"What a disgrace to the name of the Rocks Pirates. If you'd been killed by a Marine Admiral, that would be one thing—but instead, you were beaten by a Celestial Dragon and his bodyguard?"
"Exactly. Can't even handle trash like Celestial Dragons—what a joke."
"Jihahaha… don't say that. Aren't they the so-called descendants of the creators?"
A man with long golden hair floated in midair, resting his head on one hand, his tone dripping with mockery.
He was none other than the future great pirate who would stand alongside Roger and Whitebeard—
Shiki, the Golden Lion.
Everyone glanced at him, well aware that his words were nothing but sarcasm.
"Descendants of creators? What nonsense. They're just trash who abuse the power of the World Government."
"I've run into Celestial Dragons twice. Both times, I twisted their heads off and tossed them into the sea to feed the fish. The World Government didn't do a thing."
Clearly, in their eyes, Celestial Dragons were nothing but garbage.
And their thinking wasn't without reason.
Almost all Celestial Dragons relied entirely on the authority of the World Government—arrogant, tyrannical, doing whatever they pleased.
When people like them encountered monsters like Rocks—
There was usually only one outcome: death.
As for one of his own crew members being killed by another—
Rocks showed no reaction at all.
If anything, there was a hint of approval.
Just as the crew was about to resume drinking and feasting—
A figure rapidly approached from the distance.
Soon, he came into view again.
It was Kaido.
"Captain Rocks, that guy Kaido is back," one of the officers said.
Rocks said nothing, his gaze fixed downward on Kaido as he approached.
"Kaido, you embarrassing fool still dare to come back? Captain Rocks gave you a simple task and you couldn't even handle it. I heard you got chased around by a Celestial Dragon?" a crew member mocked.
Kaido stopped as he neared the ship, his eyes locked onto Rocks, gauging his reaction.
"Captain Rocks… this was truly an accident. That Celestial Dragon was different—not only could he fight, but his bodyguard was even stronger. That's why… I suffered such a loss."
Kaido hurriedly explained, afraid that even a moment's delay might cost him his life.
After all, even as an apprentice, he knew the rules of the Rocks Pirates very well—
They had no tolerance for the weak.
"Kaido, are you trying to fool me into thinking I've never seen a Celestial Dragon?" one of the officers who had killed two before scoffed.
Kaido frowned slightly, frustration rising in his chest.
It was because of that very man's words—about how useless and arrogant Celestial Dragons were—that he had impulsively stirred up trouble.
"Captain Rocks, killing Kaido would be a waste. Among the apprentices, he has the greatest potential. If even he was beaten like this, then he's probably telling the truth."
"He really did encounter an unusual Celestial Dragon."
The one who spoke up for him was none other than the future Yonko—
Charlotte Linlin.
At this time, she wasn't yet the massive figure she would become.
On the contrary, she was tall, well-proportioned, with a striking figure and decent looks.
But… she was already a mother.
Rocks fell silent for a moment, then tossed a bottle of wine toward Kaido and said,
"We'll remember this. When the Rocks Pirates are firmly established, we'll make the Celestial Dragons pay."
Kaido let out a breath of relief.
He had survived.
Naturally, the biggest reason was Charlotte Linlin speaking up for him.
The other officers and crew members lost interest, turning back to their drinks and revelry. They had been expecting a spectacle—but Linlin had ruined it.
…
Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Back in his castle, Is didn't dwell much on what had happened earlier.
In the hot spring, he relaxed as a maid massaged him.
Glug… glug…
Another maid emerged from the water, brushing back her wet hair, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Does it feel… comfortable, Master?"
Without opening his eyes, Is nodded.
…
There was nothing better than soaking in a hot spring after a fight.
If possible, Is would gladly remain an ordinary Celestial Dragon forever—
Living a life of pure indulgence.
But that wasn't an option.
Even as a Celestial Dragon, without strength, he could still be killed by pirates like Rocks.
Though his eyes were closed, he was currently looking at the system panel visible only to him.
Host: Aurelius D. Virel Is
Excavation Level: 1 (20/200)
Excavation Attempts: 0 (5/7) — increases with level
Characters: Uchiha Madara (20%)
Abilities: Paper-Paper Fruit ( /1000) — increasing proficiency improves quality
Excavation Location: [Insufficient attempts—unable to locate]
Storage: None
There weren't many changes on the panel.
But progress had improved across the board.
And in a couple of days, his excavation attempts would refresh—
Allowing him to dig once again.
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