—Dulu...
—Who's that?
Arthur pondered the name.
But after a moment, he chuckled and shook his head.
—Well, in this world, not everyone needs to prove themselves. That's normal.
There was no need to overthink it. After all, the 600 elite members of the Rocks Pirates were all formidable fighters.
Arthur was certain that even with his strength, if 200 of those elites joined forces against him, he'd almost certainly die.
The strongest in the world.
The strongest in history.
The Rocks Pirates didn't just have powerful officers—they had an army of elite warriors.
—Kid.
Wang Zhi placed a box in front of Arthur.
—These are your three Devil Fruits.
Arthur smiled and nodded.
—Hehehe~~~
Wang Zhi added with a strange tone:
—Kid, you'd better be careful. Some things aren't so easy to hold onto.
And with that, Wang Zhi left.
There were many unknown Devil Fruits among the Rocks Pirates. Not even the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia could catalog them all. Wang Zhi wasn't particularly interested.
But just because Wang Zhi wasn't interested didn't mean others weren't.
—Hey!
—Hey!
—Little devil!
—You're the winner this time?
—Hand over those three Devil Fruits, nice and easy.
Wang Zhi had barely turned his back when trouble arrived.
—I see.
Arthur noticed the shift and smiled knowingly.
—So that's how it is. Law of the jungle, huh?
—Hahaha~~~
The pirate laughed viciously.
—Exactly! Kid, you'd better listen. Remember that guy five years ago? So arrogant! In the end, we chopped off all his limbs and hung them from the bow. He became bait!
—I see.
—Thanks.
Arthur thanked him with a smile—then struck without hesitation.
Slash!
The invisible blade cut three times in an instant.
—Huh?
Though the pirate reacted quickly, a deep scar was carved into his chest.
—Thunderous Bagua!
Kaido was even faster. Wielding his club, he smashed a pirate straight into the ground.
Judging by the crushed chest and the faint breathing, he was as good as dead.
—Bastards!
—How dare you cause trouble!
—Agh!
Kaido, club in hand, looked completely unharmed.
Only half a day had passed, but his wounds and fatigue seemed fully healed.
—Oh?
—The fight's begun!
—The fight's begun!
A crowd of pirates gathered immediately.
Everyone watched with curiosity.
As Arthur and Kaido moved, at least 200 pirates around them stood up.
And truthfully—
These 200 were more terrifying than all the pirates on Hive Island combined.
They were worthy of being Rocks Pirates, and their strength was just as fearsome.
The Rocks Pirates had a total of 2,000 members.
Beyond the 600 elites, the remaining 1,400 were powerful and battle-hardened warriors.
—Hey!
Kaido grinned fiercely.
—Arthur, looks like you're under attack too!
Arthur picked up the treasure chest and tossed it behind Kaido, toward Shaki.
—Kaido, aren't they targeting you too?
—Tch.
—Just a bunch of trash.
Kaido turned his head confidently.
—Shaki! Guard my Devil Fruit for me.
—Hmm...
Exhaling a puff of green smoke, Xia Qi replied calmly:
—If I don't have to move, these things won't be a problem.
—What a pain.
Dulu stood up as well, tossed his treasure chest to Xia Qi, and pulled a heavy sword from the deck.
He was a master of heavy swordsmanship.
Alongside Arthur, Kaido, Shaki, and Dulu had also received various rewards—Devil Fruits, Baileys, treasures, and more.
—Little devils!
—You planning to resist?
—Hahaha~~~
—This is great!
—Five years!
—Shut up!
Hearing the pirates' crazed laughter, Kaido's eyes flared.
A violent burst of air exploded around him, and he shot forward like a streak of light.
—Thunderous Bagua!
—Gah!
The laughing pirate was struck in the head instantly.
—So violent!
—Wind King's Hammer!
Arthur provoked Kaido and attacked with equal brutality.
The terrifying blue wind hammer scattered the surrounding pirates in an instant.
—Worororo~~~
Kaido grinned, gripping his club.
—Arthur, if you get in my way, I'll kill you too.
Arthur replied:
—Then I'll kill you too.
—Hey!
—Hey!
Dulu sighed.
—Are you really going to ignore me like that?
Too bad.
Arthur and Kaido attacked at the same time.
—Wind King's Hammer!
—Thunderous Bagua!
These two weren't the type to accept things as they were.
Do the Rocks Pirates believe in the law of the jungle?
Of course they do.
So let's see who's more ruthless.
—Little devil! Die!
—Let the elder teach you.
—On this ship...
—How do we show respect to our elders?
—Hahaha~~~
A massive wave of pirates attacked all at once.
Morality and justice? They didn't care.
Victory was all that mattered.
Mad laughter echoed across the battlefield.