Ochoku's Frustration

The fierce battle between Charlotte Linlin and Ochoku far exceeded everyone's expectations.

Even Golden Lion Shiki was taken aback by the sheer ferocity of this big girl.

This was a terrifying clash on an island-destroying scale.

The two of them had reduced the headquarters of the Ochoku Pirates to a complete wreck.

At this moment, Ochoku was incredibly annoyed; he had already mentally prepared himself to join the Rocks Pirates.

But why did it have to escalate to this extent?

Was this a fight to the death!

Could it be that Rocks had no intention of recruiting him?

The more they fought, the more panicked Ochoku became, and he began to consider whether he should swallow his pride and take the opportunity to join the Rocks Pirates.

He no longer wanted to face Rocks head-on just to elevate his own status.

"If I beat you, Houka will be my good friend!"

Charlotte Linlin had clearly turned defeating Ochoku into a prerequisite task for obtaining information about Mother Carmel.

"Damn it! You fat pig! Get lost!!"

Ochoku's Armament Haki-clad fist collided with Charlotte's, only for his own hand to twist in agony.

"So hard!"

Ochoku had not expected Charlotte Linlin's skin defense to be even tougher than his own Armament Haki.

What kind of monster was this!

How could Rocks have recruited so many monstrous freaks!

"Don't call me fat!"

Charlotte Linlin was furious; she had already been very unhappy because Houka told her she needed to lose weight.

She had been wanting to change her physique, and she was currently quite sensitive to words like "fat."

"Boom!! Boom!!!"

Every punch from Charlotte Linlin carried terrifying, monstrous strength, smashing massive craters into the ground as cracks spread across the earth.

The lightning and fire energy brought by her Homies forced Ochoku into a desperate, wretched retreat.

No one had expected that the "Steel Balloon" Charlotte Linlin, with a bounty of 500 million Beli, could beat the "Pirate Patriarch" Ochoku, who had a bounty of 757 million Beli, into such a sorry state.

Even though Ochoku had already endured a gauntlet of battles against the "Tidal Sea Demon" Sambel, the "Nautilus" Babel, and the "Silver Axe" Xiong.

He still shouldn't have been beaten this badly.

One had to remember that Charlotte Linlin was only a thirteen-year-old pirate.

"It's unimaginable!! The Steel Balloon is already this strong!"

"Then just how strong must Golden Lion, Whitebeard, and the Great Demon Lord be!"

"I've become obsessed with the high-ranking officers of the Rocks Pirates!"

"Lord Houka looks so cool flying on his sword!"

"Lord Shiki's Float-Float Fruit ability and his golden hair are so domineering!"

As Ochoku's "Pirate Patriarch" aura of invincibility was shattered, the pirates, who worshipped strength above all else, were gradually becoming fans of the powerhouses in the Rocks Pirates.

Black Flag Black was also shocked by the overall strength of the Rocks Pirates.

He had originally thought that with Ochoku's strength, he would easily secure the position of second-in-command after joining the Rocks Pirates.

With Ochoku as an inside man and himself as a high-ranking officer, they would only need to find the right opportunity to wipe out the Rocks Pirates in one fell swoop.

But now, he realized that a much more meticulous plan would be required!

"Linlin, it's my turn!!"

Golden Lion Shiki could no longer wait to take over the fight; he also wanted to step on the reputation of this Pirate Patriarch to elevate his own name.

If Charlotte Linlin were to defeat Ochoku, they wouldn't even get a chance to make an appearance.

"Houka said I have to be the one to beat him!"

Charlotte Linlin didn't pay the slightest bit of attention to Golden Lion Shiki; she didn't even want to listen to Rocks' orders, let alone entertain a guy like Shiki.

"Houka!!"

"Aren't you going to do something??"

Golden Lion Shiki looked at Houka with irritation; at this point, no one would believe him if he said Houka wasn't the vice-captain.

"Linlin, that's enough! Your strength is excellent."

Seeing Golden Lion Shiki's resentful gaze, Houka spread his hands, but he still called a halt to Charlotte Linlin.

After all, he still wanted to make use of the waste that was Ochoku and squeeze every last bit of value out of his name as the "Pirate Patriarch."

"So, are we good friends now?"

Charlotte Linlin rushed toward Houka happily, like a little girl begging for candy.

Without the guidance of that cunning pirate Streusen, Charlotte Linlin was still a relatively simple-minded, big girl.

The fact that Charlotte Linlin became increasingly cruel and evil later on was likely not only related to Streusen's influence but perhaps also to the original owner of the Soul-Soul Fruit, Mother Carmel.

Houka would change the future of this big girl.

"We are already good friends!"

Houka smiled faintly, flew over to pat the big girl on the head, and even floated a large cake over as a reward.

"Thank you!"

Charlotte Linlin took the cake and began to eat it with great joy. Her eyes turned into crescent moons, and a look of satisfaction appeared on her face, making her look like a little girl who was very easy to coax.

Meanwhile, Golden Lion Shiki had already taken over the fight, wielding his two long swords as he slashed toward Ochoku.

"Rocks!! I submit! I am willing to join the Rocks Pirates!"

Seeing yet another guy charging at him, Ochoku was beaten until he lost his temper.

"Submit your ass!!"

"Let's fight first!"

Shiki was not about to let this golden opportunity to make a name for himself in the world slip by.

This Pirate Patriarch was, after all, a stepping stone specifically chosen for them by the prophet, Houka!

If they didn't properly farm their reputation, they would be doing a disservice to Houka's prophetic ability.

"Damn it!!"

Ochoku was beaten to the point of breaking down; he finally understood the Rocks Pirates' goal—they were using his face as a stepping stone to rise.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

Golden Lion Shiki's golden slashing waves rained down on Ochoku in a dense barrage.

"Another bastard with the ability to fly!"

Ochoku cursed loudly. Although Shiki's raw power was not as great as Charlotte Linlin's, this Flying Lion's swordsmanship was formidable, and his agility far surpassed that of Charlotte Linlin.

The two erupted into another chaotic brawl.

It's strange. Neither Xiong nor Shiki were that strong before. How could their strength grow so rapidly after joining the Rocks Pirates?

Does this Rocks also possess powerful teaching abilities?

Black Flag Black watched as Golden Lion Shiki managed to fight Ochoku to a standstill, his growth in strength nothing short of absurd.

Then there was Whitebeard Newgate, who had been nothing more than an ordinary combatant back when he was with the Whale Pirates.

And this Houka had even been reduced to a slave at one point, with mediocre strength.

How did they all skyrocket in power so quickly after meeting Rocks?

Could it be that Rocks possessed some unique ability or method to unlock potential?

It seemed that the threat level of Rocks would have to be re-evaluated.

The battle between Golden Lion Shiki and Ochoku was far less violent and destructive than the one with Charlotte Linlin.

However, it was elegant and flashy—a performance of speed and swordsmanship.

Furthermore, Golden Lion Shiki was actually able to manipulate the earth to fight, which completely exceeded people's imagination regarding the Float-Float Fruit ability.

Shiki seemed to have a great talent for developing the Float-Float Fruit.

In truth, the reason for Shiki's rapid growth in strength, aside from the extreme beatings from Rocks, was the guidance and development provided by Houka, which saved him at least ten years of trial and error.

Ochoku grew more furious the longer they fought. Thinking of Whitebeard and the Great Demon Lord waiting in the wings, his heart was filled with resentment toward Rocks.

He swore that if he ever caught the chance, he would definitely screw over the Rocks Pirates!