"That punch was strong."
Ares didn't even lift his head as he answered, still focused on mimicking the blow that had sent him flying.
His punches grew faster and faster.
Blasts of wind surged outward in every direction, sweeping the dust clean from the ground, revealing the bare earth beneath.
Captain John, watching from the side, had only one thought in his heart:
This kid is destined for greatness.
He would become one of the strongest beings in the world.
A monster not just in strength and potential but now in learning ability too.
Terrifying.
Silver Axe noticed too. His pupils shrank as he stared at Ares.
"He... he's mimicking Captain Rocks?!"
The greatest trait of humans was their ability to learn, to adapt, to grow.
And the speed of one's learning... determined how quickly they rose.
"Unbelievable. His punches are getting stronger!"
Silver Axe was speechless. Ares had already flattened Kaido with one punch.
Now he was getting even stronger?
In real-time?
Meanwhile, Kaido slowly regained consciousness. He barely remembered the blow that knocked him out cold.
As awareness returned, his eyes flew open.
"I lost?!"
He jumped up, rage burning in his chest.
He glared at Ares, shouting, "Brat! I let my guard down!"
"This time, I'll smash you!!"
His pride burned. The most promising rookie on the Rocks crew had been humiliated in front of everyone.
One punch.
Right in the face.
He couldn't live this down.
As he prepared to charge, a massive hand landed on his shoulder, freezing him in place.
Kaido turned, stunned. "Linlin?!"
"Don't stop me! I'm gonna crush that brat!"
"No."
Linlin ignored his fury, holding him firmly. "You lost. Whether you admit it or not, he beat you."
"Now shut up and get stronger."
"The man I like never gives up."
Kaido blinked in disbelief. His heart stirred... moved by her words.
But the feeling didn't last long.
Because her next sentence crushed him like a hammer.
"Ares is the man I want!!"
Her eyes blazed with possessiveness and a frighteningly clear intention to make babies.
Ares' sunlit, bronze-forged body gleamed.
To her, every muscle was pure temptation.
Shiki immediately snapped, "He's joining my unit!!"
"No! He's joining mine!" Whitebeard shot back.
"Enough!"
Rocks' commanding voice silenced the chaos.
His eyes locked on Ares.
"You lost. Will you now join the Rocks Pirates?"
Dark energy radiated from his towering form. His coat billowed without wind. His seaweed-like hair floated unnaturally.
Ares raised his head, voice brimming with excitement. "I will!"
"I'll forge myself into the strongest blade through battle!"
Rocks burst out laughing. "Hahaha... stubborn little brat..."
"Ares, welcome to the Rocks Pirates!"
"I am Rocks D. Xebec, captain of this ship!"
Whitebeard wasted no time. He wrapped an arm around Ares' shoulder and said with a big grin, "Kid, I like you. Join my unit."
Shiki shot forward in a flash, scowling. "Don't listen to him! My swordsmanship's the best on this ship!"
"Join me and I'll teach you how to wield a blade that can split the sea!"
His golden hair whipped around with energy and pride. Shiki's swordsmanship combined with his Float-Float Fruit made him one of the greatest swordmasters in the world.
Not to be outdone, Whitebeard threw in his offer: "Kid, join my unit. I'll teach you how to harness your raw strength."
"My fists... are unmatched!"
"My swordplay is better!" Shiki's voice rose.
"My fists are stronger!" Whitebeard fired back.
And just like that, the two were arguing again.
Not wanting to be left behind, Linlin stepped in.
She shoved the two aside with surprising strength and stood in front of Ares.
"Ares is mine! Neither of you get him!"
"No way! I saw him first!" Shiki yelled.
"Join me!" Whitebeard shouted.
The crew didn't even flinch.
They were used to this madness.
On this ship, these three were constantly at odds. Only Rocks himself had the power and presence to keep them in line.
Even senior members like Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, and Captain John wouldn't dare interfere.
Ares, meanwhile, stayed calm.
He didn't care whose unit he joined. All that mattered was becoming a blade forged through combat.
As for the shouting around him?
He barely noticed.
His mind was still replaying Rocks' punch.
No matter how many times he mimicked it, he couldn't replicate the power.
Seeing the quarrel drag on, Rocks finally barked:
"Enough!!"
"Ares will stay with Wang Zhi for now!!"