A few days later.
The New World, waters around the Totto Land archipelago.
On the boundless sea, a flotilla of a dozen pirate ships sailed in force toward their destination.
Swollen by the wind, the sails bore the unmistakable word Rocks.
It was the emblem of the Rocks Pirates.
Aboard the lead galleon, a banquet was in full swing.
Crate after crate of fine liquor, platter after platter of fragrant delicacies, were hauled up by the pirate grunts.
Carlo and the others ate and drank to their hearts' content.
The dozen-odd figures on deck were flushed and carefree,
showing none of the tension that should precede a great battle.
All they felt was the thrill of treasure soon to be theirs.
"Wahahaha—bottoms up! A toast to another grand operation for this big family! To our shared dream of getting rich—drink!"
Rocks sat sprawled in the seat of honor, oak cup raised high, letting wine spill down his chest, face wild with abandon.
"Gurararara…"
"Shihahaha…"
"Mamamama…"
"Kahahaha…"
"Ororororo…"
"Drink!"
Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Linlin, Carlo and the rest hoisted their cups.
A chorus of bizarre laughter erupted.
It was a carnival of demons.
The banquet hit its stride.
A tipsy Kaido hiccupped and posed the question that had always gnawed at him.
"Oi, Rocks!"
"Tell me, how did you get Newgate, Shiki and Linlin here under you?"
"None of them look like folks who'd bow to anyone."
Kaido's sudden question silenced the rowdy feast.
Every eye turned to Rocks and to Whitebeard and the others.
Clearly the latecomers—John, Silver Axe and company—were just as curious.
But before Rocks in the main seat could answer,
Golden Lion at his left blurted out:
"Whose underling? Brat Kaido, watch your mouth!"
He jabbed a finger at the grinning Rocks. "I'm only here in Hachinosu to fill my coffers. This bastard thinks he's my Captain? No one—past, present or future—can command Shiki!"
Kaido wasn't buying it.
He gulped wine and needled, "So what's the difference? You sail under the Rocks Pirates' flag, claim the second division captain's share, yet still won't admit it?"
"What d'you mean 'won't admit it'? Are you deaf? I'm independent—not his subordinate!"
Golden Lion flared, eyes locking on Kaido
as though he might draw steel any second.
But Kaido was every bit as stubborn.
And with liquor in his veins he was even more bull-headed,
certainly not about to flinch from Golden Lion.
He glared right back.
"All bark and no bite, that's you—too proud to confess."
"You asking for death, brat?"
The two looked ready to clash on the spot.
Rocks finally stepped in to mediate.
He raised both palms.
"Enough—why fight over something so trivial? It's nothing shameful."
His gaze swept the faces of every power seated around.
"When I founded the Rocks Pirates I said we'd be a grand pirate alliance—like the World Government for pirates."
"Those of you who kept your own crews would be partners in this alliance, similar to member kingdoms aligned with the World Government."
"Strength in numbers—together we can rampage across the seas and fear no one."
"We grow rich together, we grow strong together."
"So in essence Shiki's right: most of you aren't my subordinates."
"But… on the other hand,"
he shot a sly grin at Golden Lion, "some of you lost to me in a Davy Back Fight—like you, Shiki. A bet's a bet; in that case expecting you to call me Captain isn't too much, is it?"
Golden Lion's cheek twitched; he snorted and looked away.
"What's a Davy Back Fight…?" Kaido asked, intrigued.
The question lit a spark in Rocks.
He launched into an eager explanation: "The Davy Back Fight is the legendary death-game of Davy Jones. Contests vary, but the core is always a wager."
"Both sides stake everything they own—including themselves."
"Lose and you lose all; win and you take all."
Kaido's interest piqued. "For example?"
"Simplest version: rock-paper-scissors." Rocks demonstrated with his hand. "Best of however many rounds; ties repeat till someone wins."
Kaido blinked. "Rock-paper-scissors? That's a death-game?"
"What if I add a rule: the loser dies?" Rocks grinned savagely.
"…Uh." Kaido was speechless.
"A death-game means the loser forfeits everything—freedom, dreams, life itself."
"But rock-paper-scissors is pure luck. Don't tell me that's how you beat them?"
He glanced at Whitebeard, Golden Lion and the rest.
Whitebeard looked serene, Linlin indifferent.
Only Golden Lion's face was black as thunder.
And when Rocks pointed and said, "Shiki did indeed lose to me at rock-paper-scissors," that face darkened further.
The crew's expressions were priceless.
Silver Axe blurted, "Shiki, you lost yourself that easily? Your luck stinks."
Seeing everyone's smirks, Golden Lion exploded.
"Luck? You morons think it's luck? Sure, some death-games have luck, but rock-paper-scissors isn't some crapshoot!"
"Rock-paper-scissors isn't luck?" Many, Kaido included, were puzzled.
To them it clearly was.
You throw, I throw.
Perfectly fair.
Unless your eyes are sharp enough to read the opponent's choice in advance,
apart from a bit of mind-games it's basically luck, right?
Silver Axe asked, "How many rounds did you lose to Rocks?"
Golden Lion kept his dark scowl silent.
Rocks flashed five fingers. "Five rounds—he lost every one."
"What? Five-zero? Your luck really is trash, Shiki!"
"Orororo—stay away from me, I don't want your bad luck rubbing off!"
Everyone roared with laughter.
Not everyone, though.
Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Linlin and Carlo didn't laugh.
"You frogs in a well! Anyone who thinks it's luck, go challenge Rocks. Win and I'll pay you one billion berries out of my own pocket!"
Golden Lion's eyes blazed, golden mane lifting as though he might go Super Saiyan on the spot.