"Speaking of which, Ron." Rocks suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Did you do something to that guy? He seemed very interested in you."
"Imu?" Ron asked in return.
Whitebeard and Rocks both raised their brows slightly, a hint of surprise appearing on their faces. "You know him?"
Ron shook his head, but still came up with an explanation for himself. "A long time ago, I saw an ancient stone tablet on an island. His portrait was carved on it, along with some records about him."
No sooner had Ron finished than Rocks laughed. He raised his fist and lightly punched Ron's shoulder, cursing, "You bastard, don't take me for a fool."
"..."
The corner of Ron's mouth twitched slightly.
What the hell? This wasn't how the script was supposed to go! My bluff failed?
Whitebeard said nothing, merely watching Rocks curiously. He actually hadn't doubted Ron's words much.
"I know far more about the truth of this world than you imagine. That supposedly perfect excuse of yours has too many holes, Ron," Rocks said calmly.
Ron sighed softly and shrugged, as if giving up the struggle. "All right, then let me tell you a secret. I actually don't belong here. I come from a very distant planet, and all of you are part of a story written by people on that planet. I happened to have read it, so I know a lot of things."
After he finished, his gaze swept across the three faces.
Whitebeard, Rocks, and Kaido all wore the exact same expression.
That expression roughly translated to: do I look like an idiot to you?
"What? You don't believe me?"
"What do you think?"
Ron shrugged helplessly and merely smiled faintly, offering no further explanation.
Much later. East Blue.
In an unnamed stretch of reefs,