Rocks eyed Brook racing toward him, his brow furrowing before twisting into a savage grin. He plunged his blade into the dying Vesper, finishing him off. He'd seen Brook's spectral generals before, especially that haunting figure of Dawei, and guessed Brook's Devil Fruit power could somehow claim enemy souls under certain conditions. No way was he handing over an asset like that to his rival.
He snatched Vesper's supreme-grade sword, and tossed it to Ochoku. As Brook closed in to within ten meters, Rocks unleashed a Conqueror's Haki-infused slash that obliterated Vesper's body entirely.
"Jahaha~ Brook, you're too late. Were you hoping to save Vesper and team up against me?"
Bound by their Conqueror's vow, Rocks and Brook couldn't clash directly, but that didn't stop him from mocking the guy. Hand over Vesper's soul? Not a chance!
Brook hovered five or six meters away on his Cloud Hera, staring at the spot where Vesper's remains had vanished, his face etched with disappointment. Rocks savored the sight, grinning wider.
But deep down, Brook was laughing hysterically.
Old man Vesper, your life force was incredible—holding on for those precious seconds after losing your head, just long enough for me to get here!
And Rocks, you arrogant fool, waiting until I arrived to destroy the body. Vesper died right in front of me, letting me snag his overlord-level soul!
Jackpot! Absolute jackpot!
Yet on the surface, Brook twisted his expression into one of frustration, regret, and irritation, fueling Rocks' glee.
"Hmph! Vesper's dead, so be it! But why are all your officers swarming the Ten Kings Islands? Not one chased after Shirokiri and the others. I ran into Shirokiri and Salem on the way here—cost me time!"
Brook had scored big but still turned the tables, accusing Rocks with a hint of blame. Ochoku immediately raised his newly acquired supreme-grade sword pointing it at Brook!
"Hmm?!"
Brook shot Ochoku a glare, then smirked dismissively at Rocks, as if asking,
What's this about? Ready for war?
"Stand down, Ochoku! Be careful from now on—we're allies with the Hell Pirates!"
Rocks waved off his loyal subordinate, relishing Brook's growing annoyance.
"Vesper just died, so the territories aren't yours yet. My men are only looting what's left of Vesper's crew. What's it to you?
As for Shirokiri and the rest, you don't know how fierce Vesper's final life-burning surge was. He covered their escape—my guys couldn't stop him. And I lost two officers in the process. You gonna compensate me for that?
If not, the Ten Kings Islands are mine—deal with it!"
Rocks wasn't one to take a loss lying down. No free labor for him—he'd recoup his costs, especially after losing two key members!
"Vesper's gone, so can we divvy up the territories for real now?"
Brook didn't argue, just stared at Rocks impassively, waiting to see what trick he'd pull next!
"As long as you swear on your Conqueror's will that you won't monitor any of my crew in any way—no Den Den Mushis, news birds, spies, nothing—I'll order my men to pull back immediately!"
"Otherwise, with two officers down, I'll raze everything for two days and nights before handing over the territories!"
Rocks was fed up with Brook's intel network—he wanted it dismantled root and branch. Their ten-year peace vow meant no war, but the shadows were fair game. Who knew what lurked there!
"Then keep at it. Two days and nights from now, the Conqueror's vow kicks in. See ya!"
Brook spun Hera around and zoomed off. Loot away—it's not mine yet. But damn, it stung!
Giving up all surveillance on Rocks' massive crew? Impossible!
"Brook, you sure about this? In two days and nights, I could turn most of Vesper's territories into ruins before giving them to you!"
Rocks' face darkened, his voice icy. Brook's refusal to drop the spying fueled his rage!
"Then we'll loot too. Split it fifty-fifty!"
Brook replied coolly, continuing his flight. First to plant the flag claims it—no mutual attacks between crews, so it's a race!
His main forces were already pushing from the Hell Pirates' borders, staking claims in Vesper's lands. Rocks' crew couldn't touch spots flying Brook's flag!
But after two days and nights, it all goes to the Hell Pirates. Losses be damned—Brook wouldn't budge!
Den Den Mushis and news gulls were his eyes—vital tools. No way he'd blind himself to Rocks' sprawling empire!
"You're ruthless! Fine, no spying on my crew with bounties over 100 million Belly. That work? Damn you, Brook!"
Rocks hated being watched, even if Brook kept secrets. Exposure was exposure.
"500 million and up!" Brook shot back with a grin. Cracking already?
"200 million and above—no monitoring!"
"400 million, tops!"
"Enough, Brook. Officers over 300 million—no methods, no way!"
"Deal!"
The two overlords haggled like market vendors, leaving Ochoku, Redfield, and the others stunned.
Rocks pivoted to discussing driving the Navy out of the New World, but Brook saw through the stall tactic!
"We can talk more later, but how about you order your men first?"
Brook had no time for Rocks' games—their territories were erupting in chaos, and both needed to quash the pirate uprisings!
Rocks glanced at the time—his officers must've looted several Ten Kings Islands by now, right?
Only then did he command a retreat, prepping to crush all rebels. As Rocks departed, Brook exhaled in relief. The era of the world's dual overlords began now!
...
On the battlefield of Zawa Island, countless bodies lay unclaimed. Rocks took only Rocket Jonas and Sax Vey's corpses, abandoning the rest.
Brook spotted the corpse of Sabachi amid the pile. Thinking of the potential Shadow-Shadow Fruit down the line, he collected the remains.
Vesper's body was ash—total waste. And Jevalle had been dismembered and mangled beyond recognition, so Brook left him too.
So many elite pirate corpses, what a shame. But Lily Carnation was't around, and no Shadow-Shadow Fruit user either.
Brook couldn't linger—the island would become a graveyard. He, Redfield, and the crew boarded the Golden Ark and headed straight back to Madagascar Island.
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+300 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg