"Why did my epithet change!"
Sunbell, who had always wanted to become a hero of Fish-Man Island, was furious and aggrieved to see his nickname become 'Tidal Demon'.
He didn't want to become a demon!
This epithet was even more terrifying than Barbel's 'Depth Juggernaut'.
He didn't know how his people on Fish-Man Island and in Fish-Man Street would view him as a demon!
"Tch, you call yourself a sea warrior?"
"Have you looked at how insane you were when you destroyed those warships? Or how ruthless you were when you killed those Marine officers?"
Silver Axe Kyo's tone was even more bitter and resentful than Sunbell's.
After the Black Hand Pirate Island incident, his bounty was second only to Rocks, making him the 'number two' on the ship.
But now, Ignis, Newgate, and Shiki, these bastards, with their Devil Fruit abilities, had surpassed him in bounty.
He had now fallen to being the 'number five' on the Rocks Pirates.
How come Ignis, Newgate, and Shiki had each gained 300 million Berries, and even Barbel and Sunbell had gained 200 million?
He was the only one who had only gained 100 million!
Was this an insult to him, Axe Kyo?
He would remember this humiliation!
He would get his revenge next time!
"Jehahaha! A useless guy who can't even kill a Marine Vice Admiral!"
Shiki taunted Kyo with raised eyebrows.
In this battle, besides destroying four or five warships each, they had all taken the blood of Marine Vice Admirals.
That's why their bounties had increased so quickly!
Kyo, on the other hand, could only kill a few Marine officers, like Barbel and Sunbell.
So now, Kyo was no longer fit to sit at their table.
He, Ignis, and Newgate were the three giants of the Rocks Pirates!
"You're asking for it!"
Kyo and Shiki were at odds, ready to fight. He wished he could chop that bastard Shiki to death with his giant axe!
...
Ignis looked at the newspapers and wanted posters, his face darkening.
"Great Demon Lord" Guyue Ignis, Paramecia Gravity Fruit user, Bounty 680,000,000 Berries!
"Whitebeard · Newgate, Paramecia Tremor-Tremor Fruit user, Bounty 646,000,000 Berries!
The World Government had changed Ignis's epithet. 'Killer Arsonist' no longer suited his cruelty and evil.
Perhaps they had gotten wind of Ignis calling himself 'Great Love Immortal Venerable' in the Land of Ying, but they had maliciously changed it to 'Great Demon Lord'.
"'Great Demon Lord'?"
"Don't let me find out which bastard changed my epithet!"
"Or I'll make his life worse than death!"
Ignis's tone was icy cold, very dissatisfied with this infamous name. How could he ever become a benevolent Immortal Venerable with this?
"Vohahaha! What a domineering epithet! It's even cooler than mine!"
Rocks exclaimed with exaggerated laughter. His bounty and epithet remained unchanged.
He thought 'Great Demon Lord' was even cooler and more domineering than 'World's Worst Criminal'!
"Gurararara! Surpassing Charlotte Linlin's bounty was a piece of cake!"
"Your little goal, Ignis, was indeed small enough!"
Newgate drank heartily and laughed uproariously, clearly in an excellent mood.
Whether it was obtaining the Supreme Grade Blade or his bounty skyrocketing, he was extremely satisfied.
After the Naval Battle of Omaha, he realized he might have awakened Conqueror's Haki.
Three happy events in a row!
"Newgate has now awakened Conqueror's Haki, and Shiki is showing signs of awakening too. You need to work hard, Ignis!"
"Otherwise, Newgate and Shiki will overtake you, even leave you behind!"
Rocks was also in a good mood. These subordinates' potential was indeed strong. He should conduct more battles like this!
"Jehahaha! I will definitely surpass Ignis!!"
Shiki was full of ambition. He planned to recruit Ignis in the future, so he had to be stronger than Ignis!
When Rocks met his end, and the Rocks Pirates disbanded, he would take Ignis as his own Vice Captain and conquer the world together!
"Gurararara! Then the next little goal is to surpass Ignis's bounty!"
Newgate laughed loudly. He found the sense of accomplishment in setting and achieving these little goals quite satisfying.
"Hmph!"
Ignis was also displeased. He also wanted to awaken the three colors of Haki immediately, but his cells and physique had not yet completely transformed to adapt to this world's unique constitution.
However, during the Naval Battle of Omaha, Ignis had again taken the blood of many Marine elites.
His actions to get stronger did indeed seem a bit like a demon's.
Maybe the World Government and Marine Headquarters had a point in calling him the 'Great Demon Lord'.
But for the sake of power, he had long since crushed any kindness or guilt in his heart!
There are no innocent people in this world, only the law of the jungle!
If he were to be killed by Imu and the Five Elders one day, he would have no complaints, only regret that his strength wasn't enough.
That was the law of the jungle in this world!
...
"Ignis, I'll take you to find the Kurozumi siblings sometime. You tell me quickly whether I'll get suitable famous swords in the future, and what are their names?"
Shiki floated over to Ignis, nudged his shoulder with his elbow, and wore a sly smile.
For his own benefit, selling out a couple of former acquaintances was nothing!
"Oto! Kogarashi!"
Ignis had long noticed Shiki's change. He also knew what ambition Shiki held in his heart.
So he decided to stop stringing Shiki along!
This arrogant Golden Lion would have to show Ignis at least some respect from now on.
It was almost like he had to follow Ignis's 'suggestions' and 'guidance'.
He couldn't directly order Shiki, of course, since Shiki was also someone with the qualities of a king, arrogant and unwilling to be under anyone.
But Ignis could guide them in the direction he wanted, going along with their own wills.
For now, the three kings, Rocks, Newgate, and Shiki, had to at least listen to Ignis's opinions and suggestions.
"Jehahaha! Ignis, I recognize you as a partner!"
Shiki grinned broadly. He had finally gotten the information he wanted, and more importantly, he had established a cooperative relationship with Ignis.
It would be much easier to poach him later.
He also wanted to know the secrets of the three Ancient Weapons!
...
"Rocks, do I really not have the qualities of a king?!"
Kyo, hearing that even Shiki, that bastard he used to chase around, was about to awaken Conqueror's Haki, was extremely indignant.
Why?!
"At present, you do not."
Rocks glanced casually at Kyo and spoke very directly, not sparing Kyo's feelings.
"Jehahaha!! People are born with different talents, you know."
"Kyo! Just watch how I leave you in the dust!"
Shiki laughed arrogantly. He no longer considered Kyo his competitor or goal.
Newgate and Rocks were his new targets.
"Damn it!! I challenge you to a decisive battle!"
Kyo's face was full of rage. He didn't accept it. Even without the potential for Conqueror's Haki, he could still become a powerhouse of this sea!
"Once I get Oto and Kogarashi, I'll shatter your Silver Axe to pieces!"
Shiki floated in the air, unfazed by Kyo's challenge. He even looked at Rocks and Ignis, wondering if he could borrow Rock's Sword and the Shichiseiken for a while.