Hachinosu

The atmosphere aboard the Rocks Pirates was the same as ever.

News that their comrades had been captured by the Marines did not sadden them.

But everyone knew exactly what was coming.

Given their Captain's personality, there was no way he would swallow such humiliation.

Rocks D. Zebek's ship rules seemed lenient. He appeared to turn a blind eye to what happened aboard, allowing his crew a measure of freedom.

But beneath those rules lay his absolute authority. He would not tolerate anyone defying his will.

The Marines had provoked him. Sooner or later, he would pay them back with interest.

The time simply had not come yet.

The Rocks Pirates' next recruitment drive was about to begin, and it would be another grand spectacle.

Hachinosu was a pirate paradise, with every amusement one could imagine. But after indulging in them long enough, even pirates grew bored.

The annual recruitment event, with all its fierce, bloody competition, always stirred their excitement.

Pirates who had passed the Rocks Pirates' selection the year before were curious about the new crop, too.

Every year, this season was a carnival for Hachinosu.

Even some full-fledged Crew Member of the Rocks Pirates joined in, making things harder for the newcomers.

Of course, there were plenty of cases where a newcomer turned the tables and knocked them down instead.

The Rocks Pirates on Hachinosu were in no hurry after the Marines' surprise attacks. Their Affiliated Pirate Crew out at sea, however, were starting to panic.

Both the Demolition Pirates and the Grizzly Pirates ranked among the strongest Affiliated Pirate Crew of the Rocks Pirates.

If even they had been defeated, how could the others escape if the Marines set their sights on them?

Even if the Rocks Pirates heard the news and sent reinforcements, it would