Golden Lion thought it over carefully, and began to feel a little uneasy.
No!
If Ares joins the Rocks Pirates, I have to tell him that he absolutely must not get involved with that reckless woman, Big Mom.
That Linlin woman is practically a beast!
He had seen quite a few men who had slept with Linlin, and none of them had met a good end.
After all, Linlin saw those men as nothing more than "breeding tools."
Ares did not even look at Kaido lying on the ground. Instead, he fixed his burning gaze on Rocks.
His expression was no longer as calm as before. Beneath his composed and handsome face was a surge of intense excitement.
In a hoarse voice, he said, "Now..."
"Can I fight you?!"
He yearned to battle Rocks, because he had learned a great deal from Kaido's punch.
It had indeed taught him many useful things, showing him how to unleash the power within his body to an even greater extent.
Ares longed to meet an even stronger opponent, and his heart was filled with anticipation. Battle really can temper me!
He was right. Battle really can temper a person into a Famous Sword that nothing can break!
He felt long-lost fervor swiftly coursing through his body. He yearned for—battle!
He yearned to fight someone stronger!!
Seeing Ares brimming with battle intent, Ochoku could not help clicking his tongue in wonder. "What a lively and courageous brat. He still wants to challenge the captain!"
"After defeating Kaido, does he think he can challenge the renowned Captain Rocks?"
No one had expected that after defeating Kaido, Ares would not act cocky.
Instead, he had chosen to continue challenging Captain Rocks.
This made quite a few people look at him with renewed interest.
Silver Axe chuckled. "Isn't a brat who has never seen the vastness of the sea more interesting?"
"If he knew how powerful Captain Rocks was, would this brat still have the courage to challenge him?"
As if waiting to watch a show, he had no intention of interfering.
A spectacle like this...
Was not something one saw often.
The pirates all around began to jeer and egg them on.
"Captain Rocks, let this brat see your power!!"
"That's right, that's right!! Make this arrogant little punk understand that not just anyone can challenge you, Captain Rocks!"
"Hahaha... Captain Rocks, show him what true power is!!!"
"..."
The area was filled with lively shouts. To them, something like this was far more interesting than staying aboard the ship.
Pillaging and returning to Hachinosu Island to indulge themselves were the happiest times of their lives.
Faced with the noisy cries around him, Ares did not react in the slightest. His eyes had remained fixed on Rocks from beginning to end.
He could sense that the man before him possessed an aura more dangerous than any beast he had ever encountered.
His powerful heart began pounding rapidly as well, stirred by his soaring battle intent.
Its beat rang out like a war drum.
He must be incredibly strong!
If I fight him, I'll definitely gain even stronger combat techniques, allowing me to make my body even tougher.
I'll forge my body into a blade that surpasses the Twelve Kizuki of the Supreme Great Sword!
A fierce, savage aura unconsciously radiated from Ares.
It was the aura he had accumulated through countless battles with beasts.
Looking at Ares, who stood roughly half a meter taller than himself, Rocks also sensed that savage, violent aura emanating from him.
However, through his Observation Haki, Rocks could tell that Ares was not yet strong enough to warrant the attention of someone who stood at the peak of this sea.
His eyes held only a trace of interest as he smiled faintly. "I can fight you..."
"But you have to agree to one condition. If you lose, you join the Rocks Pirates!"
Although Ares was now emanating an utterly terrifying aura, he posed no danger to Rocks.
However...
Rocks also valued Ares's potential. A fourteen- or fifteen-year-old brat had taken Kaido's punch head-on without suffering so much as a scratch.
He had even defeated Kaido with ease.
Such potential greatly appealed to Rocks. This was an unpolished brat.
He was very interested in witnessing such a brat grow step by step aboard his ship and become a Great Pirate renowned throughout the world!!
"Fine!!"
Ares agreed at once and said impatiently, "Can you fight me now?!"
He could not help rubbing his fists together, his joints cracking sharply.
It was as if his previous battle with Kaido had not even been enough to warm him up.
At this moment.
The surrounding pirates all focused intently on Ares and Rocks in the middle of the field.
Every one of them widened their eyes involuntarily, afraid of missing the slightest detail.
Many of the pirates even instinctively held their breath.
The scene fell silent in an instant.
So quiet that one could hear a pin drop!
Silence!
Only the faint sound of the wind and the powerful beating of Ares's heart remained.
A wild, arrogant look spread across Rocks's unruly face. He bared his teeth in a grin. "Brat..."
"Bring it on!!"
The moment his words fell.
Ares exploded into motion. The hard ground beneath his feet cracked with a bang, leaving behind two round pits.
His figure was like a crossbow bolt loosed from its string.
He shot toward Rocks at tremendous speed, his five fingers clenched into a fist!
His fierce, lightning-fast punch stirred ripples through the air.
This punch.
Ares had once killed a giant ape more than ten meters tall with a single blow!
He had also killed a massive black bear with thick hide and flesh with one punch!
Seeing Ares's punch, a trace of surprise flashed through Rocks's eyes. Then he laughed with great satisfaction. "Boy!!!"
"You're still not strong enough. I'll be waiting for the day you can truly challenge me!!"
He raised his hand and threw a punch.
The air suddenly erupted with a deafening blast.
Bang!
Rocks's fist landed squarely against Ares's fist.
Ares instantly felt as though a mountain moving at high speed had slammed violently into him. His body flew backward like a meteor!
His body was completely beyond his control.
He shot hundreds of meters away at tremendous speed!
The might of a single punch!
It intimidated every pirate present. The little monster Ares, who had effortlessly defeated Kaido, was sent flying by Rocks with a single casual punch.
A thunderous boom rang out.
Rocks withdrew his fist and said to Captain John beside him, "Take this kid back to the ship. From now on, he's a member of the Rocks Pirates."
His sharp, domineering gaze swept across all the surrounding pirates. He bared his teeth in a fierce, imposing grin. "And I hereby announce..."
"He isn't joining the Rocks Pirates as a rookie. Instead, he is joining as..."
"A full-fledged crew member!!"
Rocks emphasized the final few words, announcing them to every pirate with resounding authority!
Before you continue