ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

The appreciation and admiration in Golden Lion Shiki's eyes were undisguised. The Rocks Pirates crew members glanced at each other, sensing the tension in the air.

The blue veins on John's forehead bulged in rage.

"Shiki, you're going too far," he snapped.

Beside him, Wang Zhi stood up abruptly, his eyes burning with fury.

Meanwhile, Rocks D. Xebec's expression darkened. The fiery rage that had gripped him a moment ago seemed to subside, but what replaced it was something even more unsettling—something far more dangerous.

Yet Shiki, unfazed by their anger, paid no attention to their reactions. His mind was still replaying the overwhelming presence and raw power Gol D. Roger had just displayed.

"Roger…" Shiki mused internally. "This man… he completely ignites my desire to conquer!"

From the side, Caesar silently observed the unfolding scene. He felt an odd sense of fate washing over him, recalling how, years later, Shiki would challenge the World Government for Roger's sake—only to be imprisoned in Impel Down.

His interest deepened.

Among the commanders, those adept in Haki remained silent.

Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate, usually composed, seemed momentarily lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the horizon where Roger had disappeared.

As for Charlotte Linlin, better known as "Big Mom," her expression was difficult to decipher.

Kaido and the others said nothing, as if oblivious to their captain's fury.

Just when everyone thought Rocks would explode in violence, punishing Shiki for his insolence, he instead paused—then cast a deep, unreadable look at the assembled commanders.

Without a word, he turned and walked into the cabin.

"Captain…?"

John and Wang Zhi exchanged wary glances before turning toward Shiki, their anger barely contained.

But the Golden Lion merely leaned back, hands resting behind his head, chomping on his cigar with even greater intensity.

Not far away, Brad and Gnaly exhaled in relief.

"The aura around Captain Rocks just now…" Brad muttered. "It was terrifying."

"Yeah," Gnaly agreed. "If we weren't standing near Caesar, I think we'd be on the floor right now."

Yet even as the immediate tension faded, the lingering presence of Roger still loomed in their minds.

---

[51] Grilled Fish—A Mysterious Island?!

For several days after encountering the Roger Pirates, an uneasy quiet settled over the Rocks Pirates' ship. The strange atmosphere between Rocks and his top officers made the crew tread carefully.

Only recently had things begun returning to normal.

"Catch a big fish and bring it up," Caesar said lazily, sitting on the deck with his fishing rod.

Beside him, Gnaly frowned, straining to sense the movement beneath the waves. His Observation Haki was weak, and Brad had no perception of it at all. He simply stared at the water, following Caesar's gaze.

Suddenly—

Splash!

A massive black fish burst from the sea, roaring as it bared its sharp fangs and thrashed wildly, sending waves crashing onto the deck.

The noise drew the attention of several crewmates.

Caesar smirked, leaping onto the ship's railing.

Boom!

With a single well-placed punch, he knocked the monstrous fish unconscious.

"Impressive, Caesar!" someone cheered.

Unfazed, Caesar dove into the water, heaved the fish onto the deck, then jumped back up.

"Grilled fish, anyone?"

Brad and Gnaly immediately perked up, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"I want some too!"

Shiki floated over, licking his lips as he eyed the giant fish.

From the other side of the deck, Whitebeard's booming laughter rang out.

"Gu ra ra ra! Grilled fish? Count me in!"

A lesser-known cadre, Gener, hesitated before stepping forward. He had little interaction with the high-ranking members, but Whitebeard's presence put him at ease.

Caesar, watching the growing crowd, sighed in exasperation.

"Have none of you ever eaten grilled fish before?"

"Let's just make more," Shiki said nonchalantly. "One fish won't be enough for us."

With that, Caesar dived into the sea again. Moments later, he emerged with two massive sea beasts slung over his shoulders.

Shiki let out his signature laugh, amused.

"This one looks like my mother!" he joked, causing an eruption of laughter from the crew.

As the fish cooked over an open flame, the scent of sizzling fat filled the air.

At some point, Caesar casually asked, "By the way, are we heading back to Hachinosu (Beehive Island) now?"

A brief silence followed.

Then, Shiki grinned.

"You're new, huh? You probably haven't been there before."

Whitebeard's face, illuminated by the fire, took on an almost sinister glow.

"You'll see soon enough. It's going to surprise you."

Caesar's curiosity was piqued.

"Not Hachinosu? Then… a treasure island?"

His mind flashed back to the vast warehouses of stolen goods that Rocks had accumulated.

But he never saw anything like that on Beehive Island.

Whitebeard and Shiki exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

"You figured it out too fast, damn it," Shiki scoffed, taking a bite of fish.

Caesar's eyes glimmered.

"So this island… is where Rocks has been hoarding his war chest for his conquest?"

Excitement bubbled in his chest. Unconsciously, he licked his lips.

Brad and Gnaly stared at each other in shock.

"An entire island just for treasure?!"

"How much wealth are we talking about?"

Even after the feast ended, Caesar remained deep in thought.

Afterwards, he resumed his usual training routine—lifting weights in the training room.

Meanwhile, Brad and Gnaly sparred, their Haki-infused fists and weapons clashing violently.

Boom!

Brad leaped, his hardened muscles flexing as he threw a devastating punch toward Gnaly.

Gnaly dodged swiftly, retaliating with a high-speed kick. Though his limbs weren't coated in Armament Haki, years of physical training had made them powerful weapons.

The battle dragged on, the rhythmic sounds of fists and feet colliding echoing across the ship.

Afterward, the three of them relaxed in the ship's bath, letting the hot water soothe their aching muscles.

Gnaly sighed. "In the future, we need a huge bathhouse on board."

Brad agreed, "Yeah, and a grill and a massive kitchen."

---

[52] Landing—Treasure Cave!

The Jolly Roger of the Rocks Pirates hung limply in the still air.

Feeling the shifting atmosphere, the navigator quickly ordered the sails to be lowered.

"We've entered the Calm Belt. Start paddling!"

As the ship glided forward, Caesar committed the route to memory.

"So, we're in the New World's Calm Belt, near the West Blue's direction…"

His lips curled into a smirk.

"Rocks' accumulated war funds? Now that's interesting."

On either side of the massive ship, dozens of oars extended outward.

The crew lined up, ready to row toward their mysterious destination.