One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 163 The Times Are Out of Place? So What?
to be frank.

Although I have been investigating matters related to Rocks ever since Skypiea.

But Chenlong never expected that he would suddenly see this descendant of the David clan, the overlord of the sea, here in such a way.

But
"It's an illusion."

Just a moment later, Chenlong knew the obvious answer in his heart.

Yes—the Rocks in front of me is certainly not the real Rocks.

Because his appearance was exactly the same as Brooke had described.

This means that what Chenlong is seeing at this moment is probably Lockes from more than 30 years ago.

The other party did indeed arrive in the Devil's Triangle area and did indeed find the ship.

"Honestly, I already have a lot of time to spare, and I wasted a lot of time trying to find you."

Even though the dragon was right in front of him in the air, Lockes seemed completely unaware of it.

The great pirate simply closed his eyes, as if listening to something: "Ah, that's right—I am also 'David'."

He muttered to himself, as if he had heard some information.

Then he looked toward the center of the island, toward the direction of the three high mountains.

"Hey, what's the point of seeing these forests now that the era is over?"

His words trailed off.

Then, Chenlong saw that the trees in front of Lockes had indeed dried up and split apart in an instant.

A huge 'road' suddenly appeared before Lockes.

"."

So even knowing that everything in front of them was a phantom from more than thirty years ago.

Even beneath Chenlong's mask, his eyes still couldn't help but reveal a look of surprise.

Having witnessed this scene, he naturally understood.

At this moment, Lockes was actually communicating with this 'giant ship'.

"Listen to the voice of all things?"

The term naturally came to Chenlong's mind.

The ability to hear the voices of all things, and to communicate with both living and non-living things without using words—this special ability seems to be something that Rocks also possesses.

But at this moment, as Chenlong pondered in his heart...

Lox laughed loudly and said, "That's more like it!"

"Things that have already decayed should be let go; humans are creatures that must constantly move forward!"

As he spoke, he took a step forward.

The next moment, Chenlong discovered that his figure had vanished instantly.

"so far?"

However, Fenglei Xinwang told him that in that instant, Lockes had already appeared several kilometers away.

"What's going on? Is it a shaving? Or is the 'replay' of this ship dropping frames?"

Chenlong was puzzled, but that didn't stop him from reacting immediately.

Compared to aimlessly drifting around on this enormous ship, following Locke was clearly a much easier way to get closer to the core.

so.
"Zi!"

Lightning flashed, and his figure followed closely behind Lockes.

Then he realized that Lockes's sudden disappearance was not due to a problem with the giant ship's 'replay' function.

Since then, every move he makes involves leaping an extremely exaggerated distance.

Even Chenlong, the user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, could only barely catch up.

"It's impossible for Shave to leap that far in an instant. Is it a Devil Fruit ability!?"

Chenlong made a judgment in his mind.

He did know that Rocks was an extremely powerful swordsman, but he really didn't know if the other party was a Devil Fruit user.

However, while he was thinking, he quickly realized the direction that Lockes was heading.

His target location was none other than the three mountain peaks in the center of the island.

Due to this exaggerated speed of movement, Chenlong quickly arrived at the front of the mountain peak.

then
"Ok?"

Chen Long made this discovery unexpectedly.

Upon close inspection, he could clearly see it.
These three mountains, which look unremarkable from a distance, reveal intricate carvings on their surfaces when viewed up close.

Those marks were clearly not naturally formed, but they also had no obvious significance.

To be precise, their goal seems to be to make the three mountains look more like...
"Tree?"

Yes.

Perhaps it's the roots, perhaps it's the branches, but at least to Chenlong at this moment, these three mountains appear to have been intentionally sculpted into part of three 'trees' when viewed up close.

Or to be more precise, it seemed to be a 'tree'—the largest mountain in the middle, with the two smaller ones beside it resembling 'sprouts' growing from its root system.

But before Chenlong could think further, Lockes continued forward.

Thus, Chenlong quickly saw his destination.

It was a place located in the center of the entire island, surrounded by those three enormous mountain peaks.

Because it was surrounded and hidden by mountains and forests, even Chenlong had not noticed it before.

That appears to be the ship's 'cabin'.

Of course, in Chenlong's eyes at this moment, the 'cabin' looked more like a ship.
"Temple?"

Yes.

Nestled among those three ancient, fossilized mountain peaks lies an ancient temple.

It is enormous, its surface covered with moss, vines and chisel marks, presenting a simple square structure.

Chenlong could see that there seemed to be the mark of a huge tree engraved on the gate.

But before Chenlong could think any further, he saw Lockes leap into the air.

"boom!"

Even if it was just a false illusion, Chenlong could still judge the power of his leap by looking at the huge crater on the ground that had existed for more than thirty years.

But at that moment, Chenlong did not hesitate and immediately followed.

And sure enough—he saw Lox arrive at the temple gate.

"Don't stop me, you idiot."

He seemed to be whispering something to the island before pushing open the door in front of him.

Of course, in Chenlong's view, that door had already been opened.

Therefore, Chenlong could see the enormous, bottomless staircase extending downwards inside the gate.

"clatter!"

Lockes stepped inside.

"clatter!"

And Chenlong, of course, did not hesitate.

They continued walking downwards until darkness completely enveloped them.

"."

Then, Chenlong stopped in his tracks.

Because he saw that he and Lockes seemed to have entered the very bottom of this 'cabin'.

There were no steps in front of him; instead, there was another door.

But unlike the temple gate, this door is relatively smaller.

And
At the very top of this door, Chenlong can see an ancient mural, and what appears to be an ancient inscription on it.

I cast aside here the ancient sins, covenants, and hopes.

My descendants, when the age of redemption arrives, please atone for my sins.

Let the world keep its promises, and let the world regain its freedom.

At this moment, Chenlong glanced at the inscription.

But he hadn't had a chance to examine the murals closely yet.
"Go away!"

Then they heard Lox growl from the side.

Chenlong turned around instinctively and saw that Lockes had closed his eyes again.

He appears to have resumed his dialogue with the 'Abyss'.

Chenlong could also see that at this moment, the surrounding mirage and the surrounding rock walls seemed to be trembling.

Even if it was a phantom from more than thirty years ago, Chenlong certainly understood it.

The conversation between the ship and Lockes at the time was clearly not pleasant.

then
"I know."

He heard Lox's voice.

"I know that this is not the era of redemption that was promised."

"I know that this is not the era predicted."

“I know that the ancestors said that David’s descendants must give that thing to ‘Joyboy’ in the prophesied time.”

"but."

He said so.

Then, Chenlong saw Lox grin.

"So what!?"

That bold voice was like an unbridled storm.

"Hey, you've got it wrong!"

“I did indeed inherit David’s bloodline, that curse, and the ambition to change the ‘world’.”

"But that doesn't mean I have to bow down to 'fate'!"

His wide eyes gleamed with arrogance.

"Whether it's Davy Jones or Joy Boy—in the end, weren't they all 'losers' from 800 years ago?"

"Why should I gamble everything on the future that a bunch of losers want?!"

What he said was undoubtedly rebellious.

“In the Valley of the Gods, I have witnessed the power of that ‘god,’ and I have indeed failed.”

"But after that, I met another amazing guy—I'm sure he can bring 'freedom' to the world!"

"I'm betting the future of the world on him."

As he said this, Rocks slowly drew the sword from his waist.

"I am Lox D. Gibbek!"

"Destiny? The orders of our ancestors? Whatever those things may be, I only believe in my own choices! I only believe in the 'comrades' I cherish!"

He opened his eyes and raised his sword high toward the ancient door.

Or perhaps it is a homage to his ancient ancestor and to the so-called destiny of this world.

"Since you're unwilling to move aside, then..."

"I'll take it myself!"

He grinned as he recounted the 'domineering' principles he had always upheld.

next moment.
The knife in his hand had already fallen!
"After all, I'm a pirate!"

　Today's update 9k
　　It's almost certain that Rocks could hear the voice of all things, and he was likely stronger than Roger and Otohime, because after being corrupted, he could communicate with Roger and Garp through their minds. The manga even specifically highlighted how special this ability was.

　　Additionally, root suckers (pronounced nie, fourth tone) refer to small plantlets that develop from the roots of a plant.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)