Kyo had completely lost the face to remain there any longer. Instantly overflowing with murderous intent, he chased after Gill Bastar.
That bastard had left him with a humiliation that would haunt him for life!
He and that bastard would never coexist peacefully again!
Shiki laughed wildly behind him and hurried after them to watch the show.
After witnessing the farce, even Polo Gram couldn't help but laugh.
'What an interesting ability!'
He had already placed Gill Bastar's ghost powers at the very top of his danger list.
He swore he absolutely could not fall victim to that guy's ability.
Being killed in battle was acceptable, but publicly humiliating himself and socially dying was not!
"Hahaha, Gill completely offended Kyo. I wonder what'll happen later!"
"What's there to fear? The Rocks Pirates value strength above all else. Doesn't Lord Shiki curse and threaten to kill Lord Kyo every single day too?"
The pirates watching the spectacle all laughed, while the pirates who had previously been affected by the ghosts quietly retreated behind the crowd and gradually disappeared.
Fortunately, they weren't famous pirates, so nobody remembered their faces. Otherwise, like Kyo, they would have suffered instant social death on the spot.
.....
Inside the Rocks headquarters atop the Chibaku Tensei skull.
Ignis was currently asking Ganzui about the whereabouts of Devil Fruit users while continuing to comfort this smuggling great pirate who had been beaten up and forcibly recruited by Rocks.
"Gurararara! Looks like something interesting happened down there."
"Someone actually broke through Kyo's defense and made it up here!"
Newgate stood within the skull eye socket, looking down at the dense masses of pirates below as he noticed someone successfully charging upward.
"Finally, someone succeeded!"
Rocks quickly rushed over to see what was happening. Up until now, nobody had successfully passed the tests of Shiki and Kyo.
Even Ganzui had only gotten up because Barbel personally brought him.
"Vohahaha! This guy looks familiar!"
"Isn't this Gill Bastar? The Hollow-Hollow Fruit user!"
"This is one of our destined officers!"
"No wonder Kyo couldn't stop him."
Rocks recognized the four-armed man and immediately felt pleased.
At least he hadn't been disappointed.
Without needing Rocks to personally recruit him, this guy had voluntarily joined on his own.
"What's Kyo doing? Why is he still chasing after him? Did he lose and refuse to accept it?!"
Barbel noticed the furious Kyo pursuing behind them and instantly prepared to enjoy the drama.
"I think I just saw Kyo kneel down."
Charlotte Linlin stood atop the thundercloud Zeus and revealed what had happened moments earlier.
"The Negative Ghosts from the Hollow-Hollow Fruit ability induce feelings of negativity, shame, and depression once touched."
At this moment, Ignis also stepped toward the skull eye socket and looked down at the four-armed cowboy.
"Four-Armed Gun King" Gill Bastar, user of the Hollow-Hollow Fruit, currently had a bounty of 270 million Beli.
During the future God Valley War period, his bounty would rise to 970 million Beli.
He belonged among the senior officers of the Rocks Pirates.
"I'm not afraid of those ghosts at all! My Homies are much stronger!"
Linlin, possessing the Soul-Soul Fruit ability, had absolutely no need to fear the Negative Ghosts' attacks.
She even wanted to test whether she could extract soul energy from those ghosts!
"So that idiot Kyo suffered a huge loss!"
"But honestly, it's his own fault for being careless and falling for someone else's trick."
Rocks narrowed his eyes slightly. He disliked Kyo's furious pursuit after losing face.
"Linlin! Go send Kyo back and tell him to continue his screening duties!"
Rocks spoke coldly. He had already accepted Gill Bastar as a new member.
Kyo could challenge Gill Bastar later, but not today!
Rules once established had to be enforced.
"Don't order me around, Rocks!"
Linlin grumbled in dissatisfaction, but still rode Zeus downward in a rapid dive.
"Kyo!! Rocks told you to return and continue the screening mission!"
Linlin shouted irritably.
"Get lost! I'm going to kill this bastard!"
Kyo ignored Linlin's shout and continued charging after Gill Bastar with his giant axe on his shoulder.
"How dare you curse at me?!"
Charlotte Linlin instantly flew into a rage. Not even Captain Rocks or Vice Captain Ignis ever spoke to her like that.
The sun homie Prometheus immediately transformed into a gigantic blazing fireball and violently smashed into Kyo.
After taking the heavy hit, Kyo's fury calmed down somewhat.
"Jihahahaha, Kyo! Rocks is watching from up above!"
Shiki laughed gleefully at Kyo's misfortune. This brute had offended both Ignis and Rocks, let's see how he survives within the Rocks Pirates from now on.
Even if Ignis and Rocks themselves still tolerated him, the attitudes of the other members toward Kyo were far from friendly.
Especially Barbel and Sunbell, who worshipped Ignis fanatically, along with the fat girl Charlotte Linlin, who received much care from Ignis.
Not to mention Streussen, who constantly flattered Ignis.
Newgate also had a good relationship with Ignis.
Even Shiki had proactively befriended Ignis, making it obvious who truly held influence within the Rocks Pirates.
"Hmph!!"
Kyo finally suppressed the fury in his heart. He would settle the score with Gill slowly in the future.
Once he obtained a powerful Devil Fruit ability, he planned to beat up Shiki, Linlin, and all those bastards.
Seeing the aggressive Kyo finally retreat, Gill let out a sigh of relief.
In a one-on-one duel, he wasn't afraid of Kyo at all.
But right now he still hadn't officially joined the Rocks Pirates. If things escalated into a life-or-death conflict, what if the Rocks officers stepped in to help Kyo?
He quickly climbed onto the skull fortress.
Now he absolutely had to successfully join the Rocks Pirates.
Otherwise, he'd spend the rest of his days being hunted by Kyo.
He might not even be able to leave Elysium Island alive.
"Vohahaha! Since you're the first pirate from the New World to voluntarily join, I'll waive the traditional greeting slash."
"From now on, you're an officer of the Rocks Pirates!"
Rocks looked at the four-armed cowboy gunslinger and, for once, didn't personally test his strength.
This was both trust in Ignis's judgment and recognition of Gill Bastar successfully overcoming Kyo.
"Yes! Captain Rocks!"
Gill was visibly excited. Just like that, he had successfully joined the world's strongest pirate crew.
From now on, he could swagger sideways across the world!
He was determined to collect all four of the world's famous guns.
"Welcome aboard, Gill."
Ignis personally acknowledged the gunslinger, ensuring the other officers wouldn't give this newcomer a hard time.
"Vice Captain, I'm actually your fan!"
"I hope I can stay by your side and learn properly from you."
Gill's eyes instantly sparkled as though he had just seen his true god.
As long as he stayed beside Ignis, he'd definitely receive massive exposure and attract the attention of countless beautiful women.
Then all he'd need to do was pick up the leftovers to date some beauties himself.
Ignis would eat the meat, while he'd drink the soup.
Gill could practically already see the wonderful future awaiting him.
"Hehehe~"
Ignis looked at this four-armed cowboy and somehow got the feeling he was a little sleazy.
'Weren't gunslingers supposed to be cold and aloof?'