The Rocks Pirates were full of dangerous people. If he could help it, he truly didn't want to join them.
After all, the ship was full of lunatics. Ochoku was one example.
When an officer of the Rocks Pirates joked that Ochoku was no match for him, that hotheaded fool had come straight after him, intent on killing him.
If he hadn't been able to defend himself, he'd probably have died.
Even now, though he was capable of killing Ochoku, Patri Vic still didn't dare let his guard down aboard this ship.
After all, there wasn't a single decent person on board. If the officers took a dislike to him, they could still come after him.
"That's true, too." Rocks replied slowly, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Anything else, Captain Rocks? If not, I'm going back to bed." Patri Vic stretched and asked.
Since Rocks had no intention of killing him, he didn't need to be afraid. It was late, and all he wanted was some sleep.
After a moment's silence, Rocks turned and said solemnly, "On this ship, hiding your strength isn't the best move."
"What do you mean?"
"You're familiar with Edward, so you should know what he's like. His temper doesn't sit well with most of the officers on this ship. But why has nobody ever made a move against him?"
"It all comes down to the rules on this ship. I don't care whether apprentice or full-fledged crew members live or die, but I won't allow the officers to kill one another. They can squabble all they want, but if someone dies, that's a violation of the rules. I'll personally execute anyone who breaks them."
"What does any of that have to do with me hiding my strength?" Patri Vic scratched his head, baffled.
"You've already been targeted. They don't dare go after Edward and the others, but they'll dare to go after you. If you keep hiding your strength, they'll only underestimate you, and you'll attract even more trouble. The only way to put an end to it is to show what you can do and become an officer." Rocks continued calmly.
On this ship, nobody needed a reason to kill. If they had to give one, it was that the officers disliked Whitebeard, but couldn't do anything about him.
Since they couldn't do anything to Whitebeard and the others, what about Patri Vic?
If the officers turned their attention to Patri Vic, they could kill him without Whitebeard being able to do a thing.
If Whitebeard killed one of them in return, Rocks would step in and deal with him, too.
That was because the officers weren't allowed to fight to the death. It was a rule Rocks had made himself.
And it was the only rule on this ship.
After hearing Rocks out, Patri Vic's expression grew serious as he considered his words.
After a long while, Patri Vic took a deep breath and asked, "Why are you telling me all this?"
"There's no need for a reason," Rocks said softly, though he was already scheming.
Rocks was a mighty lion now, but he would grow old one day. If, before that happened—
If he still hadn't become strong enough to achieve his dream, his crew would undoubtedly rebel. They wouldn't be content to spend their entire lives under Rocks.
"Fine, fine."
Patri Vic replied indifferently, without pressing the issue.
He was in the Rocks Pirates and had a hundred-million-Berry bounty on his head. The Marines had already set their sights on him, and he had nowhere to go if he left the Rocks Pirates.
"Then I'll get some sleep," Patri Vic continued.
Rocks nodded slightly.
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A month passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, some officers who disliked Patri Vic had indeed come looking for trouble.
But Rocks always showed up at the crucial moment, saving him from danger time and again.
Still, Patri Vic wasn't an officer, and even though Captain Rocks had protected him on several occasions, albeit unintentionally—
The unruly officers still dared to attack him.
After all, the rules on the ship were clear: only officers were forbidden from killing one another. They could kill apprentice and full-fledged crew members as they pleased.
Of course, the apprentices and full-fledged crew members weren't fools. They naturally sought protection by joining one officer's faction or another.
That day, the Rocks Pirates were sailing across the ocean as usual, keeping their movements well concealed.
And even if the Marines spotted them, Shiki could use his power to make the ship float in the air and evade pursuit.
"Captain, there's a Marine ship!" a pirate shouted, holding a telescope.
"Like a bad penny, they keep turning up. Is it another Navy Admiral?" Rocks asked grimly.
Rocks wasn't looking to fight a Navy Admiral just then. There was nothing to gain from fighting them.
Besides, the Marines were scouring the sea for them. If a fight broke out, reinforcements would arrive quickly.
"Captain Rocks, our target is right near the Marine warship. Should we leave?" the pirate asked.
Their aim was to plunder World Government Member States, since it was an easy way to make money.
This time, their target was the Meras Kingdom. But a Marine warship was right near the country.
"Retreat!" Rocks shouted. They couldn't afford to get bogged down fighting the Marines yet. Their goal was to make money.
If there were Marines in this Affiliated Nation, they'd just look for another one.
With Shiki around, the Marines couldn't do anything to them even if they plundered a World Government Member State.
"Wait, Captain. There doesn't seem to be a Navy Admiral on board. There's someone wearing a bubble helmet," a pirate said after studying the ship for a moment.
"A bubble helmet? A Celestial Dragon?" Golden Lion asked casually, floating in the air.
"It does look like a Celestial Dragon."
"A Celestial Dragon, huh?" Rocks grinned.
"Bring the ship around!" Silver Axe shouted.
If it had been a Navy Admiral, they would've fled. But why should they fear a Celestial Dragon?
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