This was probably Ares's third voyage on the sea.
From the One Piece anime, Ares had come to understand that this world was far more magnificent and far more brutal than he had originally imagined.
But it was also a world filled with the blood-pumping thrill of battle.
He craved this journey, hoping to encounter powerful enemies who could push him to grow even faster.
"Hey, Ares! Hurry up and get on board! I can't wait to clash with the Roger Pirates!" Shiki, leaning casually against the ship's rail with a cigar in his mouth, cheerfully shouted at Ares.
Beside him stood a man in silver armor, carrying a massive battle axe on his back.
"How enviable…" Silver Axe glanced at Ares on the dock with a trace of admiration.
For someone as self-serving and profit-driven as Shiki to recognize a teenager like Ares as his sworn brother it was simply unheard of.
Silver Axe couldn't help but sigh inwardly. "This kid's luck is ridiculous."
Not only did Shiki value him, but even Whitebeard and Wang Zhi were extremely protective of him.
"Brother Shiki!"
Ares raised his enormous arm from the dock, waving enthusiastically at the pirate ship. "I'm coming!"
He bent his knees slightly, his powerful thigh muscles tightening.
Whoosh!
With a burst of strength, he leaped high into the air, landing steadily on the deck. Despite Ares's immense weight and size, not even a crack appeared on the deck. His control over his strength was nearly perfect.
"Ares, boss!"
A loud voice rang out as Kaido thundered across the wooden deck toward him.
After witnessing Ares's overwhelming strength and his unshakable commitment to daily training, Kaido had developed a deep respect for him.
Looking at the taller Kaido, Ares patted his shoulder and grinned. "Kaido, don't worry. One day, you'll find the perfect Devil Fruit for you."
"Yeah!" Kaido's eyes sparkled as he nodded fiercely. "I'll work hard to keep up with you!"
He also longed to obtain a powerful Devil Fruit someday.
In this vast sea, power was the only true passport.
Kaido understood this better than anyone.
Shiki and Silver Axe walked over, Shiki puffing on his cigar like a mafia boss.
"You must be getting tired of Hive Island, right? Don't worry, we'll get to see a lot of different islands this time."
Then he turned to Silver Axe and said, "Double-check everything. If we're all set, we'll set sail."
Moments later
The massive pirate ship departed from the harbor.
…
About half an hour later.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office at Marine Headquarters.
Steel Jaw Kong's face was grim as he put down the Den Den Mushi. "Garp, Zephyr, I'm leaving Shiki to you two."
At that moment
Pop!
Garp's snot bubble burst loudly.
He jumped up from the sofa, grinning. "Leave it to me!"
Without hesitation, he turned to leave.
"Hey, wait!" Kong's face darkened. He quickly called Garp back, sternly warning, "Don't underestimate that pirate, Bloodhand Ares. He's no pushover!"
"Ares, huh…"
Crack, crack. Garp rotated his wrists and grinned confidently. "I've smashed three mountains in the last month, you know."
"Don't worry, I'll definitely beat that brat into a pulp and drag him back!"
Zephyr also stood up from the sofa, as Kong's voice followed, "Zephyr, keep a close eye on Garp. And don't you underestimate Ares either he's a Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon-type!"
"Understood. I won't let my guard down." Zephyr, knowing full well the weight that came with such a Devil Fruit, nodded seriously.
He followed Garp out of the office.
Kong then turned to the black-haired Marine Admiral in the room Sengoku, sporting his signature afro. "You'll handle Whitebeard's team."
"We can't allow any movements from the Rocks Pirates to succeed. As long as I'm here, I won't let them get away with anything," Sengoku declared firmly.
He stood and left the office.
Watching his top officers leave one by one, Steel Jaw Kong crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. "Rocks…"
"What's your next move this time?"
"What exactly are Whitebeard and Shiki's missions?"
The more he thought about it, the less simple it seemed.
Kong furrowed his brows slightly. "Let's hope Garp and Sengoku bring back some good news."
At Crescent Bay Harbor
Zephyr said to Garp, "You heard what Fleet Admiral Kong said. The bounty on Bloodhand Ares has been updated. He's now confirmed to be a Mythical Zoan user, Azure Dragon-type."
"You"
Before Zephyr could finish, Garp interrupted with a carefree smile, "Don't worry. That kid's not that impressive yet. If I catch him, I'll make sure you get all the credit!"
"Pile up enough achievements, and you'll be an admiral in no time."
With confident strides, Garp boarded the Marine warship, leaving Zephyr speechless on the dock for several seconds before he shook his head helplessly.
Finally, Zephyr stepped onto the ship.
Scene shift.
Aboard the pirate ship, Shiki puffed on his cigar, exuding the aura of a mafia don.
Having fully accepted Ares as his little brother, Shiki gazed out at the sparkling sea and said, "Ares, when it comes to dealing with enemies, never show mercy."
"Mercy will only bring you danger."
Puff.
A thick cloud of white smoke billowed from his mouth as glimmering waves danced across the sea.
Shiki's face held a trace of sarcasm, his smile both cruel and helpless. "You might think I sound harsh, but this sea… this sea is a brutal place."
"The strong can decide the fate of the weak with ease they can take their lives at will."
"Don't be fooled by how clear and pure this sea looks. Once you dive beneath the surface"
"You'll find a darkness that no light can reach."
He turned to Ares.
Ares, his expression part naive, part contemplative, spoke softly, "So that's why so many people can't survive and end up… becoming pirates?"
"Exactly."
A flicker of sorrow crossed Shiki's eyes. "Most pirates are like that. But there are some just a few who set sail to see the vastness of the sea, to chase something more."
"Like you."
He shifted his gaze back to the endless sea before him. "Weak pirates are nothing but worthless lives like the fish in this sea."
"You haul in a batch today, and tomorrow there'll be another school scrambling to seize the resources."
"If we don't take it, someone else will."
"Only the big fish can gather and protect these little fish only then can it be called their territory."
"And that's what pirates are, the ones the world despises."
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