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Chapter 23
New World, Beehive Island.
Beehive Island had now completely become the Rocks Pirates' stronghold in the New World.
Every day, large numbers of pirates flocked to join this lawless paradise.
At this moment, a grand banquet was in full swing across the island.
The entire place was lost in wild revelry.
On the central plaza's high platform,
Rocks sat upon an enormous throne.
Around him, more than a dozen beautiful and seductive female pirates attended to his every need.
At his side sat:
First Division Commander John – bounty 600 million Berries. Second Division Commander Wang Zhi – bounty 650 million Berries. Third Division Commander Silver Axe – bounty 560 million Berries. Fourth Division Commander Edward Newgate – bounty 600 million Berries. Fifth Division Commander Golden Lion Shiki – bounty 700 million Berries. Sixth Division Commander Gloriosa – bounty 500 million Berries. And the intelligence chief, Shakuyaku (Shakky).
Charlotte Linlin had not yet joined the Rocks Pirates at this time.
Under the intoxicating atmosphere,
every pirate on the island was swept up in celebration.
Rocks casually flipped through the latest newspaper while gulping down fine wine poured by the beauties beside him.
"Hahahaha! Hahahahaha!"
"That kid Vilin caused quite a stir again!"
Rocks was looking at the headline about Vilin annihilating a Headquarters captain's fleet.
He glanced at Vilin's photo with interest, then tossed the paper aside.
He pulled two more women closer and continued drinking.
"Wahahaha!"
"Who's Vilin?"
"To catch the captain's attention like that."
The nearby pirates heard Rocks' booming laughter and looked over curiously, eyes burning with fanaticism.
"Nothing much."
"Just some brat!"
"Hahahahaha!"
"Everyone—drink up!"
Rocks' top commanders nearby showed little reaction to the name "Vilin."
Only Golden Lion Shiki, sitting to one side, drank with a dark expression.
His mind seemed elsewhere.
His gaze occasionally drifted toward Rocks and Edward Newgate, filled with suppressed rage.
Among them all,
only Shakky quietly picked up the discarded newspaper.
When she saw Vilin's striking side profile,
her eyes lit up.
She slipped away with the paper toward her private quarters.
Shakky had long realized the fatal flaw in the Rocks Pirates.
This crew was held together purely by self-interest.
Such an organization was inherently unstable and doomed to collapse.
She wanted an exit strategy.
Vilin was her first candidate for observation.
South Blue – en route to Reverse Mountain.
The Aitrias Pirates were engaged in battle with another crew.
Their opponents: the infamous Iron Axe Pirates of South Blue.
Captain Iron Axe Nock – bounty 15 million Berries.
This was the third pirate crew Vilin had encountered since leaving Baterilla Island.
Against such small fry, he felt no interest.
"Crew—these pirates are yours to practice on."
"Just don't damage the ship."
"Leave it to us, Vilin!"
"I've been itching to test this month's training!"
Rouge and Anna had been grinding through Vilin's daily tasks.
They were bursting with pent-up energy.
The rest of the crew also looked eager.
A wooden bridge extended between the two ships.
The Aitrias women charged across.
The Iron Axe Pirates saw a group of beautiful women rushing toward them.
Their faces lit up with lewd excitement.
"Hey, look—a bunch of gorgeous ladies!"
"Perfect timing. I was getting bored. Why don't you stay and entertain us?"
Captain Nock's eyes gleamed at the sight of over a dozen stunning women.
A sleazy grin spread across his face.
Anna and Rouge heard the taunts.
Their lovely faces instantly turned ice-cold.
Without a word, they rushed into the enemy ranks.
"Finger Pistol."
Both women moved with fluid grace.
In a flash, their slender fingers extended like spears.
Thwip! Thwip!
Several pirates' throats were pierced instantly.
Vilin watched from the Flying Bird's deck, observing their performance.
These were Rokushiki techniques—
a harvest from crushing the previous Marine force.
He had taught the entire Aitrias crew the Six Powers.
Vilin smiled faintly as he watched pirates fall to Finger Pistol and Tempest Kick.
Captain Nock saw how ferocious the women were.
His lecherous grin vanished.
"These girls are no pushovers!"
"Harris—test them!"
At Nock's command,
Harris—his right-hand man—grinned cruelly.
He hefted a massive blade and charged toward Anna and Rouge.
A cold flash—
a deadly arc of steel slashed toward Rouge.
She showed no panic.
"Zero Friction – Tempest Kick!"
Activating the Smooth-Smooth Fruit,
her leg blurred.
A silver high-heeled shoe pierced straight through Harris's forehead.
Blood sprayed.
Harris's eyes bulged.
He collapsed, lifeless.
The Iron Axe Pirates recoiled in horror at the gruesome sight.
Nock's face twisted.
He drew a silver pistol and opened fire on Rouge.
"Go to hell!"
Bang bang bang bang!
A barrage of bullets flew toward her.
Rouge stood calmly.
She activated her fruit power.
Every bullet slid harmlessly off her skin.
Silence.
Dead silence.
The pirates stared in disbelief.
Nock's pistol was useless against her.
Despair filled his eyes.
This woman was no longer prey.
"Men! Kill those two women! Big rewards for the ones who do!"
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