The Pirate's Three Deaths!

In this world, a person's strength is greatly influenced by their spirit.

For example, Crocodile, who had a record of fighting Whitebeard to a draw, fell into despair after losing to him. He chose to pursue external power, and in the end, he lost to Luffy, who had only recently set sail.

On this sea, pirates have three deaths.

The first death is losing one's dream and choosing to drift with the current.

The second death is the cessation of one's heartbeat and the demise of the physical body.

The third death is being forgotten by this sea.

Magnus, who disbanded his crew back then, essentially died once as a pirate. At that time, not only was his body at its weakest, but his fighting spirit was also at its lowest.

Subconsciously, he would choose a fighting style with a higher chance of winning.

Whether you call him despicable or shameless, or say he stops at nothing, when facing the Blood Skull Pirates, he preferred to use the terrain advantage of a small island to defeat them one by one, rather than engaging the entire pirate crew head-on.

If it weren't for the system, he probably wouldn't have chosen to face the Blood Skull Pirates head-on in the end.

But after awakening Conqueror's Haki, Magnus understood something.

When people choose to hold back, they only become weaker.

As for Haki.

"Only by defeating your enemies honorably can you become stronger!"

Magnus's blade slashed down. Even though Rona blocked it in time, the powerful strike still shattered her shoulder blade, leaving a gruesome and terrifying wound on the beautiful Marine.

"Shizuru!"

Crimson sword light soared into the sky once more, but this time it wasn't an attack.

It was a repelling force.

"Ah, you really don't know how to cherish a damsel in distress."

Blood flowed from Rona's nose and mouth. Even with such a large wound on her shoulder, she still had a smile on her face.

"This will leave a scar."

"Haha, if you say so, I have far more scars than you."

Magnus laughed heartily. Rona's injuries were terrifying, but his were no less severe. If not for the astonishing recovery ability of his Mythical Zoan, he would have bled dry.

"Don't you men always say that scars are a man's medals?"

"How could that be? I'm not a masochist."

"Heh."

Rona sheathed her sword. Seeing Magnus lost in thought, she couldn't help but ask with amusement, "Old man, is it that strange? I'm just an employee. How much Belly does the Marines pay me per month that I should risk my life for that little bit of money?"

"You didn't seem like you were holding back just now."

"Of course not," Rona chuckled. "If you were a bit weaker, I would have cut you down. But aren't you still fine?"

As she spoke, Rona glanced into the distance.

"That King of Giants is getting restless. Dealing with just you is already a handful. If another one shows up, I don't think I'll even be able to leave Elbaf."

Rona was not a Devil Fruit user, so an injury like a shattered shoulder blade had a significant impact on her strength.

Moreover, she was a swordsman who relied on her hands.

Therefore, even though she still had the strength to fight, Rona chose to give up.

Because Magnus also had the capital to continue fighting.

"Old man, it's been five years, and you've given me such a huge surprise. If the news gets back, some people won't be able to sleep."

A pirate comparable to an Admiral still being active on this sea would have an immeasurable impact on the Marines' plans for the New World.

Especially since this pirate had a seemingly good relationship with the giants in the Giant Country, Elbaf.

"Forget it, these things have nothing to do with me. I'm still on vacation. If I get injured during my vacation, does it count as a work-related injury?"

Rona chuckled, turned around, and left.

Right now, everyone still had the strength to fight. If Magnus wanted to forcibly keep Rona, it would truly be a fight to the death, where only one could survive.

But until her figure gradually disappeared from Magnus's sight, he couldn't figure out what she intended to do.

Fight him?

Capture him and send him to Impel Down?

"Women are so troublesome,"

Magnus's only conclusion was this.

Putting those thoughts aside, Magnus was more concerned about his own strength than Rona. He was certain that after this battle with Rona, he had finally crossed the threshold into the realm of top-tier powerhouses.

Perhaps at this level, he was still just a rookie.

But being able to repel Rona already indicated that he now possessed the strength to contend with an Admiral-level opponent without being at a disadvantage.

He had finally taken another step forward.

Thinking of this, Magnus finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Puhahahahahaha—"

"Captain won!?"

In the Yang Realm, seeing Magnus, who was the last one standing and laughing heartily, Rocks muttered to himself.

"Nonsense, of course the captain won!"

Ripley was overjoyed, a proud expression on her face.

"He's White Wolf Magnus!"

Only those who had seen outstanding pirates in their childhood and felt admiration could understand Ripley's feelings. Moreover, Ripley was now a crew member of the White Wolf Pirates, and Magnus was her captain.

"But that's a Marine Admiral."

Rocks mumbled, the shock in his eyes impossible to hide.

He had always known Magnus was strong, but he had also always believed that no matter how strong Magnus was, he was just an old geezer now.

So he had never given up on the idea of challenging Magnus.

But now.

Seeing the scene of Magnus fighting Rona, Rocks couldn't help but feel a hint of doubt.

Could he really win against Magnus?

Could he also become as strong as Magnus?

"Don't think so much."

Ripley smiled and rubbed Rocks' head, but her fingers were so large that she almost knocked Rocks out.

"Since the captain gave you the chance to challenge him, it means he sees your potential. If you don't even have the courage to surpass the captain, how can you become a crew member of the White Wolf Pirates?"

This battle between Magnus and Rona also stimulated Ripley.

As a giant who had just reached adulthood, she was still too weak. In battles like this, she didn't even have the qualifications to intervene.

But, unlike Rocks.

As a child raised in Elbaf, the strongest nation in the world, Ripley had a broader perspective and more confidence than Rocks.

Because in Elbaf, they had a king who once fought Magnus to a draw.

Although Ripley felt that Harald was definitely no match for Magnus now, it also showed that their Giant race had enough potential to stand at the pinnacle of this world.

"Hmph, I won't give up!"

After wavering for only a moment, Rocks re-affirmed his confidence.

The stronger Magnus was, the stronger he would be after defeating Magnus, and it also meant he was closer to his dream.

He was the man who was going to become the ruler of the sea!

How could he possibly lose to an old geezer?