Shakky: This Guy Cannot Be Left Alive

When Ares finished his training, the large swaths of his muscles were like red-hot branding irons.

Under the stunned gazes of a group of pirates, Ares left the training room.

After he left, the entire training room erupted in waves of ear-splitting exclamations.

"What the fuck, where did this monster come from? I've really seen it all now!!"

"Is he even human? One swing of his training method could crush us to death!!"

"With a freakish body like that, those women would probably scream their throats raw and still not be enough to satisfy this guy!!"

"Satisfy him?! Even throwing in their lives wouldn't be enough. Do you know how many times that guy hammered himself?!"

"Over ten thousand times!!"

"Tsk tsk... From now on, our pirate crew has another monster. The other crews and the Marines are going to have a headache!!"

"······"

A group of pirates clicked their tongues in disbelief. Such a "ruthless man" was simply insane, playing with his own life as if it were a joke.

After replenishing his energy, Ares left the mess hall under the dumbfounded stares of the other pirates.

Because he was a full-fledged crew member, he had the right to free food.

As for non-full-fledged members, they had to rely on their own skills or hope someone was willing to spare them food.

That was why many newcomers also chose sides, belonging to various division commanders.

But this was a world of survival of the fittest. Newcomers were more like a "vanguard camp,"

doing the dirtiest and most tiring work—hauling supplies, cleaning the pirate ship, and maintaining Skull Castle.

They put their lives on the line just for the chance to become a full-fledged member of the Rocks Pirates.

Ares found someone at random, asked about Shiki the Golden Lion's location, and left.

Inside Skull Castle.

"Captain, that guy eats way too much!!!"

"Do you know how much he puts away in one meal?!!"

"We can't keep this guy!!!"

"He single-handedly devoured food meant for a hundred people. The chefs almost collapsed from exhaustion!!!"

"·········"

Listening to the complaints being aired to him, even Captain Rocks, the most notorious name on this sea right now, had a slightly awkward expression.

He gave an embarrassed laugh. "Shakky, we've already recruited him."

"Besides, that guy Ares has limitless potential. He'll definitely grow into a powerhouse like Newgate and Shiki in the future."

"He eats a lot now, sure, but he'll bring even greater benefits to the crew later."

"Hire a few more chefs. If the chefs collapse, who's going to cook for our crew members?"

Before Rocks stood a woman with short black hair, a cigarette dangling from her lips.

Shakky reached up, pinched the cigarette between her fingers, and blew out a puff of white smoke. She said somewhat unhappily, "Do you know how much money one of his meals costs?"

"Just the ingredients alone are no less than a hundred thousand Berries."

"And that's just for one meal. Three meals a day, ninety meals a month."

"That one guy alone eats up over a million Berries a month."

"Add in labor costs and everything else."

"Having him around is like supporting an extra hundred people!!"

Hearing Shakky's string of complaints, Rocks instead grinned and laughed heartily. "A million Berries is just a million Berries. I have high hopes for that kid."

"If the Berries are spent, they're spent. A guy like him is worth it!!"

Shakky snorted coldly. "Anyway, it's not my money. Whatever makes you happy!"

She turned and walked straight out of the room.

Rocks smiled, walked over to the window, and gazed out at the world beyond. His deep eyes were filled with the light of ambition.

He murmured, "Talent is far more valuable than gold. As long as I become the ruler of this world, I'll have as much money as I want."

"I'm not interested in money, and I don't want to touch it. I only want this world!"

He could say such arrogant words because, over the years, he and the Rocks Pirates had already amassed a vast fortune.

He was no longer the "Rocks" who had once struggled just to make a living.

In another room of Skull Castle.

Ares knocked on Shiki the Golden Lion's door, his massive palm slamming against it with heavy thuds.

A flustered commotion immediately came from inside the room.

Within.

Shiki the Golden Lion, looking panicked, said to MISS. Bagin, "Get out through the back right now! I'll give you every single Berry I owe you!"

He reached out haphazardly and tossed the clothes from the bed at her.

Without any interest in admiring her tall, fair, and full chest, MISS. Bagin caught the clothes Shiki threw at her, but at this critical moment, she threatened, "We agreed—fifty million Berries, not a single one less!"

"Go now!"

"You won't be shorted!"

Shiki urged hurriedly, dressing himself as well, then lit a cigar and took a deep drag.

This woman's figure, looks, and skin were all absolutely top-notch.

But she was way too damn obsessed with money.

With Shiki's guarantee, MISS. Bagin gave a charming smile, put on her clothes, and immediately slipped out through the back door.

"Phew~"

Shiki exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, stood up, walked to the door, and opened it.

When he saw the figure outside, he said with some surprise, "Ares?!"

"What business do you have with me?!"

He hadn't expected that the one coming to see him would be Ares. Back when he and Whitebeard were vying for this guy, he'd offered plenty of conditions, but Ares hadn't budged at all.

He hadn't made a choice either.

Ares stated his purpose matter-of-factly: "Ochoku said you're the best swordsman on the ship. I want to know—do you have a way to forge a person into a blade that surpasses the Twelve Kizuki Supreme Great Swords?"

His eyes, as big as copper bells, were filled with a thirst for knowledge, staring intently at Shiki.

This question again?

Shiki was no stranger to this question. The first time he'd met Ares, this guy had asked Captain Rocks the very same thing.

Back then, Captain Rocks's answer was: Fight!

Later, he'd also overheard Rocks questioning that old man and learned about Ares's past.

This guy had completely changed a few years ago, obsessively asking the villagers how to forge himself into a famous sword.

And then he'd started that "demonic hell" training!!!

Ares was utterly fixated on turning himself into a renowned blade!

"Let me think..."

Shiki didn't answer Ares's question right away, deciding instead to mull it over.

After a moment, the corner of his mouth lifted, and he smiled. "The human body can never compare to a famous sword, but there is one way to make the body rival those blades."

"A swordsman can use his own Haki to temper his sword into a Black Blade!!"

"And Armament Haki can greatly enhance one's personal defense!"

"As long as you're strong enough, even a famous sword can't cut through you!!"

Hearing Shiki's answer, Ares's eyes lit up, and he asked excitedly, "Armament Haki?!"

"What is that?!"