The Banquet

He headed straight for the pirates' hall.

Carl's lips curled slightly. He believed there shouldn't be any more trouble like that from now on. He wasn't afraid, but if these kinds of tests happened too often, they could interfere with his plans. That would hardly be worth it.

He pushed open the door. The pirates' hall was brightly lit, and Rocks sat in the seat of honor. He was the only one in the entire hall, evidently waiting for Carl.

The other Division Commanders were all at their own bases. Unless there was something important, Rocks wouldn't summon them.

"Captain Rocks, about Phil Kingdom..."

Carl walked forward, sat down in a chair, and began speaking with an easygoing expression.

Rocks didn't wait for him to finish. Instead, he burst into hearty laughter.

"Gyahahahaha!"

A terrifying aura emanated from Rocks.

"Well done, Carl."

Rocks patted the armrest, rose to his feet, and walked over to him.

"I already know what happened. You did an excellent job completing the mission. Thanks for all your hard work! Take some time to rest on Hachinosu. You'll have a new mission soon."

The spies aboard the ship had already reported the situation to him through Den Den Mushi. He even knew that Carl had taken out the Giant Warrior Pirates' thirteenth son along the way.

But in his eyes, it was no big deal. The Giant Warrior Pirates wouldn't dare face their crew head-on.

If the X Pirates and the Giant Warrior Pirates hadn't joined forces, he would have wiped them out already.

When he heard that Carl had casually taken care of Krulu, he'd immediately spread the word that Rocks had left Hachinosu, hoping to mislead Yorulu. He just didn't know if it would work.

He had also put his doubts about Carl to rest. If Carl had been a spy sent by the Navy, he wouldn't have carried out the mission to destroy Phil Kingdom. After all, it was a World Government Member State, and the Navy's influence in the New World was already weak. Losing another World Government Member State would surely be a painful blow for them.

Carl might have run off halfway through, or sent word to the Navy. In any case, the mission wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

Since Carl had carried out his orders without question, Rocks's suspicions had faded. From then on, Carl was truly the 6th Division Commander.

He could also bring Carl along for his grand plan. After all, having one more powerful fighter would greatly increase their chances of success.

"We'll hold a grand banquet tonight to celebrate your joining us. Don't forget to attend."

"Don't worry, Captain. I won't miss it."

Carl knew the banquet was being held to welcome him, so he would definitely be there!

"Gyahahahaha!"

Rocks was delighted to have a powerful man join them.

"Good!"

"I'll take my leave, Captain."

Seeing that Rocks had nothing else to discuss, Carl turned and left.

Rocks remained in the hall for a while, then strode confidently toward the plaza.

Once outside, Carl found Newgate and started drinking with him.

"Newgate!"

"Gurarara! Carl!"

Meanwhile, Charlotte Linlin was thinking about how to get Carl for herself!

She could clearly sense that Carl's strength was improving rapidly. If she didn't act soon, she really wouldn't have a chance.

She especially wanted to have a strong child with Carl.

The plaza was already bustling with people. Tables and chairs filled the area, laden with all kinds of delicious food!

The pirates took their seats. A gigantic table stood at the front, where Edward Newgate, Golden Lion, Charlotte Linlin, John, Ochoku, Carl, and the other Division Commanders sat.

As Rocks walked up to the platform at the front of the plaza, the crowd fell utterly silent.

Carl was seated up there too.

Rocks's gaze turned stern. Suddenly, his eyes grew resolute, radiating an unquestionable force.

In an instant, an invisible power surged out of Rocks like a monstrous tidal wave.

The pirates nearby felt an intense pressure, as if an ancient beast had fixed its eyes on them. Their whole bodies trembled.

This was Rocks's Conqueror's Haki: domineering, making people want to submit against their will.

"Listen up, boys! Welcome our 6th Division Commander, Carl, to the Rocks Pirates!"

Rocks pointed at Carl, who stood up and greeted everyone present!

"I'm Carl. From this moment on, I officially join the Rocks Pirates as the 6th Division Commander!"

"Let's hear you cheer! The banquet begins!"

At Rocks's command, the pirates below sprang into action. Some started drinking, others began eating, and the whole place soon grew lively.

"Yeah!"

"The banquet's started!"

"Don't grab that! That meat's mine!"

"How come going out with Captain Carl turned you into such a big shot? Give it here!"

His name was Grace. He was a tall, muscular man with tattoos covering both arms.

"What, you got a problem with that?"

Yor answered. He was a dark-skinned, muscular man, two meters tall. Grace often bullied him.

"Hmph!"

Grace could only grumble under his breath now. He hadn't joined any division yet, so there was no one to back him up.

Without a Division Commander to protect you in the Rocks Pirates, your life and death could sometimes be out of your own hands. You never knew when some powerful fighter might kill you.

Yor glanced at Grace. When he saw that Grace had nothing more to say, he wore a smug expression.

After all, Yor had someone backing him now. Grace wouldn't dare mess with him.

"You guys don't know yet, do you? When we went to Phil Kingdom this time, Captain Carl gave us half of the treasure."

Yor sounded both excited and pleased with himself.

"What? Is that true? Tell us everything!"

"Yeah, hurry up and tell us! I want to join you too."

"Just let me finish!"

Yor calmly took a sip of his drink.

"We're going to Tyr Kingdom next. I heard they've prepared a huge amount of treasure to offer to the Celestial Dragons."

"The whole crew will be heading out. Our target is Tyr Kingdom, and we might run into an Admiral."

Rocks spoke unhurriedly. This was what he'd been working on lately; they had to keep the Giant Warrior Pirates and the X Pirates from finding out.

They had to stop them from sticking their noses in!

"Wahahaha!"

"I love treasure."

John was the first to get excited. Of everyone there, he loved treasure the most.

"John, look at you."

"Does their kingdom have any strong fighters?"

Newgate wasn't interested in treasure. He'd rather have a good fight. His strength was currently at its peak, unlike when he was old in the opening of the anime, so he still had the fiery spirit of a young man and longed for more battles.

Newgate didn't like killing civilians. Though at this point, he still hadn't sent the treasure he'd plundered back to his homeland.

"Mamamama!"

"I wonder what tasty pastries Tyr Kingdom has!"

Charlotte Linlin was still a great beauty at this time, though her Hunger Pangs weren't too severe yet.

But they still flared up from time to time, and that was where Streusen came in.

"Gyahahaha!"

"Good, then it's settled. Everyone, go back and get ready. In a month, Tyr Kingdom will have prepared the tribute for the Celestial Dragons. When the time comes, everyone will set out together."

Rocks swept his gaze over the group and declared the matter settled.

Rocks was simply informing them, not asking. He didn't need his crew's opinions, after all. His way of ruling them was through force.