Chapter 84 - Face-Off with Rocks: Old John, Will You Follow Me or Not?
Hive Island.
"Renji! Get out here—I'm challenging you!"
Kaido roared, gripping his kanabo tightly as he stomped around, searching furiously for Renji's location.
Ever since his last defeat at Renji's hands, Kaido had reflected deeply. In the end, he convinced himself it wasn't his own weakness—but Renji's underhandedness—that had brought him down.
And so, for a long time now, Kaido had been chasing after Renji to demand rematches.
Kaido wasn't fighting to prove how great he was.
He just wanted everyone to know that what was taken from him—he'd reclaim with his own fists!
But after being beaten down seven times in a row, each round worse than the last, Kaido had begun to question everything about himself.
Still, he stubbornly clung to the idea that if he wasn't dead, he could keep fighting. So each time his injuries healed, he came looking for another match.
And there was progress—each time, he could endure just a little longer. That was a win!
So Kaido started coming more and more often. Sometimes he even showed up still bandaged and bruised, demanding a fight.
"That thick-headed fool again?"
Captain John took a swig of rum and raised an eyebrow at the angry shouting outside. He glanced over at Renji and chuckled.
What a blockhead.
At first, John had thought Kaido was just being prideful. But he soon realized—Kaido wasn't even close to Renji's level.
And yet he kept coming back.
John didn't want to assume things, but even he felt Kaido was getting a little too attached.
"Not in the mood. Beating him up isn't even satisfying anymore."
Renji shook his head. At first, it had been entertaining. But by now, Kaido had clearly grown addicted to getting beaten up.
He showed up every few days asking for it. Honestly, it was getting tiresome.
"He'll probably find me soon anyway. By the way, what do you think about Rocks' plan?"
Captain John, already half-drunk, had his own thoughts about it.
This time, they were heading to God Valley. The most important prizes were two Devil Fruits.
But since Renji had agreed to carry out a secret mission for Rocks, the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi had already been reserved for him. The other one—a Mythical Zoan: Azure Dragon—was being eyed by a number of division captains.
Even if someone didn't want to eat it, it would still be a powerful asset for someone else. Whoever obtained it could easily create the next big name in piracy.
But John wasn't interested in either fruit.
His true love was treasure.
And this grand "Celestial Dragon Hunt" wasn't just offering Devil Fruits—there would be mountains of treasure as well.
Unlike the others, John was here for the loot. Since Renji already had a fruit and likely didn't care about the Azure Dragon one, John figured now was the best time to bring him in.
Two people were better than one. Worst case? Split the treasure evenly.
Today's drinking session was partly for this reason—to see where Renji stood.
"If it's just about seizing those things, then there's probably no problem."
Rocks' original plan had been simple: reclaim what was once theirs, and rob God Valley blind.
Classic pirate behavior.
If that had been the whole story, Rocks probably wouldn't have died in that battle.
But then, he changed the plan.
The truth was, they'd all gathered under Rocks for profit—no one was going to die for him.
Everyone in the pirate world had their own dreams. If your dream couldn't win others over—and your strength or charisma weren't enough—no one would follow you for long.
Especially not a crew full of infamous pirates. Their ambitions went way beyond being anyone's lackey.
"But I don't think Rocks is aiming for just that."
John took another swig, voice slurring slightly. Greedy or not, he wasn't stupid. He knew Rocks was after something far greater.
If it was just about two fruits and a stash of treasure, there was no reason to summon this many people to God Valley.
"And you're still going?"
Renji looked at John in surprise. Given all that, he was still daring to get involved?
John was known to be cautious—what was with the sudden bravery?
"The Celestial Dragons have got to be sitting on a ridiculous amount of treasure. Once we take it, I'm heading straight back to the New World. No way they're chasing us all the way out there."
Men die for riches; birds for grain.
That had always been John's motto.
If treasure was within reach—he was grabbing it, no matter what.
"Old John, have you thought about what you'll do once this is all over? Will you start your own pirate crew or stay in the Rocks Pirates?"
Renji studied him carefully.
The Rocks Pirates weren't a traditional crew.
They had all responded to Rocks' call and temporarily gathered under one flag.
But once this was over, it was clear that Whitebeard, Shiki, and Charlotte Linlin intended to leave. They had dreams of their own. Rocks didn't stop them.
But people like Wang Zhi, Captain John, and Silver Axe had yet to make their stance known.
As for Renji—no one ever asked. Most assumed he'd stay, and even Rocks believed the same.
"Me?"
Captain John looked up at the ceiling, eyes distant.
He'd lived his whole life chasing treasure. If he had to die, he wanted to die in the pursuit of it.
"I'm not sure. Maybe I'll stay with the Rocks Pirates… or maybe I'll leave and start my own crew dedicated to treasure hunting. Renji, I'm telling you—once you see a mountain of gold piled higher than your ship's mast, you'll understand how thrilling it really is!"
By the end of the conversation, Captain John couldn't help boasting to Renji.
He still remembered when he earned his first chest of treasure—staring at that gleaming pile of gold, he swore to himself: he was going to get rich.
As for those sappy love stories?
He had no interest.
All he wanted was to be wealthier than anyone else.
"Renji, you're planning to leave the Rocks Pirates eventually, right?"
Captain John gave him a look filled with meaning, then lowered his head and took another swig of rum.
Most people believed Renji was a loyal subordinate of Rocks and would stay in the Rocks Pirates for life.
But John alone believed—Renji would never settle for that.
Seeing Renji's slightly surprised expression, John smirked.
"I'm no fool, and I've been around you long enough to know you're a man with ambition. Remember when you climbed up to Skypiea? Even then, watching you make your way up, I knew—you'd never be content to serve under anyone.
And the moment you obtained the Rumble-Rumble Fruit… that was when you succeeded.
You're the kind of guy who wants to dethrone even the gods. There's no way you'd serve someone else forever."
By the time John finished mumbling, he had slumped over the table, gently snoring. It was almost like his final words had been spoken in a dream.
"You really are something, John... So, want to join my crew later?"
No answer.
Renji didn't mind. He patted John on the shoulder, then stood and headed outside.
As Renji's figure disappeared, John opened one eye ever so slightly, muttered something under his breath, and then shut it again.
He didn't say another word.
Opening the door, sunlight poured through the cracks, illuminating the room.
Outside, Kaido stood, clutching his kanabo with excitement blazing in his eyes.
"Knew you'd be here! Renji—fight me!"
He'd searched all over Hive Island and figured Renji might be at John's place—after all, the two were known to be close.
"I'm not in the mood, Kaido. You're too weak right now. Get stronger, then we'll fight."
Renji shook his head.
He didn't want to waste time on Kaido.
But Kaido scowled. Sure, he wasn't strong enough yet—but Renji's words were like a slap in the face.
Too weak? Come back after getting stronger?
"Kaido, I'll give you one more chance. The next time you challenge me—if you lose, you'll become one of my men."
"Not a chance!!! I'll never serve under anyone!"
Kaido had genuine respect for Rocks and joined his crew willingly.
But he never once considered himself a subordinate.
And now Renji was trying to make him his underling?
Unacceptable!
"Think it over, Kaido. I've got things to do."
Renji had considered pulling Kaido into his own crew.
But Kaido was a volatile factor.
He had the cunning of a pirate, and sometimes, the camaraderie of one too. But at his core, Kaido was fiercely individualistic. Bringing him into the fold wouldn't be easy—and Renji would need to ensure he could keep Kaido under control.
There were a lot of talented people in the Rocks Pirates. If Charlotte Linlin's mindset could be adjusted, she might be worth recruiting too.
Two Yonko-level crews—imagine the potential.
But sadly, Linlin had strayed too far from her path. Someone with more talent than Kaido had wasted herself having kids and crippling her own potential.
As for Whitebeard and Shiki—Renji never considered them.
They had clear, personal goals.
Wang Zhi also had his own ambitions.
Silver Axe? Renji had no interest in him, and they weren't close anyway.
So if Renji were to leave the Rocks Pirates, the ones he'd most want to bring along were John—and Kaido.
Watching Renji's back, Kaido's expression flickered with inner conflict.
He didn't want to be someone else's underling for life. He had his own dreams.
And after being betrayed once before, he found it hard to trust anyone again.
Who's to say he wouldn't be betrayed a second time?
Only by becoming strong—and staying in control—could he ensure he was never betrayed again.
"You're here?"
Rocks sat cross-legged, feet propped on the table. He casually brushed aside two women beside him and sat up, grinning at Renji.
"I'm getting ready to move. You should head to the Sabaody Archipelago. Take this Den Den Mushi—when it's time to act, I'll contact you."
The Celestial Dragons had already begun heading toward God Valley. Based on their intel, the operation would begin in a few days.
The Rocks Pirates needed to move ahead of time—and Renji's role would start at Sabaody.
"You're sure the Celestial Dragons will show up that day?"
Renji took the Den Den Mushi, eyeing Rocks curiously.
Celestial Dragons didn't usually frequent Sabaody, especially in the current climate.
"I made sure of it. Put some rare treasures up for auction."
Rocks grinned coldly.
Celestial Dragons were obsessed with collecting exotic things, weren't they?
This time, he'd even caught a mermaid and had her sent to the auction house.
He'd stirred up the hype—no doubt the Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise would catch wind of it.
"Got it. Then give me a Log Pose to God Valley. I'll head there after my mission."
Renji requested a permanent pointer to God Valley.
"Here, take it. Now get going."
Rocks tossed him the pointer and waved him off.
"By the way… after all this is over, have you thought about what you'll do?"
"I'll probably leave."
"Still not going to reconsider?"
A hint of regret flickered across Rocks' face.
He had hoped Renji—the first to come to his aid—would stick by his side.
But he wasn't angry. He understood.
Everyone who joined him came for their own reasons. As long as his core crew remained, that was enough.
"Captain Rocks, our dreams are different. So I think it's better I go my own way."
Rocks had been like a half-mentor to him. He'd taught Renji a lot.
Now that the question was asked, Renji didn't see the point in pretending.
Their dreams simply weren't compatible.
"You're right… dreams, huh. Then when this job is done—go chase yours with everything you've got!"
(End of Chapter)
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