Rebellion Against the Heavens! Shiki Challenges Luo Tian!

Shiki stared into Luo Tian's eyes, waiting for an answer.

In those golden pupils, there was anticipation, confidence, and an ambition that bordered on the obsessive.

Luo Tian remained silent for a moment.

After a long while, he spoke slowly, his voice calm yet firm:

"Shiki, I'm sorry."

"I appreciate your intentions, but I must refuse."

A flicker of disappointment flashed through Shiki's eyes.

But what Luo Tian said next made him feel slightly relieved:

"I have my own path to walk. I cannot deny that you and Newgate have given me a great deal of guidance during this time."

"But when I chose to join, it was always to use this massive force as a springboard to climb to the pinnacle of the sea!"

He paused, looking at Shiki:

"However, I can promise you this: until the flag of the Rocks Pirates falls, I will remain on your ship for the time being."

"But after that day... I will go and forge a path that belongs solely to me."

A trace of imperceptible approval flashed in Whitebeard's eyes.

This was the spirit a pirate ought to have.

Not trapped by gold or silver, not bound by power, but chasing the deepest desires and freedom within one's heart.

But Shiki's ambition was far greater than that.

"Gahahaha... Good lad, Luo Tian! You're still the same as ever!" Shiki burst into loud laughter.

"Shiki, it seems you'll never get rid of that thick-skinned habit of yours."

Whitebeard's deep voice cut in, carrying a hint of mockery:

"Luo Tian's achievements are destined to surpass both of yours and mine. When that day comes, would you really be willing to give up the captain's seat and serve as his subordinate?"

His words were not meant to belittle, but to make Shiki see reality.

The heights Luo Tian would reach in the future would likely tower over both of them.

A single ship could not hold two kings.

Whitebeard himself did not possess the ambition to conquer the four seas like Shiki.

What he sought was merely a group of sons he could treat as family, to build a true "family."

Therefore, he understood Luo Tian's choice better—a true powerhouse would never be content to remain under someone else forever.

For once, Shiki did not immediately retort.

He fell into a brief silence.

Seeing this, Luo Tian reached out and patted Shiki on the shoulder, his tone half-comforting and half-joking:

"Don't look so dejected, Shiki. How about this: the day you can defeat me fair and square, I'll join your crew."

This was meant to be a lighthearted remark to ease the tension.

But Shiki took it seriously.

"Luo Tian—then let's decide the winner right now!"

This sentence seemed to ignite Shiki's fighting spirit instantly.

He looked up abruptly, flames burning in his eyes as he issued a challenge to Luo Tian.

He possessed absolute confidence, or rather, a near-arrogant certainty.

At the very least, at this moment, Luo Tian was at most his equal; it was impossible for him to defeat him.

And this was his chance.

As long as Luo Tian was defeated by his hand, the blueprint for them to rule the sea together would take its most critical step.

"Hey, hey... Shiki, are you for real?!"

Luo Tian was slightly stunned.

He had only intended to appease him; he hadn't expected the other man to take it to heart.

Even Whitebeard was taken aback; he hadn't expected Shiki to challenge Luo Tian so directly.

"Of course I'm serious! Don't you forget what you just said."

"If you lose, you have to join my crew!"

"Conversely, if I lose, I will never bring this matter up again!"

Very well, since that's the case, I will use this battle to put an end to Shiki's thoughts once and for all, and save myself from endless entanglement in the future.

Thoughts raced through Luo Tian's mind.

Ding! Special plot node detected—Golden Lion Shiki's challenge!

"Mission Objective: Accept the challenge and defeat Golden Lion Shiki!"

"Mission Reward: Advanced Conqueror's Haki mastery!"

A flash of light flickered deep within the eyes of Luo Tian.

It seemed this battle was unavoidable.

"Shiki, since you insist, then I shall grant your wish!"

"Have you heard?! Executive Luo Tian is going to duel with Executive Shiki!"

"It's absolutely true! A duel between executives—how many years has it been since we've seen one? We absolutely cannot miss this!"

"Who do you think is stronger... Executive Luo Tian or Lord Shiki?"

"Don't be stupid, Lord Shiki, of course! He is a world-renowned master swordsman, and the power of the Float-Float Fruit makes him even more formidable! Executive Luo Tian might be impressive, but he is ultimately too young..."

"Bullshit! Executive Luo Tian is the man who went head-to-head with 'Black Arm' Zephyr of the Navy! After we snatched the Heavenly Tribute last time, Garp chased us down, and it was Executive Luo Tian who stepped up to meet him, fighting until the sky turned dark with neither side gaining the upper hand!"

The surrounding pirates discussed the matter fervently, unable to reach a consensus, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation for the duel.

In the world of pirates, the law of the jungle prevails; conflict is a nature carved into their very bones.

Daily grievances are usually settled through bloody slaughter, a common occurrence within the Rocks Pirates.

However, such a formal duel between executives is extremely rare.

For them, the collision between powerhouses is an irreplaceable feast.

The news of the upcoming duel between Luo Tian and Shiki swept through Beehive Island like a wildfire.

The originally boisterous atmosphere of the banquet was completely ignited, boiling over to its peak.

Pirates who heard the news swarmed from every corner of the island, surrounding the location of the two men until not even a drop of water could pass through.

Even many executives were stirred by the commotion.

At this moment, the crowd continued to gather, leaving an open space in the center and surrounding Luo Tian and Shiki.

Seeing Luo Tian rise to accept the challenge, Shiki wore an expression of absolute certainty.

"This guy... still as arrogant as ever." Whitebeard shook his head and whispered softly.

Has he still not realized? Luo Tian is no longer the newcomer who just boarded the ship.

He is now... an existence capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with core executives like them, and in some aspects, even more troublesome!

"Let's go, the usual spot!"

Shiki tilted his head back to drain the last drop of fine wine from the jar before tossing it behind him.

Immediately after, his figure shot off like a cannonball, flying rapidly toward a nearby deserted island.

Luo Tian did not move from his spot, yet his feet seemed to shatter the space beneath him; his figure blurred, and he followed closely behind at a speed akin to teleportation.

At this moment, the pirates on Beehive Island fell into a complete frenzy, their roars shaking the heavens and the earth.

"Set sail! Hurry, set sail! Follow them!"

"Don't push! I got on this ship first!"

This duel between executives attracted the attention of almost every member of the Rocks Pirates.

Hundreds of pirate ships sailed from all directions, surrounding the deserted island, their decks packed with people and filled with deafening clamor.

"Look over there!"

"It's Captain Rocks!"

"Not just him... all the executives are here!"

As almost the entire upper echelon of the Rocks Pirates appeared, the atmosphere at the scene was pushed to its peak once again.

Rocks stood tall at the bow of the flagship, his arms crossed, his black cloak snapping in the night wind.

His hawk-like gaze locked onto the two figures on the deserted island, and a playful curve tugged at the corner of his mouth.

The other executives also held their breath, watching every move on the island with intense focus.