In the distance, a pirate ship slowly approached.
His arrival surprised many people. Compared to the other core officers of the Rocks Pirates, he was no weaker, but he kept far too low a profile. There was little news about him on the seas.
The captain of the Earth Pirates and now the king of Rock Country, "Stone Buddha" Duncan.
Duncan had not taken part in the battle at God Valley. He shared Hades's concerns and would never openly oppose the World Government.
Fighting the Marines was no problem, but Duncan would not attack the Celestial Dragons.
Of course, Duncan had paid a considerable price as well, handing over treasure worth a full thirty billion Beli in exchange for the assignment of receiving the Rocks Pirates on their retreat.
That was no small price for Duncan or Rock Country, but it had all been worth it.
After the God Valley War, Duncan had parted ways with them rather than returning to Hachinosu. They had not expected him to come this time, either.
For Duncan, his identity as a pirate had long been a thing of the past.
As far as Hades was concerned, Duncan was now the king of Rock Country, while he himself was the king of the Kronos Kingdom.
The two nations cooperated extensively. At the very least, Rock Country had supplied plenty of metal and stone for the construction of the Battle Pyramid and Paros Island.
They nodded to each other without speaking, and Duncan found a place to stand and wait alongside Hades.
They, too, had earned that right.
Three large pirate fleets approached side by side, roughly a hundred meters apart.
The Five Peaks Pirates, the John Pirates, and the Silver Axe Pirates.
As Supernovas from the early days of the Rocks Pirates, John, Silver