Location: Devil Horn Island Waters – Devil Horn Island
At this moment, dozens of the towering, iconic trees of Devil Horn Island had been felled—many of them set ablaze. A thick fog of smoke billowed into the sky, the ominous black column visible from miles away.
The pirate inhabitants stood no chance against the Rocks Pirates.
The Butcher Pirates' flag had already been torn down by Miss Bakkin, set on fire, and tossed to the ground—its flames releasing curling black smoke. In her eyes, Saracha was a coward. Ever since Rocks appeared, he had vanished without a trace. Only the damn Navy would crown someone like him as one of the Four Overlords—what a joke. The man was a disgrace!
Meanwhile, the martial monk known as Scorpion Dragon, along with his subordinates, looted every last bit of gold and treasure from the island. This wasn't their first raid—they'd already plundered several islands in succession, and their spoils were piling up.
But for these brutal and lawless pirates, the treasure itself wasn't the main thrill. What they truly enjoyed was the plundering—the violence, the chaos, the domination.
Now, the ship was overloaded with gold, silver, and rare gems. Miss Bakkin's personal quarters were so packed with jewels that there was barely space left to lie down.
"Bakkin, it's time we regroup with Captain Rocks. We've already wasted more than a day," said Kurozumi Higurashi, who bore a striking resemblance to Rocks himself. Her tone wasn't confrontational—just a reminder. She hadn't forgotten Rocks' orders: after leaving Brook's territory, they were to reunite immediately.
"No rush, no rush," Bakkin said, waving her off while practically glowing with greed. "We'll take one more island and then link up with Rocks. No big deal."
The sight of glittering treasure had clouded her judgment. If she wasn't limited by the size of her body, she'd have worn every jewel just to flaunt her wealth and power to the world.
"Bakkin, Captain Rocks said through the Den Den Mushi that Saracha isn't dead—he's just hiding. If we run into him, there's a good chance we'll have to fight. And if we do, Brook and Diger might show up too!"
Higurashi was growing uneasy. She didn't trust the group to stay united in a serious fight. They'd scatter the moment things got rough. Better to be with Rocks—much safer that way.
"Hmph! Scorpion Dragon and Salman can handle Saracha. Don't worry about it,Bakinkin scoffed. "Besides, I picked these islands carefully. We're still on course to regroup with Rocks. We're not wasting time."
Though greedyBakkin wasn't brainless. She was methodical with her targets—hitting islands that aligned with their rendezvous route.
Still Higurashi felt helpless. Despite being older than Bakkin, she had joined the crew later and lacked Bakkin's status. It was only because of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit wielded by her brother, Kurozumi Semimaru, that Rocks took them seriously. That fruit was powerful enough to make even Rocks take notice.
Just as the crew was loading the last of the treasure onto the ship, the mood shifted.
Suddenly, Scorpion Dragon and Salman froze and turned their heads toward the sky. Their expressions hardened. Without a word, they drew their weapons, one by one. The sudden change in atmosphere sent a chill down Higurashi and Bakkin's spines.
"…Don't tell me that jinx was right."
Had they been found by Saracha? Or worse… Brook?
Their eyes followed the officers' gaze—upward.
The sky.
A massive golden ship was descending.
"Quick! Call Captain Rocks for backup!!" shouted Scorpion Dragon, sensing several overwhelming auras aboard the ship. Every core member of the Hell Pirates was a monster—fighters with elite Devil Fruits that even Rocks had shown interest in.
His shout made Miss Bakkin break into a cold sweat. She scrambled to contact Rocks via Den Den Mushi. Panic crept into her tone. It was her decision to linger in this sea zone to loot more islands—now it might come back to bite her.
Despite the threat, Scorpion Dragon didn't flee. Retreating on the sea would be even riskier. The Float-Float Fruit of Golden Lion Shiki and the Tremor-Tremor Fruit of Whitebeard Newgate were nightmares to any pirate ship. Worse, their vessel couldn't outrun the golden ship.
The only option? Fight.
Hold out until Rocks arrived—and maybe, just maybe—they could outflank the Hell Pirates and even take down Brook.
Scorpion Dragon was eager to test his strength against this new Overlord. They had never clashed before. Was Brook truly as powerful as the rumors claimed?
For the Rocks Pirates, every battle was a way to evolve. Only the strongest could survive among them. And now, even though death loomed overhead, they stood tall—itching for the fight of their lives.
Miss Bakkin had a last-minute idea. She ordered Kurozumi Higurashi, disguised as Rocks, to stand front and center—hoping to intimidate the Hell Pirates and stall for time.
With arms folded and a wicked grin, the fake Rocks stood at the head of the crew, mimicking the real Rocks' intimidating stance.
The golden spaceship closed in.
"ZIHAHAHAHA! Not a single one ran! What boldness! That Scorpion Dragon's mine—don't any of you dare interfere!"
Golden Lion Shiki flew out from the ship, laughing maniacally. He didn't even glance at the fake Rocks—he went straight for Scorpion Dragon, slicing down with brutal force.
Semimaru quickly erected a barrier to block the shockwave, shielding the disguised Higurashi But the message was clear: the Hell Pirates knew this was a fake.
If Shiki really believed he was slashing at the real Rocks, he'd never have dared. After all, Rocks had almost annihilated the Flying Pirates—Shiki's grudge ran deep.
Instead, his attack aimed straight at Scorpion Dragon—confirming he saw through the disguise.
Not wanting to be left out, Whitebeard Newgate immediately picked Salman, the pirate with a 900-million berry bounty, as his target. If Redfield took him down, it wouldn't boost his bounty anymore—so better to let Newgate have the fight and raise his own infamy.
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As Shiki the Golden Lion and Newgate the Whitebeard of the Hell Pirates launched an assault with a smaller force, intending to topple the giants, the other former Rocks Pirates commanders weren't pleased. Challenging stronger foes with lower bounties had always been the proud tradition of the Rocks crew!
By rights, it should've been the Monkey King, Wizz (710 million berries), and Saxe Way (700 million berries) facing off against Golden Lion Shiki and Whitebeard Newgate, both with bounties over 800 million.
Now, seeing the Hell Pirates playing by their rules, Wizz and Saxe Way charged forward, determined to reclaim their rightful opponents—Shiki and Newgate.
But Redfield reacted in a flash of lightning, intercepting the duo. He fought them both at once, blasting them away and creating an entirely new battlefield of his own.
Charlotte Linlin took on Rocket Jonas (600 million berries) and Giant Warrior Jennifer (550 million berries) herself, clearly unwilling to lose face by not handling both.
Tom and Ashura Douji clashed with the Rookie brothers Karnz, now notorious as the "God General Brothers." The third rookie, the Great Evil Monk Urti, had died before his name could even shine.
Shakky and Stussy—both wielding Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits—led their trainees, Tiger and Kaido, into battle against elite members of the Rocks crew.
Hiruba began targeting pirates worth over 100 million berries from the golden ship. On board, the ship's doctor, Crocus, worked with his "little lover," the golden silkworm Tia, testing a new poison. Their toxins combined into a horrific plague, spreading through enemy ranks.
The armored Kirin Lion, clad in Seastone gear, rampaged through the crowd. Meanwhile, Scaredo, transformed into a hammerhead shark, fought ferociously.
Blessed with both Haki and his Devil Fruit powers, Scaredo tore through multiple enemy commanders worth two to three hundred million. Once the number one under Golden Lion Shiki, his strength and style rivaled any Rocks madman.
Even the ship's chef, Streusen, and the Memory Seahorse joined the skirmish with the rest of the crew's followers. Don't underestimate a kitchen knife and the Evil God's Flying Kick.
Only the intelligence agent Antonio and the two warehouse keepers—Parrot and Bra Kara—remained aboard the golden ship, calmly observing the chaos while snapping photos.
They'd even started a live broadcast—but only for the Economic News Agency HQ back on Ballon Island, where Moore Thomas and his team of journalists eagerly watched.
Elsewhere, Teach Angel and Bull planted the Hell Pirates' flag across Saracha's territory, reclaiming islands previously looted by Miss Bakkin. They conquered and annexed more along the way, expanding Brook's domain, moving closer to Devil Horn Island.
---
Everyone had entered the fray—except Golden Lion Shiki, who already looked worse for wear. Brook glanced at him, smirking. Shiki seemed doomed to another beating. Still, that stubborn determination… commendable.
Then Brook's gaze turned to Rocks, protected by Kurozumi Semimaru.
Still clinging to your dream, huh? Still refusing to change?
"Kurozumi Higurashi and Kurozumi Semimaru, right?" Brook spoke coldly. "You're citizens of Wano. You should've behaved yourselves abroad. Why'd you join the Rocks Pirates?"
His voice sharpened.
"I suggest you turn away from this evil path and join us. Otherwise, I'll wipe out the remaining Kurozumi bloodline on Hakumai, then kill both of you. Your clan will be erased from history!"
His tone was mocking, eyes filled with disdain.
"You want to go back to Wano and restore the Kurozumi name? Let's see how you pull that off when you're all dead."
"You... you know about Hakumai?!" gasped Kurozumi Higurashi, reverting to her original form. Wano was a closed-off nation, nearly impossible to infiltrate—at least until the Hell Pirates' golden sship changed the rules.
"Not only do I know it," Brook said, "I own Kuri now. Wano is slowly falling under my rule."
"Submit to me," he continued, "and I'll make the Kurozumi clan my vassals—like the Fukugami and Hattori families. You'll rise as a noble household in Kuri, no longer disgraced."
He extended a chance—one they'd only get once.
Higurashi's face twisted in shock.
"You want to rule Wano?!"
That was their dream. For generations, the Kurozumi clan had sought to become the Shogun of Wano. Now, this bastard wanted it all?
No. Impossible.
They couldn't give up. They just had to wait—for Rocks to kill Brook. That was their only shot.
No way in hell I'll bow down and serve him like a dog!
The Kurozumi ambition burns eternal! A Kurozumi who doesn't want to be Shogun is no true Kurozumi!
Brook could tell from their expressions—they weren't going to surrender.
"Heh. Judging by your faces, it's clear. You don't want peace."
His eyes sharpened, his killing intent spiked.
"Same rotten ambition as always. The Kurozumi clan is just like that brat Momonosuke—better off erased!"
Just as Semimaru raised his hands, preparing to feign surrender, Brook unleashed a terrifying wave of sword energy.
"Barrier Defense!"
A shimmering, transparent dome appeared in front of them. Brook's sword slash slammed into it—completely blocked.
"Hehe~ Brook, you can't break my brother's barrier!" Higurashi sneered. "We'll hold out until Captain Rocks arrives—and he'll kill you!"
To him, Rocks was unmatched. That overwhelming presence—Brook couldn't compare.
Brook narrowed his eyes.
"Is the barrier under you as well?"
He drove his Seven-Star Sword into the ground. Dark energy spread like a plague beneath the dome.
Semimaru shifted his fingers into a new seal. A second barrier formed beneath their feet, locking them inside a perfect sphere.
"Hahaha! I told you! We're safe!" Higurashi cackled.
Semimaru calmly plucked his shamisen, his face expressionless—but a quiet pride in his rhythm said everything.
Brook smiled back.
"You're proud of your little cage?"
"Good. Now I'll show you what happens when I decide where the battlefield is."
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