Hachinosu Island.
"Bai Ye, come out quickly! I want to challenge you!"
Kaido roared, tightly gripping his kanabo as he constantly searched for Bai Ye's whereabouts.
Ever since his last defeat by Bai Ye, Kaido had reflected deeply and ultimately concluded that he had been defeated by Bai Ye's treachery.
And so, for a long time, Kaido had continuously sought Bai Ye for duels.
Kaido fought Bai Ye not to prove how amazing he was, but to tell everyone that what he had lost, he would definitely take back with his own hands!
But after being beaten by Bai Ye seven times in a row, each beating harsher than the last, Kaido fell into deep self-doubt.
However, he ultimately reflected deeply and, adhering to the principle of 'if you can't kill them, keep fighting,' he would seek Bai Ye for a fight as soon as his injuries recovered.
The benefit was evident: each time, he found himself able to last a little longer, which was a form of progress!
As a result, Kaido's attempts to find Bai Ye became increasingly frequent; sometimes, he would even come looking for a fight before his injuries had fully healed.
"That hothead is looking for a fight with you again, huh?"
Captain John took a gulp of his drink, listening to Kaido's agitated shouts outside as he searched for Bai Ye. He glanced at Bai Ye and couldn't help but tease him.
He truly was a hothead.
At first, he thought Kaido couldn't swallow his defeat, which was why he challenged Bai Ye, but later he realized that Kaido was simply no match for Bai Ye.
Yet he persistently sought Bai Ye for challenges; John wouldn't agree unless there was some inclination in that regard!
"I don't want to go. There's no point in beating him up either."
Bai Ye shook his head. As for beating Kaido, he initially found it very satisfying, but over time, Bai Ye realized that Kaido seemed to have gotten addicted to being beaten.
He would come for a beating every other day, which somewhat annoyed him.
"He'll probably find me here soon. Speaking of which, what do you think of Rocks's plan?"
Although Captain John was already quite drunk, deep down, he actually had some other thoughts about Rocks's plan.
This trip to God Valley, the most important things were those two Devil Fruits.
However, because Bai Ye was going to help Rocks execute a secret mission, Rocks had already internally designated the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi for Bai Ye. That left one Blue Dragon Fruit, which many Captains in the pirate crew had their eyes on.
Even if they didn't eat it themselves, giving it to someone else would work; once this fruit was eaten, it would definitely create a super pirate.
But Captain John wasn't interested in either of those. His greatest passion in life was collecting treasure, and in this game of hunting Celestial Dragons, besides Devil Fruits, the most abundant prize was treasure.
So Captain John's path was different from theirs; he wanted to get the treasure. And since Bai Ye had already eaten a fruit and had another internally designated by Rocks, Captain John thought that Bai Ye might not be interested in the remaining Blue Dragon Fruit.
Therefore, Captain John wanted to win over Bai Ye to plunder the treasure together.
Two people were always better than one; worst case, they could just split the treasure equally later.
However, before that, he needed to confirm Bai Ye's thoughts.
There was also this reason for drinking with Bai Ye today.
"If it's just about taking those things, there's a high probability there won't be any problems!"
Actually, Rocks's plan last time told them to reclaim their original treasures and, incidentally, plunder God Valley clean.
This was very much in line with a pirate's style.
If Rocks had only done this, he wouldn't have died in God Valley.
It was just that Rocks had made further changes to the original plan.
Everyone was gathered together for profit; no one would truly risk their lives for the Rocks Pirates.
In the pirate world, everyone ultimately had their own dreams. Under this premise, if your dream couldn't be recognized by others, and you lacked strength and charisma, then no one would be willing to follow you.
Especially a group of great pirates like this, their ambitions were not to remain as subordinates in a pirate crew.
"But I see that Rocks's objective isn't simple!"
John seemed to be getting drunker. Although he was greedy for money, he wasn't a fool and knew that Rocks's ambitions were far-reaching.
If Rocks was merely trying to reclaim two fruits and some treasure, he wouldn't have gathered so many people to go to God Valley.
"You know that and you still dare to go?"
Bai Ye looked at Captain John in surprise. Since he knew, why was he still going?
Speaking of which, this guy was quite timid, yet he dared to participate in such a matter.
"The Celestial Dragons' treasure must be considerable. Worst case, after I get it, I'll immediately return to the New World. I don't believe they'll come to the New World to chase after this batch of treasure!"
People die for wealth, just as birds die for food.
Captain John always believed in the principle that if there was treasure, he had to get his hands on it.
"Old John, have you ever thought about what you plan to do after this incident is over? Form your own pirate crew or continue to stay with the Rocks Pirates?"
Bai Ye looked at John curiously. The Rocks Pirates wasn't a pure pirate crew.
Everyone had answered Rocks's call and subsequently joined the Rocks Pirates.
But after this incident, Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Charlotte Linlin had clearly stated that they would leave the pirate crew.
They had their own dreams, and Rocks didn't refuse. However, Wang Zhi, John, and Silver Axe had never stated their intentions.
As for Bai Ye's stance, no one else had ever asked. Most of them basically believed that Bai Ye would eventually choose to stay with the Rocks Pirates, even Rocks thought so.
"Me?"
Captain John looked up at the ceiling, a trace of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.
His entire life seemed to be lived for treasure. Even if he died, he wanted to die on the path of seeking treasure.
"I don't know either. Maybe I'll continue to stay with the Rocks Pirates, or maybe I'll leave the Rocks Pirates and form a pirate crew specifically for treasure hunting. Bai Ye, let me tell you, when you see piles and piles of treasure all stacked together, eventually forming a gold mountain even taller than a small hill, you'll understand how amazing that feeling is!"
By the end, Captain John couldn't help but brag to Bai Ye.
The first time he collected his first pot of gold, John looked at the glittering treasure before him and secretly vowed in his heart that he would make money!
As for those romantic love stories?
He didn't want to hear them. He only wanted to become richer than everyone else!
"Bai Ye, you'll leave the Rocks Pirates, right?"
Captain John looked at Bai Ye with a slightly meaningful gaze, then lowered his head and continued drinking.
Basically, everyone thought he was Rocks's subordinate and would definitely stay with the Rocks Pirates for life.
But only John believed that Bai Ye would absolutely not be content to stay with the Rocks Pirates?
Looking at Bai Ye's slightly surprised expression, John's lips curved into a slight smile: "I'm not a fool, and besides, I've been with you for so long, I know you're a guy with your own ambition. Do you remember when you climbed Sky Island? At that time, watching you slowly climb up, I knew you wouldn't be content to be beneath others. From the moment you got the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, I also knew you succeeded.
A person with the ambition to become king, a guy who wants to pull even gods down, how could he possibly submit to others?"
John mumbled at the end, then collapsed onto the table, his soft snores making it seem as if he had just been talking in his sleep.
"You're truly surprising, John. After this, would you like to join my pirate crew?"
A silent answer.
Bai Ye didn't mind. He patted John's shoulder, then stood up and walked outside.
Watching Bai Ye's back, John opened his eyes slightly, mumbled something under his breath, then closed his eyes again, no longer paying attention to Bai Ye.
He opened the door, and the dazzling light streamed into the room through the crack in the door.
Outside the door, Kaido, holding his kanabo, looked at Bai Ye with an excited expression: "You're here after all, Bai Ye! Come and duel me!"
He had searched all over Hachinosu Island earlier but couldn't find Bai Ye. Then he thought Bai Ye might be with John, as Bai Ye and John had always had a good relationship.
"Not coming, Kaido. You're too weak right now. Improve your strength and then come fight me!"
Bai Ye shook his head. He didn't want to fight Kaido; it was a waste of time.
But Kaido was somewhat displeased. His strength was indeed not great, but Bai Ye's words clearly showed contempt for him. What did he mean, 'you're too weak, improve your strength and then come fight him!'
"Kaido, then I'll give you one more chance. When you become stronger, come and challenge me. If you lose next time, you must become my subordinate!"
"How could that be!!! I will absolutely not become anyone's subordinate!"
Kaido actually admired Rocks greatly and had sincerely joined the Rocks Pirates, but he didn't consider himself Rocks's subordinate.
And Bai Ye was now asking him to become his subordinate.
This was something he absolutely would not allow!
"Kaido, you think about it. I have things to do, so I'm leaving first."
Bai Ye had actually considered inviting Kaido to join his pirate crew, but Kaido himself was an unstable element.
He possessed all the cunning and deceit of a pirate, and sometimes also the loyalty of a pirate, but Kaido was fundamentally a person with strong personal opinions. Having Kaido join him wouldn't be a simple matter, and he would also have to consider whether he could suppress Kaido later on.
Indeed, the Rocks Pirates had many talented individuals. If Charlotte Linlin could change her mindset, he could also try to win her over later. A pirate crew with two Four Emperors, but unfortunately, Charlotte Linlin's thinking had truly been completely led astray.
Originally, a person with even greater talent than Kaido, she ended up ruining herself by having children.
As for Whitebeard and Golden Lion, Bai Ye had never considered them.
The two of them had clear goals of their own. Wang Zhi also had his own ideas. To be honest, Bai Ye didn't think much of Silver Axe, and their relationship wasn't deep.
So, if he were to leave the Rocks Pirates, the people he most wanted to take with him were John and Kaido.
Looking at Bai Ye's back, Kaido's expression fluctuated between dark and bright. He was unwilling to be someone else's subordinate for life; he had his own dream. Also, due to past betrayal experiences, he couldn't bring himself to trust others.
Who could know if he would be betrayed again next time?
Only by having strength and controlling everything could he ensure he wouldn't be betrayed!
"You're here?"
Rocks was sitting with his legs crossed, his feet resting on the table. He smiled as he pushed away the two women beside him, then sat up to face Bai Ye and said, "I'm preparing to make my move. You should get ready to go to Sabaody Archipelago. Take this Den Den Mushi; I'll notify you in advance if there's any action!"
The Celestial Dragons had already headed towards God Valley. According to intelligence, it would begin in a few days.
The Rocks Pirates also needed to go early, and Bai Ye needed to go to Sabaody Archipelago first at this time.
"Are you so sure that Celestial Dragons will be there that day?"
Bai Ye took the Den Den Mushi and looked at Rocks with some curiosity.
Celestial Dragons didn't actually go to Sabaody Archipelago every day, especially in the current situation.
"For this, quite a few treasures were put up for auction!"
A cruel glint flashed across Rocks's face. Didn't Celestial Dragons just love collecting all sorts of treasures?
This time, he had captured a mermaid and sent her to the auction house for auction.
He had also created a stir, believing that the Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise would also know about this matter.
"Then I understand. Give me a Log Pose. I'll go to God Valley once the mission is complete!"
Bai Ye asked Rocks for an Eternal Pose to God Valley.
"Take it. Alright, go early!"
Saying that, Rocks threw an Eternal Pose to Bai Ye and then told Bai Ye to leave early.
"Oh, right, after this incident is over, have you thought about what you want to do?"
"I'll probably leave."
"Are you really not going to consider it?"
A trace of regret flashed across Rocks's face. He had originally thought that Bai Ye, who was the first to come to his aid, would stay with him forever.
He didn't expect Bai Ye to still choose to leave, but Rocks didn't mind. As long as his own pirate crew was still intact, that was fine. Others joined him for profit, and he could understand that.
"Captain Rocks, our dreams are different, so I think it might be better if I leave!"
Rocks could be considered half his teacher; many things were taught by Rocks. Since Rocks had asked, if Bai Ye still hid his true intentions, he would only appear hypocritical.
He didn't hesitate to lay his cards on the table with Rocks.
Their dreams were incompatible!
"You're right. Dreams, huh? Then after this incident, go and pursue your dream properly!!!"