It was noon the next day.
In a spacious clearing below the giant rock on Pirate Island Skull Island, both full crew members and apprentice crew members had gathered.
From a high vantage point, Rocks, the Captain of the Rocks Pirates, sat there.
Beside him were the various Division Captains.
Golden Lion Shiki, Charlotte Linlin, Wang Zhi, John, Silver Axe.
At this moment, Whitebeard also arrived here with Qin Ze.
Seeing that this Division Captain had actually personally brought a newcomer.
Everyone couldn't help but glance over.
"Who is this person! I've never seen him before!"
"I don't know, it seems like a newcomer brought by Captain Edward!"
"He doesn't look like much! To actually make the Captain personally come out!"
Seeing this scene, some crew members whispered below.
There was jealousy, disdain, and also curiosity.
Seeing the Second Division Captain arrive.
A ferocious smile appeared on Rocks's face, and he immediately stood up and said.
"Edward, you've arrived just in time!"
"The test for screening new recruits should officially begin now!"
"I'm really looking forward to the strength of these newcomers!"
Rocks's gaze lingered on Qin Ze for a moment.
"It seems the newcomer next to you must be quite strong! To actually make you personally come!"
"Captain, that's exactly what I wanted to tell you."
Whitebeard was in a very good mood, and he glanced at Qin Ze beside him.
"This person is an extremely rare genius in physical combat!"
"Oh?"
"A physical combat genius?"
Rocks raised his eyebrows, immediately becoming interested, and couldn't help but look at Qin Ze a few more times.
He seemed unremarkable at first glance.
But someone Edward would call a genius.
He must be extraordinary.
"Yes!"
A glint flashed in Whitebeard's eyes.
"Captain, I have a premonition that if he is given enough time to grow, in the future... even I wouldn't dare say I could definitely defeat him!"
"Not weaker than you?"
A smile appeared at the corner of Rocks's mouth, and he said with interest.
"Such a genius?"
He knew exactly what kind of person Edward was.
He had absolute confidence in his own strength.
For this kid to make him say such a thing.
It seems.
His talent in physical combat must be extraordinary.
One must know.
When Kaido joined a few years ago.
Edward hadn't given such a high evaluation.
"But Captain, there's something we need to agree on beforehand."
Whitebeard didn't notice the subtle changes in Rocks's expression.
He continued to speak excitedly.
"Qin Ze was discovered and brought by me, so he definitely has to join my Second Division!"
After speaking, he thrust the Murakumogiri in his hand into the ground.
The hilt smashed a large pit in the ground, and an invisible aura spread like wind.
The meaning was already clear.
Qin Ze, he was determined to have him.
If anyone wanted to snatch him, they would have to get past his Murakumogiri first.
"Wait a minute!!"
Just as Edward had barely finished speaking.
A rough voice sounded from beside Rocks.
Immediately after.
He saw the Golden Lion with his long golden hair flowing to the ground.
Smoking a cigar.
He walked out from the crowd with a mischievous smile.
"Captain, I disagree."
"Oh?"
Seeing someone come out to refute Edward.
Rocks had a playful expression.
He seemed very happy to see the two disagree.
"gurahaha! If this person is truly a physical combat genius as Edward says!"
"Then how can he go to the Second Division?"
Shiki directly ignored Edward and continued to speak to himself.
"Who doesn't know that Edward is just a brute, he doesn't know how to train such a talent."
"I'd be happy to test the mettle of this newcomer!"
"gurahaha!"
"Shiki, you want to snatch my man?"
Whitebeard laughed heartily, his eyes shining brightly.
"Alright! But you have to weigh your own strength first!"
"Only if you defeat me do you have that right!"
As soon as he finished speaking.
A milky white halo appeared on the blade of Edward's Murakumogiri.
A strike infused with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power was aimed at Shiki.
If they were going to fight, then there was no need for more words.
"gurahaha! Good! Today I'll fight you!"
"For you to praise him so highly, he must be an extremely rare genius."
As he spoke.
Shiki drew Sakura Ten and Murasakigumo from his waist and met the attack.
"Boom!"
A sound like rolling thunder emanated.
The aftershocks of the collision stirred up strong winds.
Blowing in all directions.
Some apprentice crew members who were close by.
Were directly shaken and fell to the ground.
And the Golden Lion casually parried the attack.
Even the cigar he was holding remained as it was.
The current him was not the old man defeated by the protagonist in the Pirate King anime.
In his prime.
His strength in all aspects was top-tier.
Even Edward wouldn't dare say he could definitely defeat him.
The two attacked and separated instantly.
"I'm claiming this person today!"
Shiki re-sheathed his sword, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he exhaled a puff of smoke from his mouth, saying with a grin.
"This isn't the place to fight."
"If you've got the guts, after the test, let's go to the back mountain and spar!"
"Whoever wins, this kid joins their division!"
Toward the Golden Lion's provocation, Edward's fighting spirit soared, and he said loudly.
"Exactly my thoughts!"
He was determined to fight for Qin Ze to the very end.
However, looking at the two who had just fought fiercely.
The surrounding pirates were all dumbfounded.
What the hell is going on?
Two Division Captains, arguably the two strongest individuals in the Rocks Pirates besides the Captain.
Now they were actually fighting to snatch a newcomer.
Was this person's talent that terrifying?
And in the crowd, an apprentice crew member's face held a playful expression.
Looking at the calm Qin Ze.
A spark flashed in his eyes.