Great Benevolent Immortal! Blue-White Hedgehog!

It did not take long at all.

The port of the entire Ying Kingdom had already fallen to the Rocks Pirates. Countless desiccated corpses lay across the beach and harbor, presenting a scene of utter evil and brutality.

Sambel defeated the Ying Kingdom army's second-in-command alone, letting out an exhilarated roar toward the sky.

Rocks finally stopped giving the fish-man dirty looks.

"I am Sambel, the Tidal Knight of the Rocks Pirates! Remember my name!"

Afraid that people would not know his title, Sambel hurriedly shouted it aloud.

He hoped the next bounty poster would bear his new title and a new bounty.

Boom!!

Boom!!

Newgate and the Ying Kingdom general, Kusanagi Oda, erupted into a fierce battle.

The fight nearly destroyed an entire town. In the end, Kusanagi Oda was still beaten half to death by the overwhelmingly powerful Newgate.

Even his treasured national sword was forcibly taken by Newgate!

Having seized the Supreme Grade Sword, Murakumogiri, Newgate swung the long-handled naginata a few times, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

Both its length and weight suited him perfectly!

"Remember this. I am [Whitebeard] Edward Newgate! From now on, my white beard and Murakumogiri will become the most famous symbols in this world!"

Newgate did not finish off Kusanagi Oda, considering it repayment for the "gift" of the sword!

"Bastard! Give back our national treasure..."

Kusanagi Oda lay on the ground, the web of his palm split open and even his arms covered in cracks. Newgate's tremendous power and shockwaves had violently torn apart his muscles.

"Why would a pirate return something he stole?"

Ignoring Kusanagi Oda's gaze, Newgate slowly walked toward the shore, leaving behind a dashing silhouette.

At that moment, another blaze erupted in the royal capital of the Ying Kingdom, thick smoke billowing into the sky.

"Hey, hey, hey, Rocks! Why are you setting fires again?!"

Houka, floating in the air, cursed at Rocks.

"Wahahaha! Isn't this to make your title, [Murder and Arson], even more famous?"

Rocks grinned broadly while carrying several huge packs, without the slightest trace of guilt.

"Bastard, I am called [Great Benevolent Immortal], not [Murder and Arson]!"

Houka cursed furiously. How could such a low-class, awful title as Murder and Arson possibly suit a transmigrator like him?

"What? Great Benevolent Immortal?"

"Look at those dried-up corpses you sucked dry. Are you sure you even have any humanity?"

Rocks burst into raucous laughter. Judging by what Houka had done, he was practically the most evil bastard on the ship.

The combination of the Vampire Fruit and the Seven-Star Sword—what part of Houka had anything to do with an immortal?

"What the hell do you know? From now on, I am Great Benevolent Immortal!"

"If you call me [Murder and Arson], then I'll call you [Blue-White Hedgehog]!"

Looking at Rocks's blue-and-white hedgehog-like hair, Houka immediately gave the World's Worst Pirate a new nickname.

"Blue-White Hedgehog?"

"Kozuki Houka! I'll beat you to death!"

Rocks charged straight at Houka, but Houka nimbly flew high into the sky, giving Rocks no chance at all.

"Jihahahaha! Great Benevolent Immortal! Black-and-White Hedgehog! This is too funny!"

Golden Lion Shiki gleefully fanned the flames from the side. He did not know what an immortal was, but he understood that "celestial being" was an extremely sarcastic term for pirates.

"Shiki!!"

Hearing the words Blue-White Hedgehog, Rocks turned around and glared viciously at Golden Lion Shiki.

That frightened Shiki into shutting his mouth at once!

This nickname absolutely could not be mentioned in front of Rocks. He could only joke about it while chatting with Houka and the other officers.

"Listen, Brother Babel. I want to become a hero and a Knight of the Sea, while the vice-captain wants to become some kind of Great Benevolent Immortal."

"The vice-captain must be a kind and loving celestial being deep down!"

Houka seemed to move Sambel once again, and Sambel's admiration for him surged endlessly like the tides of the sea.

"Could the vice-captain's dream be to free all slaves?"

Babel, who had never gone to school, did not really understand the meaning of Houka's new title either.

"What Great Benevolent Immortal? Disgusting! Hypocritical!"

"We are just a bunch of pirates!"

Silver Axe Xiong's eyes were filled with disdain. He even felt that the title Houka gave himself sounded somewhat effeminate.

Was he trying to create a contrast?

Why not take a look at how terrifying Houka's sword slashes were, or how evil those Vampire Bats were?

Amid a storm of cursing and bickering,

every member of the Rocks Pirates carried bags of spoils back onto the pirate ship.

As the Sword of Xebec sailed away, it left behind a devastated Ying Kingdom.

Before long, news of the Rocks Pirates conquering the major New World nation of the Ying Kingdom became the next day's headline.

Thanks to his feat of destroying the port, defeating Ying Kingdom general Kusanagi Oda, and taking the Supreme Grade Sword, Newgate's bounty rose to 346 million Beli.

He surpassed the bounties of both Golden Lion Shiki and Silver Axe Xiong in one stroke.

He was truly given the title of [Whitebeard].

Thanks to defeating the Ying Kingdom army's second-in-command, Sambel's bounty also rose to 120 million Beli, and he got his wish of earning the nickname [Tidal Knight].

The others' bounties did not change much from this battle.

After all, they had only defeated nameless soldiers and lackeys.

Aboard the Sword of Xebec.

"Damn it! Not only did that bastard Newgate get a Supreme Grade Sword, his bounty even surpassed ours!"

Golden Lion Shiki's tone brimmed with resentment. He did not like having so many people above him.

He was now below Rocks, Houka, Newgate, and Xiong, stuck in the middle-to-lower ranks.

With his proud and unruly nature, he was unwilling to accept such an outcome!

And now Rocks was going to recruit Charlotte Linlin, a female pirate with a bounty as high as 500 million.

He had to increase his strength quickly, at the very least surpassing his old rival Xiong.

Also, he needed to find a way to learn from Houka about other famous blades and swords.

"Gurararara! Shiki, I was stronger than you to begin with! Do you want to sink into the sea?!"

Newgate waved Murakumogiri and calmly looked at the grumbling Golden Lion Shiki. This was the perfect chance to test his Supreme Grade Sword.

This Supreme Grade Sword could withstand his Tremor-Tremor Fruit power, which meant he could develop even more moves.

"Hmph!"

Golden Lion Shiki could only snort in displeasure, flames burning intensely in his eyes.

He would absolutely surpass these bastards!

He would never be weaker than anyone in his life!

Rocks was more than happy to see these fellows competing to become stronger.

Only then could they rapidly grow stronger and become useful support against Imu.

Heh, after devouring the blood of so many people on Pirate Island and in the Ying Kingdom, my cells have finally accelerated their renewal, adapting my physique to this world.

Then I can awaken Three-Color Haki too!

Houka's eyes brimmed with ambition. Nine Fruit abilities were his mutated talent, but he did not intend to miss out on Three-Color Haki either.

He wanted Devil Fruit abilities, Three-Color Haki, and physical techniques—all of them powerful!

No matter how much time it took, it would be worth it.

He had plenty of lifespan to max out every skill, until he became the strongest person in this world!