"It seems these young people still don't know what danger they're in."
"Sakazuki, you're unquestionably the best of the younger generation. That Red-Haired brat is far too stingy, keeping everything under wraps. Since he still plans to let the new generation stir up a storm, he's bound to miscalculate amid this unprecedented upheaval. He won't understand that once that brat Shane decides to do something, he won't show anyone mercy."
"I don't know what exactly he's trying to do, but one thing is certain: he wants to watch a bit of fun. We're the pieces on the board. Even the winner might be left with nothing, but if we don't try, we'll have even less in the future."
Rocks had waited far too long for this day. He could hardly wait to clear Shane's game.
Whether he became a god or fell.
Either was better than letting decades of anticipation go to waste.
"Rocks."
Akainu hadn't expected that, right after Blackbeard left, an upgraded version would arrive-a more dangerous Rocks at full strength.
This old man was even older than Whitebeard and the others, and had spent longer training.
To obtain both the Dark-Dark Fruit and the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
He had prepared for decades, probably spending every night getting ready for this day.
"What I know of him amounts to no more than a few memories from my youth."
"But my memories of you are just as vivid. If the world's future were put in your hands, I'm afraid it would be even more dangerous."
Akainu knew that Rocks was brimming with confidence now, at his strongest.
Yet he had no intention of retreating.
Since he had already stepped onto the playing field, he ought to be prepared to die.
Unless he became a god, all his efforts would ultimately