"..."
"Damn it!! You bastards!!"
"I'm the King Cadre!"
"Rocks! Rocks, you're the Captain, say something!"
"Look at your Cadres! Every single one of them is clinging to Fang Huo, the Vice Captain!"
"Is there no order anymore? Is there no Pirate King's law?!"
Golden Lion Shiki cursed irritably, his tiger-like eyes turning toward Rocks.
"You chose those islands just to be closer to Fang Huo, didn't you?"
"This Captain has decided! Your Flying Kingdom will be established in the waters near Hachinosu!"
"Shiki, I believe you will do a fine job guarding my Rocks Empire!"
Rocks glanced at Shiki and spoke slowly; he knew exactly what Shiki was thinking.
This guy had been eyeing Fang Huo for more than just a day or two.
"..."
Golden Lion Shiki was speechless. Rocks, you useless Captain, Fang Huo is practically the one in charge of the Rocks Pirates now, and you're still acting like this!
"Are you planning on having two leaders?!"
However, Golden Lion Shiki did indeed want a territory near Fang Huo.
He knew that Fang Huo, the guy who could predict the future, was incredibly cunning!
Fang Huo's choice to establish the Sacred Ancient Moon Empire on Egghead Island definitely wasn't that simple.
Being close to Elbaf, using the ancient robot to annoy the Gorosei—those were likely just Fang Huo's surface reasons.
Shiki now strongly suspected that Egghead Island, filled with ancient scientific ruins, might contain clues to the three Ancient Weapons.
Perhaps one of the Ancient Weapons was hidden right there on Egghead Island.
That was the main reason he wanted to stay close to Fang Huo.
It must be said, Golden Lion Shiki had actually guessed part of the truth.
However, the Ancient Weapon Pluton was in Wano Country, in the waters near Egghead Island, not on the island itself.
And Fang Huo's true goal in coming to Egghead Island was indeed the Conquerors Haki Knot on the ancient robot.
The other Cadres, hearing Rocks order Golden Lion Shiki to build his kingdom near Hachinosu, all began looking around, staring at the sky or their feet.
They were terrified of being conscripted by Rocks and named to establish a guardian kingdom for the Rocks Empire.
"Barbel! Maron! You two as well!"
Rocks called out the names of two more Cadres.
Barbel and Maron felt as if they'd been struck by lightning, but they could only nod helplessly in agreement.
Sanbel and Kiel Bastard were secretly delighted; this way, no one would compete with them for Mercury Island and Victory Island.
"Boss Barbel, I'll work hard and establish a Fishman Village on Mercury Island!"
"You can go in peace!"
Sanbel looked at Barbel, who seemed like he was 'going on a journey from which he would never return,' and spoke with an honest, simple tone, even a hint of tears in his eyes.
Slap!!
"I'm not going to my death!! What's with that look and tone!!"
Barbel jumped up and slapped Sanbel on the head, cursing loudly.
"..."
Rocks' forehead was lined with frustration. These stupid Cadres—is staying by this Captain's side really worse than being near Fang Huo?
"Captain, I'm your most loyal Cadre!"
"When are we going to Beehive Island?"
Smuggler Ganzi immediately put on a smiling face to flatter the big boss, Rocks, wanting to make the Captain happy so he'd help him conquer Beehive Island.
"Enough nonsense!!"
"Back to Hachinosu first to announce the establishment of the Rocks Empire!"
Rocks had allowed Fang Huo to establish his own country nearby, and originally, he hadn't cared about the other Cadres doing the same.
But now, he suddenly felt that he had to establish his own realm before the others.
Hearing Rocks' decision, the other Cadres could only obey.
"Jihahaha! I'm establishing the Rocks Empire on Hachinosu; it must be even more lively than Fang Huo's Sacred Ancient Moon Empire!"
"Boys! Show me your passion and talent!"
Rocks spoke with excitement. If Fang Huo hadn't brought up the idea of establishing Totto Land, he might never have thought about becoming a King or Emperor in his life.
My Chief Strategist is truly incredible!
Also, he would only allow Fang Huo to establish an Empire; the other Cadres could only establish Kingdoms.
Besides, for the Sacred Ancient Moon Empire that Fang Huo was building on that ruined island to reach the prosperity of Hachinosu, it would probably take decades.
Hachinosu had been built up by generations of Great Pirates and had reached its peak during the Rocks Pirates' occupation.
"Set sail!!"
The Rocks Pirates' Flying Battleship quickly rushed back toward Hachinosu.
Meanwhile, in the Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Satan Saint received a transponder snail report about the fall of Egghead Island, his expression incredibly grim.
Fang Huo actually knew about the ancient robot he had hidden away.
Could this damned human ant really predict the future?!
Now, that ancient robot had definitely fallen into Fang Huo's hands.
It might even be used by Fang Huo to threaten him in the future.
Satan Saint thought it over and finally chose to be completely honest with Lord Imu.
Disobeying Lord Imu's orders was a very serious matter.
But he believed Lord Imu wouldn't wipe him out over a robot that had lost its power source.
His initial thought was just to help Lord Imu research a new energy source that could power the National Treasure.
Yes, that was the legitimate reason!
Even if he were severely punished by Lord Imu, it wouldn't be a capital offense.
After Satan Saint convinced himself, he immediately went to the Empty Throne Hall to confess his crimes and beg for punishment.
Imu was very displeased with this servant's self-assertion.
But considering that Saturn was only trying to research new energy and hadn't caused any major trouble yet...
Imu allowed Saturn to experience the Black Flame Immolation Torture as a stern warning to this disobedient servant.
Despite his immortal body, Satan Saint once again tasted that agonizing physical pain after countless years.
This made him even more terrified of and submissive to Imu!
After accepting Imu's punishment, Satan Saint directed all his fury toward Gu Yue Fang Huo.
"Gu Yue Fang Huo! This Saint will definitely kill you!!"
The weakened Satan Saint's eyes were filled with anger and resentment; he had actually suffered a major setback because of a mere brat.
He immediately took action, determined to find a way to kill Gu Yue Fang Huo.
However, what neither Imu nor Saturn knew was that within the body of the ancient robot emitt lay the Conquerors Haki Knot left by Joy Boy.
This would be the 'surprise' that would force Imu to relive the shadow of Joy Boy, and it would also be the key moment that would trigger Imu's killing intent toward Saturn.
---
A few days later!
Rocks announced the establishment of the Rocks Empire to the whole world from Hachinosu!
The most powerful pirate empire in the New World had officially emerged!
This excited countless pirates, and a large number of them came out of admiration, wanting to join this powerful pirate empire.
The founding ceremony of the Rocks Empire, meticulously designed by Fang Huo, was unprecedented.
It was a supreme visual impact.
Meteor fireworks from the Gravity Fruit ability, the roar of tsunamis from the Tremor-Tremor Fruit Ability, the ceremonial blasts from the Bomb-Bomb Fruit, the Golden Lion's Congratulation from the Float-Float Fruit ability, the Dragon and Phoenix Homage from the Rumble-Rumble Fruit ability... the bright full moon from the Moon-Moon Fruit ability, and the Sun Prometheus from the Soul-Soul Fruit ability, with the sun and moon sharing the sky... "wahaha!! Not bad, not bad! Splendid! Awesome!! I love it!!"
Rocks was extremely satisfied with the performance Fang Huo had planned; this scene would surely go down in history...