Learn It After One Look? Everyone Was Stunned

After arriving at the banquet hall, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, and the others immediately spotted Rocks, Whitebeard, and Rono already seated.

After greeting Rocks and Whitebeard, they all kept sizing Rono up.

They couldn't help it. The rumors about Rono were too bizarre, and they were very curious.

What's more, this also concerned today's bet.

"His Conqueror's Haki is at least on par with Whitebeard's."

After probing with Observation Haki, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, and the others reached that conclusion.

He really was impressive. He wasn't even twenty, yet his Conqueror's Haki could already match that monster, Whitebeard.

Everyone knew Whitebeard was the second most important figure in the Rocks Pirates, with strength second only to Rocks himself.

With strength like that, it was only natural that Captain Rocks valued him so highly.

"Since everyone's here, let the banquet begin."

"I held this banquet today especially to celebrate Rono joining us."

Rocks raised his cup first, and the other officers followed suit to show him respect.

"Drink your fill, have your fun, and party all you want!"

Then Rocks announced the start of the banquet, and everyone began to celebrate.

"Bring me twenty more plates of roast meat! Twenty plates each of rice cakes and vegetables, too!"

"Bring another thirty plates of that Sea King meat from earlier!"

"Where's the booze? Bring fifty more barrels! This much isn't nearly enough!"

Everyone there was a Pirate, and they all had astonishing appetites. They ordered at least twenty plates of everything.

It had to be said, the Rocks Pirates were rich. A banquet for tens of thousands of people cost at least one billion Beli at a time.

But the Rocks Pirates always targeted wealthy countries or the Heavenly Tribute, so one billion Beli wasn't much to them.

Throughout the banquet, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, Ochoku, and the others were waiting for an opportunity.

How could they find an excuse to test whether the rumors were true?

Unfortunately, they couldn't find one.

Just then, Whitebeard gave them the opportunity they needed.

Whitebeard suddenly came before Rocks, his face flushed with drink. Smiling, he said to Rocks:

"Captain, I recommend that Rono become a Division Commander. With his strength, he can definitely handle the position."

"I personally witnessed his fight against [Iron Fist] Garp. He defeated Garp!"

Whitebeard thumped his chest as he vouched for Rono. It was also the promise he and Rono had made to each other.

Hearing this, the Pirates present stopped partying and stared in astonishment.

He'd only just joined the crew, and he was already going to become a Division Commander?

And Captain Whitebeard himself had vouched for and recommended him!

Wouldn't that mean he'd be set for life?

Rono was unbelievably lucky. They were so jealous!

"Oh? If he really defeated Garp, then he can indeed handle being a Division Commander." Hearing this, Rocks seemed inclined to agree.

He had always valued talent, and when he first saw Rono, he had already scanned him with Observation Haki.

That had given Rocks a rough idea of Rono's strength.

Rono's current strength was definitely no weaker than that of Silver Axe, Ochoku, John, or Charlotte Linlin-in fact, he should be a cut above them!

Even compared to Golden Lion's aura, Rono was no weaker.

Of course, they might need to fight to know for sure who was stronger.

What's more, Rono was still so young. His potential was definitely several times greater than that of Golden Lion, Silver Axe, Ochoku, and the others!

His potential was even greater than Whitebeard's. A genius like that had to be nurtured.

What Rocks admired most was the blood feud Rono bore against the Celestial Dragons!

Rocks believed that the next time they encountered the Celestial Dragons, Rono would be the most eager person aboard the ship after himself. It would be a waste to make someone like that just a crew member.

Even if Whitebeard hadn't brought it up, Rocks would have found an opportunity to do so himself.

"Do the rest of you have any objections?" Rocks then asked the other officers for their opinions.

This was the Rocks Pirates, but Rocks wasn't going to rule by decree.

When he had recruited these powerful people, he had used the ironclad rule of [strength above all] to attract them!

Aboard Rocks's ship, everything was decided by strength!

Want to become an official crew member? Pass the official crew member examination first!

Want to become an officer? You had to pass the officer examination!

Want to become a Division Commander? Then you had to have the strength to be one!

Even if you wanted to be captain, you could challenge Rocks!

As long as you had the strength and defeated him, Rocks would gladly step aside!

But so far, no one had dared to challenge Rocks.

After all, no one had ever seen what this captain was like when he truly went all out.

The examination standard was simple: most people aboard the ship just had to believe you were strong enough to be a commander.

"Here's our chance!"

Hearing those words, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, and the others realized that the opportunity they had waited so long for had finally arrived!

"Rono has a Bounty of 1.5 billion, and he's defeated [Iron Fist] Garp."

"Personally, I have no objection to him becoming a Division Commander."

"But since we've joined Rocks's ship, the Rocks Pirates have rules of our own."

"Aboard the Rocks Pirates, strength comes first!"

"As long as you're capable of passing the examination, becoming a Division Commander will be no problem!"

Golden Lion stood up and spoke with impeccable composure.

Seeing this, Whitebeard came over to Rono and explained the Rocks Pirates' rules to him.

Rono nodded, understanding. He didn't object.

"No problem. Since I've joined the ship, I'll naturally follow its rules."

"As for the examination, you can test me however you like."

Rono spoke confidently. His Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki had both reached the Top-Level Armament Haki level!

In terms of destructive power and offense alone, he was already a genuine Emperor-Admiral Level powerhouse!

Rono was sure that becoming a Division Commander would be as easy as pie.

"Good. Brother Rono really is a straightforward man." Seeing this, Golden Lion nodded, knowing their chance had arrived.

"Silver Axe, Ochoku, and I discussed this. We heard that Brother Rono has an incredibly frightening talent!"

"That is, no matter what the technique is, you can learn it after seeing it demonstrated once!"

"This examination is simple, too. Just demonstrate this talent, and all of us will agree to let you become a Division Commander."

Golden Lion spoke each word deliberately.

Hearing this, everyone present was stunned again!

He could learn any technique after seeing it once?

That couldn't be possible!

How could anyone have such monstrous talent?

"Interesting..." Seeing this, Rocks became interested as well.

This was the first time he had heard that Rono possessed such a talent.

If he really did have such a terrifying talent, then Rocks might have to revise his assessment of Rono once more!

"Of course, I'm not deliberately trying to make things difficult for Brother Rono. If you think this is too hard, we can change the examination."

Golden Lion continued, watching Rono's reaction.

"No problem... I can demonstrate it." Rono agreed almost without hesitation.

He had thought he would have to fight someone at the commander level. It seemed this would be even easier.

Seeing how confident Rono was, Golden Lion, Silver Axe, Ochoku, and the others were startled.

From the way he said it, this seemed easy for Rono. Could the rumor really be true!?

It wasn't just these officers. The others were all stunned, too.

What was going on? Rono had actually accepted this kind of examination?

He could learn any technique after seeing it demonstrated once?

Could anyone really pass an examination like that?