Demon Horn Island Sea, Hundred Trees Island
The island's iconic hundred towering trees were in chaos—dozens toppled, many engulfed in flames, sending thick black smoke spiraling into the sky. The choking pillar of smog was visible from dozens of miles away.
The island's pirate inhabitants were no match for the Rocks Pirates. The Butcher Pirates' flag lay in tatters, ripped down by Miss Bakkin and set ablaze, its ashes mingling with the smoke.
In Miss Bakkin's eyes, Saracha was a coward who'd fled at the mere thought of Rocks. She scoffed at the Navy for hyping him as one of the four overlords—what a pathetic joke!
Martial Monk Skal and his fellow officers grinned wickedly as they plundered the island's gold and treasures. After looting several islands, their haul was impressive, though not their main thrill. For these lawless elites, the joy was in the chaos of pillaging and slaughter.
The ship overflowed with gold and silver, especially Miss Bakkin's quarters, where gems piled so high there was barely room to sleep.
"Bakkin, it's time to regroup with Captain Rocks. We've already burned more than a day here!"
Kurozumi Higurashi, disguised as Rocks, gave Miss Bakkin a sharp reminder. She hadn't forgotten Rocks' orders: leave Brook's territory and link up with him.
"No rush, no rush! We'll hit one more island, then head straight to Captain Rocks!"
Miss Bakkin's eyes gleamed with greed, dazzled by the glittering treasures. If her body could handle it, she'd drape herself in every gem and necklace, flaunting her charm to the world.
"Bakkin, Rocks' Den Den Mushi message said Saracha's not dead—just hiding. If we run into him, it'll be a full-on brawl. And if Vesper or Brook show up, we're in deep trouble!"
Higurashi felt safer sticking close to Rocks. This crew wasn't exactly reliable—when push came to shove, it'd be every pirate for themselves.
"Hmph, Saracha? Skal and Sandy can handle that loser. Relax, we'll be fine. These islands are hand-picked, and we're heading toward Rocks' rendezvous point. It won't take long!"
Miss Bakkin wasn't some brainless brute. She was just squeezing in a few extra raids on the way to Rocks—hardly a detour in her mind.
Higurashi sighed. Despite being older, she'd joined later than Bakkin, giving her less clout. Rocks valued her and her brother Kurozumi Semimaru's Devil Fruit powers, especially Semimaru's Barrier-Barrier Fruit, which even Rocks praised. That's why they were his personal guards.
Watching the crew haul treasures aboard, Miss Bakkin nodded in satisfaction, already itching to plunder the next island.
...
Suddenly, Martial Monk Skal, Sandy, and the other officers snapped their heads toward the horizon, faces hardening. Weapons drawn, they braced for battle, their tense formation sending a chill through Higurashi and Bakkin.
Had their worst fears come true?
Was Saracha—or worse, Brook—coming for them?
Following the officers' gazes, Bakkin and Higurashi stared into the sky. The sky? Could it be the Hell Pirates' golden airship?
"Quick! Call Captain Rocks for backup!"
Skal sensed multiple powerful auras from the approaching airship, and even he felt uneasy. Every Hell Pirates fighter was a force to be reckoned with, their Devil Fruit powers among the best—sometimes even catching Rocks' envious eye.
Skal's shout jolted Miss Bakkin. She scrambled to dial Rocks' Den Den Mushi, explaining the situation. Panic crept in—this prolonged looting spree was her idea, and now they were stuck in this mess!
The golden airship loomed closer, confirming their fears: the Hell Pirates. Skal didn't order a retreat. On the open sea, they'd be sitting ducks. Golden Lion Shiki's Float-Float Fruit and Whitebeard Newgate's Quake-Quake Fruit could shred their ship in seconds. Plus, their vessel couldn't outrun a flying ship.
Their only option was to dig in on the island and hold out until Rocks arrived. If they played it right, they might even turn the tables and take down Brook!
Skal itched to test himself against this new overlord. The Rocks Pirates' officers were battle-hardened outlaws, thriving in chaos. Surviving in Rocks' crew meant unmatched strength and ironclad resolve.
Facing the Hell Pirates without Rocks didn't scare them—it thrilled them. They'd never fought another overlord crew without their captain, and they were eager to prove themselves.
Miss Bakkin had an idea: let Higurashi, disguised as Rocks, intimidate the Hell Pirates to buy time. They might not know her Rocks was a fake!
The crew unleashed their collective aura, radiating menace. Higurashi stepped forward, mimicking Rocks' usual stance—arms crossed, a cruel smirk on her face, staring down the approaching threat.
...
In their sights, the golden airship closed in, its gleaming form unmistakable.
"Jahaha! Not a single one ran? Gutsy! That top dog Skal is mine—nobody better steal him!"
Golden Lion Shiki launched himself from the airship, ignoring the "Rocks" at the forefront. Without a word, he swung his blade at Martial Monk Skal.
Kurozumi Semimaru threw up a transparent barrier to shield "Rocks," deflecting the attack's shockwave. But it was clear—the Hell Pirates knew this "Rocks" was a fraud!
If they hadn't, Shiki wouldn't dare strike so boldly. Back in the day, Rocks had crushed Shiki's Sky Pirates, leaving only two survivors. The bad blood and Shiki's fear of the real Rocks were undeniable. If this was the true Rocks, Shiki's blade would've aimed for him, not Skal.
Seeing Shiki claim the 1.2-billion-Belly bounty Skal, Whitebeard Newgate zeroed in on Sandy, with his 900-million-Belly bounty.
Fighting Redfield wouldn't boost Newgate's bounty—beating him was a given. But taking down Sandy? That might just push his own bounty higher.
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+300 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg