At the very peak of Skull Rock—
A man nearly two meters tall stood against the wind, arms spread wide as if to embrace the entire island.
There was no mistaking him.
The one who had just declared Romu's arrival to the gathering place of monsters—
The Sea Overlord himself — Captain Rocks.
"Good!"
"Very good!"
Rocks stared at Romu, satisfaction blazing in his eyes.
Driving Zephyr back was already impressive.
But the corpse parade?
Dragging a Celestial Dragon's body across the seas like a banner?
That was pure madness.
He had sailed past every Marine-held island within forty nautical miles, horns blaring — daring them to react.
They didn't.
Every Marine base along the route shut its gates.
Warships retreated.
Not a single shot fired.
They didn't even dare breathe loudly.
Reckless.
Insanely reckless.
And backed by the strength to make it stick.
This was exactly why Rocks had built his pirate empire —
To gather monsters like this.
His laughter thundered across the island.
"HAHAHAHA!!"
"Monsters! Raise your drinks and welcome our newest captain — Romu!!"
Instantly—
Tens of thousands of pirates froze mid-motion.
Then lifted their massive wooden tankards toward him in perfect unison.
"Captain Romu!"
"Captain Romu!!"
"CAPTAIN Romu!!!"
The chant shook the island.
No one questioned his title.
No one hesitated.
If Romu wasn't made captain, that would've been strange.
His reputation was already legend:
Killed Isen.
Defeated Shiki.
Drove back Zephyr.
Executed a Celestial Dragon and paraded the corpse.
Among the crew, his prestige rivaled Whitebeard — second only to Rocks.
Rocks raised his own barrel.
"Enjoy the chaos, monsters!!"
The atmosphere exploded.
Romu exhaled slowly, steadying himself.
His eyes rose to meet the man atop Skull Rock.
Leather jacket. Wild Medusa-like hair. Presence like a storm.
His first impression:
Doflamingo's madness… multiplied tenfold.
The Feast
After the declaration, Rocks sat atop the rock and drank like a demon king unconcerned with mortals.
Whitebeard dragged Romu to a stone seat.
"Gurararara!"
"That's just how the captain is. Don't mind him."
He planted Murakumogiri beside them and shoved Romu into a seat.
Within seconds, pirates arrived carrying barrels.
"Last time we didn't drink enough. Tonight, I'll show you what real stamina looks like!"
"And tell me — how exactly did you send Zephyr running?"
Romu grinned.
They drank.
Talked.
Half a barrel vanished.
At one point Big Mom tried to sit beside Romu.
He waved her off immediately.
She left, annoyed, and plopped down next to John.
Nearby, Wang Zhi and Silver Axe whispered over drinks.
"Killing a Celestial Dragon and parading the body… bold or stupid?"
"Just attention-seeking stupidity. He'll pay for it."
A scoff cut in.
Golden Lion Shiki, drinking alone, spoke without looking at them.
"You idiots don't get it."
He nodded toward Romu.
They turned.
A crowd of elite trainee pirates surrounded him — animated, pleading.
"What are they doing?"
"Those are the strongest trainees…"
"They're begging to join his squad."
"What?! They rejected my offers last week!"
Shiki drank.
"Strong pirates follow strength."
"He killed a sacred pig."
"Won Rocks' favor."
"And filtered the best recruits."
"One move. Two gains."
"Romu… is smart."
His tone carried grudging respect.
Recruitment Frenzy
"Captain Romu! Need crew?! I've killed a Marine major!"
"I ranked top ten in trainee trials!"
"I'm a cook — and a fighter!"
"I'm a navigator!"
They all shouted over each other.
These were elite prospects — normally courted with bribes and favors.
Now they were lining up voluntarily.
Romu smiled.
Jackpot.
Killing a Celestial Dragon really pays off.
Maybe I should do that again sometime.
Whitebeard laughed.
"Gurararara! Kid, you're sharper than you look!"
Then—
"MOVE!"
"OUT OF THE WAY!"
A loud, drunken voice cut through the crowd.
Pirates turned — annoyed.
Then saw who it was.
They parted instantly.
The towering figure staggered forward.
Massive frame.
Sharp horns.
Kanabō over his shoulder.
Kaido.
He wobbled up to Romu, pointing at his face… then his horns… frantic and hopeful.
"Captain Romu!!"
"It's me!"
"ME!!"
"Do you remember… that guy hiding behind the rocks… in that fishing village?!"
The crowd fell silent.
Waiting.