Shiki stared into Luo Tian's eyes, waiting for an answer.
There was anticipation in those golden pupils, along with confidence and an almost obsessive ambition.
Luo Tian fell silent for a moment.
After a long while, he spoke slowly, his voice calm but firm:
"Shiki, I'm sorry."
"I appreciate the offer, but I have to refuse."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Shiki's eyes.
But Luo Tian's next words brought him some relief:
"I have my own path to follow. There's no denying it, Shiki, Newgate—you've both given me a lot of guidance lately."
"But I joined in the first place to use this massive force as a stepping stone to the top of the sea!"
He paused and looked at Shiki.
"Still, I can promise you this: I'll stay aboard your ship for now, until the Rocks Pirates' flag falls."
"After that day... I'll go forge a path of my own."
A flicker of almost imperceptible approval crossed Whitebeard's eyes.
This was the kind of spirit a pirate ought to have.
He wasn't shackled by wealth or bound by power. He pursued only the deepest desires of his heart—and freedom.
But Shiki's ambition was far greater than that.
"Gyahahaha... You're quite the kid, Luo Tian! You're still just the same!" Shiki burst into laughter.
"Shiki, looks like you'll never grow out of that thick-skinned habit of yours."
Whitebeard's deep voice cut in, carrying a hint of mockery:
"Luo Tian is destined to surpass us. When that happens, are you really willing to hand over the captain's seat and become his second-in-command?"
He wasn't belittling Shiki. He just wanted him to face reality.
Luo Tian might well reach heights beyond what either of them could attain.
A single ship couldn't hold two kings.
Whitebeard himself had no ambition to conquer the four seas like Shiki.
All he wanted was a group of sons he could treat as family—a real "family."
That was why he understood Luo Tian's choice all the better. A true powerhouse would never be content to stay beneath someone else forever.
Unusually, Shiki didn't immediately argue back.
He fell silent for a brief moment.
Seeing this, Luo Tian reached out and patted Shiki on the shoulder, his tone half consoling, half joking:
"Don't look so down, Shiki. How about this? If you can beat me fair and square one day, I'll join your crew."
It was just a joke meant to lighten the mood.
But Shiki took him seriously.
"Luo Tian—then let's settle this right now!"
Those words seemed to ignite Shiki's fighting spirit in an instant.
He jerked his head up, his eyes blazing as he challenged Luo Tian.
He was absolutely confident—or, rather, almost arrogantly certain.
At least for now, Luo Tian was at most his equal. There was no way he could beat him.
And that was Shiki's chance.
If Luo Tian fell to him, their vision of conquering the sea together would take its most crucial step forward.
"Hey, hey... Shiki, are you serious?!"
Luo Tian was taken aback.
He'd only meant to placate him. He hadn't expected Shiki to take him at his word.
Even Whitebeard was stunned. He hadn't expected Shiki to challenge Luo Tian so directly.
"Of course I'm serious! Don't forget what you just said.
"If you lose, you join my crew!
"And if I lose, I'll never bring this up again!"
Fine. If that was how it was, then this fight would put an end to Shiki's hopes once and for all—and spare him endless trouble in the future.
Luo Tian's thoughts turned.
"Ding! Special story event detected—Golden Lion Shiki's challenge!"
"Mission: Accept the challenge and defeat Golden Lion Shiki!"
"Reward: Advanced Conqueror's Haki techniques!"
A glint flashed deep in Luo Tian's eyes.
Looks like this fight was unavoidable.
"Shiki, if you insist, then I'll give you what you want!"
"Have you heard?! Officer Luo Tian is going to duel Officer Shiki!"
"It's true! We haven't seen a clash between officers in years! We can't miss this!"
"Who do you think is stronger... Officer Luo Tian or Lord Shiki?"
"Obviously Lord Shiki! He's a great swordsman famous across the sea, and the Float-Float Fruit makes him even more formidable!
"Officer Luo Tian may be impressive, but he's still too young..."
"Bullshit! Officer Luo Tian went head-to-head with the Marines' Black Arm, Zephyr!
"Last time we stole the Heavenly Tribute, Garp came after us. Officer Luo Tian was the one who went to meet him, and they fought until heaven and earth shook without either one gaining the upper hand!"
The pirates nearby chattered and argued. Every face was filled with excitement and anticipation for the duel.
The pirate world ran on the law of the jungle; conflict was in their very nature.
They usually settled grudges with bloody fights, and that was nothing unusual among the Rocks Pirates.
But a formal duel between officers was extremely rare.
To them, clashes between powerhouses were an unparalleled spectacle.
News of the coming showdown between Luo Tian and Shiki swept across Beehive Island like wildfire.
The already raucous banquet was thoroughly set alight, its excitement reaching a fever pitch.
Pirates who'd heard the news streamed in from every corner of the island, surrounding the place where the two stood until not even a gap remained.
Quite a few officers were drawn by the commotion, too.
The crowd continued to gather, leaving an open space at the center and surrounding Luo Tian and Shiki.
Seeing Luo Tian rise to accept the challenge, Shiki looked like victory was already his.
"That guy... Still as full of himself as ever." Whitebeard shook his head and muttered softly.
Hadn't he realized it yet? Luo Tian was no longer the rookie who'd just joined the ship.
Now... he was strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the core officers—and in some ways, he was even more troublesome!
"Come on. Same spot as always!"
Shiki tipped back the jar and drained the last of the fine liquor, then casually tossed it behind him.
In the next instant, he shot toward a nearby deserted island like a cannonball.
Luo Tian didn't move from where he stood, yet it was as if he'd stepped through space itself. His figure blurred, and he followed close behind at nearly instantaneous speed.
The pirates on Beehive Island were now completely worked into a frenzy, their roars shaking the heavens.
"Set sail! Hurry up! Follow them!"
"Quit shoving! I got on this ship first!"
The clash between the officers had caught the attention of nearly the entire Rocks Pirates.
Hundreds of pirate ships sailed in from all directions and surrounded the deserted island. Their decks were packed with people, the noise rising to a deafening roar.
"Look over there!"
"It's Captain Rocks!"
"Not just him... All the officers are here!"
With nearly all the higher-ups of the Rocks Pirates showing up, the atmosphere reached another fever pitch.
Rocks stood at the prow of the flagship with his arms crossed, his black cloak snapping in the night wind.
His hawk-like gaze fixed on the two figures on the deserted island, a hint of amusement curling his lips.
The other officers held their breath, watching every movement on the island intently.
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