"I need warriors. Brave, relentless warriors!" Rocks' eyes gleamed with a fierce light as ambition surged inside him. He spoke with commanding force. "From here on out, I'll claim the entire New World for myself."
"I will become king of all pirates."
Once upon a time, he formed the Rocks Pirates in pursuit of riches.
But now…
The Rocks Pirates had grown at an astonishing pace, and wealth no longer satisfied him. Once a man amasses enough treasure, his hunger shifts. He begins to crave something greater.
Ambition evolves.
Captain John let out a grin. "Every pirate in the New World fears your name now."
"No one can stand against the Rocks Pirates."
"You'll be king. It's only a matter of time."
John had no interest in challenging Rocks' authority. He only wanted endless treasure. A swig of strong liquor burned down his throat, warming his gut.
As long as he followed Rocks, the loot would keep coming.
The two strolled casually into the town.
Meanwhile, chaos had already erupted.
The pirates of the Rocks crew were like wolves let loose among sheep. The villagers were utterly defenseless against these bloodthirsty veterans of countless battles.
Slash!
Golden Lion Shiki swung his blade clean across a villager's throat. Blood sprayed. The body hit the dirt with a heavy thud.
He casually flicked the blood off his prized blade Kuwagi, a Great Grade sword and flashed a chilling grin.
"Listen up! Hand over all your valuables. No heroics."
"This guy? This is what happens if you don't comply!"
"We came for treasure. If you don't want to die, cough up everything you've got!"
He blew out a puff of smoke, his face calm, uncaring of the sobbing villagers trembling in fear.
Other pirates kicked down doors, looting anything of value. They beat or outright killed anyone who stood in their way.
Gunshots rang out from deeper in the town.
Cries of pain, pleas for mercy, and the sound of ransacking filled the air. It was a scene of utter devastation.
Shiki reclined lazily, puffing on his cigar, while his subordinates piled treasures, booze, and even furniture in front of him.
The mound of stolen goods soon grew as tall as a man.
And he wasn't the only one.
Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, Wang Zhi, Silver Axe each was hauling in their share. The more they grabbed, the bigger their personal cut.
Groups of pirates started forming around the loot, grinning wildly, their eyes glinting with greed.
"This place turned out better than expected. Once we're back at Beehive Island, I'm treating myself to three Bunny Girls!"
"Only three? Pfft. You weak?"
"Forget women. Cigars and booze are the real treasure. Women'll hop from one man's bed to another anyway."
"Shame the captain said no taking villagers. I'd have loved to bring a few back."
"You're just thinking with your dick. You really want some woman stabbing you in your sleep? These ones've got nothing to lose."
"If you're that desperate, gimme 100,000 Beli. I'll stand guard while you get your 'fun.' Deal?"
The pirates laughed and joked without a care. This was their life.
Indulgence.
If you didn't plunder enough now to last a lifetime, you'd die penniless. That was the reality of pirate life.
But few managed to save. Most spent it all as fast as they got it.
After all, if you didn't have the strength to protect your loot, someone else on the ship would gladly take it.
As laughter mixed with the villagers' weeping, two more figures entered the scene Rocks and Captain John.
"Not bad," Rocks remarked as he scanned the mounds of plunder. "Same split as always."
"Aye, Captain!!"
"Captain Rocks rules!!"
Cheers erupted.
Then
A sharp gasp.
One pirate's eyes went wide with shock. "Everyone... look over there!!"
"Is that... is that a monster?!"
The town square fell silent.
All eyes turned.
And there, walking down the road, was a figure so massive and muscular he looked like a bronze-skinned beast.
A young man with a body like a grizzly bear, dragging behind him a hulking tiger over ten meters long.
The tiger had yellow and brown stripes and was easily the size of a two-masted schooner.
How heavy was that thing?!
And yet, this young man carried it effortlessly with one hand.
The pirates' expressions changed instantly shock, fear, awe.
"That guy... feels even more dangerous than the tiger. There's something wild about him."
"Who the hell is he? A rookie like Kaido?"
"No way... he's one of the villagers?!"
"That pressure… it's like a predator's gaze locking on its prey."
Even elite pirates of the Rocks crew broke out in cold sweat, hands tightening on their weapons.
"Jihahaha! Now this is interesting!" Shiki's eyes gleamed with delight. "He still looks young. Must be a teenager."
Whitebeard grinned. "This one's got potential."
"That raw, violent aura of his... it's got weight. Intimidation."
He was impressed. Such men were rare.
The only recent comparison aboard was their newest recruit Kaido. Another monster.
Charlotte Linlin licked her lips, her eyes hungry. "Mmm... think this kid can make me scream?"
"I love 'em young, strong, and pretty. And he's all three."
Captain John chuckled. "He looks tough. What do you say, Captain? Should we recruit him?"
He glanced at Rocks' expression.
Rocks remained calm, though a flicker of interest shone in his eyes.
Among the huddled villagers, a flicker of hope stirred.
An old man rushed forward, tears in his eyes.
"Ares! Please! Stop these pirates! Save us!!"