"Why did my epithet change?!"
Sambel had always wanted to become a hero of Fish-Man Island. Seeing his new epithet, Tidal Sea Demon, he sounded furious and aggrieved.
He didn't want to become a villain!
That epithet was even more terrifying than Babel's, Nautilus.
He had no idea what his people in Fish-Man Island and Fish-Man District would think of him, now that he was being called a demon!
"Tch, and you think you deserve to be called Knight of the Sea?"
"Maybe take a look at how crazy you were when you destroyed those warships, and how ruthless you were when you killed those Marine officers!"
Silver Axe Xiong's resentment was even stronger than Sambel's.
During the Black Hand Pirate Island incident, his bounty had been second only to Rocks's, and he'd been the crew's "Number 2."
But now Houka, Newgate, and Shiki had all surpassed him in bounty thanks to their Devil Fruit powers.
He'd been reduced to "Number 5" in the Rocks Pirates.
How come Houka, Newgate, and Shiki had each gained 300 million Beli, while even Babel and Sambel had gained 200 million?
He was the only one who'd gained just 100 million!
Did they think he was a joke?
He'd remember this humiliation!
Next time, he'd make them pay!
"Zehahaha! You can't even take down a Marine Vice Admiral, you good-for-nothing!"
Golden Lion Shiki taunted Silver Axe Xiong, raising his eyebrows and pulling faces.
In that battle, all three of them had destroyed four or five warships each, and each had Marine Vice Admiral blood on their hands.
That was why their bounties had risen so quickly!
Silver Axe Xiong, on the other hand, could only kill a few Marine officers, like Babel and Sambel.
He no longer deserved to sit at the same table as them.
He, Houka, and Newgate were the three big shots of the Rocks Pirates!
"You're asking to die!"
Silver Axe Xiong squared off against Golden Lion Shiki, itching to grab his giant axe and hack the bastard to death!
Houka looked at the newspapers and wanted posters, his face darkening.
Great Demon Lord Kozuki Houka, Paramecia Gravity-Gravity Fruit User, bounty: 680 million Beli.
Whitebeard Newgate, Paramecia Tremor-Tremor Fruit User, bounty: 646 million Beli.
The World Government had actually changed Houka's epithet. Murder and Arson no longer seemed to capture his cruelty and evil.
Had the World Government learned in the Ying Kingdom that Houka called himself Great Love Immortal Venerable? Had they deliberately twisted it into Great Demon Lord?
"Great Demon Lord?"
"Let me find out which bastard changed my epithet!"
"Or I'll make sure you wish you were dead!"
Houka's voice was icy. He hated that infamous title. How was he supposed to become an immortal venerable who loved all people now?
"Wahahahaha! What a domineering epithet! It's even cooler than mine!"
Rocks shouted loudly. His bounty and epithet hadn't changed.
He thought Great Demon Lord sounded far more impressive than World's Worst Pirate!
"Gurarara! Surpassing Charlotte Linlin's bounty? That'll be easy!"
"Houka, that little goal you set is certainly little!"
Newgate drank deeply and laughed up at the sky, clearly in high spirits.
He was overjoyed both to have obtained a Supreme Grade Sword and to see his bounty soar.
After the Battle of Omaha, he'd realized he might have awakened Conqueror's Haki.
Three pieces of good news at once!
"Newgate's awakened Conqueror's Haki, and Shiki's showing signs of awakening it too. Houka, you'd better work hard!"
"Otherwise, Newgate and Shiki will overtake you and leave you in the dust!"
Rocks was in high spirits too. His subordinates' potential was as impressive as he'd expected. It seemed they should have more battles like this!
"Zehahaha! I'll definitely surpass Houka!"
Golden Lion Shiki was brimming with ambition. He planned to recruit Houka in the future, so he had to become stronger than him!
When something happened to Rocks and the Rocks Pirates fell apart, he'd snatch Houka up as his first mate, and together they'd rule the world!
"Gurarara! Then my next little goal is to surpass Houka's bounty!"
Newgate laughed. Setting little goals and accomplishing them gave him a real sense of achievement.
"Hmph!"
Houka was just as unhappy. Of course he wanted to awaken Three-Color Haki right away, but his cells and physique hadn't fully transformed to suit this world's unique constitution.
Still, during the Battle of Omaha, he'd taken the blood of quite a few Marine elites.
In his pursuit of strength, he really was starting to act like a demon.
Perhaps there was some truth to the World Government and Marine Headquarters calling him Great Demon Lord.
But for the sake of power, he'd long since crushed what little kindness and guilt remained in his heart!
There were no innocents in this world, only the strong preying on the weak!
If Imu and the Five Elders killed him one day, he wouldn't complain. He'd only lament that he hadn't been strong enough.
That was the law of the jungle!
"Houka, I'll take you to see those two Kurozumi Higurashi siblings later. Tell me quickly—will I get my hands on suitable famous swords in the future, and what are their names?"
Shiki drifted over to Houka and nudged him with his elbow, a sly smile on his face.
For his own benefit, they were only two former collaborators. He had no qualms about selling them out!
"Oto! Kogarashi!"
Houka had noticed Shiki's change long ago, and he knew what the man was plotting.
So he stopped keeping him in suspense!
That unruly Golden Lion would have to give Houka some respect from now on.
That was nearly the same as following Houka's "advice" and "guidance."
He couldn't order Shiki around, of course. Shiki had the qualities of a king and was too proud to submit to anyone.
But Houka could go along with their ambitions and guide them toward the outcome he wanted.
Now Rocks, Newgate, and Shiki—the three kings—would at least listen to Houka's opinions and advice.
"Zehahaha! I've decided you're a true friend, Houka!"
Golden Lion Shiki grinned. He'd finally gotten the information he wanted, and, more importantly, he'd established a partnership with Houka.
Recruiting him later would be much easier now.
He wanted to know the secrets of the Three Ancient Weapons, too!
"Rocks, are you sure I really don't have the qualities of a king?"
Silver Axe Xiong had heard that Shiki—the bastard he'd once chased around—was on the verge of awakening Conqueror's Haki. It left him seething with resentment.
How was that fair?!
"Right now, you don't."
Rocks glanced at Xiong and answered bluntly, without the slightest regard for his feelings.
"Zehahaha! People aren't all born with the same talent."
"Xiong! Watch closely as I leave you in the dust!"
Golden Lion Shiki laughed arrogantly. He no longer considered Xiong a rival or a target.
Newgate and Rocks were his new targets.
"Damn it! I challenge you to a duel!"
Silver Axe Xiong glared angrily. He refused to accept it. Even without the potential for Conqueror's Haki, he could still become one of the strongest on these seas!
"Just wait until I get Oto and Kogarashi. Then I'll smash your Silver Axe!"
Shiki floated in the air, unafraid of Xiong's challenge. He even looked to Rocks and Houka, wondering if he could borrow Xebec's Sword and the Seven-Star Sword for a while.