Rocks One-Shots Newgate

As Rocks's domineering voice rang out, even though Newgate had anticipated it long ago, hearing the outcome still left him deeply uncomfortable.

Uhale, his face battered and bruised from being thrown around, silently buried his head in the dirt and played dead, like a landlord from the Axe Gang.

He even used his hands to pile dirt over both sides of his face.

He was too ashamed to meet Newgate's eyes again.

"Even though Captain Uhale has already lost me to you, I still want to compete against you as a fighter of the Whale Pirates!"

"If I win, I'll win myself back. If I lose, I'll willingly become one of your crew from now on."

"Will you accept this game?!"

Newgate was unwilling to let others control his future like this, and he stared coldly at Rocks.

He would fight fate with his own fists.

"Worororororo! You've got guts. No wonder you're destined to become the Rocks Pirates' top officer!"

"I accept!"

"You can still decide the event and rules. I'll make sure you lose without a single complaint!"

Rocks grinned wildly. He had already sensed the astonishing presence radiating from Newgate.

This guy possessed the qualities of a king!

Perhaps Edward Newgate, this eighteen-year-old young giant, would awaken Conqueror's Haki even sooner than Houka.

Houka's thoughts were still far too complicated.

He was also placing too much focus on Devil Fruits.

That was somewhat detrimental to awakening Three-Color Haki.

It seemed he needed to push Houka harder.

He would beat Houka up every day and squeeze out his potential.

Rocks could not imagine just how far Houka would grow in the future with nine Devil Fruit powers and Three-Color Haki.

Of course, with so many powers to manage alongside Three-Color Haki, could that brat Houka really cultivate them all?

After all, a person's energy was limited. It was difficult to master everything.

Being passable at everything might mean being mediocre at everything.

Every ability would be half-baked.

"Combat it is! Let me see how strong the World's Worst Pirate really is!"

Edward Newgate activated his Tremor-Tremor Fruit power, and a translucent glowing sphere appeared around his fist.

At this point, Newgate had yet to obtain the Supreme Grade Sword, Murakumogiri.

His fists and his Tremor-Tremor Fruit power were his strongest methods of attack.

"Worororororo! So it really is the Tremor-Tremor Fruit power, the Paramecia ability hailed as having the greatest destructive power!"

"Let's see how much of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power you can bring out!"

Rocks laughed wantonly. As a descendant of the Davy Clan, just like the future Blackbeard Teach, he had long memorized the Devil Fruit encyclopedia inside and out.

He was extremely familiar with most Devil Fruit powers.

Just as Houka had foreseen, this Edward Newgate possessed the powerful Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability.

Rocks simply did not understand why Houka had not coveted the Tremor-Tremor Fruit power and had instead wanted the Magnet-Magnet Fruit power.

Could it really be only because that Captain John would betray the Rocks Pirates in the future, so Houka had set his sights on the Magnet-Magnet Fruit power?

It seemed Houka still had some principles and loyalty. He had not completely treated Rocks as a mere thug.

At least he had given some thought to expanding the Rocks Pirates.

Quake Void!!

Hell Cannon Roar!

Newgate struck first, launching a tremor-powered punch, while Rocks swung his saber one-handed and unleashed the terrifying shockwave of his Cannon Roar Sword Style.

"Boom!!!"

The tremor wave and shockwave sword energy collided violently.

In an instant, the earth split apart, the sea overturned, and rings of explosive air rapidly spread outward...

The terrifying destructive power made Babel, Sambel, and the others widen their eyes.

This destructive power was far too outrageous!

Uhale had known Newgate had surpassed him, but he truly had not expected Newgate to have become this strong.

So Newgate had been hiding most of his combat power all along!

He suddenly felt envious and jealous of the Devil Fruit Newgate had eaten by chance.

In only a few short years, Newgate had completely surpassed him and become countless times stronger.

"Ugh..."

The current Edward Newgate was still too young. He was no match for Rocks at all.

They remained deadlocked for only a second or two.

Then Newgate was blasted away by Rocks's Cannon Roar Sword Style, coughing up a massive mouthful of blood.

His young giant body flew hundreds of meters before carving a deep trench through the ground.

This scene was even more exaggerated than Roger one-shotting Kozuki Oden with Divine Departure.

"Rocks, that bastard! He always hits so hard!"

Houka complained aloud. Rocks had beaten him badly these past few days, so he understood that all too well.

That brute Rocks hit even little brats like Loki without holding back. He had even viciously stabbed Loki several times with long blades, showing not a shred of mercy.

Newgate's eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.

Rocks's strength far exceeded his imagination!

"Wororororo! Not bad, not bad. You took one of my attacks, so you're already much stronger than that brat Houka!"

Rocks was extremely satisfied with Newgate's power and ability and immediately acknowledged him as a new member.

"Heh, why drag me into this? I wonder who it was that only dared to leave behind some harsh words before running away when he encountered Imu."

Houka was somewhat displeased at being singled out by Rocks and muttered back directly.

"Brat, do you want another taste of my Supreme Great Elbow Strike?!"

Rocks glared viciously at Houka. Did he not care about his pride at all?

Why bring that up!

"..."

Faced with Rocks's elbow-strike threat, Houka decisively shut his mouth. That Supreme Great Elbow Strike really hurt!

It was probably dozens of times stronger than Garp's Fist of Love.

It was not only coated in Armament Haki; it even carried Advanced Conqueror's Haki.

That brute truly hit without mercy or restraint!

Houka chose to ignore Rocks's teasing gaze. He flew over to Newgate and activated his Gravity Ability, lifting the injured Newgate into the air.

"Hey, are you alright? This captain always hits that hard. After all, he can even take down Marine Admirals. That was just one of his normal moves."

"From now on, we're companions!"

"If you're willing to call me Brother Houka, then we'll be family from now on!"

Houka flew over and spoke casually, proactively improving Newgate's impression of him.

Since he had chosen not to kill Newgate and seize the Tremor-Tremor Fruit power, becoming good friends and reliable companions with the loyal Newgate seemed like a good choice.

After all, Newgate valued loyalty and bonds deeply.

"You, a little brat, want to become my big brother? No way!"

Newgate coughed up some blood and replied somewhat irritably.

Still, his attitude toward Houka had indeed become much friendlier.

Companions and family—those were the very things he had always sought!

"This is a healing potion from Fish-Man Island."

Houka handed Newgate several bottles of medicine. Perhaps because of Newgate's enormous size, calling Houka his older brother would indeed feel a little awkward for him.

"Thanks."

Newgate did not refuse Houka's kindness. This little guy who could seemingly "command" Rocks was incredibly strange, and Newgate was full of curiosity about him.

"Is this your ability?"

Newgate felt as though he had no weight at all as he floated in the air. The sensation was rather comfortable.

"A Paramecia Gravity Ability. It's quite a decent Paramecia power!"

Houka smiled faintly. The Gravity Ability he had developed was more refined than Fujitora Issho's and had many practical everyday applications.