028 Pursuit, Rocks's Command (Seeking Flowers)

The moment Charlotte Linlin's attack came down, Byrnndi World used the power of his Devil Fruit to drastically increase the ship's speed, dodging the strike.

He emerged safely in the distance.

"After him!" Rocks ordered with a dark expression.

Byrnndi World had provoked the entire Rocks Pirates and now wanted to flee—how could Rocks give him that chance?

Golden Lion landed on the ship, using his Devil Fruit's power to make it float, closing in on Byrnndi World's vessel at tremendous speed.

"Hahaha... before I leave, here's one more gift for you."

"Boom!"

Byrnndi World used his Devil Fruit's ability on the cannon barrel, then fired a shell.

"Moa Moa Fiftyfold!"

A massive cannonball swelled to fifty times its size mid-flight.

The giant projectile was nearly as large as the Rocks Pirates Ship.

"Wood Style: Wood Dragon Technique!"

A colossal wooden dragon materialized beside Patre Vic, its body covered in thorns, with a pair of sharp fangs and indestructible claws.

The wooden dragon shot toward the cannonball at incredible speed.

"Boom!"

A thunderous roar echoed across the entire sea as the shell exploded in midair, churning the surface into waves and raising swells several spans high.

The blast's force failed to destroy the wooden dragon's body; the massive beast opened its maw wide and continued its assault on Byrnndi World.

"Oh? I underestimated the Rocks Pirates' officers." Byrnndi World broke out in a cold sweat at the sight of the enormous wooden dragon.

But he chose not to keep provoking the Rocks Pirates. He had achieved his goal—time to retreat.

"Moa Moa Fiftyfold Speed!"

The ship's speed multiplied by fifty, racing across the sea like a streak of light.

Before long, Byrnndi World's vessel vanished beyond the horizon.

"Damn it." Rocks's forehead bulged with veins.

In all their years sailing the seas, the Rocks Pirates had never been humiliated like this, with the culprit escaping scot-free.

He knew that Byrnndi World's provocation and attack had been recorded by the news reporters.

Without a doubt, it would make the papers tomorrow.

This affront to the captain's dignity was something Rocks could not tolerate.

"After him!"

With Rocks's command, the entire Rocks Pirates began scouring the New World for Byrnndi World's whereabouts.

Sure enough, the next day, the news of Byrnndi World attacking the Rocks Pirates hit the headlines.

Even the strong of the Navy Headquarters and the World Government were stunned.

To escape right under the Rocks Pirates' noses—only Byrnndi World could pull that off on the entire sea.

And because Byrnndi World had provoked the Navy Headquarters and attacked the Rocks Pirates, his name had become thoroughly renowned in the New World.

Countless pirate powerhouses in the New World wanted to follow him.

Byrnndi World formed his own crew, but he chose not to confront the Rocks Pirates head-on in the New World.

Instead, he scurried around in hiding.

Perhaps Byrnndi World hadn't realized how thoroughly he had offended the Rocks Pirates.

Now, the Rocks Pirates did nothing else in the New World—they didn't even raid World Government member nations—devoting themselves entirely to hunting him down.

Over the course of several months, the Rocks Pirates found Byrnndi World multiple times in the New World, but he slipped away every single time.

Still, the Rocks Pirates had destroyed a large number of his crew members.

Forced to lie low, Byrnndi World decided not to stay in the New World any longer.

Instead, he headed for the first half of the Grand Line.

The Rocks Pirates also learned of his move to the Grand Line's first half.

"Edward, I'm entrusting the pursuit to you. I don't want him alive."

On the ship in some New World sea, Rocks spoke solemnly.

"Dealing with his Devil Fruit ability is a real hassle." Whitebeard's tone carried a hint of reluctance.

But if Rocks insisted he go, he couldn't refuse—after all, Rocks was the captain. He was just venting a little.

"Ten billion Berry once the job is done. I know you send all the money you get back to your hometown," Rocks said calmly.

Every time he attacked a World Government member nation, Whitebeard only killed the strong; he never laid a hand on civilians.

Most of the looted money was donated back to his hometown.

"Ten billion Berry? Captain Rocks, let me go!" Silver Axe shouted immediately upon hearing the amount.

Ten billion Berry was no small sum. Silver Axe had been secretly saving up lately, planning to recruit troops and buy horses for the future.

Ten billion Berry was enough to purchase plenty of weapons and hire a large force.

"Captain Rocks, give me five billion Berry, and I'll go!" John yelled.

In this era, inflation hadn't hit yet—five billion Berry could buy a lot.

"Let me take this mission, Captain Rocks. I'm the only one who can catch him," Golden Lion said, cigar in his mouth.

Indeed, in the entire Rocks Pirates, the only one who could keep up with Byrnndi World was Golden Lion, who could fly.

Whitebeard's strength was terrifying, but he couldn't fly.

"What's your opinion, Edward? Want to go?"

Rocks turned his gaze to Whitebeard, asking for his input.

"Since Captain Rocks wants me to go, I've got no reason to refuse," Whitebeard replied with a smile. Money didn't matter much to him anyway—he felt like taking a trip to clear his head.

"Want to come along, Vic?" Whitebeard patted Patri Vic on the shoulder and asked.

"I was just thinking of checking out the first half of the Grand Line, so sure, let's go together," Patri Vic answered from where he sat on the ship's railing.

Over the past year or so, Whitebeard had been guiding his training and sparring with him.

Now that killing Byrnndi World would net Whitebeard a ten-billion-Berry reward, it was only right to help him out too.

Besides, he was genuinely curious what the first half of the Grand Line was like.

"Captain Rocks, they can't fly. Even if they find Byrnndi World, they won't catch him," Golden Lion protested.

"Enough, Shiki. I've made my decision," Rocks said calmly.

"Captain Rocks, this trip isn't just for me. What about Vic's fee?" Whitebeard asked with a grin.

New book—begging for collections, flowers, and monthly tickets.

May Day reading fun, gift 500 VIP coupons!

(Event period: April 29th to May 3rd)