With a thunderous crash, Wang Zhi was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.
He staggered to his feet, covered in dust from head to toe, looking utterly disheveled.
Wang Zhi's face twisted in rage, his heart boiling with humiliation and fury.
As a cadre of the Rocks Pirates, being injured to this extent by a newcomer who had just boarded the ship was an unprecedented disgrace in his life!
"Gehahahaha... That kid Raiver Sky really is a monster! Even Wang Zhi suffered a loss. How interesting!"
Among the cadres, only Golden Lion Shiki laughed openly without restraint.
The other cadres also couldn't help but turn away, chuckling quietly, though not as blatantly as Shiki.
The mocking laughter pierced his ears, and Wang Zhi's eyes nearly spat fire as he glared fiercely at Raiver Sky standing opposite him.
"You reckless brat! Today, I'll make sure you witness what true power really means!"
He threw his greatsword aside, sinking into a low stance, muscles tensing.
What he took pride in was never his swordsmanship, but his physical combat skills.
Just as Wang Zhi was about to lunge forward—
"Enough."
Rocks, who had been observing the battle from the sidelines, suddenly raised his hand and pressed lightly in Wang Zhi's direction.
An invisible yet mountain-like pressure abruptly descended.
Wang Zhi grunted, the momentum he had built instantly shattered, and he dropped to one knee with a "thud."
The ground beneath his knee cracked and sank into a shallow crater.
Witnessing this, Raiver Sky was inwardly shocked: What incredibly powerful Conqueror's Haki!
"Raiver Sky is now a member of this crew. There's no need for a fight to the death. This battle ends here."
Rocks spoke expressionlessly and withdrew his Haki.
The pressure vanished abruptly. Wang Zhi gritted his teeth and stood up, the killing intent in his eyes undiminished, but he could only glare fiercely at Raiver Sky, not daring to move again.
Even Whitebeard and Golden Lion had to show the captain respect—how could he dare to defy him?
Rocks' strength was unfathomable. If he truly angered him...
"Damn brat!" Wang Zhi raged, but his rage amounted to nothing.
No matter how unwilling he was, he could only endure it in Rocks' presence.
Rocks then turned to Raiver Sky, his tone calm:
"Do you truly wish to become a cadre directly?"
"Of course."
"Good, you have courage.
I've always admired those with ambition and the strength to back it up... Geniuses deserve privileges."
A sharp glint flashed in Rocks' eyes,
"Today, I'll make an exception.
From this moment onward, newcomer Raiver Sky is officially a cadre of the Rocks Pirates!"
As his words fell, the entire area fell into silence.
"Captain, isn't this too hasty?"
John, who had remained silent until now, couldn't help but speak up, his eyes filled with astonishment.
Wang Zhi, as the person involved, couldn't say much, but John had no such reservations.
Every one of them had fought countless battles and accumulated great achievements before being promoted to cadre.
And this Raiver Sky had been on the ship for less than a day, yet he was leaping straight to the top?
"John is right. He has no contributions to his name. Promoting him directly to cadre... I'm afraid it won't sit well with the crew." Silver Axe added in a low voice from the side.
Whitebeard Newgate and Golden Lion Shiki, however, remained expressionless and did not voice an opinion.
But several veteran crew members, just below the rank of cadre, already had grim expressions—
They had long coveted the officer positions, yet now a newcomer had snatched it away out of thin air. Even if they acknowledged Raiver Sky's strength, it was hard to accept.
Since the founding of the Rocks Pirates, there had never been such a precedent!
Rocks swept his gaze over the crowd, his tone calm yet brooking no argument:
"Raiver Sky's talent and strength—you've all witnessed it firsthand.
Contributions are merely a matter of time; for him, it's no difficulty at all."
He paused briefly, his voice deepening, "If anyone disagrees, they can come to me. If they don't dare approach me—"
He looked at Raiver Sky, a cold smirk curling at the corner of his mouth:
"Then go find Raiver Sky."
"Remember, in the Rocks Pirates, the only principle is... the strong prey on the weak, and the victor becomes king."
Ding! Congratulations, you have completed the 'Become an Officer of the Rocks Pirates' mission!
Rewards have been distributed: Congratulations, you have obtained Advanced Armament Haki!
The familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
In an instant, a surge of energy flowed through his limbs—the beginning of Armament Haki materializing.
Raiver Sky calmly savored this newly acquired power.
But after hearing Rocks' speech, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
What a cunning old fox!
Rocks' words might seem fair on the surface, but they were actually throwing him into the fire.
However, Raiver Sky didn't particularly mind.
Schemes and plots often paled in the face of absolute strength.
Though he feared no one, he had no immediate plans to recruit crew members or manage territories.
Having just arrived in this magnificent pirate world, he wanted to travel and explore, experience different cultures and customs, and savor this taste of boundless freedom.
As for building his own fleet and dominating a region?
There would be plenty of time and opportunities in the future.
Thinking this, Raiver Sky showed no change in expression, merely nodding calmly at Rocks to accept the arrangement.
On the other side, officer John had initially wanted to speak up, but seeing Rocks' resolute attitude, he ultimately swallowed his words.
"This matter is settled." Rocks scanned the area, and wherever his gaze fell, the noise instantly ceased.
Then, he raised his voice, his booming tone spreading across the plaza:
"Next—let the banquet begin! For the new officer's arrival, for the Rocks Pirates' growing strength!"
Unexpectedly gaining a newcomer like Raiver Sky, whose potential and combat prowess were monstrous, had clearly put him in an excellent mood.
Banquets were always the best way for pirates to celebrate and let loose.
"Whoa!! Let the feast begin!"
"For the Rocks Pirates! For the new officer!"
The pirates erupted into thunderous cheers, quickly bustling about.
They hauled out barrels of strong liquor, set up whole roasted lambs and Sea Kings over fires, and lit bonfires—noise and heat instantly engulfed the central area.
Then, under the complex gazes of many pirates—filled with envy, jealousy, fear, or curiosity—Raiver Sky was led to the most magnificent castle at the island's center.
The banquet here was naturally of a higher standard, with finer drinks and delicacies, attended only by officer-level figures.
"Hey, Raiver Sky! Don't just stand there—come sit here and have a few drinks with me!"
Just as Raiver Sky was about to take a seat at the edge, the sharp-eyed Golden Lion Shiki grabbed him and pulled him over, seating him right beside himself.
Shiki seemed particularly interested in him, proactively handing over a large wooden mug filled with amber-colored strong liquor.
After several rounds of heavy drinking, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.