"Uh… where should I even begin?"
At this moment, Foxy seemed to have turned into a meek schoolboy, cautiously gauging the mood. "This 'Pirate Game' was originally launched under the name of the 'Lord of the Deep Sea'… under your name, Captain."
Davy Jones puffed calmly on his pipe, making no move to interrupt.
"But it only became truly famous because of that legendary crew—the Rocks Pirates."
"The Rocks Pirates…" Smoke was drawn into Davy Jones' mouth, only to stream out from the hollow gaps of his tendrils.
"That's a forbidden subject. The World Government has practically erased the Rocks Pirates from history. You can't find much through official channels."
"Then how do you know of them?"
"Some of their members are still alive. It's only been a little over thirty years—there are still people who remember. So when I was researching the Pirate Game, I managed to uncover some information."
"Go on."
Foxy stood before Davy Jones, sweat beading under the crushing pressure.
"The Rocks Pirates existed more than thirty years ago—before the Pirate King, Roger, made his name. Their captain once had the potential to become the Pirate King himself."
At the mention of Roger, even Buggy forgot his irritation toward Foxy and listened quietly.
Foxy continued:
"Captain Rocks D. Xebec used Hachinosu, Beehive Island, as his base. Claiming knowledge of a vast treasure, he launched the 'Pirate Game' worldwide, and through it he gathered an incredibly powerful crew."
"'Whitebeard' Edward Newgate, 'Big Mom' Charlotte Linlin, and 'Kaido of the Beasts'—three of today's Four Emperors—were once members of the Rocks Pirates."
"'Golden Lion' Shiki—the first and only prisoner in the history of Impel Down to ever escape. Others like Silver Axe, Captain John, and Wang Zhi, all infamous in their own right, were once part of that crew as well."
"They had all lost to Rocks in the Pirate Game. Finding themselves kindred spirits, they abided by its rules and became his subordinates."
"Together, they ravaged the seas with plunder and slaughter. In the end, however, they were crushed by the 'Hero' Garp—and some say even the Pirate King, Roger, took part, though the truth is unclear."
"In short: Rocks died, his crew had no loyalty to him, and so the crew dissolved."
"In other words, the Pirate Game began with you, and grew to prominence through the legend of the Rocks Pirates. Since then, countless crews have imitated it, hoping to emulate Rocks—using the Pirate Game to forge an invincible pirate crew."
Foxy finished, forcing a strained, sycophantic smile.
"So that's why you came to challenge me with a Pirate Game?" Davy Jones tapped his pipe, scattering ash and embers, his face unreadable.
"You mean to devour my crew?"
The very question sent chills down the spines of the Foxy Pirates.
At first, they thought this was just another weak little crew to swindle—but it had turned out to be a monster.
A crew that had defeated Crocodile… their strength and temperament could only be vicious beyond imagination.
And even if the so-called Pirate Game had rules—what reason did Davy Jones have to follow them?
Yet Foxy himself was far calmer than his men.
Here it comes…!
From the moment he realized it was the Davy Jones Pirates—and realized they had crushed a Warlord of the Sea—he had been preparing for this very question.
His answer would decide the fate of the entire Foxy Pirates.
"How could I dare…" Foxy smiled obsequiously, rubbing his hands together like a sly merchant. "A miracle like the Rocks Pirates only happens once in history."
The Foxy Pirates exhaled in relief. Their captain still knew when to bend and when to bow.
But then Foxy added:
"However, I do indeed wish to challenge you to a Pirate Game!"
"What?!"
His crew's faces turned deathly pale. They stared at their captain in disbelief.
Was this really the same Foxy who prided himself on cheap tricks, who always ran at the first sign of trouble?
Davy Jones looked like no easy opponent—whether impostor or real, he was terrifying. How could their captain possibly challenge him?
But Foxy had his own scheme.
You fools! This is the only way to save us. If I back down, he could wipe us out on a whim!
Heh heh heh… besides, win or lose, I can't lose!
If I lose, I'll still have shown my worth, and naturally I can join his crew.
If by chance I win, I'll owe Davy Jones a favor—what better way to earn goodwill?
I'm a genius!
The thought nearly made Foxy burst out laughing, but he barely restrained himself, covering his mouth.
Davy Jones put away his pipe, his eyes narrowing with curiosity at the man who dared to challenge him.
"Are you certain?"
"Captain Davy Jones, I am certain. Of course, the traditional best-of-three format is far too troublesome. Since you are the very founder of the Pirate Game, the rules should be flexible for you. So—let's make it one round, winner takes all."
"You sound very confident."
"Not confidence—merely respect for you, Captain."
At that, the Foxy Pirates who knew him best—Porche, Hamburg, Capote—finally understood.
So that's it! As expected of Captain Foxy—cunning as a fox!
"Then swear it," Davy Jones said. "Swear to me, and the Pirate Game will take effect. In a one-on-one duel, the victor may decide the fate of the loser's crew."
A one-on-one duel…
That left little room for trickery. But Foxy had no need to actually win.
"I swear it!"
Without hesitation, Foxy drew his pistol and fired a shot into the sky.
Davy Jones, familiar with the ritual, drew his own pistol and likewise fired skyward.
At that instant, Foxy felt a sharp tug in his chest—his heart seemed to clench, as though something new had taken root inside him. But the sensation vanished just as quickly, and he paid it no mind.
"From our side," Foxy declared, "I will be the one to fight!"
Since he intended to show his worth to Davy Jones, he naturally seized the chance to fight in person.
Porche, Hamburg, Capote, and the others realized it too: their captain was planning to secure them a new place under Davy Jones. The Foxy Pirates would soon be no more. Their feelings were complicated.
As for Jones—he had no need to dirty his own hands. He turned to his crew.
Buggy had been itching to fight Foxy, but after hearing mention of Captain Roger, his enthusiasm dimmed.
Then Kuro, in his sharp black suit, stepped forward.
"Captain, let me handle this."
Jones nodded. "Very well."
Kuro adjusted his suit with meticulous precision, pushed up his glasses with the flat of his palm, and slowly slipped on his Cat Claws.
Not Davy Jones himself…?
Foxy felt disappointed, but it also made sense. He stretched, loosening his muscles in preparation.
With a signal from Foxy, the referees of the Pirate Game hurried forward, marking out the battlefield's boundaries.
The announcer, Itomimizu, forced himself to speak despite his trembling voice.
"Pirate Game — One-on-One Duel! One round, winner takes all! Contestants: 'Silver Fox' Foxy versus 'Schemer' Kuro!"
"Ready… begin!"
Foxy was a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user—the Slow-Slow Fruit. His "Slow-Slow Beam" could trap enemies in thirty seconds of sluggish motion, like turtles in molasses.
He raised his hands in that bizarre gesture—middle and ring fingers pressed to his thumbs—already plotting far ahead.
Since it's not Jones himself, maybe I can actually win…
And even if I do, I won't really steal his crew—I'll trade the victory for something more valuable… or just declare I want to join him outright!
Foxy chuckled darkly, Fufufufu…, then suddenly thrust his hands forward. The "Slow-Slow Beam" shot straight at Kuro.
Take this!
But Kuro had no intention of standing still. With his Silent Step, he vanished from Foxy's sight.
When he reappeared, he was already behind him.
The blades of the Cat Claws gleamed at Foxy's throat, just one twitch away from slitting it open.
Checkmate.
A chill seized Foxy's entire body. He didn't even dare swallow, let alone move.
He had imagined winning. He had imagined losing.
But he had never imagined losing so utterly—without even the chance to fight back.