Tiger Soul!

On the sea, some distance from God Valley, a ship flying the Rocks Pirates' flag was anchored quietly.

Dylan stood at the bow, gazing at the island in the distance through a telescope.

Through the telescope, it was clear that the entire island of God Valley was shaking. The great mountain in the center of the island had already collapsed, and thick dust obscured the entire country.

"What in the world is happening up there?"

Dylan considered himself to have weathered many storms, but even so, his heart pounded with fear.

Lord Roa's actions were undoubtedly an attempt to leave the Rocks Pirates.

But why?

Why would he do this?

Lord Roa's position within the Rocks Pirates was unquestionable.

The vast majority of the executives cared for him deeply, and even the captain himself did.

Everyone rumored that Lord Roa was the captain's intended successor. What reason could he possibly have to leave the Rocks Pirates?

Dylan could only think of one possibility, the most improbable one.

Lord Roa, what exactly did you foresee?

Splash!

Suddenly, water splashed before his eyes.

Dylan's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively retreated. His right hand transformed into a palm strike, its entirety from the wrist up turning pitch black.

Bloody Hand Dylan, renowned for his mastery of the Swordless Style and his preference for piercing enemies with his hand blade, staining both hands crimson, was thirty-five years old with a bounty of 360 million Belly.

However, Dylan's vigilance ceased the next moment.

"Yo! Dylan! You've been waiting!"

A lively, adorable boy landed nimbly on the ship's railing, shaking water off himself like a big dog as he spoke with a grin.

"Welcome back, Lord Roa!"

Dylan bowed respectfully.

"Hoo--haha, I almost didn't make it back."

Roa let out a long sigh.

"It was that dangerous?"

A flicker of astonishment crossed Dylan's usually impassive face.

The Rocks Pirates had practically mobilized their entire force this time; all executives had landed on God Valley.

Even with such a lineup, Lord Roa said he almost didn't make it back?

"Of course, it's because the enemy was even more terrifying,"

Roa said casually.

The Roger Pirates, Iron Fist Garp, the Knights of God, the Five Elders.

Even an all-star crew like the Rocks Pirates wouldn't stand a chance against such a force, especially since their main strategy was betrayal.

Roa gazed at the continuously rumbling God Valley. This island's time was up.

"Dylan,"

Roa laughed heartily, "Lower the flag. Starting today, the Rocks Pirates no longer exist."

So, what we are experiencing now is the end of an era?

Though his heart was filled with shock, Dylan remained calm. "Understood. Then, Lord Roa, are we heading to that country next?"

"Mhm. We're not going back to Beehive Island,"

Roa said. "That country will serve as a good base."

"Then I'll prepare for departure immediately."

Dylan hurried off to rally the sailors to prepare for the voyage.

Roa was left alone, quietly gazing at God Valley.

He suddenly smiled, "Farewell, Captain, and farewell to my pirate days."

God Valley.

The chaotic battle that had erupted in the central battlefield of the island was gradually drawing to a close.

Rocks panted heavily, not even having the energy to wipe the blood trickling down his forehead.

"Accept your fate, Rocks! You've already lost!"

Iron Fist Garp, also bloodied, roared as he swung his fist crackling with dark lightning.

"Wha-ha-ha-ha! Rocks, this is the end!"

Roger's horned hat was long gone, but his blade remained lethally sharp.

"I never imagined you two scumbags would team up!"

Rocks could only desperately parry the attacks of the two.

The great melee had ultimately devolved into a series of one-on-one duels in smaller battlefields.

He had faced Garp and Roger.

The truth was, even someone as powerful as him couldn't defeat those two working together.

He was defeated.

This time, it was a complete and utter rout.

Roa, that brat, fled immediately.

Then came Linlin and Ochoku.

There was no longer any hope of victory.

"Roger! Do you think you'll have a good ending after killing me?"

Rocks roared, "The Five Elders are here! They're watching us tear each other apart!"

"Who cares about that!"

Roger laughed carelessly, "I'm just here for revenge!"

Rocks froze.

Then.

"Hahahahaha! You damn fool! So it was me who was being stupid!"

Rocks burst into laughter, "It won't end like this! Roger! The kid who inherited my will is still alive! Sooner or later, he will completely overturn this world!"

"I told you, I'm just here for revenge! I don't care about anything else!"

Not long after, in a certain sea area of the West Blue.

Roa, somewhat disappointed, placed the silver fruit on the table. "Dylan, you don't recognize this fruit either?"

"Apologies, Lord Roa."

Dylan shook his head. "I haven't seen the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia either."

"Never mind, we'll find a suitable person to eat it later and find out."

In any case, it should be a very high-quality Devil Fruit, otherwise, it wouldn't be placed alongside the Azure Dragon Fruit and the Paw-Paw Fruit.

Speaking of which, Roa himself could eat another Devil Fruit, but he wasn't interested.

His abilities were already comprehensive enough; there was no need to add a weakness.

Dylan's expression was calm, showing no desire for the Devil Fruit.

Roa drew the second spoils of war from his waist.

A black scabbard, a long sword with a purple hilt.

Its length was about 1.2 meters, and the curve of the blade was much smaller than that of a katana, making it appear straighter.

Roa gripped the hilt and slowly drew the sword.

A thick scent of blood immediately permeated the air.

"Ooh!"

Roa marveled as he examined the sword before him.

The dark red blade slowly emerged from the scabbard, its dark red color gradually turning bright red.

"Huh?"

Roa looked at his right hand in surprise.

His palm suddenly started bleeding, but the blood was almost instantly absorbed into the hilt.

"Oh my, how interesting!"

He exclaimed in surprise, "This thing seems to be drinking my blood!"

It's always me drinking the blood of my elders!

"Lord Roa! Be careful!"

Dylan exclaimed, "If I'm not mistaken, this sword should be one of the Supreme Grade Swords, the Blade of Asura, the Demonic Blade Blood Sea!"

"Supreme Grade Sword? Blade of Asura? Blood Sea?"

Roa raised an eyebrow. "Sounds interesting."

"Legend has it that this sword gains power by absorbing blood!"

Dylan looked at Roa's right hand, still gripping the Demonic Blade, and said seriously, "If it doesn't acknowledge you, it will gradually drain the blood of even its master! It's an out-and-out demonic blade!"

"And once it acknowledges you, the even more terrifying things begin! It gets stronger by absorbing blood, but it degenerates if it can't absorb blood for a long time! So, for the sake of power, the master can only slaughter wantonly, eventually falling completely onto the path of Asura!"

"Sounds like a perfect fit for me!"

Roa snapped his fingers. "Blood, you say? That's simple enough."

The cabin door creaked open, and figures with pitch-black eye sockets shuffled out stiffly, like zombies.

"Come on, little darling, let me see your strength. Let me see if you're worthy of being my carving knife."

Roa walked up to a Ghoul and casually plunged his sword into its chest.

So sharp!

There was no resistance at all, as if he had stabbed into thin air.

That was Roa's first impression.

Only then did he see the Ghoul's face rapidly turn pale and its body quickly shrivel up bit by bit.

"Oh! I like children with a good appetite. Let's continue then."

Roa switched to another Ghoul. Otherwise, he'd be drained dry. Collecting Ghouls wasn't easy, and without the Rocks Pirates' help in the future, gathering high-quality Ghouls would be even harder.

A moment later.

"You're already full?"

Roa raised the demonic sword in his hand. Its blade was so crimson it looked like it was about to drip blood, even emitting a faint red glow in the sunlight.

It had become quite docile now, no longer draining Roa's blood.

"Your appetite is too small. This needs improvement. As a partner to a gourmand, your appetite absolutely cannot be small! You must eat more next time."

Dylan glanced at the shriveled Ghouls behind Roa. This is small?

However, as expected of Lord Roa, he had naturally become the sword's master.

Roa was very satisfied with this sword.

It must have been a long time since it last absorbed blood and regressed, but even so, this sword was already incredibly powerful.

Firstly, its blade was extraordinarily sharp. Roa had tested it; even his tough fur after transforming into a Qiongqi could only barely resist it. At this stage, his defense, even if not comparable to Aunt Linlin's, was far harder than steel.

Secondly, its ability to absorb blood. After absorbing the blood of many Ghouls, its blood absorption speed had increased. With just a few casual slashes from this sword, one's entire body would be drained of blood.

Roa eagerly anticipated what it would be capable of after continuous evolution.

"But 'Blood Sea' is too ugly a name,"

Roa pondered for a moment. "Since you're my carving knife, from now on, you shall be called..."

"Tiger Soul!"