**Chapter 6: Rocks D. Xebec**
While the enemies were being cleared out here, another pirate ship was also approaching Hachinosu. Before long, it arrived at the harbor where Nereus was located.
On the ship's black sails, the letters "ROCKS" were prominently displayed, with the "O" replaced by a crimson skull. This was none other than the flagship of the Rocks Pirates.
The man standing at the bow was no stranger either. With blue-and-white hair, a lock hanging over his forehead, and a lightning-bolt scar on his left cheek, it was Rocks himself.
Although he bore some resemblance to Blackbeard, he possessed a domineering aura that Blackbeard could not match. Before the ship even docked, he leaped down, letting out a hearty laugh.
"Wahahaha! Nereus, I'm back! Have you considered the matter I mentioned before?"
Rocks, who had jumped off the ship ahead of time, familiarly approached Nereus. Two folding tables were set up there, laden with fruit and bottles containing liquids.
This setup had already been in place when Nereus arrived earlier.
Neither Nereus himself nor executives like Sebastian took the slave traffickers seriously.
They merely treated them as targets to test combat effectiveness, which was why the atmosphere here was so relaxed.
Consequently, Rocks grabbed a nearby bottle and poured it into his mouth, then frowned.
"Why is this grape juice? I thought it was red wine."
"I don't drink. Besides being bitter, that stuff only dulls the nerves."
"Honestly, a tavern owner who doesn't drink... do you know how much effort winemakers put into removing the sweetness from grapes?"
"I don't know, but I think they're doing unnecessary work. There's orange juice here too. Want to try it?"
"Forget it, I'll stick to this. It's West Blue liquor."
After Rocks arrived, the surrounding Fish-Men and Merfolk dispersed, leaving plenty of space. For them, maintaining a certain distance was beneficial.
Although the man before them seemed boisterous, his fierce reputation on the seas was legendary.
Rocks D. Xebec, true name David D. Xebec, captain of the Rocks Pirates, and currently the most vicious criminal on the seas.
Within just two years of the Rocks Pirates' establishment, they had become a massive headache for the World Government.
Rocks alone was enough to give them headaches, let alone a whole crew.
Sixteen recorded assaults, seventy-six ships of various types sunk (mostly large Navy warships), fourteen harbors burned, five towns destroyed, and one country annihilated.
Three special cases violating Article 18 of World Law, and 25 criminal records directly erased because the World Government didn't want them made public.
And this was just from those first two years.
Because of this, Rocks himself had almost become synonymous with this era. Although there were many strong individuals on this sea, Rocks always kept two people in mind.
One was Harald of Elbaf, and the other was Nereus. Both were men capable of fighting him 1v1 in terms of martial power. It was precisely because of this strength that Rocks treated them specially.
"So, what's your answer?"
Wiping the liquor from the corner of his mouth, Rocks quietly waited for Nereus's reply.
"Xebec, my answer is the same as before. It hasn't changed."
Nereus's tone was flat, but his refusal was unquestionable.
"Ah? Why? If you join forces with me, and we figure out a way to convince that guy Harald, the combined strength of the three of us is enough to stand at the pinnacle of the world and rule it!"
"Didn't you swear back in Elbaf that you'd never invite him again?"
"That's right, so you can go invite him."
Two years ago, Rocks and Harald had fought. Harald wanted to lead the giant nation of Elbaf toward peace and join the World Government.
The World Government made it a condition that Harald deal with Rocks. Their battle ended in a draw. Nereus wasn't clear on the specifics of what was said.
But after that, they never looked each other in the face again. However, Rocks complained about it endlessly after returning to Hachinosu.
But judging by this, Rocks hadn't completely given up on the idea; he even came up with the new idea of having Nereus invite him.
This was a flash of inspiration Rocks had during his voyage this time. After all, that Devil Fruit was most compatible with the Giant race. Only if Harald ate it could its true power be unleashed.
If possible, Rocks still wanted to pull him into the fold.
Nereus didn't know how many times he had heard similar words. Perhaps because he couldn't have it, he wanted it even more.
Rocks's regard for Harald stemmed from respect for his martial prowess as well as personal emotions. In a sense, it was somewhat similar to how Cao Cao looked at Chen Gong.
"You... don't tell me you're like Harald, trusting those guys in the World Government?"
Rocks's gaze became very strange. He couldn't understand why the two powerhouses he acknowledged both looked down on his plan so much.
"No, I never trust them. Whether pursuing peace or racial equality, those Celestial Dragons who call themselves gods are pests that need to be eliminated.
But similarly, I don't support your idea. The World Government isn't anything good, but it has ruled this world for eight hundred years. Throughout this long history, its position has remained stable.
Over one hundred and seventy member nations recognize this organization's existence. You can think the World Government is stupid, but it is not weak.
The Navy, Cipher Pol, the Holy Knights—these are all violent institutions the World Government can mobilize."
Besides that, Nereus knew very well that the so-called World Government was merely a tool in Imu's hands, serving the Celestial Dragons overall.
And Nereus knew exactly what kind of virtue the Celestial Dragons possessed. If such people existed in reality, they should all be sent to Seele's soap factory.
Similarly, even though he lacked attention to the plot after the Egghead Arc and didn't know the details of this time period's storyline, Nereus knew Rocks would fail in the God Valley Incident.
He was here not because he wanted to be a pirate, but because of a series of events triggered by liberating slaves, such as being branded a pirate by the World Government after eliminating the pursuing Navy.
Hachinosu didn't have many Navy or World Government personnel, plus Nereus wanted to hone his strength. He was here due to various factors, so he didn't agree with Rocks's plan.
"You want to fight a quick decisive battle using the power boost from two Devil Fruits, but you don't understand the World Government's trump cards. And have you considered how to clean up the mess afterward?"
"Why do you sound so much like Harald... That guy is a king, and you're not. Although your reputation on Fish-Man Island is high, but..."
"Coincidentally, becoming the King of the Ryugu Kingdom is also part of my plan."
Hearing Nereus say he was preparing to become the king of a country, Rocks seemed to hear something unbelievable.
"Huh? What did you say? Someone like you is interested in playing king? Isn't that just like Harald!
Next, don't tell me you're going to be like that guy Harald, begging for dog food from the World Government in exchange for that so-called peace! Bastard!"
Listening to the "naïve" words from Nereus, Rocks appeared extremely annoyed.
He didn't understand why Nereus and Harald were both like this. Despite possessing such powerful martial force, they didn't agree with his perfect plan.
"Of course not. It's just that I need this identity to better realize my plan. As for the specifics, that's my secret.
It seems we'll still follow the usual routine. See you at the old place."
As he spoke, a pair of broad bat wings suddenly sprouted from Nereus's back, and he flew toward the massive skull-like rock mountain in the center of Hachinosu.
That mountain didn't originally look like a skull. When the Rocks Pirates arrived here, Rocks himself punched out the two eye sockets of the skull.
And the top of this mountain was where Nereus and Rocks often fought.
"Tch, it's no wonder that brat Kaido gets along with you. I think you're the real warmonger."
Watching Nereus fly high into the sky, Rocks muttered to himself, though he got no answer.
The old routine Nereus mentioned wasn't complicated. Whenever Rocks discussed this matter, their talk would inevitably turn into a fight.
For Nereus, this was a part of honing his strength. Without fighting strong opponents, growth was always much slower.
There weren't many people on the sea who could serve as his whetstone; Rocks fit the bill perfectly.
Then Rocks shook his wrists, exerted force with his legs, and shot up, chasing after him with several steps in the sky.
The technique was similar to Geppo (Moonwalk), a means of temporary flight. For top-tier fighters like them, achieving this with Taijutsu wasn't complicated, just not as free and convenient as true flight.
"Let's change the location this time. If we fight there, that rock won't withstand our thrashing. On the way back, I found a reef beach. Let's do it there."
"Choosing the battlefield in the sea? Are you serious?"
"Of course. I know you're special. Even though you're an ability user, knocking you into the sea is useless.
But this time, I want to see what you look like when you go all out."