Chapter 41: Join or Be Destroyed
As Rocks flew closer, the people on the island instinctively backed away. The overwhelming Conqueror's Haki he had used to suppress Luo Han moments ago had made it painfully clear—this man was terrifying.
Besides, everyone recognized him. This was the pirate called Rocks, the one who had proclaimed his conquest of the New World in the papers.
"Oi! Judging from the look in your eyes, you all know who I am, don't you? Ahahaha!" Rocks called out from above.
"Now then—who's the strongest person on this island?"
All eyes turned to Luo Han and Cole.
Uncle Witt and Uncle Kate stepped forward but hesitated… in the end, they said nothing.
"Hahaha! So, it's the kid who unleashed that Haki earlier… and the big guy," Rocks said with some surprise, seeing where everyone was looking.
"Then I assume you know my rules," he said, his tone dropping low.
"Make your choice: join… or be destroyed."
The sky seemed to darken with those words.
Luo Han held Cole back with a hand and shook his head.
He flew up into the sky to face Rocks eye to eye.
A quiet pressure radiated from Luo Han. Below, the islanders watched him anxiously.
Rocks simply looked at him, unbothered—calm, confident, as if he knew there was no threat.
Or maybe he was just certain he could handle anything.
"Come on. Didn't you want to see what the strongest power in the world feels like?" Rocks said.
He flew off toward the far side of the island.
Huh? Luo Han was surprised—how did Rocks know what he was thinking?
Could it be… Observation Haki that reads thoughts?
Sigh… What else could he say? That kind of Haki, combined with his monstrous Armament Haki…
No wonder he dared to proclaim his conquest of the New World in the headlines.
Indeed—this world belonged to the strong.
"Come. Show me your strongest attack," Rocks said casually.
No unnecessary words. Luo Han focused, gathering his telekinesis in one concentrated blow and hurled it at Rocks.
But...
A crushing pressure blanketed him. Luo Han's face fell.
Nothing happened—no boom, no shockwave. His strongest attack, the result of all his telekinesis, had simply vanished as soon as it touched the invisible layer of Armament Haki surrounding Rocks.
It was like matter itself had been reduced to its most basic particles.
Luo Han stared helplessly. Rocks burst out laughing.
"What's the matter? Where's that Haki from earlier? You can try physical strength next," Rocks grinned.
"I can tell—your body's strong. It's not weaker than your Devil Fruit powers."
Luo Han looked at the laughing Rocks and gave a bitter smile.
"No need. If I test it, I might actually die. That kind of Armament Haki… is lethal," he said.
After seeing that level of power, what choice did he have but to join? Fight back?
He'd die—and so would everyone on Ring Tree Island.
Only a fool would choose death in this situation.
Luo Han followed his instincts. He would join the Rocks Pirates.
Besides, he was genuinely intrigued by Rocks' method of using Armament Haki like a second skin—like telekinesis.
That was probably why even people like Golden Lion and Kaido had chosen to follow him.
Now that he thought about it, when Rocks flew toward him earlier, he made it look effortless.
Even Golden Lion might not fly faster than him.
This man had no visible weaknesses. Luo Han was in awe.
"I'll join. I only ask that you spare my home," Luo Han said.
"Haha! You know my rules—if you join, you're one of mine. Your homeland becomes a subordinate territory," Rocks replied.
"And that big guy joins too," he added, pointing at Cole.
Luo Han sighed.
"Alright. The two of us will join," he said.
They were going to set out anyway. Becoming pirates wasn't the plan, but there was no turning back now.
"Then hurry up. We're leaving immediately," Rocks said.
So it was just by chance they came to Ring Tree Island, Luo Han thought.
He said nothing more, flying back to the island to explain everything to Cole and the others.
Then, he headed straight home. Grandma Mo happened to be there.
"Grandma, I'm heading out to sea. Right now," Luo Han said.
"What? Xiao Han, didn't you say you'd leave in a few days? I haven't even packed you food yet," she replied, surprised.
"A ship just arrived. Cole and I are leaving with it," Luo Han explained.
"So sudden? Wait a moment—I'll pack you some fish cakes and dried fish," she said.
A flurry of activity followed. Grandma Mo gave him a big bag of food.
Luo Han rushed to the island peak. He couldn't afford to test Rocks' patience.
At the top, Aunt Lilian was crying in Uncle Witt's arms. Cole spread his massive arms to hug her, but hesitated, afraid of hurting her.
Lain watched everything silently, a dark look in his eyes. The helplessness was bitter, and he silently worried for Luo Han and Cole.
"Luo Han… I'm entrusting Cole to you now," Uncle Witt said.
"I will. Don't worry, Uncle Witt," Luo Han promised.
"Cole! You listen to Luo Han out there. He's the only one you can truly rely on. Understand?" Witt added. He knew what kind of place the Rocks Pirates were—a gathering of criminals.
"I understand, Dad, Mom. I'll come back someday!" Cole said.
"You two are real men now. It's up to you from here," Uncle Kate said, stepping forward.
"Don't worry, Uncle Kate. We'll take care of ourselves," Luo Han replied.
"Let's go, Cole."
Under everyone's emotional gazes, Luo Han and Cole flew toward the Rocks Pirates' ship.
"Haha! Look at the size of this one!" Golden Lion laughed as Cole landed.
"What a perfect body!" Big Mom said with interest.
Uh… Luo Han went silent when he saw how beautiful Big Mom still looked at this stage.
He thought of her 30 years later. Yep… childbirth does tend to cause weight gain.
Even someone like her, with that monstrous constitution, couldn't escape the effects of dozens of kids.
"Haha! You'll have your fun later," Rocks said.
"For now, let's leave. Time to find out where Roger and his gang are hiding."
"Aye, Captain!" the helmsman shouted.
He pulled out a Log Pose and turned the ship toward the cliff side of Ring Tree Island.
The Rocks Pirates began to sail away, heading for the next island.
Luo Han and Cole sat quietly on the deck at the stern. There wasn't much to say—most of the crew had ended up here for their own reasons.
The ship sailed slowly. It took all night just to leave the waters around Ring Tree Island.
After another three hours at sea, they arrived at their next destination—Both Island.
(END CHAPTER)
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