"Not only news about the Roger Pirates, but also word from Captain Rocks and Ares' bounty has gone up again."
"But..."
"There's also a piece of bad news."
Wang Zhi's tone was noticeably more energized. These updates were, after all, mostly good news for their side. The only thing dampening his mood was that last bit.
"Oh?"
The grim look on Golden Lion Shiki's face softened somewhat as he exhaled a puff of white smoke. "Let's hear the good news first."
Wang Zhi said excitedly, "Captain Rocks has successfully conquered a kingdom. Not only has our territory expanded, but our manpower, wealth, and military power have all grown!"
This meant the Rocks Pirates had grown even stronger. With control over a kingdom, their supplies and recruitment would be greatly improved.
Shiki narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "So Captain Rocks had it all planned out... While we were keeping the Navy busy, he swooped in and took a major stronghold."
"I'm starting to look forward to the whole sea being thrown into chaos!"
With the ambition Captain Rocks carried, it was only a matter of time before he clashed with the World Government a battle that might just shatter an era that had stood for over seven hundred years.
Wang Zhi continued, "As for Ares, the Navy has raised his bounty to 220 million Berries."
He sighed with a hint of awe. "He's only been a pirate for just over a month, and he already has a higher bounty than me."
Despite sailing the seas for years and following Rocks for a long time, Wang Zhi's bounty was still only 180 million. Yet Ares, the rookie who had just joined, had already surpassed him.
He never imagined a newcomer could rise like a comet through the ranks.
"The bounty increase is definitely good news. Ares' name is getting louder out there. I can't wait for the day he becomes one of those pirates who make the world tremble," Shiki said with a grin full of anticipation.
He firmly believed Ares would keep growing stronger and eventually shake the world with a series of headline-grabbing feats.
And when that day comes...
Ares' name will be etched into the hearts of everyone across the sea a true legend.
For pirates, fame and dreams were everything.
A rising bounty was never a burden it was proof of power and notoriety.
Shiki then asked, "Let's talk about Roger's crew later. What's the bad news?"
Wang Zhi's expression turned grim. "The bad news is... the Navy has given up on retaking the Kingdom of Illys. They've redirected their forces to eliminate us."
"Whitebeard's side is already being hunted by the strategist Sengoku, and the Navy's forces have clearly intensified."
"Charlotte Linlin has gone to provide support."
"Captain Rocks is still stationed in the Kingdom of Illys and can't send reinforcements, so after we meet Roger, we're to return to Hachinosu immediately."
That was definitely unwelcome news.
The Rocks Pirates were strong, but the Navy's might was not to be underestimated. They were the true overlords of the seas.
They could effortlessly mobilize intelligence, supplies, and reinforcements from every corner of the world.
And they had no shortage of talented individuals.
"Yeah... definitely not good."
Shiki frowned, taking a deep drag of his cigar to calm the heavy emotions in his chest. "Then let's wrap this mission up and return to Hachinosu. We'll wait to hear what Captain Rocks has planned next."
"Full speed ahead!"
"Let's go meet the Roger Pirates!"
…
On a lush, jungle-like island that looked almost prehistoric…
Slash!
A flash of silver light streaked through the air.
A massive beast, several meters tall, had its throat slit, blood gushing as it crashed to the ground with a heavy thud that sent the earth trembling. Birds scattered into the sky in panic.
"Hey... Rayleigh, looks like your swordsmanship has gotten even better," came a voice from a well-built man wearing sunglasses and a black ponytail, carrying two axes on his back.
It was none other than Scopper Gaban, a member of the Roger Pirates.
He grinned from ear to ear, his white teeth gleaming like a crescent moon.
Before him stood a golden-haired man also wearing sunglasses and a deep V-neck shirt none other than Rayleigh. His most distinct feature was his four vertical beard strands.
Rayleigh replied confidently, "A little better, maybe... but still a long way to go!"
His smile betrayed a thirst for greater swordsmanship.
Gaban walked up, grabbing the fallen beast's head with one hand and teasing, "Let's head back. Captain Roger's stomach won't wait much longer."
The two of them carried their catch back toward the shoreline.
There, Roger sat cross-legged on a rock, surrounded by crewmates singing a lively pirate tune.
In his hands was a massive sheet of parchment.
Rayleigh walked over, a wine bottle in hand, and plopped down beside him. He handed the bottle to Roger and asked, "Still poring over the text we copied from the stone tablet?"
Roger accepted the bottle with a bright smile. "Yeah. I keep feeling like there's a secret hidden in those ancient stones."
"Like someone's trying to tell us something through them."
"Too bad..."
"We've asked several scholars, but none of them can decipher the writing."
He popped the cork and took a deep swig like a seasoned pro.
Rayleigh glanced at the paper and said encouragingly, "Don't worry. The sea is vast. If someone left behind those inscriptions, someone must also be able to read them."
"They're out there waiting for us to find them and uncover the truth."
"Hahaha... Rayleigh, you're right! We'll definitely solve the mystery!" Roger laughed heartily, then rolled up the copy of the Poneglyph and set it aside.
He threw an arm over Rayleigh's shoulder and chuckled, "Rayleigh, come on drink up!"
"Meeting you was the greatest fortune of my life!"
Rayleigh smiled. Seeing the joy on his captain's face, he knew there was no escaping a night of heavy drinking.
He raised his bottle and declared, "Then get ready, I'm drinking you under the table tonight!"
"Wait for me!!"
"Count me in!!"
Gaban joined them, one hand holding a wine bottle, the other waving a newspaper.
"Is that today's paper, Gaban? Let me see!" Rayleigh said with interest. For the Roger Pirates, most of their intel came from the papers.
Gaban grinned. "Oh, this one's juicy. There's big news and a newcomer in the Rocks Pirates making waves!"
"This rookie is no joke..."
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