Unable to restrain himself any longer, Shiki wiped the wine stains from his mouth and grinned widely:
"Hahaha! Kid Raiver Sky, you're an executive now. When are you planning to gather your own crew?"
Raiver Sky took a large gulp of fine wine and looked up casually upon hearing this: "Well... I haven't really thought about it yet. Managing too many people is troublesome, and there are too many rules. I'll enjoy my freedom first and see how vast this New World really is. As for territory and subordinates, that can wait."
"Is that so?" Shiki's eyes lit up, feeling this newcomer's temperament suited his taste. Without beating around the bush, he extended an invitation directly:
"Then why not stay on my ship for now! Since you don't have a fixed place anyway. We both use swords - perfect for sparring and exchanging insights, cultivating the way of the sword together! Sword techniques can't be developed behind closed doors; you need suitable opponents!"
Now that Raiver Sky had been officially recognized as an executive by Rocks himself, holding equal status, Shiki couldn't openly recruit him to join his crew anymore. But building good relations and establishing close personal ties was never wrong. Such a monstrous newcomer shouldn't become an enemy, even if they couldn't be comrades on the same ship.
Moreover, he genuinely liked Raiver Sky's temperament.
More importantly, at their level, pure strength improvement had gradually slowed down. If they could sharpen each other through sparring, exchanging ideas and techniques, they might truly break through their current bottlenecks and advance their sword skills further.
"Stay at your place temporarily?" Raiver Sky showed a thoughtful expression, not immediately refusing. He was indeed somewhat interested in Shiki's sword techniques, especially how the other combined swordplay with his Float-Float Fruit abilities. His own Space Fruit could also utilize spatial buoyancy, sharing similar principles despite different approaches.
"Exactly! I am, after all, the acknowledged great swordsman in this pirate crew!" Shiki declared proudly: "Sparring between us will surely elevate our sword skills to new heights. My 'Cherry Ten' and 'Withered Tree' haven't encountered an opponent that excites me for a long time!"
Within the entire Rocks Pirates, when it came to pure swordsmanship mastery, aside from the unfathomable captain Rocks, Golden Lion Shiki was the strongest. He had obtained his Float-Float Fruit ability only after becoming a top-tier swordsman, using it more as an extension and supplement to his sword techniques. His foundation and core always remained in the "way of the sword."
In contrast, Whitebeard Newgate followed a different path. He primarily relied on his devastating Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability as his main offensive means. As for his Supreme Grade Sharp Blade "Cloud Cutter"? It often served more as a medium to channel his tremor powers, with his techniques being broad and powerful. Though immensely destructive, his approach differed from Shiki's in terms of pure sword technique refinement and variation.
"Gurararara... Shiki, who exactly are you implying doesn't 'properly' practice swordsmanship?" Whitebeard laughed heartily from nearby while drinking generously.
But he didn't directly refute the claim. Indeed, Whitebeard acknowledged that in terms of pure sword technique, speed, and variation, he was slightly inferior to Shiki. However, when it came to overall strength, destructive range, and battlefield control, with his devastating Tremor-Tremor Fruit, he still considered himself a notch above Shiki.
Their paths diverged, making it difficult to determine who stood higher.
"Hmph..." Whitebeard looked at Raiver Sky and spoke in a deep tone, carrying the admonishment of a senior: "Kid Raiver Sky, wanting to spar is a good thing, but Shiki's strength isn't sufficient yet. If you truly wish to learn, why not come aboard my ship? I'll show you what real 'power' means."
He and Shiki had clashed countless times in the past, with victories going both ways, but overall, Whitebeard had emerged victorious more often. He inwardly scoffed at Shiki's bragging and eagerness to win over newcomers in front of them, thinking this guy's face grew thicker by the day. He'd have to find another opportunity to "spar" and teach him a lesson soon.
Raiver Sky merely smiled, raising his glass in a toast to both men without responding. He already had a rough understanding of the situation. Shiki's swordsmanship was exquisite, while Whitebeard's power was overwhelmingly dominant—each had their own merits. He wasn't in a hurry to pick sides, preferring to learn from all strengths.
Just then, Whitebeard and Shiki abruptly stopped their conversation and ceased their efforts to cozy up to Raiver Sky. Instead, they picked up their glasses and pretended to sip earnestly, their gazes drifting elsewhere. They even subtly shifted their stools slightly away, creating a subtle distance from Raiver Sky.
Huh? Raiver Sky was inwardly surprised. These two had just been—one enthusiastically inviting, the other taunting—why had they suddenly turned so "aloof" and "reserved"? Unusual behavior always had a reason.
Before he could figure out the cause of this abrupt change, a clear, charming female voice sounded from behind him, accompanied by the sensation of a powerful presence approaching: "Little brother Raiver Sky, you're so handsome and strong—you probably haven't had children with anyone yet, right? I think your genes are excellent, with limitless potential... How about—we have a few? We're sure to raise the most outstanding descendants!"
The speaker was none other than Charlotte Linlin. Tall and beautiful, she scrutinized Raiver Sky with burning eyes, as if appraising a rare treasure. Originally, she had planned to wait until later in the banquet when the atmosphere was more relaxed to approach Raiver Sky privately. But seeing Shiki and Whitebeard take the initiative, swarming around him and talking nonstop, she could no longer hold back.
If Raiver Sky really agreed to stay on Shiki's ship, according to the pirates' unwritten rules, crew members couldn't freely intrude into another officer's direct fleet. It would be difficult to make contact then. Even if she couldn't fully recruit Raiver Sky for her own use like she had with Kaido, if she could unite with him and bear a few talented children inheriting both their strengths to bolster her own team, that would be excellent too.
In short, such a high-quality "resource" shouldn't let Golden Lion take all the advantages!
Hearing Charlotte Linlin's shockingly blunt "marriage proposal," or rather "breeding invitation," Raiver Sky shuddered, goosebumps rising all over. He instantly understood why Shiki and Newgate had suddenly backed away as if avoiding a plague. He glared fiercely at those two disloyal guys who had fled swiftly at the critical moment—they had clearly experienced Linlin's enthusiasm before.
Right... In the original storyline, the future Big Mom Charlotte Linlin indeed had a passion for collecting genes, giving birth to numerous children with varied abilities to build her kingdom. And almost all the men who had been with her were eventually used and then discarded or marginalized.
Charlotte Linlin's life experiences could fill an autobiography titled "Many Children, Many Blessings: How I Conquered the New World Through My Offspring!"
That said, although the young Charlotte Linlin currently possessed a rather pleasant voice and a beautiful figure that could be considered stunning, Raiver Sky still chose to reject her—without the slightest hesitation.
The main reason was that he couldn't help but recall what she would look like in her old age.
What a miscalculation—to have caught Charlotte Linlin's attention.
Raiver's mouth twitched slightly, and invisible black lines seemed to hang from his forehead as countless thoughts galloped wildly through his mind.