes narrowed dangerously. 'It won't be long until the God Valley incident. If that bastard even looks at Shakky… he'll regret being born,' he thought coldly.
Time passed, and the New World entered a chaotic era. The Roger Pirates arrived, and destiny continued to move forward.
Ron grew to 30 meters, his strength far exceeding even that of a giant with ancient giant blood. His power was catching up to his early-matured body.
Ron was punching a poneglyph when he heard a shout. "Oi, Ron, get your ass here!"
He wiped the sweat and flew toward the Skull Dome with a flap of his wings.
"Tsk, what do you want, you bastard?" Ron asked, annoyed.
Rocks looked at him. "The Roger Pirates have been spotted heading to Ripple Kingdom. Go and recruit them."
"Oh, the Roger Pirates? I don't think they'll join. Even though they're weaker than us, they're still a crew that can't be taken lightly," Ron said calmly.
"Besides, having them around makes the WG unable to focus only on us. It's better to let them be," he added.
Rocks rolled his eyes. "Just go and do what you're told."
Ron shrugged and walked toward Stussy's room. Newgate and Shiki were out, so he had no choice but to take her ship.
He knocked on her door. "Oi, Stussy, come out. Let's go on a trip."
Stussy opened the door, glaring at him. "Can't you make your own ship? Why do I always have to give you a ride?"
Ron glared back. "Tsk, fine. Don't come begging me for money later."
Stussy froze. As an information broker, no amount of money was ever enough for her.
Before she could respond, Ron turned and walked away.
"Wait! Ron, I was kidding!" she shouted, chasing after him.
Meanwhile, in the Room of Authority at the Holy Land, the Five Elders sat reviewing reports.
"The Rocks Pirates are growing out of control," one said. "They've attacked multiple Heavenly Tribute ships in the past few months."
"And they show no signs of stopping. We've lost too much. The New World is practically outside of WG control now," another added.
"But the most concerning one is Ron," one of them said, and the room fell silent.
"His strength is growing rapidly. We must stop him soon, or he will become a monster even we cannot handle," he continued.
"And there's also the possibility of that Devil Fruit choosing him and revealing itself," another added.
"We cannot allow that to happen. That monster and that Devil Fruit together would be a nightmare equal to—" one began.
"If we don't deal with him soon, the Great One may have to handle him personally," another finished.
"But this could also be a chance. If that Devil Fruit appears for him, we might finally obtain the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhogg," one suggested.
"If we secure it before it reaches Ron, the Great One will be pleased," he added.
Unbeknownst to them, the Devil Fruit had already chosen Ron—and been rejected. If they found out, their reactions would be worth seeing.
"Raise Ron's bounty to 2 billion," the order was given.
At Marine Headquarters, Kong slammed the report onto the table. "What kind of nonsense is this?"
"Raising his bounty to 2 billion and giving him a title will only make him more famous," he growled.
Garp burst into the room. "Oi, old man Kong, Roger is in the New World. I'm heading there."
His eyes fell on Ron's poster. "Bahaha, that bastard got his bounty raised!" he laughed.
Kong's mouth twitched. "Garp, you're going after Roger, not Ron. Stay away from Ron."
He was still furious because Garp kept causing him trouble with the Elders.
"Bahaha, of course I'm going after Roger," Garp said as he walked away.
'But if I meet Ron on the way… that's not my fault,' he thought with a grin.