Chapter 152: 152. He Feels Like Rocks To Me

Words : 1382 Updated : Oct 2nd, 2025

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- Sabaody Archipelago. The massive projection screen broadcast had stirred a post-war frenzy across the illegal zones, its ripples felt most prominently in the heart of the Archipelago. Grove 13, inside Shakky's Rip-Off Bar. The long-quiet establishment was now overcrowded. Pirates packed the bar, their voices overlapping as they animatedly discussed the earth-shaking events of the New World. "Hey, did you all see that war in the New World?" "Of course! Who in Sabaody didn't? The whole island was glued to the world projection screen!" "Man, I still can't believe it—BIG MOM, ruling the seas for decades, taken down by the Flying General..." "Yeah, but what I can't wrap my head around is Kaido of the Beasts teaming up with BIG MOM and still failing to take Wanokuni. That country is terrifying! It's almost as powerful as Elbaf, maybe even more so." "You've got that right. And honestly, that war could've ended sooner if Alex had wanted it. Doesn't that monster have the power to destroy entire islands? If he'd just unleashed that, it would've been over in a flash." "Dihohoho! Who knows what's in the mind of the strongest monster of the new era? But hey, if he can take down BIG MOM and Kaido, there's no doubt—he's set to replace Whitebeard as the world's strongest man." "Whitebeard isn't weak either, but who knows." The rowdy pirates reveled in the chaos, their words spilling out with wild enthusiasm as they relived the battle. Their voices carried the tone of those who thrive on disorder, their imaginations running rampant as they speculated on the implications of the war. In the bar's back room, the coating mechanic who had just returned from work sat quietly, nursing his drinks. HIs mood stood in stark contrast to the loud, raucous energy of the main bar. "The discussion out there is pretty heated," said Shakky as she entered, her sharp eyes resting on the silent Rayleigh. "You don't seem to be in the best mood." "It's not bad," Rayleigh replied, taking a sip of his drink. "Just... unexpected." Shakky exhaled a puff of smoke, mulling over her thoughts. "The era might be on the verge of massive upheaval." Despite the loud chatter outside, most of it centered on Alex's rise to fame after his victory. Yet beneath the surface, everyone understood the deeper implications: the fragile balance of power among the Four Emperors had been shattered, and a new era of chaos was about to begin. Ambitious individuals wouldn't be wasting time talking—they'd already be eyeing the remnants of the defeated Emperors or coveting the throne left vacant in the New World. "That's not necessarily a bad thing, is it?" Shakky said, her lips curving into a faint smile. "More people flooding into the New World... Isn't that exactly what Roger wanted?" Rayleigh nodded, his expression softening slightly. "True enough. That's why I said it's not bad. But even so, the Flying General's rise was something I didn't see coming." Shakky's eyes narrowed slightly. She remained quiet for a moment before asking, "...Do you think he's the person that Roger said?" Rayleigh tilted his head, his gaze distant. "I haven't seen Alex in person, but if I had to guess... he seems more like a Rocks type to me." Shakky's pupils contracted slightly at the name. Rocks. The tyrant who once sought to dominate the seas. Shakky, a former member of the Kuja Pirates, had crossed paths with him in the past. She knew better than most the sheer terror that name evoked. Rayleigh's comparison, coupled with the current chaos in the New World, struck a chord. The coalition forces of Big Mom and Kaido were decisively crushed, and the strength displayed by Alex's subordinates was nothing short of those real threats in the New World. A strange silence hung in the air for a moment. Rayleigh broke it with a slight shift in his expression, saying, "But that's just my own feeling. It's far from certain. At the very least, this situation will remain like this until Shanks makes his move in the New World." Shifting the conversation, Rayleigh's tone became more casual, and Shakky followed suit with a knowing smile. "He's got the makings of a emperor now, sure, but he's still got a long way to go before reaching that level." "Haha, exactly!" Rayleigh chuckled. "The struggles ahead will only sharpen him further. The boy has grown up, and for the New World he's staking his claim on... I'm looking forward to seeing how it all turns out. I just hope that time comes sooner rather than later." Shakky's gaze softened as she glanced at Rayleigh. "Because it's close to the time of the promise, isn't it?" Rayleigh nodded faintly, but before he could speak, Shakky teased, "You'll practically be an old man by then. So while you're still able to move, go help me at the front desk! Business is booming, and I need an extra hand." Rayleigh's brief cheerfulness was quickly snuffed out as he was unceremoniously sent to the bar counter to work as a coolie. The lively discussions erupting throughout the Sabaody Archipelago mirrored the uproar spreading across the world. This wasn't just about Alex's strength—though his power alone had shaken the seas—it was also about his rise to fame. With this victory, Alex had cemented his name in history, becoming a global figure after just one battle. Some viewed his ascension with dread, uneasy about the presence of such a powerful figure in the New World. Alex, younger and seemingly more ambitious than Whitebeard, was a wild card. The possibility of a conflict between him and the Marine government loomed large in many minds. Others, however, saw opportunity in the chaos. The once-stable balance of the New World had been shattered, leaving a power vacuum. For the ambitious, it was a moment ripe for exploitation. Meanwhile, in Wanokuni-affiliated circles, the mood was one of celebration. Champagne flowed freely as factions aligned with Alex toasted their secure future. Among the loudest revelers was the Donquixote Family. Before the war, they had been on edge, fully aware that Wanokuni's fall would jeopardize their carefully crafted trade networks. But now, with their position strengthened by Alex's victory, their worries had evaporated. Life, as far as they were concerned, had gotten much easier. Kaido's defeat, while a blow to some, served as a cautionary tale for Doflamingo. Though he lacked Kaido's sheer power, the situation reinforced his belief that calculated strategy would always trump raw strength. At the family dining table, the tension that had gripped them earlier in the day was now a distant memory. They were feasting, their spirits lifted by the triumph of their powerful ally. For Monet and Sugar, the two sisters who had joined the family not long ago, the events left a deep impression of Alex's influence and power. "Hey hey hey, Doffy!" Trebol laughed, leaning forward eagerly. "Since Alex won and the New World is in chaos, do you think we could use his name to carve out a piece of territory for ourselves?" "Fufufu! Sure, but what's the point of grabbing land if you can't hold it?" Doflamingo laughed his trademark sinister laugh. "Relax, I've already got plans for securing our own territory. Besides..." His grin widened. "I've uncovered some juicy Marine scandals from this whole mess. It won't be long before we make our move." His voice carried a rare tone of triumph as he added, "Soon, we'll be more than just a family—we'll be royalty, beloved by the people." The table burst into cheers at the declaration. Doflamingo leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes glinting with ambition. "For now, let's savor this chaos. The era is boiling over, and it won't be long before the waves of change pull those so-called kings down from their thrones."

Chapter 152: 152. He Feels Like Rocks To Me

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