Experts from All Sides

The sensational news of the Rocks Pirates annihilating the Ochoku Pirates spread rapidly.

The great pirate known as the "Pirate Patriarch," Ochoku, had been defeated and killed by the officers of the Rocks Pirates just like that, without Rocks even having to lift a finger.

This allowed the world to witness the might of the Rocks Pirates once again.

The iconic terrain and architecture now found on Elysium Island were created by the Rocks Pirates' "Great Demon Lord," Guyue Houka, and "Golden Lion" Shiki.

"Whitebeard" Newgate had even split Elysium Island in two with a single punch, carving a strait through the middle that formed a natural harbor.

This allowed even more pirate ships to sail into the harbor, making Elysium Island increasingly prosperous.

Rocks publicly declared himself the "Overlord of the New World" on Elysium Island!

He threw down the gauntlet, welcoming the great pirates of the New World to come and challenge him or spar.

This new title for the World's Worst Pirate caused many of the great pirates in the New World to feel an overwhelming sense of pressure once again.

The goal behind the title "Overlord of the New World" was already crystal clear.

Rocks intended to become the absolute ruler of the New World!

Although some great pirates were deeply dissatisfied, they dared not set foot on Elysium Island to challenge a monster like Rocks.

After all, a monster capable of killing a Marine Admiral was simply too terrifying!

Following Rocks' announcement, the Rocks Pirates began recruiting subordinate pirate crews to serve under them.

This news instantly ignited the New World!

Was this Overlord of the New World finally going to expand his forces on a massive scale?

Countless pirate crews looking to latch onto a powerful backer flocked toward Elysium Island, determined to become a part of the Rocks Pirates.

At the same time, many up-and-coming pirate crews wanted to see the powerhouses of the Rocks Pirates for themselves.

They refused to believe that Rocks could kill every single pirate who refused to join him.

Countless pirate crews surged toward Elysium Island, and in just over ten days, the island became incredibly lively and prosperous.

The World Government and Marine Headquarters sensed the immense threat posed by the Rocks Pirates.

The fearsome reputations of the Rocks Pirates' various officers were also spreading rapidly.

Even those at the bottom of the hierarchy, the Tidal Sea Demon, Sambel, and the Gourmet Knight, Streusen, had gained their own fanbases.

Countless fish-men and chefs looked up to them with reverence.

The fact that the two of them had successfully joined the Rocks Pirates and established a foothold among such a gathering of monsters was proof enough of their strength.

The Nautilus, Babel, and Silver Axe, Xiong, were even capable of fighting Ochoku to a draw, proving their own extraordinary strength.

Golden Lion Shiki and the Steel Balloon, Charlotte Linlin, had even held the upper hand against Ochoku at one point.

Whitebeard Newgate was even more powerful, taking down Ochoku in a single move; his strength could only be described as terrifying.

As for the vice-captain of the Rocks Pirates who had personally killed the Pirate Patriarch, the "Great Demon Lord," Guyue Houka.

With his handsome looks, sinister aura, immense strength, and flashy abilities, he had become the Rocks Pirates' top superstar.

His wanted poster had become a collector's item for countless female pirates and beauties across the four seas.

Guyue Houka even received countless love letters from all over the world, which greatly annoyed Shiki, Xiong, and the others.

They simply could not understand why these beauties preferred a pretty boy like Guyue Houka instead of mighty, virile men like themselves.

Furthermore, they didn't know if the World Government simply didn't want to continue building hype for the Rocks Pirates.

After the war on Elysium Island, the World Government and Marine Headquarters had strangely delayed updating the new bounty posters for the Rocks Pirates.

Logically speaking, after taking down the Ochoku Pirates, everyone's bounty should have seen a significant increase.

At the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.

Saint Saturn, one of the Five Elders, was furious at the failure of the CP0 agents.

After all, Guyue Houka was a target that Imu had personally named for capture.

Now, even an important pawn like Ochoku had been wiped out.

One had to understand how difficult it was for the World Government to buy off a great pirate.

Those great pirates were notoriously unruly and lawless, paying no heed to the World Government whatsoever.

It had been rare to find a greedy and lustful great pirate like Ochoku.

This failure forced Saint Saturn to start plotting against Guyue Houka once again.

Otherwise, he would have a hard time when Imu became angry.

Meanwhile, the search mission assigned to the Holy Knights was also yielding no leads.

They hadn't even been able to find out which sea Rocks had come from.

It was as if this Rocks had simply appeared out of thin air.

There was not a single trace of his existence.

Even the vast intelligence networks of the World Government and Marine Headquarters could not uncover a shred of information.

That could only mean that Rocks hailed from a non-affiliated nation.

Or perhaps an island outside the reach of the World Government's influence.

Even the dark underworld had absolutely no intelligence on Rocks.

In the time leading up to the Reverie, it seemed that not even a single pirate or merchant had encountered Rocks.

This pointed to another crucial detail.

Rocks's hometown might not have even had contact with the dark underworld.

Based on various clues and deductions, the Holy Knights were forced to continue their search among those obscure, non-affiliated nations and islands.

As for Kozuki Village, where Houka had appeared, it had been swept through multiple times by the Holy Knights.

However, no other mutants like Houka were discovered.

Moreover, since Kozuki Village had already been destroyed by the Cang Kingdom, the Holy Knights had very little information or leads regarding Houka.

In a certain sea area of the New World.

Ganzi, a smuggler pirate clad in golden armor, saw the news about the Rocks Pirates and his eyes lit up instantly, as if he were looking at endless business opportunities.

He immediately led his smuggling fleet, loaded with various supplies, intending to head to the bustling Elysium Island to conduct business.

He was determined to make a fortune on the rapidly developing Elysium Island.

As for becoming an affiliate pirate crew of the Rocks Pirates, that thought had never even crossed his mind.

Why not be the boss himself?

Why would he want to be someone else's underling?

Besides, his interests and goals were centered on making money; he loved shimmering gold and had no interest in fighting and killing.

However, if he could establish a connection with Elysium Island, that would be another stable source of revenue for his business.

In another sea area.

Up-and-coming pirate crews like the Bolo Pirates and the Buster Pirates were all flocking to Elysium Island, eager to see the world.

As long as they kept a low profile, they figured they wouldn't be noticed by big shots like Rocks.

"This Whitebeard Newgate, he's so young yet already so strong."

For some reason, Bolo Gram felt an instant affinity for this guy, Whitebeard Newgate.

He felt that Whitebeard was definitely a friend worth making.

Perhaps even the kind of reliable friend to whom one could entrust their children.

"The Rocks Pirates seem to be missing a sniper..."

The Four-Armed Gun King Gier Buster, with four transparent ghosts floating beside him, was contemplating whether to continue on his own or to become an affiliate of the Rocks Pirates.

He was even considering striving to become one of the officers of the Rocks Pirates.

Perhaps joining the Rocks Pirates would be a good choice after all!

Of course, waiting for Rocks to come and "recruit" him would demonstrate his strength and reputation far better than joining voluntarily.

However, if he were to be suddenly taken out like Ochoku, that would be a bit of a tragedy.