"A failed dog from the New World dares to posture in front of me?"
A savage aura erupted from Roldy 's body.
Conqueror's Haki burst outward from him.
To Rocks, it was still weak.
To John—
It was terrifying.
John's face changed. He instinctively stepped back.
"Jihahahaha! Still the same useless fool! If you don't have the strength, don't pretend! Acting like this in front of a rookie—people might think all our Division Commanders are this pathetic!"
The distinctive laugh echoed.
Golden Lion Shiki entered, casually taking a seat beside Roldy . His eyes were filled with contempt toward John.
"You—!"
John dared not vent his anger at Shiki.
Under Shiki's murderous gaze, his words died in his throat. He swallowed his fury.
Rocks paid no attention to the exchange.
Shiki casually struck up a conversation with Roldy .
Soon, the remaining Division Commanders entered.
Whitebeard and Big Mom were already acquainted with Roldy . As for Wang Zhi and Silver Axe, they had no objections to the newcomer. After brief greetings, Rocks, seated at the head of the table, finally spoke.
"Reliable intel says the World Government has begun selecting the final hunting ground. They've prepared a large number of slaves. And that day, many Celestial Dragons will be present."
There was a trace of cruelty in Rocks' tone.
Yet most of the others seemed uninterested.
Whitebeard stared at the ceiling.
Shiki smoked his cigar.
Big Mom devoured cake.
Wang Zhi and Silver Axe rested with eyes closed.
John drowned himself in wine, still stewing in humiliation.
Only one person's interest flared—
Roldy .
"Gahahahaha! Those damned, filthy, brainless swine are finally stepping out onto the seas!"
The undisguised killing intent in Roldy 's voice made even Wang Zhi and the others glance at him with curiosity.
As Division Commanders of the Rocks Pirates, they did not fear the World Government.
For ordinary pirates, killing a Celestial Dragon meant despair.
For them?
Would a Marine Admiral truly dare storm Hachinosu alone?
Still, killing Celestial Dragons brought trouble. Without reason, most preferred not to provoke that storm.
"Don't rush, Roldy ."
Rocks appeared pleased with his reaction.
"How could the Rocks Pirates miss such a grand festival? Not just you and me—everyone will attend."
He paused.
"This is the captain's order."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Whitebeard lowered his gaze.
Shiki snorted.
Big Mom stopped chewing.
Wang Zhi and Silver Axe opened their eyes.
Only John continued drinking.
The captain's order.
In any pirate crew, no matter how chaotic—
The captain's word was absolute.
Rocks was forcibly mobilizing every division.
Refusal was not an option.
"Of course—"
Rocks' tone changed suddenly.
"The World Government is bleeding this time. Word is they've put up treasures worth over 10 billion Berries. Gold, jewels, rare medicines, antiques… and even several Devil Fruits."
Simple slaughter didn't excite most of them.
But profit?
That was different.
With the exception of Whitebeard—
Everyone's eyes lit up.
"So what if you're just a failure from the New World? And you dare strut around in front of me?"
A fierce aura burst from Fite Roldy 's body. Conqueror's Haki erupted outward with him at its center. To Rocks, the pressure felt insignificant—but to John, it was unmistakably dangerous. His expression changed drastically, and he instinctively took a step back.
"Jihahahaha! Still the same useless trash as ever! If you don't have the strength, don't act tough. Showing that pathetic face in front of a newcomer—if outsiders saw this, they'd think that's all a captain of the Rocks Pirates amounts to!"
The unmistakable laughter rang out as Golden Lion Shiki pushed the door open and strode in. He dropped heavily into a seat beside Roldy , his face filled with undisguised contempt for John.
"You—!"
Clearly, John didn't have the standing to lose his temper at Shiki. Meeting those killing-intent-filled eyes, his words caught in his throat. In the end, he could only swallow his anger along with his pride.
Rocks paid the scene no mind. Shiki casually struck up a conversation with Roldy as if nothing had happened. Before long, the other division commanders entered the conference room one after another.
Whitebeard and Big Mom were already acquainted with Roldy . As for Wang Zhi and Silver Axe, they had no objections to the newcomer either. After a few brief exchanges, Rocks—seated at the head of the table—finally spoke.
"Everyone, according to reliable information, the World Government has begun selecting the final hunting ground. They've prepared a large number of slaves. And on that day, many Celestial Dragons will be present as well."
A trace of cruelty colored Rocks' tone.
Yet most of the others showed little interest in the news. Whitebeard stared up at the ceiling. Shiki puffed on his cigar. Big Mom gnawed on two pieces of cake. Silver Axe and Wang Zhi simply closed their eyes to rest. John was still recovering from his humiliation, gulping down wine in large swallows.
The only one whose interest was truly piqued—
Was Roldy .
"Gahahahaha! Those damned, stupid, filthy swine! They finally dare to show themselves on these seas!"
The undisguised killing intent in Roldy 's voice made even Wang Zhi and the others pause in surprise, before slowly revealing intrigued expressions.
As division commanders of the Rocks Pirates, they did not fear the World Government. Killing a Celestial Dragon might spell doom for others—but for them?
Would a mere Marine Admiral truly dare to charge alone into Hachinosu?
Still, killing a Celestial Dragon came with trouble. Without a compelling reason, none of them were eager to provoke that group.
"Don't rush, Roldy ."
Rocks seemed highly satisfied with Roldy 's reaction.
"This grand feast—how could the Rocks Pirates possibly be absent? Not just you and me. Everyone will attend. That is the captain's order."
The moment those words fell, the meaning of the matter changed entirely.
Whitebeard shifted his gaze to Rocks, frowning slightly. Shiki let out a soft snort. Big Mom stopped chewing. The two who had been resting opened their eyes. Only John continued drinking.
The captain's order.
No matter the crew, no matter the pirate band—the captain's command was absolute and paramount. Rocks was forcibly mobilizing all divisions. Refusal was not an option.
"Of course…"
Rocks suddenly changed tone.
"The World Government is bleeding heavily this time. It's said they're offering treasures worth over ten billion Berries—gold, jewels, rare medicines, priceless antiques… and even several Devil Fruits."
Simple slaughter might not stir much interest.
But if there was money to be made—
That was an entirely different story.
Aside from Whitebeard, everyone's eyes lit up.
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