He went to sea only to further his progress in obtaining the Sage Body,
and to search for Devil Fruits scattered across the ocean to unlock the Nine-Tails' power.
But the seas of this new world were far too dangerous.
Even though he bore no hostility toward anyone, he still encountered pirates.
And the pirates, seeing him as an enemy, attacked without hesitation.
Left with no other choice, he had to fight back.
After defeating too many of them, he attracted the attention of the Navy, and soon clashed with them as well.
From that point on, a bounty was placed on his head.
Thus, he had no choice but to become a pirate.
That was El's journey over the past year.
In the end, he really couldn't explain to Rocks why he became a pirate.
Seeing that El hadn't answered, Rocks turned his gaze toward the vast sea before them and muttered to himself,
"My purpose in becoming a pirate was to conquer this sea.
But… my true ambition lies beyond it—to rule the entire world."
Rocks could truly be considered one of the strongest and most charismatic men in the One Piece world.
After all, he had once dominated an entire era with his overwhelming might, becoming the absolute overlord of the seas.
He was a man whose power and presence rivaled the greatest figures of his time—Whitebeard, Shiki, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido, Roger, Shanks, Garp, Sengoku, and Kong.
If Rocks hadn't been so arrogant—if he had managed his crew's relationships better—then during the God Valley Incident, he might not have met his destined downfall.
In fact, he might have truly had the power to overthrow the World Government and become the new ruler of the world!
"So, Captain Rocks called me here today just to tell me all this?" El asked, his expression tinged with surprise.
Rocks' goals were certainly grand, his ambitions boundless—
but what did any of that have to do with him?
This is only my first day on the ship, El thought. Why is he telling me all this?
Did Rocks give every new crew member a private talk about his lofty ideals and dreams of world domination?
He couldn't understand it at all.
El didn't have any goals right now.
He simply wanted to drift through life, training and grinding for progress through his system.
Rocks' deep voice broke through his thoughts.
"Since I became a pirate, I've witnessed the rise of countless monsters.
Yet, not one of them has truly earned my admiration—because none of them are greater than me."
"To this day, I have mastered the most advanced forms of Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror's Haki."
"My Observation Haki allows me to see into the hearts of others—to understand their very origins.
That is why I personally invited you the moment I saw you."
After speaking, Rocks fixed his piercing gaze on El once more.
"I can see it clearly—you possess a power unlike anyone else.
I don't know what it is, but your difference is undeniable."
"You have the potential to become a ruler, El!"
Rocks' strength was undoubtedly among the top in the world.
By mastering Observation Haki to its highest level, he had gained the ability to see into people's hearts and souls.
That exceptional intuition allowed him to recognize true power—
which was why he gathered so many future legends under his banner: Whitebeard, Shiki, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido, and more.
He could perceive their extraordinary potential long before anyone else could.
"See through people's hearts and understand their origins?" El muttered, frowning slightly.
It seemed Rocks had indeed noticed something—
the strange, Sage energy hidden deep within his body.
However, Rocks did not truly understand what kind of power El possessed.
He had only sensed that there was something special about the boy.
"Your potential even surpasses that of Edward and the Golden Lion, those monstrous talents. If you reach your peak, you might even surpass them one day," Rocks said calmly.
"Is that so?" El nodded slightly.
He showed no excitement at Rocks' words.
Since transmigrating into this world, he had awakened the Sage System.
El knew that his future would outshine everyone else's.
Every person he met would eventually become a stepping stone on his path.
Seeing El's calm reaction, Rocks smiled faintly. "It seems you already understand what kind of power you hold."
"So, what exactly did Captain Rocks call me here for tonight?" El asked.
"Serve me, El."
"Am I not already a member of the Rocks Pirates, serving under Captain Rocks?" El replied with a shrug.
"No. Although I don't know why you agreed to join this ship, what I want from you goes beyond mere words, El."
"What does Captain Rocks mean by that?"
"You possess immense potential and extraordinary power," Rocks said seriously, "but you're still too weak. I can help you become stronger. In return, I want your word that you won't betray me—not until the Rocks Pirates are disbanded."
As the captain of the most fearsome crew in the world, Rocks knew the truth well.
Everyone aboard had their own ambitions and secrets.
Some were already recruiting followers in the shadows.
He had tried to bring his crew under control, but he knew it was too late.
The Golden Lion and the others had long since become untamable beasts—grown monsters that would never fully obey anyone.
Even with his overwhelming strength, Rocks could only suppress them, never truly command their loyalty.
But El was different.
At only sixteen or seventeen years old, he was still within the age where hearts could be molded and loyalty could be shaped.
Rocks's goal was simple: nurture El's power, make him owe a debt of gratitude, and subtly mold his loyalty.
If he could do that, he could ensure El's future allegiance—and control him completely.
"What do you say, El?" Rocks asked with a serious expression.
"As a member of the Rocks Pirates, I would never betray Captain Rocks," El replied with a calm smile.
Although El possessed the power of the system and talent beyond the comprehension of this world, he was also painfully aware of his current weakness.
This situation was different from becoming the Golden Lion's subordinate.
Rocks was offering something greater—a one-on-one opportunity to learn from one of the world's strongest men.
From El's perspective, it was a perfect deal—a win-win situation.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Rocks would eventually meet his destined death at God Valley.
El had already decided to leave the Rocks Pirates after that day arrived.
So, he readily agreed to Rocks's conditions.
As for being br
ainwashed? That was impossible.
After all, El possessed a god-like perspective.