In a single day, Roldy swept through nine foolish pirate crews who dared challenge the Rocks Pirates without knowing the vastness of the sea.
To him, their strength was irrelevant.
One slash was all it took.
Though he had trained under Golden Lion Shiki for only seven days, Roldy 's swordsmanship had undergone a drastic transformation. His blade now carried Shiki's unmistakable imprint—fierce, ruthless, and brimming with killing intent.
When that sword left its scabbard, it was meant to take a life.
Eliminating nine pirate crews in a single day stirred considerable waves within the Rocks Pirates. It also claimed a noticeable share of global attention.
None of the crews had been true powerhouses, yet each captain carried a bounty nearing 100 million Berries. A few even reached two or three hundred million.
With blood and steel, Roldy proved to the world that he had truly joined the Rocks Pirates—and that he now stood as the Division Commander of the Seventh Division.
Across the seas, nearly every major force kept its eyes fixed on the two dominant powers: the Rocks Pirates and Marine Headquarters.
The tension between them had never faded. It merely lingered in a fragile balance.
The Rocks Pirates' low profile lasted less than two days.
First, Roldy launched large-scale assaults on pirate crews entering the New World. Soon after, Wang Zhi and Silver Axe mobilized as well. The two rapidly annihilated a force that had established its base not far from Hachinosu.
Few survived that battle.
Once again, the Rocks Pirates reminded the world of their brutality.
In contrast, the Marines' response could not be described as minimal.
It was nonexistent.
They maintained a stance of complete indifference—until…
"You worthless trash! Move it! The cargo on this ship is something the higher-ups have been waiting for! If you delay them, dying a thousand times won't be enough!"
On the deck of a massive merchant vessel flying the flag of the World Government, a CP agent barked arrogantly at the merchants and their subordinates.
Within the Government hierarchy, his rank was nothing special. But to these merchants, he was untouchable.
Escorting the massive merchant ship were two small-class warships from Marine Headquarters.
"Yes, yes, sir! Please rest assured—we've sailed this route more than ten times. We're experienced. The cargo will reach its destination safely and swiftly!"
The merchant captain approached with an ingratiating smile.
He was ruthless by nature, and being humiliated like this grated on him—but the World Government paid far too well.
As a veteran slave trader, he knew full well that only the World Government had the appetite to purchase an entire shipload of rare-race slaves.
"Hmph. See that you do."
The agent relished standing above others.
"The sun's quite harsh today, sir. No need to remain on deck. I've prepared a small gift for you—it's waiting in your quarters."
The agent's eyes lit up. This was exactly what he had been posturing for.
Satisfied, he patted the captain's shoulder and swaggered off toward his cabin.
"Boss, haven't you had your eye on those twin girls for a while? Just giving them to that idiot?" his subordinate muttered with disdain.
The captain chuckled.
"Just a bit of beauty. If it shuts him up and keeps my ears quiet, it's worth it."
He said it lightly, though his heart ached at the loss.
Still, a man of his stature would not be shackled by such trifles. After personally inspecting the ship's security, he finally felt at ease.
"Boss… word is the Rocks Pirates have been moving frequently these days. We are in the New World after all. What if—"
The captain's heart skipped a beat.
But he quickly shook his head.
"Impossible. Why would the Rocks Pirates bother with small fry like us? The New World is vast. What are the odds they'd just happen to cross paths with us?"
In recent days, the Rocks Pirates had deliberately targeted World Government vessels.
Their brief period of restraint lulled Government merchant ships into complacency. Then suddenly, several divisions resumed large-scale operations. Within just two days, over a dozen Government merchant ships were destroyed.
If one encountered the Fourth or Fifth Division, the situation was still manageable. Wang Zhi and Silver Axe were ruthless, but if they were in a good mood—and if you were smart enough to hand over a large sum of treasure—you might survive.
But if you ran into the newly appointed Seventh Division Commander…
That newcomer was insane.
Every slave ship he encountered was annihilated.
Treasure was useless. Negotiation was useless.
The man seemed to harbor an instinctive hatred for slave traders.
Because of that, this vessel had been granted escort by two Marine Headquarters warships.
The captain prayed silently.
But the sea often mocks those who pray for calm.
Without warning—
A cannonball descended from nowhere, slamming into the ship's flank.
The explosion made his heart drop.
Then—
Two massive slashes tore across the distant sea, racing toward them.
The sharp, overwhelming intent carried within those slashes extinguished the last trace of hope in his heart.
No mistake.
"Enemy attack! It's the Rocks Pirates' Seventh Division! 'Rampaging' Roldy is here!!!"
The captain screamed.
Chaos erupted instantly.
This method of greeting alone confirmed Roldy 's identity. Only that monstrous man could hurl cannonballs across invisible distances with sheer brute strength.
It was reminiscent of Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp's famed fist-based bombardments.
The twin slashes expanded in the crew's vision.
The sea split into three.
This was an attack they could never withstand.
Just as despair took hold—
The Marines acted.
Two warships.
A Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral and a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral stationed aboard.
For a small-class warship to carry a Vice Admiral showed how strained Marine resources had become. It also revealed how valuable this cargo truly was.
The Vice Admiral , draped in his Justice Coat, drew the blade at his waist.
Its refined body and cold gleam left no doubt—
It was a Renowned Blade, counted among the 50 Skillful Grade Blades.
As for its master—
"Long time no see, Roldy , brat."
He murmured as the pirate ship gradually came into view.
Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Basorine.
A confirmed Great Swordsman.
One of Marine Headquarters' top sword masters.
And—
Roldy 's instructor of four years.
His teacher.
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