Then, the two giants did something that even surprised Rocks.
They dropped to one knee.
With their right fists pressed firmly against their chests, they offered the highest salute of an Elbaf warrior—to an eight-year-old child.
“Master Ryne.” Dorry’s voice was solemn and dignified.
“From this day onward, you are an eternal friend of the Giant Warrior Pirates.
Elbaf will never forget the debt we owe you.” “That’s right!” Brogy lifted his head, his eyes burning with conviction.
“No matter when.” “No matter where.” “If you call for us, every warrior of Elbaf will fight by your side.” “We swear it upon our honor as warriors.” This was no simple expression of gratitude.
It was the greatest promise a warrior race with centuries of history could offer.
Rocks folded his arms as he watched, an amused smile spreading across his face.
Winning over the proud giants through cooking…
There was probably no one else in the world capable of such a feat except his Head Chef.
Ryne calmly accepted their salute.
He understood the weight carried by that oath.
“I’m only a chef.” “All I’ve done is allow the ingredients to realize the value they were always meant to have.” After a brief pause, he looked at the two giants.
“But…” “I gladly accept your friendship.” Dorry and Brogy rose to their feet, genuine smiles on their faces.
Even so, they felt that this alone wasn’t enough to repay Ryne’s kindness.
The two exchanged a glance before silently reaching a decision.
“Captain Rocks.” “Master Ryne.” Brogy’s expression turned serious.
“As thanks…” “We’d like to tell you an ancient legend passed down only among the warriors of Elbaf.” “Oh?” Rocks raised an eyebrow with interest.
“Our ancestors’ voyage journals speak of a forbidden island deep within the Grand Line…” Dorry continued.
“It’s known as the Island of Whispering Shadows.” “It remains shrouded in an eerie mist all year round.” “Any living creature that approaches hears soul-stealing whispers…” “…and eventually loses itself in despair.” “Doesn’t sound like a pleasant place.” Gatz scratched his head.
“But according to the legend…” Brogy said reverently, “…that island bears a one-of-a-kind legendary ingredient.” “The Soul Echo Fruit.” “The Soul Echo Fruit?” Rocks narrowed his eyes.
“It is said that anyone who eats it can, for a brief time…” “…hear the Voice of All Things.” The Voice of All Things.
The instant those words were spoken…
Rocks’ gaze changed completely.
His eyes blazed with ambition, excitement, and absolute determination.
Ryne’s heart skipped a beat as well.
Even his Ingredient Encyclopedia contained no record of such a fruit.
This had already surpassed the realm of known ingredients.
It was a true legend.
Chapter 13 — The Dragon’s Gastrolith “If it’s something that incredible…” “Why haven’t you gone to retrieve it yourselves?” Silver asked the obvious question.
A trace of bitterness crossed Dorry and Brogy’s faces.
“Because that island has a terrifying guardian.” “Our ancestors called it…” “…the King of Lamentation.” “For countless years, many mighty giant warriors challenged it.” “None of them ever returned.” “It has become Elbaf’s greatest place of mourning.” “The King of Lamentation…” Rocks licked his lips.
The smile on his face grew even wilder.
“Now that’s interesting.” “Very interesting.” Challenging forbidden places.
Hunting legends.
Nothing suited his tastes better.
“Gatz.” “What do you think of this fruit?” Rocks asked with a grin.
Meanwhile, Gatz was already drooling.
The only thing on his mind was: “I wonder what it tastes like…
Sweet?
Salty?” Looking at the eager expressions on his crew’s faces, Rocks knew their next destination had already been decided.
“Oh, right.” “Take this with you.” Brogy rummaged through the remains of the Rockhorn Tricerasaur before pulling out a pitch-black stone about the size of a human head.
It had a metallic texture and an unusual weight.
“This is the dragon’s gastrolith.” “It formed after the creature swallowed countless minerals.” “We don’t know exactly what it is…” “…but it seems to react faintly to the mist surrounding that island.” “Perhaps it can guide you.” Ryne accepted the heavy black stone.
It felt cold to the touch.
Deep within it, he sensed a strange but stable energy.
After bidding farewell to the two giant warriors, the Rocks Pirates set sail once again.
Under the giants’ enthusiastic farewell, their battered little ship departed Little Garden and headed toward the uncharted seas ahead.
On board, Ryne carefully studied the dragon’s gastrolith on the table.
Meanwhile, Gatz enthusiastically tested his newfound strength.
With one careless tug, he snapped one of the mast’s support ropes.
Dorum immediately exploded with angry shouting.
Silver stood at the bow, gazing toward the distant horizon.
It was almost as though he could already see the legendary island hidden within endless mist.
Standing beside the helm, Rocks threw back his head and laughed into the roaring sea wind.
“Listen up!” “Are you ready?” “Let’s drag out this so-called King of Lamentation…” “…and find out whether it really knows how to cry!” A brand-new hunt— one centered around a legendary ingredient— had officially begun.
Several days passed after leaving Little Garden, yet the crew was still adapting to the tremendous power flowing through their bodies.
On deck, Gatz and Dorum were engaged in the simplest contest imaginable.
An arm-wrestling match.
Leaning over a rum barrel serving as their table, muscles bulging and veins swelling across their arms, the two strained against one another.
“HAAAH!” Gatz roared as he unleashed another burst of strength.
CRACK!
Something broke.
Unfortunately…
It wasn’t Dorum’s arm.
The sturdy oak rum barrel beneath them shattered into splinters under the sheer force of their contest.
Rum splashed across the deck.
“You idiot!” “That was my private reserve!” Dorum cried out in anguish.
He immediately abandoned the match and scrambled to salvage what little remained.
Gatz scratched his head sheepishly.
“Heh…” “I didn’t think I’d gotten this strong.” Nearby, Silver practiced his spearsmanship.
He aimed at nothing.
Standing quietly beside the railing, he thrust his spear forward over and over again.
Each strike split the air with a sharp whistle.
Faint white shockwaves even rippled outward from the spear tip.
His speed and power had increased by far more than double.
Leaning against the mainmast, Rocks watched with satisfaction.
His young pirate crew was growing at an astonishing pace.
He had no doubt that before long…
Their name would make the entire sea tremble.
“Captain.” “The Head Chef is looking for you.” After cleaning up the shattered barrel, Dorum walked over to report.
Rocks entered the galley.
Ryne stood before the stove, examining the black gastrolith recovered from the Rockhorn Tricerasaur.
“The energy inside it is remarkably stable.” “But its internal structure is unusual.” Using the handle of his kitchen knife, he lightly tapped the stone.
Clink.
It rang with a crisp metallic tone.
“It seems capable of absorbing and storing a specific type of energy.” “Can you eat it?” Rocks asked the only question that truly mattered to him.
“No.” Ryne shook his head.
“But it could become an excellent cooking tool.” “For example…” “It might maintain a constant high temperature for specialized dishes.” Just then, Silver’s calm voice rang out from the crow’s nest.
“Contact ahead.” “Five warships.” “Standard Marine fleet formation.” “They’ve spotted us.” The atmosphere aboard the ship instantly changed.
Gatz and Dorum grabbed their weapons without hesitation, eager grins spreading across their faces.
“The Marines?” “Perfect timing!” “My fists have been itching for a fight!” Gatz hoisted his giant anchor onto his shoulder, every muscle in his body eager for battle.
Rocks walked to the bow and lifted a spyglass.
Five Marine warships advanced in a fan-shaped formation.
Their rows of cannons were already trained on the tiny, weather-beaten pirate ship.
The lead vessel flew a flag bearing a seagull alongside an iron fist— the emblem of Marine G-5 Base, a force infamous for its ruthless methods.
Standing on the flagship’s deck was a tall Marine colonel with stubble as stiff as steel needles.
He observed them coldly through his own telescope.
“Colonel Sikley.” “It’s only a small pirate vessel.” “There can’t be more than four or five people aboard.” “Isn’t this deployment excessive?” his adjutant asked quietly.
The man known as Iron Fist Sikley lowered his telescope and sneered.
“A lion uses its full strength even to hunt a rabbit.” “Headquarters has been dissatisfied with security in the first half of the Grand Line.” “These foolish rookies are the perfect example.” “Pass the order.” “Three rounds of full artillery bombardment.” “No surrender accepted.” “Sink them immediately.” “Yes, sir!” The order spread rapidly throughout the fleet.
Marine gunners calmly adjusted their cannons.
To them, this was nothing more than another routine extermination mission.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Dozens of cannons roared simultaneously.
Black-smoked cannonballs filled the sky like a storm of steel, raining toward the Rocks Pirates’ tiny ship.
Faced with enough firepower to erase an entire town…
Rocks didn’t even bother moving.
He merely glanced over his shoulder and grinned at his crew.
“Gatz.” “Silver.” “Dorum.” “Stretch your muscles.” “And remember…” “Don’t sink all of their ships.” “We’re running low on rum…” “…and food.” “Got it!” The three answered in unison, excitement blazing in their eyes.
“Leave the first wave to me!” Gatz was the first to move.
He kicked off the deck with explosive force.
His body shot skyward like a cannonball, soaring dozens of meters into the air.
High above the battlefield, he whirled his massive anchor into an impenetrable black cyclone.
Clang!
Bang!
Boom!