How Sharp Is Your Sword, Rocks?

The tavern was filled with noise.

Pirates shouted, bottles clinked, and arguments and other noises filled the modest-sized tavern.

But no matter how fiercely they argued, not even the most freewheeling pirates actually came to blows. Fighting between patrons was forbidden here, and everyone followed the rule of their own accord.

"So you went out once and came back with this handsome young man?" Shakky arched her pretty brows slightly, arms folded and a cigarette between her lips.

He was naturally referring to Kaya, who sat at the bar, examining a glass of liquor in his hand.

Rocks and the others sat beside him.

"Yeah, and he even turned him down. How embarrassing, Rocks!" Shiki jeered loudly.

"Hahahaha! Other people have turned me down before. Guess I really am unpopular!" Rocks himself laughed, not bothered in the least.

"Of course you are. You're not Shakky. She's the one everybody likes." John took a huge swig of liquor, then gave Shakky what he thought was a dashing smile. "Isn't that right, Shakky?"

"Please don't drink such big mouthfuls. The liquor runs out of your mouth, and then I have to wipe the table." Shakky wore a charming smile.

"Yes! Got it!" John immediately took off his shirt and started wiping the table. Good grief, judging by the look of him, he was really putting his back into it.

"Quit trying to suck up to Shakky whenever you please! You bastard, John!" Ganzui shouted in protest.

"You got a problem with that?!" John roared.

"Stop arguing. I'm the one Shakky likes. Even if you got down on the floor and licked it, she still wouldn't like you." Ochoku stuck out his long tongue and grinned wickedly.

"Cut the crap, bastard!!" ×2

"Vulgar men." Gloriosa shot the group a disdainful look, then an enraptured expression appeared on her face. "My Roger is still the best! He's the manliest!"

"Hmph! Boring bunch." Newgate looked at the noisy group, his lips twitching. "Well, I'm not interested in any of that, but if Shakky insists on liking me, I wouldn't mind."

"What did you say, Newgate?!" Buckingham Stussy slammed the table and stood up. "I'm the one you're supposed to love! Don't even think about betraying my feelings!"

"Hahaha! Are you getting dumped, Stussy?!" Charlotte Linlin mocked.

"Newgate doesn't even like her. She's just been shamelessly throwing herself at him this whole time," Kaido remarked.

"That's not true! You two damned bastards! Don't think I don't know—you two have been fooling around together, haven't you?" Buckingham Stussy dropped a bombshell.

Kaido shrank back and said nothing, while Charlotte Linlin wore an expression that said, "So what?"

Looking at this bunch of shameless, wildly chaotic characters, Kaya thought they really did have that pirate vibe.

"Well? It's a great pirate crew, isn't it?" Rocks raised his glass beside him.

"You don't look like you're just playing pirates." Kaya casually clinked glasses with Rocks.

"That's what pirates are! Always drinking and laughing! Laughing the hardest, living the freest, and having the deepest desires-for power, wealth, status, and fame, wanting everything in this world! We can feast with anyone, enemy or friend. We fight and argue and do whatever we please, never bound by anything. We're lawless, and nobody can control us. We enjoy true freedom! That's what it means to be a pirate!!"

Rocks was full of bravado. Like everyone else present, he drank in great gulps as he spoke those words, full of his own forceful will.

Kaya turned his head and gazed at Rocks, the man whose goal was to become the King of the World.

His transmigration had been sudden, bringing him to Hachinosu without warning. He still had no idea how to use his power or how to live in this world.

It all felt real to him. He wasn't afraid of having transmigrated, and he didn't feel much about taking lives, either.

Strangely enough, he was just an ordinary person.

His life could be described in one word: "reclusive." Whether at school or at work, he kept to himself, always drifting outside the group.

Hobbies? Did reading manga count?

He was the exact opposite of Rocks, who had gathered such a large group of powerful people around him.

"Rocks, how sharp is your sword?" Kaya suddenly set down his glass, its bottom tapping lightly against the table.

"Want to find out?" Rocks grinned, using his height advantage to look down at Kaya. A faint, indistinct "force" lingered around him.

"I'll change my clothes first. Go wait outside." Kaya relaxed and closed his eyes.

"Interesting!" Rocks got up and headed out.

Nearby, the others who had heard their conversation looked at one another, completely baffled by the sudden turn of events.

Before long, news that someone was challenging Rocks spread across Hachinosu. The pirates gathered excitedly, ready to watch the unexpected event.

Shakky's bar had emptied too... no, to be precise, two people remained.

"Everyone else has gone, but you're the one involved, and you're still sitting here. What are you thinking, little brother?" Shakky wore her usual teasing smile.

But as soon as the words left her mouth, her expression froze.

Visible blue lights appeared before her eyes, little specks like fireflies swirling around Kaya's entire body.

The clothes Kaya had been wearing broke down inch by inch, fading as though scorched by fire.

Of course, he had no intention of running around naked. He was simply manipulating the Reishi in the air to reconstruct matter, giving it form like silk and covering his body with it.

He pushed back his stool and stood. A pure white robe swayed with his movements, tall military boots stepped on the wooden floor, and three silver medals were pinned to his chest.

"My control over this power is decent." Kaya glanced at his palm and went out without looking back.

Behind him, Shakky stared in a daze.

What... had just happened?

Shakky came to her senses and recalled it subconsciously. Kaya's clothes had changed out of thin air. Was that a military uniform? He looked more like a paladin of noble birth.

When she thought of Kaya's challenge to Rocks, the corners of her mouth curved upward.

"Interesting. Just what kind of being are you?"

"His gaze didn't waver at all when he looked at me. I've never seen a man like that on the seas."

"Things are starting to get interesting..."

She had grown curious too. Swaying her hips, she left the tavern and went to join the crowd.

At the scene, an enormous open space had been set aside. It was a sea of voices, packed with jostling pirates.

"Hey, are you serious about this, Rocks?" Newgate stood beside Rocks.

"Don't stop him, Newgate. I'm very interested in that kid." Shiki laughed.

"He'll die," Xiong said flatly.

They stood at the very front, and Rocks made no comment on what they said.

Suddenly, a loud cheer rose from the crowd. The pirates obligingly parted to make a path.

It led... right in front of Rocks!