"Come on! One dual-fruit Logia, one triple-fruit Paramecia. That little bit of Haki must be what you're proudest of!"
"I was stronger than you from the start, and the Woods-Woods Fruit extended my life and supplied me with energy, giving me more time to train!"
"Compared to those frail Supernovas, you're old-timers, but in front of me, you're all just snot-nosed brats!"
Rocks mocked the challengers from within the darkness, as though the Log Pose was already his for the taking.
Akainu, Kizaru, and Katakuri were beneath his notice, all utterly insignificant figures.
Yet the Haki the three emitted had never weakened. Instead, it grew ever stronger within the darkness.
"Back then, you never actually became that brat Shane's crewmates or subordinates. In the end, you were just a few followers drawn by his reputation."
"Those young people behind him have all earned their tickets to the New World now. Only you are still struggling to survive. Don't you find that ridiculous?"
"No one knows what they'll face after becoming a New God, but what price can you bear?"
"As long as I can become a god, even for a second, my youthful ambition will be fulfilled. I'll gladly accept any price."
"Youngsters, this isn't your stage!"
Rocks was already at his strongest.
No one had imagined that he had spent all thirty-five years training, all for this infinitesimal hope.
After his resurrection, he had actually taken part in the campaign against the Celestial Dragons. Even after Shane disappeared, Rocks had kept an exceptionally low profile.
No one had expected that he had been brooding over the past all along and had never considered giving up.
His heart was set entirely on fulfilling his ambition from back then.
Very few people were stronger than him now.
Besides, none of those