That Brat Is Imitating Rocks?

"That punch was strong."

Ares answered without lifting his head, continuing to study intently the punch that Rocks had used to send him flying.

His movements grew faster and faster.

Each motion stirred up fierce gales that swept in all directions, scouring every speck of dust from the ground.

Leaving the earth clean and bare.

Watching Ares so absorbed in study and imitation, Captain John could only think one thing—this kid was destined for greatness!!

He would surely become a top-tier powerhouse in this world!

His talent and potential were already at "monster" level, and now even his learning ability proved this formidable.

Terrifying!

Ares's actions also caught everyone's eyes. The officer Silver Axe witnessed the scene.

His deep pupils contracted sharply. "He... he's imitating Captain Rocks?!"

Humanity's greatest trait is the ability to learn, to wield wisdom.

All growth comes from constant training, study, and experience—and a person's speed of comprehension determines their rate of growth!

"What astonishing learning ability... the power of his fists is growing!!"

Silver Axe couldn't help but marvel, because Ares's punches were already strong enough to defeat Kaido in one blow.

And now...

He was still getting stronger!!!

The improvement was visible to the naked eye!

Kaido groggily opened his eyes. All he remembered was a fist slamming into his face, and then he'd blacked out.

As his consciousness returned.

He suddenly widened his eyes and roared in fury, "I lost?!"

That brat had knocked him flat with a single punch?!

He scrambled angrily to his feet, glaring at Ares. "Kid, I just got careless!!"

"Now..."

"I'm going to beat you!!"

Kaido's face burned with resentment and rage. As the most outstanding and celebrated rookie on the Rocks Pirates.

He'd been humiliated in front of so many crew members.

A direct hit to the face.

A blatant insult!

How was he supposed to hold his head up in the Rocks Pirates after this?!

Just as he was about to strike, a large hand clamped down on his shoulder, holding him fast.

Kaido whipped his head around, startled. "Linlin?"

"Don't stop me! I'm going to teach that brat a lesson today!!"

"No!!"

Linlin completely ignored Kaido's thoughts and wishes, directly restraining him. "A loss is a loss. Whether you admit it or not, that guy beat you!!"

"Now work hard to make yourself stronger!!"

"The man I acknowledge never backs down!"

"Linlin..." Kaido stared at her blankly, a surge of strong emotion welling up in his heart.

But that feeling came and went quickly.

Linlin's next sentence sent Kaido tumbling from blissful heaven straight into a nightmare of hell.

"Ares is the man I want!!" Linlin's eyes showed no restraint in her possessiveness and her burning desire to bear his children.

Ares's bronze-cast body gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight.

To her, those full, bulging muscles held an irresistible allure.

Golden Lion immediately shot back at Linlin, "That kid Ares is joining my division!!"

"No!! He's joining my Whitebeard division!" Whitebeard declared loudly, refusing to be outdone.

"Enough!"

Rocks's authoritative voice rang in everyone's ears. His gaze fell on Ares. "Kid, you've lost. Now, will you join the Rocks Pirates?"

His presence radiated overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, causing his black captain's cloak to billow without wind.

The seaweed-like hair atop his head also began to sway wildly.

"I'll join."

Ares's voice carried a hint of excitement and fervor. "I will forge myself into the strongest blade through battle!!"

Hearing Ares's agreement, Rocks burst into hearty laughter. "Hahaha... what a stubborn little brat you are..."

"Ares, welcome to the Rocks Pirates!!"

"I am the captain of the Rocks Pirates, Rocks D. Zebek!!"

Whitebeard immediately rushed over to Ares, unceremoniously throwing an arm around his shoulder and winking. "Kid, I like your spirit!"

"Join my Whitebeard division!"

Seeing this, Shiki grew dissatisfied and flew over to appear before Ares, hastily saying, "Ares, don't listen to him!"

"My swordsmanship on this ship is the best!"

"If you join my Shiki division, I'll teach you swordsmanship. When it comes to the blade, no one on this ship is stronger than me!!"

His face brimmed with supreme confidence, and his golden hair fluttered unbidden in the wind.

Shiki the Golden Lion's confidence naturally stemmed from his own strength!

The combination of his exquisite, powerful swordsmanship and the abilities of the Float-Float Fruit made him truly one of the world's foremost great swordsmen.

Hearing Shiki's offer, Whitebeard immediately extended his own olive branch to Ares. "Kid, join my division."

"I'll teach you how to unleash the full power of your body!"

"These fists of mine have unrivaled destructive force!"

"My swordsmanship is better!!" Shiki the Golden Lion's voice suddenly grew louder.

Whitebeard roared back, "My fists are better!!"

The two began arguing again.

Linlin, unwilling to let the Ares she valued join Whitebeard or Shiki's groups, strode quickly to Ares's side.

She rudely shoved the quarreling Whitebeard and Shiki apart.

Declaring with utter confidence, "Ares is someone I've set my eyes on. None of you are taking him!!"

"No way! Ares is mine, Shiki's!"

"Ares, join me, Whitebeard!!"

"·········"

The rest of the Rocks Pirates had long grown accustomed to this scene of bickering.

On the Rocks ship, these guys never conceded to anyone; only the captain, Rocks, could suppress these strong-willed individuals.

As for the others—

Even officers like Ochoku, Silver Axe, and Captain John lacked the prestige and strength to do so.

Faced with three complete strangers vying over him, Ares remained perfectly calm. For him, as long as he joined the Rocks Pirates, he could temper himself into the strongest, hardest famous blade through battle.

As for which division to join, he couldn't care less. In fact, the clamor of the argument around him barely registered in his ears.

His mind was still replaying the punch Rocks had thrown earlier.

No matter how he tried to imitate that strike, he still couldn't reach Rocks's level.

Seeing the endless squabbling among Whitebeard, Shiki, and Linlin, Rocks let out a cold shout. "Enough arguing!"

"Ares will temporarily follow Ochoku!!"