Beehive Island, the headquarters of the Rocks Pirates, was widely recognized as the most dangerous place in the New World. Feared by almost everyone, its infamy was well-earned.
Despite being described by many as a devil's lair, the island itself was surprisingly picturesque. With lush scenery, warm golden beaches, and a year-round tropical climate, it could have easily been mistaken for a luxury resort—if not for the monsters who called it home.
When the massive ship slowly descended from the clouds, the pirates at the port burst into excitement.
"Boss Shiki is back! Does that mean the Golden Pirates have been wiped out?"
"As expected of Captain Shiki—the Golden Lion with an 800 million bounty!"
"Of course! Anyone who dares to challenge the Rocks Pirates is signing their death warrant!"
"Trying to build a pirate haven like Beehive Island? What a joke!"
Standing at the side of the ship, Roya crossed his arms and looked down at the cheering crowd. "Wow, Uncle Shiki, you're so popular. You're the big star of Beehive Island. Meanwhile, I've been working just as hard and no one even mentions me. Amazing."
"Quit whining," Shiki grunted.
He had long since grown past being flattered by the praise of others. Landing the ship at the harbor, he rose into the air. "Let's go report to Rocks."
"Help me return the new recruits to the arena," Roya instructed the pirates on the deck.
"Yes, sir!"
The pirates bowed without hesitation. Even though Roya looked like a smiling child, they all feared him like a beast ready to strike.
"Wait for me, Uncle Shiki!"
In a flash, Roya transformed into a winged black tiger-man. With a beat of his wings, he shot into the sky, trailing the Golden Lion.
At the center of Beehive Island stood the enormous Skull Fortress, where the officers of the Rocks Pirates handled their affairs. It also served as Rocks D. Xebec's residence.
But today, Rocks wasn't there.
"That bastard took Linlin and Kaido to hunt down Roger," came a gruff voice.
In the spacious office, a massive man with golden hair and a crescent-shaped white beard drained a jug of sake. "And left me here to babysit the island. Unbelievable."
"What? Roger?!" Shiki's eyes widened. "That bastard Rocks didn't even wait for me to come back?! Chasing Roger without me?!"
Edward Newgate, better known as Whitebeard, smashed his cup onto the table. "That idiot just wants the glory of killing Roger for himself."
Roya scratched his head. "Hehe, you uncles really have a thing for Roger."
Gol D. Roger, often nicknamed the "Pirate Succubus" by his enemies, was the man everyone wanted a piece of.
Whitebeard glanced down at Roya, obvious disdain in his eyes.
Roya didn't mind. Among all the high-ranking officers in the Rocks Pirates, Whitebeard was the only one who openly disliked him.
"Hey, hey, Newgate," Shiki said, puffing on his cigar as he ruffled Roya's hair. "This kid pulled his weight on this trip."
"I've got nothing to say to that vicious brat."
Whitebeard sneered. He was known as the most "just" among the pirate officers and deeply hated Roya's nature—feeding off the suffering of others.
Roya only smiled in response, his innocent expression belying the dangerous power he held.
Shiki, however, wasn't worried. With the Rocks Pirates destined to fall apart eventually, grooming the next generation was essential. Roya was a wild card—one with monstrous potential. And in Shiki's mind, the only one who could rival him was Newgate.
But Newgate despised Roya.
"And you, Shiki," Whitebeard suddenly snapped, eyes sharp. "Did you really wipe out all of Dodoria Island?"
"How else are we supposed to scare those mutts without a bit of thunder and lightning?" Shiki's smile faded. "You got a problem with what I did, Newgate?"
"Hmph." Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. "Are you picking a fight?"
Dark lightning flickered across Shiki's body as he chuckled menacingly. "If that's how you want to take it, I don't mind."
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Boom!
The Skull Fortress trembled violently. Though no blows had been exchanged yet, the entire Beehive Island began to quake under the pressure of their haki.
"Oho! Are you two really about to throw down?" Roya wisely backed away.
Fighting among the Rocks Pirates' top officers was a regular occurrence. Disputes flaring into duels was almost expected—and Roya loved it.
Two monsters clashing? The fear and despair radiating from the island would produce the most delicious black mist. He was already drooling.
But just as the tension reached its peak—
"Newgate~!"
A flamboyant female voice pierced the air.
A woman burst into the room, pushing a food cart. She was stunning—short golden hair, fine features, an alluring figure—but her charm was ruined by a twisted smile, flushed cheeks, and even a hint of a nosebleed.
Roya sighed internally. Such a waste of a perfect face.
This was Stussy, the second person on the island who hated Roya—because she was obsessed with Whitebeard, and naturally disliked anyone he disliked.
"Newgate! I made you a cake! Come on, try it!" she squealed.
Whitebeard's face twisted with disgust. "Stussy, what the hell did you put in it this time?"
"Eh? Nothing suspicious!" she lied with an obviously guilty expression. "Just a cake! Come try it!"
Another woman entered, equally beautiful but with long red hair and a snake lazily slithering behind her. "Don't eat it, Newgate. That idiot Stussy laced the cake with elephant aphrodisiac again."
"Gloriosa!"
Stussy shrieked and lunged at her.
The former Empress of Amazon Lily, Gloriosa, effortlessly dodged the attack. She even had time to greet Roya mid-dodge.
"Oh, little Roya's back too?"
Looks like the fight between Shiki and Whitebeard was off.
Roya let out a silent sigh. What a pity.
Still, ever the polite child, he grinned and bowed. "Good afternoon, Auntie Gloriosa! You look as radiant as ever!"
"Oh, what a sweet and charming boy!"
As she rubbed his head affectionately, she asked, "Did you enjoy your little adventure?"
"Very much! It was delicious—I mean, delightful."
Uncle Shiki had cooked up some truly rich fear and despair this time.
Seeing Whitebeard no longer interested in fighting, Shiki smacked his lips in disappointment. "Brat, I'm going to eat. Wanna join?"
"No thanks," Roya said cheerfully. "I'll eat at home."
The Golden Lion raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "No wonder Newgate doesn't like you."
"Snort," Whitebeard grunted in annoyance.
Roya scratched the back of his head and grinned innocently, then left to return to his personal quarters.
His "home" on Beehive Island was a private arena not far from the Skull Fortress.
Before he even stepped through the entrance, a man ran up to him. "Lord Roya! Welcome back!"
"Oh! Dylan, I'm back! Thanks for holding down the fort while I was gone!"
The man, Dylan, was one of Roya's followers. Like most of the Rocks crew, even the younger generation had their own factions. Roya was no exception.
"The new initiates are in place," Dylan reported. "Would you like to dine now?"
"You bet!"
Roya's eyes sparkled. "I've been starving! Bring me everything!"
"Yes, sir."
Later, inside the arena…
Roya had returned to his beastman form, lounging on the throne at the highest point of the stands—a massive black tiger with glowing bronze horns and leathery wings.
Down below, iron gates clanged open on both sides of the arena.
From each gate emerged a group of battered, desperate-looking fighters, each wielding a blade. Their eyes locked across the arena, full of dread and fury.
At Roya's side, Dylan raised his voice:
"Let the battle begin. Only the winner survives!"
Drool dripped from Roya's mouth as his eyes gleamed with hunger.
Time to eat.