The instant Charlotte Linlin's attack came crashing down.
Byrnndi World used the power of his Devil Fruit to greatly increase the ship's speed, allowing it to dodge the attack.
It reappeared far away, completely unharmed.
"After them!" Rocks ordered, his face dark.
Byrnndi World had provoked the entire Rocks Pirates. Now he wanted to leave? How could Rocks possibly give him the chance?
Golden Lion landed on the ship and used the power of his Devil Fruit to make it float, speeding toward Byrnndi World's ship.
"Hahaha... Before I leave, let me give you one more present."
"Boom!"
Byrnndi World used his Devil Fruit ability on the cannon barrel, then fired a cannonball.
"Momo Fifty Times!"
The enormous cannonball grew fifty times larger as it flew.
It was almost as large as the Rocks Pirates Ship.
"Wood Style: Wood Dragon Technique!"
A huge Wood Dragon appeared beside Patri Vic. It was covered in spikes, with a pair of sharp fangs and indestructible claws.
The Wood Dragon charged toward the cannonball at tremendous speed.
"Boom!"
A deafening roar rang across the sea. The cannonball exploded in midair, sending ripples across the water and raising waves several yards high.
The blast did not destroy the Wood Dragon's body. The massive creature opened its jaws and continued its attack on Byrnndi World.
"Oh? I really did underestimate the Rocks Pirates' officers." Seeing the enormous Wood Dragon, Byrnndi World broke into a cold sweat.
But he had no intention of provoking the Rocks Pirates any further. He had achieved his goal; it was time to retreat.
"Momo Moa Fiftyfold Speed!"
The ship's speed increased fiftyfold, and it streaked across the sea like a beam of light.
Before long, Byrnndi World's ship vanished beyond the horizon.
"Damn it." Veins bulged on Rocks's forehead.
The Rocks Pirates had sailed the seas for years, and this was the first time they had suffered a setback—and watched their target escape unharmed.
He knew that the news reporters had recorded Byrnndi World's provocation and attack on their ship.
The story would almost certainly be in the papers tomorrow.
Rocks, whose pride as captain had been wounded, couldn't tolerate it.
"After them!"
At Rocks's command, the entire Rocks Pirates began searching the New World for Byrnndi World.
Just as expected, the next day, news of Byrnndi World's attack on the Rocks Pirates made the headlines.
Even the Navy and the World Government's powerful figures were stunned.
To escape right under the Rocks Pirates' noses—perhaps Byrnndi World was the only man on the seas who could pull that off.
After provoking Navy Headquarters and attacking the Rocks Pirates, Byrnndi World had become famous throughout the New World.
Countless powerful pirates in the New World wanted to follow him.
Byrnndi World formed his own pirate crew, but he chose not to confront Rocks head-on in the New World.
Instead, he fled from place to place.
Byrnndi World probably hadn't expected to make such an enemy of the Rocks Pirates.
Now, the Rocks Pirates had stopped everything else in the New World. They weren't even raiding the World Government Member States; they were devoting themselves entirely to hunting him down.
Over the next few months, the Rocks Pirates found Byrnndi World several times in the New World, but he escaped every time.
However, the Rocks Pirates also destroyed a large number of his ships.
With no choice, Byrnndi World realized he needed to lie low for a while, so he stopped staying in the New World.
Instead, he headed for the first half of the Grand Line.
The Rocks Pirates also received word that he had gone to the first half of the Grand Line.
"Edward, I'm assigning you the task of pursuing him. I don't want him to survive."
In some part of the New World, Rocks spoke solemnly aboard the ship.
"His Devil Fruit ability will make him very difficult to deal with." Whitebeard's words carried a hint of reluctance.
But if Rocks insisted that he go, he couldn't refuse. Rocks was the captain, after all; Whitebeard was only voicing a small complaint.
"I'll give you a billion Berries when it's done. I know you donate all the money you get back to your hometown," Rocks said calmly.
Whenever they attacked a World Government Member State, Whitebeard killed only the powerful. He never killed civilians.
He donated much of the money they plundered back to his hometown.
"A billion Berries? Captain Rocks, let me go!" Silver Axe immediately shouted when he heard the amount.
A billion Berries was no small sum. Silver Axe had recently been secretly saving money, preparing to recruit men in the future.
A billion Berries would be enough to buy quite a few weapons and recruit a large force.
"Captain Rocks, give me five hundred million Berries and I'll go!" John shouted.
In this era, inflation had yet to set in, and five hundred million Berries could buy a great deal.
"Let me take this mission, Captain Rocks. I'm the only one who can catch up to him," Golden Lion said, a cigar dangling from his mouth.
It was true. The only one in the entire Rocks Pirates who could catch Byrnndi World was Golden Lion, since he could fly.
Whitebeard was certainly powerful, but he couldn't fly.
"What do you think, Edward? Will you go?"
Rocks turned to Whitebeard and asked for his opinion.
"Since Captain Rocks wants me to go, I have no reason to refuse," Whitebeard replied with a smile. Truthfully, he didn't particularly care about the money. He had wanted to go out and clear his head anyway,
"Want to come along, Vic?" Whitebeard patted Patri Vic on the shoulder and asked.
"I've been wanting to see the first half of the Grand Line, so let's go together," Patri Vic replied, sitting on the railing.
For the past year or so, Whitebeard had been guiding his training and sparring with him.
Since Whitebeard would receive a billion Berries for killing Byrnndi World, it was only natural for him to help out.
Besides, he really was curious about 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 be able to catch him," Golden Lion protested.
"Enough, Shiki. I've made my decision," Rocks said calmly.
"Captain Rocks, I'm not the only one going this time. What about Vic's expenses?" Whitebeard asked with a smile.
·······
·······
Please add this new book to your collection, send flowers, and vote with your monthly tickets!
May Day reading is fun every day—get 500 VIP coupons free!
(Activity period: April 4–April 4)
Before you continue