Loyal Subordinates

"I won't let you hurt the captain! Shockwave Elbow!"

Burgess's sudden betrayal caught everyone off guard. He launched a surprise attack, driving a diamond-coated elbow viciously into Rocks's face.

"Burgess..."

Blackbeard was deeply moved by the sight.

He knew that all his subordinates were vicious criminals, including people like Evil King of Tyranny, who was always looking to kill him and take his place.

It was because of Burgess's loyalty that Blackbeard had overruled all objections and placed him as the first captain, above the stronger Aokiji, Lafitte, and Shiryu.

Yet even when Rocks had taken over the Blackbeard Pirates and held the advantage, Burgess was still willing to stand by him. Even a ruthless hero like Blackbeard felt an urge to cry.

So he had a truly loyal subordinate after all.

"I rewarded you with the Diamond-Diamond Fruit, and you still dared to betray me? You're an ungrateful dog!"

The heavy elbow strike sent Rocks staggering. Once he straightened up again, he glared at Burgess as though he wanted to flay him alive.

What Rocks could tolerate least was betrayal!

Dragon Quake!

Rocks suddenly grabbed Burgess by the head with one hand. His arm, covered in Dragon Scales tattoos, tensed as he delivered a punch infused with tremor power into Burgess without holding back.

"AAAAAHHHH!!!" Burgess screamed miserably.

The Diamond-Diamond Fruit, said to possess the strongest defense, shed huge chunks of diamond from Burgess's body beneath Rocks's assault.

Before they had turned to diamond, those chunks had been Burgess's muscles.

"I nearly forgot about your fruit!"

Bzzzt~

Rocks's expression turned incomparably vicious. Black light flared from his hand, reverting Burgess's body from diamond back into human form. Then he followed up with another punch, blowing Burgess's head apart.

Thud~

Rocks casually tossed the headless corpse onto the ground.

"No!