Gier Buster and Bolo Gram

"Listen up, you pirates! From now on, I'm done with the underworld!"

"I am no longer the Yakuza Killer; I am Silver Axe Xiong, an officer of the Rocks Pirates!"

Seeing Shiki broadcasting his new title everywhere, Xiong decided he needed to make his own new moniker famous throughout the New World.

He absolutely refused to let that bastard Golden Lion Shiki get the upper hand!

Golden Lion Shiki, Silver Axe Xiong, and the Nautilus Babel used their overwhelming strength to crush and plunder every pirate crew on this island with ease.

They had no fear of offending these crews, nor did they worry about future retaliation!

After all, they were now subordinates of the World's Worst Pirate, Rocks!

The Rocks Pirates would become the greatest pirate crew in the world and dominate the New World!

Houka released countless Blood Shadow Bats, taking the opportunity to devour the blood of many pirates.

The Vampire Soul Gu entered its first period of rapid growth.

Houka also received a significant feedback boost, making him feel as though he had found a shortcut to power.

After clearing out the pirate island, the Rocks Pirates held a welcoming banquet for Xiong.

"Wahahaha! Satisfying! In the past, only pirates dared to plunder our Fish-Man Island without restraint. Now, I can finally kill and rob these pirate crews just as freely!"

"Sambel, I suggest you drop your hero dreams! It's far more satisfying to become a Scourge of the Ocean or a Deep Sea Undertaker!"

An incredibly excited Babel began lecturing Sambel, his honest clansman.

Since they had already set out to sea, he didn't care for Sambel's honest and kind nature.

"Brother Babel, I'll try to be more ruthless, but I won't give up on becoming a hero for Fish-Man Island!"

Sambel scratched his head and gave a sheepish smile, though seeing the massive destruction caused by the others, a spark of destructive desire was ignited within him, and his gaze shifted slightly.

"Wohahaha! Should we go help Newgate steal a Supreme Grade Sword next, or go after other strong opponents first?"

Rocks swallowed a mouthful of roasted meat and picked up a stack of wanted posters and intelligence reports.

The smuggler pirate Ganzi, a Bomb-Bomb Fruit Ability user who did business between the New World, the West Blue, and the North Blue—finding him would likely be as troublesome as finding that bastard Shiki.

On the other hand, the man known as the Pirate Patriarch, Ochoku, occupied a pirate island as his base, making his location relatively fixed.

However, Houka had warned him that Ochoku would choose to betray the Rocks Pirates for money, constantly selling out the crew's location.

A traitor like that was useless to have on board!

Still, for this Ochoku to dare call himself the Pirate Patriarch—he clearly didn't hold the World's Worst Pirate in any regard.

If he couldn't be brought to heel, then he would be killed, and the name of the Rocks Pirates would be spread throughout the New World!

As for the West Blue mafia boss Malone, that could wait.

Once he left the New World, Rocks planned to secretly return to his hometown of God Valley in the West Blue to send a shipment of treasure and supplies to the Davy Clan, helping his family improve their lives.

"Of course we're going to help me steal a Supreme Grade Sword first!"

Even Newgate, who usually didn't fight or scramble for things, had to stand up for his own interests now.

If he could get a Supreme Grade Sword sooner, he could start training with Murakumogiri earlier and continue to increase his strength.

"Gehahaha, Brother Houka, I'm looking for two famous swords. Do you have any suggestions?"

Golden Lion Shiki floated over to Houka's side with a 'fawning' expression that made Silver Axe Xiong look on with utter disdain.

"That requires more time spent together to foresee parts of your future."

Houka spread his hands, choosing not to reveal the information about the famous swords Oto and Kogarashi to Shiki.

"You need to spend more time together to predict the future?"

Shiki raised an eyebrow, seemingly guessing at some condition for Houka's ability.

Could it be that some kind of connection had to be formed with Houka for him to see glimpses of one's future?

"Then we must get along well, Great Strategist..."

Shiki didn't call Houka the vice-captain, but rather "Great Strategist," hoping to further bridge the gap between them.

"Tch! Disgusting Flying Orange Cat!"

Xiong was even more contemptuous of Shiki, his disgust plain on his face.

If it weren't for that Float-Float Fruit Ability, he would have chopped a guy like that into pieces long ago.

"Hoh, what's with that attitude? Great Strategist Houka organized this welcoming banquet for you—are you looking down on the Great Strategist?"

Shiki smirked, immediately trying to sow discord between Xiong and Houka.

If Xiong offended Houka, Newgate and Babel would likely shun him as well.

Then, Xiong's position within the Rocks Pirates would become very precarious.

That was exactly the result Shiki wanted.

"Hmph!"

Xiong offered no explanation, merely drinking with a darkened face.

"Shiki, stop playing these little tricks."

Houka let out a meaningful laugh, seeing through Shiki's attempt at sowing discord at a single glance.

"Xiong, welcome aboard!"

Houka raised his glass toward Silver Axe, completely ignoring Shiki's dry chuckle.

"..."

The cold-natured Xiong cast a surprised look at Houka, but ultimately accepted the gesture, raising his own glass in response without uttering a word.

"Bahahaha! One slippery, one cold—neither of you is straightforward at all!"

"Newgate! Let's drink!"

Babel was not as friendly toward the two newcomers, hoisting a massive barrel of fine wine toward Newgate.

"Cheers!"

Newgate was a drunkard himself; he never turned down a drink, downing as much as was offered.

Driven by these two heavy drinkers, the atmosphere of the newcomer banquet finally began to liven up.

"Wahahaha! Then we'll go help Newgate seize the Murakumogiri first."

Rocks looked at his six subordinates, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

He had originally intended to seek out Harald, the powerful King of Giants, first.

But since Houka had claimed it would be a futile effort, he had no choice but to temporarily shelve that idea.

"Gurarara! Then thanks!"

Newgate laughed heroically. Although this pirate crew had rules he detested, the current vibe was not half bad.

At the very least, he had a decent relationship with Houka, Babel, and Sambel.

He just hoped that the two newcomers, Shiki and Xiong, wouldn't turn out to be bastards he despised!

"Houka, take a look at this guy. This is a name that wasn't mentioned before. Does he have a chance to become my subordinate?"

At this moment, Rocks handed a wanted poster to Houka; he had taken a liking to this fellow with decent strength.

[Four-Armed Gun King] Gier Buster, a Paramecia-type Hollow-Hollow Fruit user.

"Hm?"

"It's him?"

"We can snatch him onto the ship!"

"He is indeed one of the officers of the Rocks Pirates!"

Houka looked at the man wearing a hat and sunglasses, having nearly forgotten this Rocks officer.

After this guy died, he would eventually be turned into a zombie general by Gecko Moria in the future.

Who would have thought he was actually a user of the Hollow-Hollow Fruit!

Could he have some connection to the Ghost Princess, Perona?

Could the bullets he fired carry the ability of negative ghosts?

Bullets paired with negative ghosts—a decent combination!

"And this one, the captain of the Bolo Pirates, Bolo Gram. This guy also seems to have the qualifications to board the ship!"

Rocks handed another wanted poster to Houka, seeking his opinion.

Pineapple-head Marco?

No, wait, he's Marco's father!

Houka's eyes narrowed; the man looked exactly like Marco.

"You can go and try!"

Houka nodded slightly. This guy seemed to be on par with Silver Axe and Ganzi in terms of strength, and he could even kick Silver Axe away; his strength was indeed impressive.