BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Thunderous explosions echoed endlessly across the horizon.
Drip... drip...
The war raged for ten days straight.
For half a month, blood had been spilling into the sea—turning its once-deep blue surface into a dark, rust-red hue.
The color of blood. The color of life and death.
Three million soldiers.
The Allied Army—annihilated.
That was the final result.
—
"OHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Captain Rocks burst into wild laughter. His face twisted into a mix of mania and pride, his grin feral, his eyes flashing with madness.
Everything up to this point was merely a prelude.
The true terror—was only just beginning.
Rocks D. Xebec.
The man who ruled the New World with absolute might.
The undisputed, unchallenged, uncrowned king of the seas.
---
"Haah… haah…"
Bullet was gasping for air, exhaustion written all over his young face. His small frame trembled from the toll of ten days of nonstop battle—he was simply too young to sustain that kind of strain.
Arthur stood beside him and asked quietly, "Can you still stand, Bullet?"
"Lord Arthur!"
"Of course I can!"
"No problem at all!"
The boy forced himself upright, eyes blazing with determination.
Katakuri and Marco were still standing—how could he be the one to fall first? Impossible!
"Heh…" Arthur smiled faintly.
"Bullet, you don't need to push yourself too hard. You're still young. Growth takes time."
"No!"
Bullet shook his head firmly.
"Lord Arthur, age doesn't define weakness. If I grow complacent, I'll never reach true strength. Only an unwavering will can forge an unbreakable warrior!"
Arthur's smile deepened.
Douglas Bullet.
The man who would one day stand closest to the Pirate King himself.
Even at six years old, he already carried a warrior's conviction—he understood that power without resolve was hollow, and surrender once would mean surrender forever.
That was something no true strong man could ever allow.
"Enough," Arthur said warmly. "Rest well today. You've done exceptionally."
"Yes!"
Bullet's lips curved into a faint smile. He looked content—almost peaceful.
After being betrayed by his comrades in the past, Arthur had become his only anchor, the light that pulled him out of the darkness of loneliness and despair.
To be praised by Arthur meant everything to him.
"Arthur… da…"
Before he could finish, Bullet's small body relaxed completely.
He'd reached his limit and finally fell asleep.
Arthur caught him before he hit the deck and sighed softly.
"What an admirable kid… so young, yet already so steadfast. Bullet—you'll be a worthy knight. One day, you'll sit among the Knights of the Round Table."
Arthur was certain of it.
With such resolve, Bullet's destiny was sealed—his future was greatness.
He gently laid Bullet down to rest, then turned toward the main ship. The war might be over, but the aftermath was just beginning. There was still much to do.
They thought it was over.
How foolish.
You dared to challenge the Rocks Pirates?
Did you really believe that your defeat would end it here?
Too naïve.
This—was only the beginning.
Now, the true terror of the Rocks Pirates would be unleashed upon the world.
When Arthur returned to the flagship, the others were already there.
Every officer—despite ten days and nights of endless combat—stood tall and energetic, as if the exhaustion of battle had never touched them.
For beings of their level, ten days of war was nothing.
Edward and Linlin were especially pleased, boasting with laughter about their sons' performance. Both Katakuri and Marco had proven themselves in this war—showing talent beyond their years. They would become the next pillars of the seas.
Arthur couldn't help but share their anticipation.
Marco, Katakuri… these youngsters weren't weak. Each one had the potential to reach admiral-class power someday. What truly held them back was the lazy comfort that came with being pirates.
But now—after witnessing this war so young—what kind of men would they grow into? Arthur couldn't wait to find out.
And under his own guidance, Bullet would surely grow faster and stronger than any of them.
That was beyond question.
"OHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Rocks's booming laughter shook the deck as he rose from his throne.
"Listen up, brats! It seems the world's gotten too comfortable!" he roared.
"They actually had the guts to attack the Rocks Pirates! Or maybe—"
His grin widened into something monstrous.
"—they've started thinking I've grown old and rusty!"
CRACKLE!
A thunderous aura erupted from him.
The air itself split and screamed under the pressure as his Conqueror's Haki swept across the fleet. The skies quaked, the sea churned, and reality itself seemed to tremble before his will.
It was overwhelming—a reminder to the world of who truly reigned supreme.
Rocks D. Xebec.
The strongest man alive.
The most fearsome being on the seas.
The monster who commanded the world's deadliest crew.
Titles that were not exaggerations, but truth.
"Heh…"
His grin widened into a snarl.
"Kill!"
That single word was all it took.
And the world would bleed again.
-----------------------///
Advance Chapters on Patreon!
p(a)treon(.)com/HudaLin
-Remove the parenthesis to access patreon normally
Thanks for the Support!