Inside the colossal skull-shaped rock of Hachinosu, the Rocks Pirates' stronghold rose layer by layer like a fortress. Each floor housed rooms and halls carved into the stone.
In one such chamber, Wang Zhi stood by a window overlooking the harbor. Across from him sat Silver Axe, his massive weapon resting nearby.
The door swung open. John strode in, grinning.
"You two hear the news?" he said. "Something interesting's happening on the island."
Wang Zhi turned. "Interesting?"
Silver Axe leaned forward slightly.
John took a swig from his bottle. "This morning's paper — a guy named Romu killed a Marine Vice Admiral. Bounty's already over a hundred million."
Wang Zhi and Silver Axe waved it off. "We know."
"That's not the point," John said. "The point is — some rookie named Kaido told Shiki that Romu might be stronger than him. And instead of killing the kid, Shiki ordered his men to gather intel on Romu — even bragged he'd beat him with one hand."
Wang Zhi chuckled. "Since when is Shiki that patient?"
John shrugged.
Silver Axe's eyes narrowed with amusement.
"Not patience," he said. "Strategy."
"He wants Romu in his division — and he's using Kaido to make a show of it."
Wang Zhi spat out a grape seed. "Damn. Why didn't I think of that? Rocks is planning something big — more strong hands means a bigger share of treasure."
John slapped his thigh. "We're not letting Shiki take all the credit. If Romu's as strong as they say, we compete for him."
Silver Axe grinned darkly. "Or maybe Romu beats Shiki… after Shiki boasted about fighting one-handed."
Wang Zhi's eyes widened. John shot upright.
"Imagine that — Shiki loses after all that talk…"
Laughter filled the hall.
…
Across the seas, forces were already moving.
Marine Vice Admiral Zephyr had deployed from headquarters.
Several Rocks officers were spreading informants across nearby waters.
Even bounty hunters were stirring.
Everyone had the same target:
Romu.
A storm was forming.
And at the eye of it…
Romu was drinking quietly in a bar on a small island near Hachinosu.
The Bar
Weapons clanked. Pirates roared. Coins rained onto a dance stage where a Mink girl performed under shifting colored lights.
A pirate bar — loud, dangerous — yet oddly orderly.
This island belonged to a Rocks division commander:
Edward Newgate.
No one wanted trouble.
In the back corner sat a young man in a gray shirt and wide trousers, calmly reading a newspaper.
"…120 million?" he murmured.
"Could be higher…"
He folded the paper, revealing his face.
Romu.
He sipped a glowing blue cocktail, eyes drifting into thought.
After killing Ethan, he'd secluded himself on an uninhabited island — not to hide, but to digest the surge of life essence he'd absorbed.
A day and a half later, the energy had settled.
His body was stronger.
His Wood Dragon technique felt effortless.
He was now approaching Marine Admiral-level combat ability.
Experimentally, he'd attempted the Wood Golem.
It worked.
A towering construct over fifty meters tall answered his call — and with a single strike split the island in half.
The downside?
Immense stamina drain.
Even with his fruit's natural recovery, he could sustain it for only about ten minutes.
With a few more Vice Admirals… or a pirate worth over a hundred million…
His endurance would catch up.
Leaving the island, he'd swatted aside a few overeager bounty hunters while drifting west atop his floating flower — eventually arriving here.
Romu finished his drink.
"A bounty's not so bad," he muttered.
"People come looking for me."
He leaned back.
"Where to next…"
A booming laugh cut through the bar.
"If you're unsure where to go — join my division. Become my family."
Romu looked up.
A massive man stood nearby.
White coat. Dark headscarf. Blonde curls peeking out. A colossal naginata in hand.
Their eyes met.
The man stepped forward, planting the blade with a heavy thud that rippled the air.
He smiled.
"Edward Newgate."