The Great Demon Lord, Guyue Houka

"Why has my title changed!"

Sambel, who had always aspired to be the hero of Fish-Man Island, stared at his new moniker, Tidal Sea Demon, his voice thick with fury and grievance.

He did not want to be a devil!

This title was even more terrifying than Babel's Deep Sea Titan.

He could only wonder how his kin in Fish-Man Island and the Fish-Man District would view him now that he was branded a demon!

"Tch, and you think you deserve to be called the Knight of the Sea?"

"Why don't you take a look at your own crazed state while destroying those warships, or the ruthless way you slaughtered those Marine officers!"

The resentment in Silver Axe Xiong's tone was even more intense than Sambel's.

Back during the incident at Black Hand Pirate Island, his bounty had been second only to Rocks, making him the 'number two' on the ship.

But now, those bastards Houka, Newgate, and Shiki had all surpassed him in bounty thanks to their Devil Fruit abilities.

He had been relegated to the 'number five' of the Rocks Pirates.

How was it that Houka, Newgate, and Shiki had all seen their bounties rise by 300 million Beli, while even Babel and Sambel had gone up by 200 million?

He was the only one who had only gone up by 100 million!

This was a slight against him, Silver Axe Xiong!

He would remember this humiliation!

Next time, he would definitely pay them back!

"Jehahahaha! You're just a piece of trash who couldn't even take down a single Marine Vice Admiral!"

Golden Lion Shiki arched his brows, mocking Silver Axe Xiong.

In this battle, aside from destroying four or five warships each, the three of them had all stained their hands with the blood of Marine Vice Admirals.

That was why their bounties had risen so rapidly!

Meanwhile, Silver Axe Xiong could only manage to kill a few Marine officers, just like Babel and Sambel.

Therefore, Silver Axe Xiong was no longer fit to sit at their table.

He, Houka, and Newgate were the three true giants of the Rocks Pirates!

"You're asking for death!"

Silver Axe Xiong and Golden Lion Shiki locked eyes, their tension palpable; he wanted nothing more than to hoist his giant axe and hack that bastard Shiki to pieces!

Houka looked at the newspapers and wanted posters, his face darkening.

Great Demon Lord Guyue Houka, Paramecia Press-Press 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 title; "Murder and Arson" no longer captured the extent of his cruelty and evil.

He wondered if the World Government had learned of his self-proclaimed title, Great Love Immortal Venerable, from the Ying Kingdom, and had maliciously twisted it into Great Demon Lord.

"Great Demon Lord?"

"Don't let me find out which bastard changed this title!"

"Otherwise, I will make you wish you were dead!"

Houka's tone was icy; he was deeply dissatisfied with this infamous name. How was he supposed to become a benevolent Immortal Venerable with a title like this?

"Wohahahaha, what an imposing title! It's even cooler than mine!"

Rocks shouted with an exaggerated laugh; his own bounty and title had remained unchanged.

He felt that Great Demon Lord was even more flashy and domineering than World's Worst Pirate!

"Gurararara, surpassing Charlotte Linlin's bounty—isn't that just a simple matter!"

"That little goal you set, Houka, is certainly small enough!"

Newgate drank deeply and laughed toward the sky, clearly in a fantastic mood.

Whether it was obtaining a Supreme Grade Sword or the massive surge in his bounty, he was extremely satisfied.

After experiencing the [Battle of Omaha], he discovered that he seemed to have awakened Conqueror's Haki.

It was truly a triple blessing!

"Now that Newgate has awakened Conqueror's Haki and Shiki is showing signs of awakening as well, you'd better work hard, Houka!"

"Otherwise, you'll be overtaken by Newgate and Shiki, and they might even leave you in the dust!"

Rocks was also in high spirits. The potential of these subordinates was truly formidable; it seemed he needed to arrange more battles like this!

"Jehahahaha! I will definitely surpass Houka!!"

Golden Lion Shiki was filled with ambition. He was planning to recruit Houka in the future, so he had to be stronger than him!

Once something happened to Rocks and the Rocks Pirates disbanded, he would seize Houka to be his own vice-captain, and together, they would dominate this world!

"Gurararara, then the next small goal is to surpass Houka in bounty!"

Newgate laughed heartily; he found the sense of achievement in setting such small goals and realizing them to be quite pleasant.

"Hmph!"

Houka was equally displeased. How could he not want to awaken the three types of Haki immediately? But his cells and physique had not yet fully transformed into the unique constitution required to wield them in this world.

However, during this [Battle of Omaha], Houka had once again seized the blood of many Marine elites.

In his pursuit of strength, his actions were indeed becoming somewhat demonic.

It seemed there was merit to the World Government and Marine Headquarters calling him the Great Demon Lord.

But for the sake of power, he had long since crushed any lingering kindness or guilt within his heart!

There were no innocent people in this world, only the law of the jungle!

If one day he were to be finished off by Imu and the Five Elders, he would have no complaints; he would only lament that his strength was not sufficient.

This was a world of the survival of the fittest!

"Houka, I'll take you to find Kurozumi Higurashi and her brother when the time comes. Hurry up and tell me if I can obtain suitable famous swords in the future, and what are their names?"

Golden Lion Shiki floated over to Houka's side, nudged his shoulder with an elbow, and wore a cunning smile on his face.

For the sake of his own interests, those two former collaborators were nothing; selling them out was easy!

"Oto! Kogarashi!"

Houka had long since noticed Shiki's change, and he also knew what ambition lay in Shiki's heart.

Therefore, he stopped keeping Shiki in suspense!

This unruly Golden Lion would have to give Houka at least some face from now on.

This was practically equivalent to following Houka's 'suggestions' and 'guidance.'

He certainly couldn't issue direct orders; after all, Shiki was a man with the qualities of a king, arrogant and unwilling to be beneath anyone.

But Houka could align with their will and guide them in the direction he desired.

Now, the three kings—Rocks, Newgate, and Shiki—would all listen, to some extent, to Houka's opinions and suggestions.

"Jehahaha, Houka, I've decided you're a partner worth having!"

Golden Lion Shiki grinned and laughed loudly. He had finally obtained the information he wanted, and most importantly, he had established a cooperative relationship with Houka.

Poaching would be much easier in the future.

He also wanted to know the secrets regarding the Three Ancient Weapons!

"Rocks, do I really not have the qualities of a king!"

Silver Axe Xiong felt extremely indignant hearing that Shiki, a bastard he used to chase around, was on the verge of awakening Conqueror's Haki.

Why!

"As of now, you do not!"

Rocks glanced at Xiong indifferently and spoke very directly, without any regard for Xiong's feelings.

"Jehahaha!! The talent between people is different."

"Xiong! Watch closely as I leave you in the dust!"

Golden Lion Shiki laughed wildly. He no longer considered Xiong his rival or target.

Newgate and Rocks were his new targets.

"Damn it!! I'm going to duel you!"

Silver Axe Xiong's face was full of rage. He refused to accept it; even without the qualities of a king, he could still become a powerhouse in this sea!

"Once I get my hands on Oto and Kogarashi, I'll shatter your silver axe!"

Shiki floated in the air, completely unafraid of Xiong's challenge. He even looked toward Rocks and Houka, wondering if he could borrow Xebec's Sword and the Seven-Star Sword to use for a moment.