Beehive Island's port had already grown lively.
The busy pirates hurriedly carried all kinds of supplies aboard the ships.
This was no simple task. There were simply too many ships. The port was packed with large pirate ships, and even the waters around Beehive Island beyond the port were covered with vessels, crammed together so densely that their end was almost impossible to see.
"So our pirate crew really has this many people?"
Roa stood atop a house outside the port, shading his eyes with his right hand as he gazed out over the sea in astonishment. "This is ridiculous. Are there a hundred ships, or two hundred?"
"It's been a long time since we've had an operation on this scale! It's really getting my blood pumping!"
Beside him, Katakuri was incredibly excited. "Mother said Captain Rocks gathered sixty or seventy percent of the pirate crew's strength this time! Besides the forces on the main island, another seventy or eighty subordinate pirate crews were summoned here!"
"The other pirates on the island will probably follow the tide as well!"
After receiving guidance from his understanding big brother, Katakuri was as cheerful as ever.
"Oh! So we're actually this amazing?"
Roa clicked his tongue in wonder. "Haha! As expected of the pirate crew that has the world's most powerful seven-year-old boy!"
Thirty-six years later, the Whitebeard Pirates would have forty-three allied pirate crews under them, with a total strength of fifty thousand men. That was already an astonishing figure, making them the largest pirate crew of that era.
But compared to the current Rocks Pirates, they were simply insignificant.
For this operation alone, the number of pirates Rocks had gathered was in the hundreds of thousands. Moreover, the pirate groups qualified to join the Rocks Pirates generally had real ability. They were absolutely not cannon fodder.
That was the strength of the New World's overlords, who possessed enough genuine power to shake the world.
"You really know how to flatter yourself."
Katakuri looked extremely unwilling. "But I want to hunt Celestial Dragons too! Damn it, Roa! I'm so envious of you!"
How badly he wanted to upgrade Pirate Hunt into Celestial Dragon Hunt.
"It's not impossible."
Roa spoke languidly. "What do you say, Katakuri? If you beg me, I can take you along."
Although they were pirates, the Rocks Pirates' intelligence network was not weak either. They soon confirmed that large numbers of Marine forces were indeed gathering toward the West Blue.
There was nothing more to say. Rocks immediately summoned the main force, preparing to hold a massive live-fire drill before the final battle began.
"Forget it."
Katakuri lost heart and said dejectedly, "Mother said that isn't a battlefield I should set foot on yet."
"Yeah~ Aunt Linlin's assessment of you is pretty accurate."
Roa grinned.
"Don't get too full of yourself, Roa!"
His good brother snorted. "I've been training desperately under Mother's guidance lately. I'm getting stronger every day! Sooner or later, I'll catch up with you!"
"Huh! That's incredible!"
Roa looked shocked. "You're actually working that hard! Does that mean I, who only leisurely enjoy delicious food every day, will soon be surpassed by you?"
"Hmph!"
Katakuri proudly lifted his chin. "Now you know!"
Roa laughed silently.
His good brother was actually working this hard. Thankfully, he could become stronger just by enjoying delicious food.
"Just wait and see, Roa. By the time you return from the West Blue, I'll make you look at me with new eyes!" Katakuri declared confidently.
"Is that so?"
Roa yawned, his interest lacking yet his words carrying hidden meaning. "I'm starting to look forward to it. When we meet again next time."
Katakuri raised his head and gazed at the bustling port. "By then, I'll also have become a member of the Rocks Pirates! We'll conquer the seas together!"
Roa smiled without saying a word.
What a shame, my friend.
The supplies were loaded quickly. That very evening, the Rocks Pirates officially set sail, bound for the West Blue—to God Valley!
A supermassive fleet formed by more than two hundred pirate crews sailed across the sea. Its sails alone resembled a dark cloud.
Even the raging waves of the New World were crushed to pieces. It seemed there was nothing in the world capable of stopping them.
The strongest pirate crew in the world had begun its final voyage.
That night, aboard Rocks's ship, which was also the flagship of the entire fleet—
A lively grand banquet was underway.
Besides the senior officers of the Rocks Pirates, the banquet was attended by the captains of numerous allied pirate crews.
"Everyone."
Rocks raised the wineglass in his hand high. "Before the final war begins, let's have a warm-up activity first!"
"Oh!!"
The cheers of the pirate captains nearly pierced through the clouds in the sky.
"Worororororo! I've never killed a Celestial Dragon before!"
Kaido poured wine into his mouth like a desperate drunkard while laughing loudly. "I wonder what kind of reaction those self-proclaimed gods will have before they die!"
"That's right, that's right!"
Although Roa neither drank nor ate, he provided all the emotional support required and immediately chimed in with yearning. "I'm really looking forward to it. What kind of delicious food will they be able to contribute?"
They had never experienced any pain or setbacks. They had always stood above the heavens. If they were trampled into the mud and subjected to torment they had never known before, how delicious would the dark energy they released be?
Just thinking about it made Roa unconsciously lick his lips.
Celestial Dragons were wonderful. Celestial Dragons had to be killed!
"Mamamama! Little Roa, are you already drooling?"
Aunt Linlin, sitting opposite him, laughed loudly. "Don't be impatient. With delicious things, waiting can actually add to their flavor!"
"Mm!"
Roa held back his smile and nodded solemnly.
This was the wisdom of delayed gratification!
"This time, there'll be plenty for you to eat, brat."
Golden Lion drank wine and smoked at the same time, looking incredibly happy. "Shihahahaha! I've never done anything as crazy as slaughtering an entire country!"
"Whether they're Celestial Dragons or something else..."
Silver Axe, who wielded a huge silver axe befitting his nickname, laughed loudly. "Anyone who tries to stop me from taking the treasures piled up in God Valley will be chopped in half by my axe!"
"Don't let your guard down."
Whitebeard set down his wineglass. "With the Celestial Dragons launching a large-scale operation, the Knights of God will definitely be mobilized as well!"
"The Knights of God?"
Gloriosa looked somewhat worried. "The World Government's most mysterious organization. It's said that every member is a Celestial Dragon, but no one knows what kind of power they possess."
"It doesn't matter!"
Captain Rocks's voice was bold and heroic. "Whatever the opponent, we'll simply crush them! Before us, there are no enemies we cannot defeat!"
"Oh!!!"
The pirates on the deck once again erupted into frenzied cheers.
"After this warm-up, it will be all-out war against the World Government!"
Rocks proclaimed loudly. "The era ruled by the World Government is about to end! I'll establish the new world and the new order myself!"
"Oh! Long live Boss Rocks!!"
The pirates' cheers were almost fanatical.
Who would doubt that Boss Rocks could accomplish what he had said?
The Rocks Pirates had never been defeated.
This time would be no different.
Even the senior officers were equally excited, and Whitebeard's face had flushed red.
Only Roa wore an innocent smile.
Sorry, Captain. Compared with a new order, I actually prefer chaos.
After all, as a gourmet, of course I want the world to be filled with delicious food.
Before you continue