A Chance Encounter with Celestial Dragons (Seeking Flowers)

The Rocks Pirates were full of danger. If he could help it, he really didn't want to join.

After all, the whole crew was a bunch of lunatics—take Ochoku, for example.

A Rocks Pirates executive had joked that Ochoku wasn't as good as him, and that hothead came straight to him, trying to kill him.

If he hadn't had the ability to defend himself, he'd probably be dead.

Even though he now had the power to kill Ochoku, Patri Vic still didn't dare let his guard down on this ship.

After all, there wasn't a single easy mark on board. If an executive took a disliking to him, they could still take him out.

"That's true." Rocks replied slowly, hands clasped behind his back.

"Anything else, Captain Rocks? If not, I'm going back to sleep." Patri Vic stretched and asked.

Since Rocks had no intention of killing him, he didn't need to be afraid. It was late at night, and all he wanted was to sleep.

After a moment of silence, Rocks turned his head and said solemnly, "On this ship, hiding your strength is not the best move."

"What do you mean?"

"You're familiar with Edward—you know his personality. His temper clashes with most of the executives on board, so why has no one ever made a move against him?"

"It's all because of the ship's rules. I don't care about the life or death of apprentice crewmen or regular crewmen, but I don't allow killing among executives. Minor scuffles are fine, but if someone dies, that breaks the rules. Anyone who breaks the rules, I'll execute personally."

"What does any of that have to do with me hiding my strength?" Patri Vic scratched his head in confusion, not quite following.

"You've already been targeted. Edward and the others—they wouldn't dare touch them. But you? They'd dare. If you keep hiding your strength, they'll only underestimate you, and you'll invite more trouble. Only by showing your power and becoming an executive can you shake off the trouble for good." Rocks spoke calmly, continuing.

On this ship, killing didn't need a reason. If you had to give one, it was that the executives didn't like Whitebeard, but they couldn't do anything about him.

Since they couldn't touch Whitebeard, what about Patri Vic?

The executives would turn their attacks on Patri Vic. Even if they killed him, Whitebeard would have no recourse.

If Whitebeard, also an executive, killed one of them, Rocks would step in and deal with Whitebeard.

Because deadly fights among executives weren't allowed—that was a rule Rocks had set himself.

It was also the only rule on this ship.

Hearing Rocks' words, Patri Vic's expression turned serious as he mulled things over.

After a long moment, Patri Vic took a deep breath and asked, "Why are you telling me all this?"

"No particular reason." Rocks said softly, but inside, he was already scheming.

Rocks was a lion now, but he would eventually grow old. If, before he aged, he still lacked the strength to fulfill his dream, then without a doubt, the crew would rebel. They wouldn't be content to stay under Rocks forever.

"Alright, alright."

Patri Vic said flatly, not pressing further.

He was on the Rocks Pirates and had a bounty of one hundred million berries. The Navy had already set their sights on him. Leaving the Rocks Pirates wasn't an option either.

"I'll go sleep now." Patri Vic added.

Rocks nodded slightly.

A month passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, sure enough, some executives took a dislike to Patri Vic and came looking for trouble.

But Rocks always showed up at the critical moment, getting him out of danger multiple times.

Still, Patri Vic wasn't an executive. Even with Captain Rocks inadvertently protecting him, the unruly executives still dared to lay hands on Patri Vic.

After all, the ship's rules were clear: no killing among executives, but apprentice and regular crewmen were fair game.

Of course, those apprentice and regular crewmen weren't stupid either. They naturally went to align themselves with the executives' factions to gain shelter.

One day, the Rocks Pirates sailed normally across the sea, moving with great stealth.

And even if the Navy spotted them, Shiki could use his ability to make them float in midair, evading pursuit.

"Captain, spotted a Navy ship!" a pirate shouted, holding a telescope.

"Persistent as ghosts. Is it a Navy Admiral again?" Rocks demanded, his face dark.

Rocks didn't choose to fight the Navy Admirals head-on right now. There was no benefit in battling them.

Besides, the Navy was combing the sea for them. Once a fight broke out, reinforcements would arrive quickly.

"Captain Rocks, near the Navy warship is our target this time. Should we withdraw?" the pirate pressed on.

Their goal was to plunder a World Government member nation—it was quick money.

This time, their target was the Meras Kingdom. But a Navy warship was right near that country.

"Retreat!"

Rocks shouted. It wasn't the time to tangle with the Navy. Their aim was money.

Since that member nation had the Navy, they'd move on to the next one.

Anyway, with Shiki around, even if they robbed a World Government member nation, the Navy couldn't do anything to them.

"Wait, Captain, there doesn't seem to be a Navy Admiral on the ship, but there's someone with a bubble hood." A pirate observed carefully for a moment and said.

"Bubble hood? A Celestial Dragon?" Golden Lion floated in midair, asking indifferently.

"Looks like a Celestial Dragon."

"A Celestial Dragon, huh?" Rocks grinned.

"Bring the ship closer." Silver Axe shouted.

If it had been a Navy Admiral, they would have fled. But did they need to fear a Celestial Dragon?

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