Splash…
Splash…
A fleet of pirate ships cut across the open sea.
When they came to God Valley, there were one hundred and fifty thousand pirates under the banner of Captain Rocks.
When they left, fewer than one hundred thousand remained.
And Rocks D. Xebec—their invincible captain—had fallen on that cursed island.
Standing at the edge of his ship, Arthur gazed silently toward the horizon. No one knew what he was thinking, but the weight in his eyes told of thoughts too heavy for words.
"Arthur,"
Shakky stepped up beside him, curiosity flickering in her gaze. "What are you thinking about?"
Arthur exhaled softly.
"It's strange. I only joined the Rocks Pirates for a single year. But in that year, I witnessed its brilliance… and now I finally understand what it feels like to see something so grand come to an end."
A trail of smoke drifted upward as Shakky took a slow drag from her cigarette.
"You're right," she said quietly. "To see it with your own eyes… to watch the fall of a legend like that—it's something words can't describe."
Indeed.
No one who ever sailed under Rocks D. Xebec could feel shame. On the contrary—each of them carried an unshakable pride.
The strength of the Rocks Pirates was the stuff of myth, and every member bore that arrogance like a crown.
The journey home was silent.
Before long, the fleet reached Hachinosu—the Hive Island, birthplace of the Rocks Pirates.
This time, however, there were no raucous feasts or drunken laughter. The taverns that once overflowed with life were eerily quiet. Everyone gathered in the central harbor, saying nothing.
Edward looked around the island, his deep voice tinged with sentiment.
"Guess it's finally over. Didn't think I'd care, but… it feels strange all the same."
Arthur stood beside him, his tone calm yet resolute.
"Every ending is just another beginning. The Rocks Pirates… were never the end, only the first step."
Edward nodded slowly.
"Yeah… that's true enough. The sea doesn't stop moving. There's always a new voyage waiting ahead."
They both smiled faintly.
On the shore, the remaining captains and crew stood in a solemn line before the great bonfire of ships. Upon one of those vessels lay Rocks D. Xebec's body, motionless yet towering in presence even in death.
Kaido rose into the air, his body twisting into a massive Azure Dragon.
With a thunderous roar, he spewed a torrent of flame from the sky—igniting the fleet in a blazing inferno.
Arthur, Kaido, Edward, Shiki, Linlin, Ochoku, Captain John, Silver Axe, and Shakky—all nine stood silently, watching the flames consume their past.
The burning ships carried away the last vestiges of an age.
What remained was only the unknown future.
The fire burned for hours, until nothing but ashes and molten wreckage remained.
The era of the Rocks Pirates had ended completely.
And in its ashes, the New Era had begun.
---
The next day, everyone prepared to leave. The surviving officers and followers made their choices—some forming new crews, others departing alone. The moment Rocks died, every man became his own master once again.
"Gyahahahaha!"
Shiki laughed wildly. "Arthur! How about it, brat? Wanna be my right hand?"
Arthur shook his head.
"Not interested, Shiki. After sailing under Rocks, I don't intend to serve under anyone again. There's no ship left in this world I'd board as a subordinate."
That single statement was final.
"Ha! Thought so!" Shiki grinned. "Then don't die too easily, kid. I'll be back someday—with a grand fleet like the world's never seen. And when that time comes, I'll invite you again. Refuse me then… and I'll kill you!"
Arthur smirked.
"Then make sure you're ready not to lose too miserably."
"Gyahahahahaha!"
With that manic laughter, Shiki lifted into the sky, using his powers to raise his ship aloft.
Three hundred of the Rocks' fiercest veterans followed him—men who had survived countless wars. His ship vanished into the clouds, leaving only a golden gleam in the sunlight.
Arthur turned to Shakky.
"You sure you won't come with me?"
Exhaling another lazy puff of smoke, Shakky smiled.
"No thanks, Arthur. I'm done being a pirate. If you ever need information, come to the Sabaody Archipelago—I'll give you a discount."
"A discount, huh? What kind—half off, or broken bones?"
Shakky chuckled. "Who knows?"
Without looking back, she walked away. Her path as a pirate had ended. The life ahead—peaceful, detached, her own—was what she wanted.
Arthur simply smiled.
"People follow their own dreams. Nothing strange about that."
Just as he turned to leave—
A mighty roar shook the world.
The Azure Dragon reappeared, its eyes burning with challenge.
"Arthur, you bastard!" Kaido bellowed from above. "Don't you dare die before I beat you myself! Your life belongs to me!"
Arthur tilted his head, smiling faintly.
"I won't lose… but what about you?"
Their eyes met—two beasts bound by mutual respect and rivalry. Once allies against an admiral, now destined to clash as enemies.
For warriors like them, mercy was the ultimate insult.
Kaido departed with a hundred elite followers—the fiercest remnants of the Rocks crew. Even that was enough to make the world tremble in the years to come.
Arthur, in contrast, stood alone. Not a single pirate chose to follow him. But that suited him just fine. His path was his own.
As he prepared to leave, Edward called out.
"Gurararara! Arthur, you brat! How about joining me instead—be the commander of my first division?"
Arthur sighed. "You too? First Shiki, now you? Do I look like someone who wants to be anyone's underling?"
Edward burst out laughing.
"Worth a try! Don't take it personally. You've got the kind of presence men want at their side. But fine, fine—it's your choice."
He turned to go, Murakumogiri resting on his shoulder.
"See you on the seas, Arthur. Next time we meet, let's make it a good one."
One by one, the great monsters of Rocks' crew departed.
Linlin, Ochoku, Captain John, and Silver Axe each went their own way, the legends that would later shape the world's balance.
Arthur shook his head.
"What a bunch of troublesome fools."
Then he turned to his loyal knight.
"Galahad… it's time. Let's go. There's a place I want to visit—the beginning of our new story. We'll revive the legend in our own way."
"Yes, my lord," Galahad said, kneeling slightly. "I, Galahad, shall follow Your Majesty forever."
Arthur smiled faintly and nodded.
He looked out over the calm sea. Then he boarded his small personal vessel—the one he had built before the God Valley War.
As the oars dipped into the water, the small ship drifted away from Hive Island.
With his departure, the Rocks Pirates ceased to exist.
Arthur Pendragon's journey—the legend of the Red Dragon—had finally begun.
---
Elsewhere…
Above the clouds, Shiki laughed madly aboard his floating ship.
"Gyahahaha! I'm coming for you, world! The age of Shiki has begun!"
His eyes burned with ambition. Three hundred elite warriors cheered behind him, their roars echoing through the sky.
At the same time, a colossal Azure Dragon soared through the heavens—Kaido, leading a hundred followers who had survived the Rocks era. His roar split the clouds, a declaration to the world below.
And on the sea, a new voice rose—deep and booming.
"Gurararara! Sons!"
Edward stood aboard his new ship, surrounded by a dozen young faces—Marco, Jozu, Thatch, Izo, Vista, and others barely into their teens.
"Our voyage begins now! The Whitebeard Pirates—set sail!"
"Yeah!!!"
The children roared, the sea wind carrying their voices far and wide.
"Old man!" Marco called out earnestly. "Do you think Bullet and Katakuri will become stronger in the future?"
Whitebeard smiled.
"Of course they will. Arthur and Linlin aren't ordinary people. Those two will teach them well."
Marco clenched his fist.
"Then I'll become stronger too! I don't ever want to lose to them again!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"Gurararara! Then prepare yourself, boy. If you want to be strong, you'll take my training—and I don't go easy on my sons!"
"Yes, old man!" Marco struck his chest with determination. "I won't slack off!"
Whitebeard's laughter thundered across the deck.
"That's the spirit! My sons—this is our age!"
He raised his bisento toward the horizon.
The sails caught the wind, and the ship surged forward into the open sea.
The Old Era is gone.
Now the question is...
Who's tale will be the most legendary one?
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