"With me?!"
Wang Zhi froze when he heard Captain Rocks' decision. His face twitched in disbelief. "You want that brat to follow me?!"
But after a brief moment of shock, he understood Rocks' intent.
Obviously, the captain wanted to avoid strengthening any one faction too much. Giving Ares to Whitebeard, Shiki, or Linlin would only upset the balance of power aboard the ship. So he threw the kid to Wang Zhi.
Still, he had no choice.
"Fine. I'll take him."
He waved at Ares. "Kid, over here. From now on, you're with me. I'll teach you the rules of the Rocks Pirates."
Ares shrugged off Whitebeard's arm and headed over to Wang Zhi without a word.
Whitebeard frowned, disappointment flickering in his eyes. He had high hopes for Ares. If the boy had joined his unit, they might've built a strong bond and become formidable partners.
He sighed. There was nothing he could say against the captain's orders.
Shiki was equally downcast. Losing such a promising recruit stung.
But the one most visibly frustrated was none other than Charlotte Linlin. Her eyes locked on Ares, and she licked her lips hungrily.
"I won't give up," she muttered.
"Only a man with a body and potential like his is worthy of me... worthy of bearing my children."
Her blunt declaration sent a chill down Whitebeard and Shiki's spines. They both backed away instinctively.
"She's a freak..."
Everything that came out of her mouth was twisted and perverse.
Rocks turned to Wang Zhi. "Take Ares back to the ship. Show him the ropes."
With the order given, Wang Zhi began leading Ares toward the pirate ship anchored at the shore.
Meanwhile, Rocks made his way toward the terrified villagers huddled together, shaking and clinging to one another.
He knelt in front of the elder who had earlier begged Ares for help.
"Tell me about the boy."
He was curious about Ares' past.
The old man flinched, inching backward instinctively, his voice trembling.
"P-please... don't kill me. Take whatever you want."
He bowed deeply, unable to meet Rocks' gaze.
Captain John stepped forward, irritated. "Hey, old man! The captain asked you a question! You wanna die?! Answer already!"
The elder flinched hard, then blurted everything out like his life depended on it.
"Ares... his father was a famous blacksmith. One of the best."
"A few years back, he forged a legendary blade. But it... it was stolen."
"His father died trying to protect it, leaving Ares all alone."
"At first, things were fine, but... three years ago, the boy suddenly went crazy!"
The old man's voice trembled as he recalled the day Ares ran into the streets.
He had burst out of his house, wild-eyed, asking everyone the same question:
'How can I turn myself into a blade stronger than any Supreme Grade sword?!'
People were terrified.
Ares had always helped his father in the forge. Even as a young teen, he was strong as an ox. No one could stop him.
He was like a man possessed.
Eventually, a villager told him that through relentless training, a man could forge his body like steel.
And so, Ares began his training.
Non-stop.
If he wasn't eating or sleeping, he was training.
What started as normal push-ups and weightlifting evolved into him slamming his body into trees.
Then into boulders.
Then into mountains.
Rocks stood slowly, eyes narrowing as he turned toward the sea.
"So he's a bit... broken in the head."
"But what potential. With nothing but brute training and battles against beasts, he's already grown this strong..."
"A true monster."
Unlike Linlin, who wasted her gifts chasing cake and chaos, Ares was fully committed to growth.
Hardworking. Driven. Unrelenting.
Rocks had no doubt. Between the two, he favored Ares.
He turned toward the pirates at the shore.
"Weigh anchor!! We're heading back!!"
Captain John took a sip of his booze, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Once this brat grows up... he won't lose to Whitebeard or Shiki."
He strolled along behind Rocks.
Kaido had overheard everything.
He clenched his fists, shocked at the lengths Ares had gone through.
"He... trained like that?"
A fierce light flashed in his eyes.
"I won't lose!!"
"I'll do hell training too!!"
"Next time... I'll be the one who wins!"
He burned with resolve as he followed the others back to the ship.
At the coast
Ares looked up at the massive pirate vessel before him. It was like a fortress of war.
Even at four meters tall, he felt small next to it.
Wang Zhi grinned proudly.
"Big, huh?"
"We're the Rocks Pirates! Strongest crew on the seas!"
"Just hearing our name makes other pirates piss themselves!"
"Hahahaha..."
He burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the thought.
Ares, however, remained expressionless. Unless it had to do with becoming a blade, he didn't care.
Wang Zhi clapped him on the shoulder.
"You're officially part of the crew now."
"Plenty of battles ahead."
"Grow fast, monster. I can't wait to see what you become."