Hachinosu's port lay in ruins.
The sea breeze swept through, carrying ash and the stench of blood. The air felt heavy and taut.
Ochoku stood at the edge of the ruins, his chest rising and falling slightly.
He had forcibly suppressed that momentary loss of composure, and his gaze had turned completely somber.
As a former officer aboard Rocks's ship, a great pirate who had fought, survived, and ruled these seas for decades.
He knew better than anyone that at a time like this—he absolutely could not retreat!
One step back.
Meant death.
"Hmph..."
Ochoku snorted coldly, his voice becoming deep and rough again as his entire aura suddenly surged!
"I was wondering what suicidal fool dared trespass onto my Hachinosu."
He took a step forward.
Crack—!
The stones beneath his feet shattered as his gaze locked firmly onto Rock.
"So it was—the Azure Dragon."
He bared his teeth in a grin, vicious yet carrying a faint tension he could not conceal.
"Ten years have passed, and you didn't die in some forgotten corner..."
"That's quite the surprise."
As his words fell.
The pirates around him, who had been on the verge of collapse, seemed to have found their backbone, and the atmosphere warmed slightly.
Some gripped their weapons tightly once more.
Others showed savage grins.
As though as long as "the boss was still here," they could still turn this around.
But Rock merely gave Ochoku a calm glance.
"Ochoku."
His voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"All these years since Rocks died..."
He smiled lightly. "You've been living quite comfortably, huh~"
His gaze shifted slightly, as though looking past Ochoku toward somewhere farther away.
"Over there—they've given you plenty of benefits, haven't they?"
"—!!!"
The moment those words fell, Ochoku's expression changed instantly!
His