Post-Battle Growth

Post-Battle Growth

Even though Roger was furious, there was nothing he could do. He could not beat Rocks, so he could only swallow his frustration.

"Captain, don't get any bad ideas, or our voyage will end right here."

Seeing the annoyed look on his Captain's face, Rayleigh offered a well-meaning reminder.

He was genuinely afraid Roger would lose his mind and lead the Roger Pirates into a fight against the Rocks Pirates.

If that really happened, the Roger Pirates might be wiped out, and their journey would end there.

"Ha ha ha! Rayleigh, don't worry. Unless I'm confident I can defeat Rocks, I won't do anything foolish."

Roger laughed loudly.

Roger could be foolish and stubborn at times, but he was not brainless.

Anyone who knew they could not win and still charged headfirst into a fight would not survive long in this cruel world.

"That's good, that's good. Your expression just now was a little too dangerous."

Rayleigh sighed in relief. Seeing that Roger was still rational, he felt much more at ease.

"Oh? The Rocks Pirates have a new face. What a young monster—becoming an officer at sixteen. His future is limitless. It would be great if we could poach him for our Pirate Crew."

Roger said in surprise as he looked at the wanted poster for the Rocks Pirates new officer.

"Forget it. The Rocks Pirates are far stronger than our Pirate Crew. How could he possibly let you poach him? Be realistic, will you?"

Rayleigh said, covering his forehead.

"Rayleigh, you're giving them too much credit. What's wrong with our Pirate Crew? We're the freest Pirate Crew in the world!"

Roger declared loudly.

"Yes, yes. Our Pirate Crew can barely afford to throw a banquet now. As the Captain, shouldn't you think about how to increase our income? Otherwise, in half a month, we'll all be living on air."

Rayleigh said helplessly.

"Ha ha ha! Rayleigh, you're the First Mate in charge of our Pirate Crew's finances. You should be the one figuring that out. To celebrate the Rocks Pirates gaining a young new officer, let's hold a banquet!"

Roger turned his head away from Rayleigh and burst into laughter.

On the prosperous Steller Island near the Red Line Continent, Li Yuan's master, Louis, had concealed his identity and lived an ordinary life.

"Li Yuan, it seems you've gotten quite a bit closer to your goal!"

Louis looked at the newspaper in his hand, which carried a photograph of Li Yuan.

Standing around Li Yuan were the other Rocks Pirates Officers, along with Rocks himself. The newspaper's headline read: Rocks Pirates New Officer Li Yuan!

Hachinosu Island

After the banquet ended, most of the pirates on the island were dead drunk. Even Whitebeard, who had previously come to Li Yuan to mooch drinks, was sprawled on the ground, snoring loudly.

The entire Hachinosu Island abruptly fell silent after the bustle and clamor of the banquet.

After eating and drinking his fill, Li Yuan got up and left, returning to his own ship. He did not have a habit of sleeping on the floor.

"Senior Brother, you're back!!!"

Although it was already the middle of the night, many of his junior brothers and Lazuli were still awake, waiting for Li Yuan to return.

Now that Li Yuan was back, they were happy and their worries finally eased.

"I've joined the Rocks Pirates and become a Rocks Pirates Officer. From now on, if anyone causes trouble on Hachinosu Island and you can't beat them, give them my name!"

Looking at his junior brothers, weak though they were, he would not despise them, much less abandon them because of it.

After all, in this world, these junior brothers had accompanied him as he grew up. Li Yuan held a special affection for them.

He also hoped that when he someday reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship and the pinnacle of the world, someone would be there to share that joy with him and look down upon the world's scenery by his side.

"A Rocks Pirates Officer? That's wonderful, Senior Brother!!"

"Long live Senior Brother!!"

"Senior Brother is amazing!!"

"..."

Since Li Yuan had told them all to stay on the ship earlier, they did not know that he had become a Rocks Pirates Officer. That was why they were so happy upon hearing the news now.

"All right, go get some rest."

Li Yuan waved them off and told them to rest. Even if they were not tired, he was utterly exhausted.

After fighting John at full strength for an entire day, he had reached his limit. Although his injuries and physical strength had now recovered, he was still mentally exhausted.

Seeing that Li Yuan was going to rest, Lazuli thoughtfully followed him inside. She wanted to take good care of Li Yuan so he could rest better.

The next morning, Li Yuan's biological clock woke him on time. After getting up, he covered the still-sleeping Lazuli with a blanket and left the room.

"This was my first time fighting someone stronger than me with all my strength. After just one battle, I can feel that my strength has improved considerably. My Armament Haki has also become heavier, tougher, and more solid than before."

"No wonder everyone says that fighting the strong is the fastest way to improve."

Seeing his progress so clearly, Li Yuan could not help but sigh.

No wonder Luffy improved so quickly in the original story. Every time, he was beaten half to death by his enemies.

Then, after recovering, he would become much stronger than before and defeat his opponent.

After defeating the enemy, he would fall into a near-death state himself. Once he was saved again, his strength would surge forward once more.

This cycle of fighting, near death, recovery, greatly increased strength, defeating the enemy, near death again, recovering once more, and another huge increase in strength.

Anyone unaware of the truth might think Luffy possessed a Saiyan constitution, gaining power every time he recovered from an injury.

"Still, battles like this don't happen often. This time was an accident."

There were simply not many opportunities in reality to improve one's strength this way.

Reality was not a novel's plot, and Li Yuan would not gamble with his life on stronger opponents failing to kill him.