Rocks's battle against the two CP0 agents had no suspense.
After ten minutes of fighting, the two CP0 agents collapsed from exhaustion, while Rocks had merely expended a great deal of stamina.
However, Rocks was dissatisfied with his performance.
The two CP0 agents had already been badly wounded and could barely move, which gave him the chance to wear them down. Even in the end, he had not truly defeated them—they had resolutely swallowed lethal poison after realizing they had no chance of escape.
Magnus did not stop them.
Stopping CP0 agents from committing suicide was no simple matter. In any case, he had learned the general situation. The head of the CP Organization merely believed that, now that the White Wolf Pirates had disbanded, certain plans that had once been shelved could be set in motion again.
Carmel's side was certainly not the only one undergoing changes.
"It has been more than half a year since the pirate crew disbanded."
At first, Magnus had planned to find somewhere to retire after disbanding the crew. He could no longer fight like before—was he really supposed to risk his life over promises from the past?
But the system's appearance had changed everything.
Over the past half year, Magnus had felt his body gradually recovering. The fusion of body and skill, the awakening of Conqueror's Haki, and finally his battle with Rona had allowed Magnus to completely surpass his former self.
Ripley and Rocks were also growing at an astonishing rate.
This world was divided by the Grand Line and the Red Line into the East, South, West, and North Seas. The Grand Line was a ring-shaped stretch of ocean that intersected the Red Line perpendicularly. It was also the world's most wondrous and dangerous sea route.
Some called the first half of the Grand Line a paradise for pirates, while others called it a graveyard for pirates.
But regardless, the pirates and Marines active in the first half of the Grand Line were not particularly powerful.
The latter half of the Grand Line, the New World where Magnus and the others currently were, was where the strong belonged.
Magnus had chosen to remain in Elbaf partly because forging a ship from Adam Wood took an extremely long time for drying and preservation. Even with the Giant race's craftsmanship, building a ship took several years.
The other reason was that he wanted to train Rocks and Ripley.
The only way to become stronger was to fight the strong.
But facing enemies who were too powerful from the start was not fighting—it was seeking death.
Now, Magnus felt that even Rocks, the weakest among them, was qualified to be a crew member.
Of course, pride bred complacency.
Until Rocks defeated Ripley, he could only remain an apprentice.
With three people on a ship, someone had to handle the odd jobs, right?
After Magnus and his group brought Gulz and Hajrudin back to Elbaf, they received an enthusiastic welcome from the giants.
Especially after learning that Ripley had single-handedly beaten three CP0 agents into grievous injuries, the old giant Yoruru happily drank three huge barrels of Green Fairy in a row. Once drunk, he seemed to remember something and, red-faced, shouted that he wanted to challenge Magnus to a duel.
Naturally, Ripley could not allow the old man to challenge her captain, so she decisively knocked Yoruru unconscious and sent him into an infant-like sleep.
At the banquet, Magnus clinked glasses with Harald.
"Harald, I may not be able to keep my promise."
"Oh?"
"I had originally planned to stay in Elbaf for two years, until Rocks had grown stronger and Ripley had become even more powerful before setting sail again."
Magnus poured liquor into a cup larger than his own body.
"But plans cannot keep up with changes."
Smiling, Magnus pointed toward the sea. "The sea is calling for me. This world has already prepared a stage for me. If I refuse it, then I would be far too ungracious."
Magnus's gaze blazed brightly.
After his battle with Rona, what he had done in Elbaf would definitely be exposed. If the World Government's army marched upon them, Elbaf might not be able to withstand that pressure.
After all, those old monsters of the World Government had long found the giants displeasing. They simply had not made up their minds yet.
Magnus did not want to become the spark that set it off.
At least, not yet.
"What about your ship?"
As the king of Elbaf, Harald naturally understood what Magnus had considered. It was simply that some things could not be said by him.
"I'll leave it with you for now."
Magnus laughed heartily. An Adam Wood ship would take quite some time to finish anyway, especially since Magnus wanted to build a large ship that could comfortably accommodate even a giant like Ripley. That would take even longer.
Magnus had originally been unable to make up his mind, but after Ripley ate the Mini Fruit, one of the most practical problems had also been solved.
"I can only let my old partner work a little longer."
Elbaf had no other ships, so Magnus could only bring his old partner back into service and have the Black Pearl hold on for a while longer.
This might be the Black Pearl's final voyage.
"Carmel, Linlin will stay in Elbaf for now. She's too large—the Black Pearl can't accommodate her."
Magnus found Sister Carmel.
"I'll come pick her up before Elbaf's next Winter Solstice Festival."
As long as she did not go hungry, Charlotte Linlin's Gluttony Disorder would not flare up easily. Magnus had originally wanted to take her along, but given Charlotte Linlin's weight, he feared she would crush the Black Pearl outright.
The Black Pearl was already so old. It could not endure much more abuse.
"Leave her to me."
Carmel sighed as she looked at the gray-bearded Magnus.
She wanted to persuade him, but did not know where to begin.
"Don't die out there."
"Puhahaha! Carmel, even if you die, I won't."
"...Get lost!"
Carmel took back the sadness she had felt a moment ago. This man really was as annoying as ever!
However, before leaving—
Magnus looked at the sole mission on his system panel.
Mission: Defeat Giant King Harald! Unbelievable! Elbaf's giant king is actually willing to have a fair one-on-one duel with you. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Mission Reward: Conqueror's Haki strength increased, cell vitality increased. (Incomplete)
After battling Rona, Magnus had clearly realized that Haki could only improve through fighting the strong.
With Magnus's current strength, only the world's absolute top powerhouses could put pressure on him.
Ten years ago.
Magnus and Harald had both only touched that threshold, yet neither could step through it.
Ten years later.
Magnus looked at Harald as Conqueror's Haki rose from his body.
"Harald, let's fight!"
"Alright!"
Though he cherished peace in his heart, Harald had never feared a challenge.
The same Conqueror's Haki rose from Harald's body.
Black-and-crimson lightning intertwined and collided.
No one knew who won that battle.
They only knew that Elbaf's Underworld shook for three full days.
Then—
Two blood-covered men sat atop mountains that had been flattened, raised their cups, drank together, and burst into laughter in unison.
One week later.
The White Wolf Pirates left Elbaf.
Before you continue