Scheming

Before long, Hades had been with the Rocks Pirates for more than a year.

Hades had turned fifteen.

Keeping a low profile and showing little interest in wealth, Hades rarely took action.

Whether the target was a kingdom or a shipment of Heavenly Tribute, Hades had no intention of going in person.

It would only waste time. He was better off staying on Hachinosu and quietly growing stronger.

Could those routine missions put him under anything like the pressure of facing Newgate, who was growing more terrifying by the day?

Newgate had grown used to Hades tagging along and did not mind serving as his sparring partner.

Shiki was gradually making his name feared across the seas, but Newgate was in no hurry to step into the spotlight.

All he needed was one opportunity to show the world his true strength.

That was the confidence absolute strength gave him.

If anything had caught Hades's attention that year, it was this:

Two months earlier, a twenty-year-old monster had emerged during a Rocks Pirates recruitment drive.

His name was Tim Duncan, a Logia Earth-Earth Fruit User.

With the overwhelming power he possessed at such a young age, he had taken first place in the Recruitment Tournament.

His face remained as still as a mask. No matter which pirate provoked him, his composure never cracked.

His Buddha-like calm, combined with his Devil Fruit power, had earned him the name "Stone Buddha."

The name also echoed that of "Buddha Sengoku," who had already made his name in the New World as a Marine.

Few knew Duncan's true identity. Hades was among them.

Like Hades, Duncan hardly looked like a pirate, though he lacked Hades's inborn air of nobility.

Beneath that calm face lay an iron will.

Just one month after joining the Rocks Pirates,