"Deep down, the Vice Captain must be a good person with great love and kindness!"
Sunbell seemed moved by Ignis once again, his admiration for him as vast and unceasing as the sea.
"Great love? Does the Vice Captain dream of freeing all slaves?"
Barbel, who had never been to school, didn't quite understand the meaning of Ignis's new epithet either.
"What 'Great Love Immortal Venerable'! Disgusting! Hypocritical!"
"We're just a bunch of pirates!"
Kyo's eyes were full of disdain. He even thought the epithet Ignis had given himself sounded a bit effeminate.
Was he going for some kind of contrast effect?
Should he take a look at how terrifying Ignis's sword slashes were, or how evil those blood-sucking bats were?
...
Amidst the cursing and arguing, each member of the Rocks Pirates carried bundles of loot back to the ship.
As the Xebec's Sword sailed away, it left behind the devastated Land of Ying.
Soon, news of the Rocks Pirates conquering the great New World nation of the Land of Ying hit the headlines the next day.
Newgate's bounty rose to 346 million Berries, based on his achievements of destroying the port, defeating General Kusanagi Oda of the Land of Ying, and stealing the Supreme Grade Blade.
He had surpassed the bounties of Golden Lion Shiki and Silver Axe Kyo in one go.
He was indeed being called 'Whitebeard'.
Sunbell, based on his achievement of defeating the second-in-command of the Land of Ying's army, saw his bounty rise to 120 million Berries and finally got his desired epithet, 'Tidal Dread'.
The bounties of the others remained unchanged in this battle.
After all, they had only defeated common soldiers and small fry.
...
Aboard the Xebec's Sword.
"Damn it! That bastard Newgate not only got the Supreme Grade Blade, but his bounty has now surpassed ours, too!"
Golden Lion Shiki's tone was full of resentment. He didn't like being looked down upon by so many people.
He was now under Rocks, Ignis, Newgate, and Kyo, stuck in the middle-bottom tier.
With his arrogant personality, he wasn't about to accept this!
Now, Rocks was going after Charlotte Linlin, a female pirate with a bounty of 500 million Berries.
He had to increase his strength quickly, at least to surpass his old rival, Kyo.
Also, he had to find a way to get Ignis to reveal information about other famous swords.
"Gurararara! Shiki, I've always been stronger than you! Do you want to take a dip in the sea?"
Newgate brandished Murakumogiri, looking calmly at the complaining Golden Lion Shiki. It was the perfect chance to test his Supreme Grade Blade.
This Supreme Grade Blade could withstand his Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability, allowing him to develop even more moves.
"Hmph!"
Golden Lion Shiki could only snort in displeasure, flames of determination burning in his eyes.
He would definitely surpass these bastards!
He would never be weaker than anyone!
Rocks was more than happy to see these guys competing and striving to get stronger.
Only then could they grow and develop rapidly, becoming useful assets in dealing with Im.
'Tsk, tsk. After devouring so much blood on the pirate island and in the Land of Ying, my cells are finally accelerating their update to adapt to this world's physique.'
'Then I'll be able to awaken all three types of Haki.'
Ignis's eyes blazed with ambition. The nine-fruit ability was his mutated talent, but he didn't want to miss out on the three types of Haki either.
He wanted to excel in Devil Fruit abilities, all three Haki types, and physical combat!
Even if it took a lifetime, it would be worth it.
He had plenty of time to max out every skill until he became the strongest in this world!