That Kid Is Imitating Rocks?

"That punch was powerful."

Ares answered without looking up, continuing to focus on studying the punch Rocks had used to send him flying.

His punches grew faster and faster.

Powerful gusts of wind surged in all directions, sweeping away all the dust on the ground.

Revealing the clean earth beneath.

Watching Ares study with such focus, Captain John had only one thought at that moment—this kid was destined for greatness!!

He would definitely become one of the top powerhouses in the world!

His talent and potential were both at the "monster" level, and now even his learning ability was so terrifying.

Frightening!

Ares's actions also fell into everyone's eyes. Silver Axe, one of the officers, witnessed the scene.

His deep-set eyes suddenly narrowed. "He... he's imitating Captain Rocks?!!"

The greatest trait of humans was their ability to learn and their possession of wisdom.

They constantly trained, studied, and grew, while a person's speed of learning and comprehension also determined the speed of their growth!

"What astonishing learning ability! The power of his punches is increasing!!"

Silver Axe couldn't help exclaiming in amazement. Ares's punches had already been powerful enough—Kaido had even been defeated by one of them.

Now...

He was still getting stronger!!!

And the speed at which he grew stronger was visible to the naked eye!

Kaido also slowly opened his eyes. He only remembered being punched in the face, after which he immediately lost consciousness.

His consciousness returned, and he suddenly widened his eyes, roaring angrily, "I lost?!!"

That kid had knocked him down with one punch?!

He jumped furiously to his feet and glared at Ares. "Kid, I was careless just now!!"

"Now..."

"I'm going to defeat you!!"

Kaido's face was filled with unwillingness and fury. As the strongest and most eye-catching newcomer in the Rocks Pirates,

he had been humiliated in front of so many members of the Rocks Pirates.

And it had been a direct punch to the face.

A naked insult!

How was he supposed to continue living in the Rocks Pirates after this?!

Just as he was about to attack, a large hand pressed down on his shoulder, rendering him unable to move.

Kaido immediately turned his head. His expression froze. "Linlin?"

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

"No!!"

Linlin paid no attention to Kaido's thoughts or wishes and stopped him outright. "A loss is a loss. Whether you admit it or not, you were defeated by that guy!!"

"Work hard from now on and become even stronger!"

"A man recognized by me, Linlin, never gets discouraged!"

"Linlin..." Kaido stared blankly at her, a powerful surge of emotion filling his heart.

However, that emotion came and went just as quickly.

Linlin's next words sent Kaido straight from blissful heaven into nightmare-like hell.

"Ares is the man I like!!" Linlin's eyes openly revealed her possessiveness and her intense desire to have his children.

Ares's bronze, sculpted body shimmered brilliantly beneath the sunlight.

To her, his bulging, full muscles were irresistibly alluring.

Golden Lion immediately turned on Linlin. "That kid Ares has to join my Division!!"

"No! He's joining my Division!" Whitebeard loudly declared, unwilling to back down.

"Enough!"

Rocks's authoritative voice rang in everyone's ears. He looked toward Ares and asked, "Kid, you've already lost. Will you join our Rocks Pirates now?"

Haki surged from his body, and the black captain's coat on his back fluttered despite the lack of wind.

The seaweed-like hair on his head also swayed continuously.

"I'll join!"

Ares's voice carried a trace of excitement and exhilaration. "I'll forge myself into the strongest blade through battle!!"

Hearing Ares agree, Rocks burst into hearty laughter. "Hahaha... What a stubborn kid..."

"Ares, welcome to the Rocks Pirates!!"

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

Whitebeard immediately rushed in front of Ares and casually slung an arm around his shoulders, winking as he said, "Kid, I admire you!"

"Join my Division!"

Seeing this, Golden Lion was instantly displeased. He flew in front of Ares and hurriedly said, "Ares, don't listen to this guy!"

"My swordsmanship is the best on this ship!"

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

His face was filled with absolute confidence, and his long golden hair began to flutter unconsciously.

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

His exquisite and powerful swordsmanship, combined with the abilities of the Float-Float Fruit, truly made him one of the world's foremost swordsmen!

Hearing the terms Golden Lion offered, Whitebeard immediately extended his own invitation to Ares. "Kid, join my Division."

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

"These fists of mine possess unmatched destructive power!"

"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 didn't want the Ares she had taken a fancy to join Whitebeard's or Golden Lion's group, so she quickly walked over to him.

With both hands, she roughly pushed apart Whitebeard and Golden Lion, who were arguing.

She declared righteously, "Ares is the man I've chosen. None of you are allowed to steal him!!"

"No! Ares is the man I, Golden Lion, have chosen!"

"Ares, join my Division!"

"·········"

The members of the Rocks Pirates had long since grown used to watching the scene unfold before them.

On Rocks's ship, none of these people yielded to anyone else. Only Captain Rocks could suppress these powerful figures.

Everyone else—

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

With three people he didn't even know fighting over him, Ares remained completely calm. To him, as long as he joined the Rocks Pirates,

he only needed to temper himself through battle into the strongest and hardest Famous Sword.

As for which Division he joined,

he didn't care in the slightest. He could no longer even make out the voices fighting over him around his ears.

His mind was still recalling Rocks's punch from earlier.

No matter how he imitated that punch, he still couldn't reach Rocks's level.

Seeing Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Linlin continue arguing, Rocks shouted coldly, "Stop arguing!"

"Ares will follow Ochoku for the time being!!"