Dorum’s face turned deathly pale.
Before his eyes, he saw his very first ship sinking beneath a raging storm—the nightmare that had haunted him his entire life.
Even the ever-composed Silver began breathing heavily.
The fingers gripping his spear slowly turned white.
This was the true terror of the whispers.
A direct assault on the mind itself.
Only Rocks remained completely unaffected.
He casually dug a finger into his ear, his face full of annoyance.
“So noisy.” “Like a swarm of flies.” His overwhelming will naturally possessed tremendous resistance against mental attacks.
Inside the galley, Ryne frowned slightly.
His own powerful mind allowed him to resist the whispers as well…
…but he found the sensation deeply unpleasant.
“Mental contamination…” “It ruins the flavor of ingredients.” he muttered to himself.
The next moment— a rich, comforting aroma drifted from the galley.
Like an invisible sun, it instantly drove away the cold gloom surrounding the ship.
Ryne emerged carrying a steaming pot of soup.
It was a creamy broth made from fish bones and several calming herbs he had gathered during their voyage.
The fragrance was warm and mellow.
“Drink.” “It’ll calm your minds.” The crew rushed over as though clinging to a lifeline.
After only a single bowl…
Warmth spread from their stomachs throughout their bodies.
The icy chill and negative emotions invading their minds were swept away completely.
Clarity returned to Gatz’s eyes.
Color returned to Dorum’s face.
“Haa…” “I feel alive again.” Gatz let out a long breath, still shaken by what had just happened.
“This place is seriously cursed.” Watching Ryne, Rocks’ eyes were filled with admiration.
Raw strength could destroy enemies.
But Ryne’s cooking protected his companions’ hearts.
Together…
Those two powers were invincible.
Guided by the dragon’s gastrolith and protected by Ryne’s cuisine, the little ship finally emerged from the dense fog.
Before them lay an enormous, sinister island.
Its mountains were an eerie charcoal gray.
Its twisted trees resembled tormented ghosts clawing toward the sky.
The entire island radiated an oppressive stillness.
They anchored within a concealed cove before stepping onto the legendary forbidden island.
The moment they reached shore, Silver crouched and examined the damp earth.
“Footprints.” “At least five people.” “Professional.” “Well-equipped.” He measured their depth and spacing with a glance.
“They landed less than three hours ago.” “So…” Rocks sneered.
“We’re not the only guests.” Following the trail inland, they soon heard the sounds of battle.
Passing through a grove of twisted trees, they saw five men dressed in black suits and masks fighting several beast-like creatures formed entirely from black mist.
The men in black moved with incredible speed.
Their movements were strange yet precise.
Every kick and strike cut through the air like thunder.
Soru.
Geppo.
Shigan.
Rankyaku.
These were unmistakably the Six Powers (Rokushiki)—the signature martial arts of the World Government’s intelligence agency, Cipher Pol (CP).
“Cipher Pol…” Rocks recognized them immediately.
“The World Government’s hounds.” “They’ve got quite the nose.” The CP agents also noticed the newcomers.
Their movements faltered for a split second.
The leader dispersed one of the shadow beasts with a flying Rankyaku before appearing in front of Rocks and the others.
His voice was icy and emotionless.
“This island has been designated a top-secret restricted zone by the World Government.” “Leave immediately.” “Otherwise…” “…you will be eliminated.” Rocks acted as though he hadn’t heard a word.
Instead, he looked beyond the agent toward the island’s center— toward the source of the overwhelming sorrow he had sensed.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
“The World Government?” “So what?” “Everything on this island…” “…belongs to me now.” The air froze.
Conflict became inevitable.
“You’ve chosen death.” Murder flashed across the CP leader’s eyes.
Without another word, he vanished.
A heartbeat later— he reappeared directly before Rocks.
His finger shot forward like a bullet.
A perfectly executed Shigan, aimed straight at Rocks’ throat.
The attack was fast.
Precise.
Lethal.
Enough to pierce solid steel.
Yet…
His fingertip stopped barely a centimeter from Rocks’ skin.
An invisible wall blocked his strike completely.
“Too slow.” Rocks never even moved.
He merely looked down at the man with open contempt.
The CP leader’s pupils contracted violently.
He attempted to retreat— only to discover that his body had been completely immobilized by an invisible force.
He couldn’t move at all.
“Gatz.” “Silver.” “Dorum.” Rocks spoke lazily.
“Clear away the trash.” “Don’t let these flies interrupt my meal.” “Got it!” Gatz roared as he charged forward with his massive anchor.
The remaining four CP agents immediately met them in battle.
A fierce melee erupted instantly.
The CP agents’ mastery of the Six Powers (Rokushiki) was extraordinary.
Their teamwork was impeccable.
But after being strengthened by the Way of Food, Rocks’ crew had become completely different from before.
Gatz’s giant anchor swept across the battlefield with overwhelming force.
Every strike carried enough power to split mountains.
The two agents relying on Soru and Geppo could do nothing but dodge frantically.
Neither could get close enough to counterattack.
Silver’s spear moved like a phantom.
It attacked from impossible angles, repeatedly catching his opponent off guard and forcing the agent into a desperate defensive struggle.
Although Dorum lacked speed…
His body seemed covered by an invisible suit of armor.
The agents’ Shigan and Rankyaku landed with dull thuds yet failed to inflict any meaningful damage.
Swinging his massive axe steadily, Dorum gradually forced his opponent backward.
The battle quickly became one-sided.
Ignoring the now-predictable outcome, Rocks grabbed the immobilized CP leader by the back of his collar as though carrying a chicken.
Then he calmly walked toward the island’s center.
Ryne followed silently behind him.
Passing beneath an enormous archway formed from gigantic ancient bones…
They entered a vast circular valley.
At its center stood an ancient tree so colossal it defied description.
Its bark resembled dried streams of tears.
Its immense canopy blotted out the sky.
Countless glowing droplets of sap slowly trickled from its branches like falling teardrops.
At the highest branch hung a single fruit.
It was crystal clear.
A soft, soul-like radiance surrounded it.
It pulsed rhythmically— like a living heart.
Without question…
It was the legendary Soul Echo Fruit.
Standing between them and the ancient tree, however…
…was an enormous figure.
A giant dozens of meters tall.
Its body was formed from the island’s black stone and condensed resentment.
It possessed no face.
Black mist of sorrow constantly leaked from the cracks across its body.
It merely stood there.
Yet an overwhelming grief, so dense it felt tangible, engulfed the entire valley.
This…
…was the King of Lamentation.
“So.” “We finally found you.” Rocks casually tossed the CP leader aside.
His eyes burned with excitement as he stared at the massive stone colossus.
“So it’s just a giant pile of rocks?” “Perfect.” “Saves me the trouble of looking for a punching bag.” Just as Rocks prepared to attack— the King of Lamentation moved.
It made no sound.
It simply raised one enormous stone arm…
…and pointed toward Rocks.
An invisible tidal wave of pure sorrow and despair swept across the valley.
Even Ryne frowned.
The mental assault was vastly stronger than the whispers in the mist.
Rocks, however…
…didn’t dodge.
Instead— he stepped forward.
A will even more tyrannical…
Even more arrogant…
Erupted from his body.
BOOM!
The two invisible forces collided violently.
The impact produced an audible explosion.
Even the air throughout the valley twisted.
The King of Lamentation visibly paused.
It clearly hadn’t expected this insignificant human to resist its mental assault head-on.
“Is that all?” Rocks grinned, revealing a row of white teeth.
“My turn.” Just as he was about to charge— someone moved even faster.
The CP leader.
Somehow, he had escaped his restraints.
At full speed, he dashed past both Rocks and the King of Lamentation, racing straight toward the Soul Echo Fruit.
“That fruit belongs to the World Government!” he screamed, his eyes filled with fanatical obsession.
The King of Lamentation seemed enraged.
Though it made no sound…
The entire valley trembled.
Ignoring Rocks completely, it hurled a gigantic stone fist toward the thief attempting to steal its sacred treasure.
“I told you…” “Don’t interfere with my prey.” A cold voice echoed across the valley.
Rocks appeared behind the CP leader almost instantly.
One hand casually grabbed the back of the man’s neck.
At the same time— his other fist rose.
Without the slightest hesitation…
He punched straight toward the mountain-sized fist descending from above.
One enormous fist.
One human fist.
The two collided in midair.
Time itself seemed to freeze.
Then— BOOOOOOM!!
A deafening explosion shook the entire valley.
CRACK— Spiderweb-like fractures spread rapidly from the King of Lamentation’s fist…
…up its arm…
…and across nearly half its body.
Rocks never moved an inch.
The gigantic stone body of the King of Lamentation…
…exploded apart from a single punch.
Outside the valley, Gatz, Silver, and Dorum had just finished defeating the remaining CP agents.
They arrived in time to witness the breathtaking sight.
Without hesitation, the three surrounded the ashen-faced CP leader, cutting off every possible escape route.
Rocks casually shook out his fist…
As though he had merely swatted away a fly.
Inside the valley…
Shattered boulders continued tumbling to the ground.
Dust still filled the air.
Every member of the Rocks Pirates—including Gatz, Silver, and Dorum, who had just arrived—remained stunned by the sight of their captain obliterating the King of Lamentation with a single punch.
Rocks himself simply brushed the dust from his hands.
His burning gaze remained fixed upon the ancient tree that towered over the valley.