With a thunderous crash, Ochoku was sent flying backward and slammed hard into the ground.
He staggered to his feet, covered in dust and looking utterly disheveled.
Ochoku's face twisted as anger churned inside him, mingling with humiliation.
As a commander of the Rocks Pirates, he had been hurt this badly by a newcomer who'd only just joined the crew. It was an unprecedented disgrace!
"Kyahahahaha... That kid Luo Tian really is a monster! Even Ochoku got his ass handed to him. This is fun!"
Among the commanders, only Golden Lion Shiki laughed aloud without the slightest restraint.
The other commanders couldn't help turning away and chuckling, though none were as brazen as Shiki.
The jeers stung his ears. Fire seemed to shoot from Ochoku's eyes as he glared at Luo Tian standing across from him.
"You insolent brat! Today, I'll show you what real strength looks like!"
He tossed the greatsword in his hand aside, lowered his stance, and tensed his muscles.
What he prided himself on wasn't swordsmanship, but hand-to-hand combat.
Just as Ochoku was about to charge—
"Enough."
Rocks, who had been watching from the sidelines, suddenly raised a hand and pressed it lightly toward Ochoku.
An invisible pressure, as heavy as a mountain, descended without warning.
Ochoku grunted. The aura he'd just built up instantly collapsed, and he dropped to one knee with a thud.
The ground beneath his knee cracked and sank into a shallow depression.
Watching this, Luo Tian was secretly alarmed. Just how powerful was Rocks's Conqueror's Haki?
"Luo Tian is now one of the crew. There's no need to fight to the death. This battle ends here."
Rocks spoke expressionlessly, then withdrew his Haki.
The pressure vanished. Ochoku gritted his teeth and stood, the killing intent still in his eyes. But all he could do was glare fiercely at Luo Tian; he didn't dare make another move.
Even Whitebeard and Golden Lion had to show the captain respect. How could he dare defy him?
Rocks's strength was unfathomable. If he really angered him...
"Damn brat!" Ochoku got angry, and stayed angry.
No matter how unwilling he was, he could only endure it in front of Rocks.
Rocks then turned to Luo Tian, his tone calm.
"You really want to become a commander right away?"
"Of course."
"Good. You've got guts.
"I've always admired people with ambition and strength... Geniuses deserve special treatment."
A sharp glint flashed through Rocks's eyes.
"Today, I'll make an exception.
"Newcomer Luo Tian, from this moment on, you are officially a commander of the Rocks Pirates!"
The moment the words fell, the entire crowd fell silent.
"Captain, isn't this too hasty?"
John, who had been silent until now, couldn't help speaking up, shock plain in his eyes.
As the one directly involved, Ochoku couldn't say much, but John had no such qualms.
Every one of them had endured countless battles and earned impressive merits before being promoted to commander.
Luo Tian had been aboard for less than a day, and now he was going to leap straight to the top?
"John's right. He hasn't contributed anything, yet you're promoting him straight to commander... I'm afraid it'll be hard to convince everyone." Silver Axe, standing nearby, chimed in solemnly.
Whitebeard Newgate and Golden Lion Shiki remained composed and said nothing.
But several veteran crew members just below commander rank already looked displeased—
They'd coveted those positions for a long time. Now a newcomer had snatched one away out of nowhere. Even if they acknowledged Luo Tian's strength, it was hard to accept.
Since the Rocks Pirates had been founded, nothing like this had ever happened!
Rocks's gaze swept across the crowd. His tone was mild, but left no room for argument.
"You've all seen Luo Tian's talent and strength with your own eyes.
"His contributions are only a matter of time. It won't be difficult for him."
He paused briefly, his voice growing heavier. "If anyone disagrees, you can come to me. If you don't dare come to me—"
He looked at Luo Tian, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile.
"Then go to Luo Tian."
"Remember, in the Rocks Pirates, there's only one rule... The strong prey on the weak. The victor is king, and the loser is disgraced."
"Ding! Congratulations! You have completed the 'Become a Commander of the Rocks Pirates' quest!" "Reward issued: Congratulations! You have obtained Advanced Armament Haki!"
The familiar mechanical voice rang out in his mind.
In an instant, energy flowed through his limbs and body. It was the first manifestation of Armament Haki.
Luo Tian quietly felt out this newly acquired power.
But after hearing Rocks's speech, the corner of his mouth couldn't help twitching.
What a cunning old fox!
Rocks's words seemed fair, but in truth, he'd put Luo Tian on the spot.
Luo Tian wasn't particularly bothered by it.
Schemes and calculations often looked feeble in the face of overwhelming strength.
Though he feared no one, he had no plans to recruit crewmates or establish territory right away.
Having just arrived in this vast pirate world, he wanted to travel around and take in the different customs and scenery, enjoying the taste of freedom without restraint.
As for building his own crew and dominating a region?
There'd be plenty of time and opportunity for that in the future.
With that thought, Luo Tian's expression remained calm. He simply nodded to Rocks, accepting the arrangement.
Commander John had been about to speak again, but seeing how decisively Rocks had made his decision, he ultimately swallowed the words that had been on the tip of his tongue.
"This matter is settled." Rocks surveyed the crowd. Wherever his gaze fell, the commotion died down.
Then he called out, his booming voice carrying across the plaza.
"Now—let the feast begin! To celebrate our new commander, and the growing strength of the Rocks Pirates!"
An unexpected find like Luo Tian, a newcomer whose potential and combat power were both monstrous, had clearly put him in an excellent mood.
A feast was always the best way to celebrate and let loose in the pirate world.
"Yeah!! The feast is on!"
"To the Rocks Pirates! To our new commander!"
The pirates erupted in earthshaking cheers and immediately sprang into action.
They brought out barrels of liquor, set whole roasted lambs and Sea Kings over the fire, and lit bonfires. Noise and heat swept across the entire central area in an instant.
Then, beneath the complicated gazes of the pirates—some envious, some jealous, some fearful, and some curious—Luo Tian was escorted to the grandest castle at the heart of the island.
The feast here was naturally on a much grander scale, with finer food and wine. Only commanders were allowed to attend.
"Hey, Luo Tian! Don't just stand there. Come sit over here and have a few drinks with me!"
Luo Tian was just about to find a seat off to the side when Golden Lion Shiki, who had a sharp eye, grabbed him and pulled him into the seat beside himself.
Shiki seemed especially interested in him. He proactively handed Luo Tian a huge wooden cup filled with amber liquor.
After several rounds of downing strong liquor, the mood warmed up a little.
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