Boom!
The huge monster fell with a deafening crash, plunging into the sea and creating massive waves.
It was a Sea King over 100 meters long. Although considered small among its kind, for humans, it was still a true behemoth.
There was a gaping wound across the creature's body, but strangely, not much blood flowed out.
Roya, transformed into a tiger-man, stood on the corpse of the Sea King, holding his sword high.
The famous blade he named Tiger Soul gleamed so red it almost glowed. A faint crimson aura swirled around the weapon.
The legendary sword, said to evolve by constantly feeding on blood, seemed to have evolved once again.
But Roya sighed and muttered with some disdain, "Not being picky about food is no way for a gourmet blade to behave."
Sea Kings were intelligent beings, not inferior to humans.
They also produced black energy when in pain.
However, the quality was average, no better than that of an ordinary person.
"I'm asking you—are you really worthy of this blade?"
Unlike Roya, who was unimpressed, Tiger Soul devoured the blood eagerly. After all, the sword hadn't tasted anything exceptional lately.
Since Sea Kings were intelligent creatures, their blood's "nutritional value" was probably close to that of humans.
After absorbing the Sea King's blood, Tiger Soul underwent another evolution.
Roya swung the sword casually.
The crimson aura around the blade condensed into a scarlet slash that shot out, slicing through the air without dissipating for more than 20 meters.
"Flying Slash."
Roya nodded in satisfaction. Not bad.
He was still far from achieving the "breath of all things," but this sword allowed him to enjoy some of the benefits of a swordsman's realm early.
"Lord Roya."
From the ship anchored nearby, Dylan's voice called out, "There's news from the Valley of the Gods."
He was holding a rolled-up newspaper.
"Oh?"
Roya sheathed Tiger Soul—a slightly awkward movement due to his short arms and legs. "What's the news?"
Dylan said calmly, "The World Government issued a statement saying Vice Admiral Garp, the Iron Fist, defeated the Rocks Pirates and personally killed Captain Rocks."
"Oh! That's impressive!"
Roya exclaimed, "I didn't know there was someone in this world who could defeat the Rocks Pirates single-handedly."
"The newspapers are calling Garp the hero of the Navy," Dylan continued. "Lord Roya, do we need to respond?"
"What?"
Roya leapt lightly onto the ship's side and sighed. "Then let's mourn for the captain. Poor guy—everyone's gone, and he's still being slandered. If you hear this in the afterlife, Captain, curse them in their dreams. Let them know you weren't weak—you just got beaten up."
Dylan's stoic face almost cracked into laughter.
"Anyway, let's head back to the New World. Sailing around like this is boring. I'm starving to death!"
Roya waved his right hand, and a powerful gust of wind arose, instantly filling the ship's sagging sails. The vessel began to move across the windless sea.
Beehive Island.
News of the Rocks Pirates' defeat had spread across the world.
After a brief silence, Beehive Island exploded with chaos.
Some pirates wanted to cause trouble. Others rushed over, hoping to plunder wealth.
The island was on the brink of ruin.
Fortunately, although the Rocks Pirates had disbanded, their top officers were still alive.
With just a few calls, the remaining forces of the Rocks Pirates were mobilized, and Beehive Island was secured.
Now, inside the Skull Building's conference room, the former officers of the Rocks Pirates were gathered.
"Mom, mom! I didn't expect this day to come so soon!"
Charlotte Linlin laughed.
"That idiot Rocks nearly dragged us all down with him!"
Silver Axe cursed with an angry scowl. "Serves him right for getting killed!"
"Who would have guessed Roger and the others would show up too?"
Gloriosa shivered. "And the Knights of God, plus the Five Elders. They're all monsters! I'm lucky to be alive. I wonder how little Roya's doing. One of the Five Elders went after him."
"That kid really cleaned up this time,"
Captain John muttered drunkenly. "I doubt he'll die so easily."
"Enough chatter,"
Wang Zhi crossed his legs and spoke coldly, "The captain's dead. We need to talk about what comes next. Are we disbanding?"
"I'll take over as captain!"
The Golden Lion volunteered instantly.
"Dream on."
Kaido sneered, folding his arms and glaring. "You think you can stand above me?"
He was feeling confident, having gained new power.
"Kaido,"
Shiki's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Do you want to die, brat?"
"Mom, mom! Shiki, I think Kaido's right."
Charlotte Linlin supported her younger ally. "Who do you think you are, huh? Planning to be the next Rocks?"
"Hahahahaha!"
Shiki laughed instead of getting angry. "Then I guess we settle this the old-fashioned way!"
"Tch, are you all done talking nonsense?"
Whitebeard, silent until now, finally spoke. "Aside from that brat Roya, everyone's here. If you want something, grab it with your fists!"
"Oh, Whitebeard, how rare,"
Linlin sneered. "I thought you'd say you didn't want anything except your family."
"Hmph."
Whitebeard snorted.
He became a pirate partly for family, partly for money. His homeland was too poor, and the burden he carried was heavy.
Thus, the fighting among the former officers began.
Meanwhile, Katakuri stood quietly on the coast of Beehive Island.
The boy's eyes were filled with worry and determination.
"Roya, you'll be fine, right? You saw this coming, didn't you? Don't die… I promised that next time we meet, I'll make you see me in a new light."
A few days later, in the New World.
Roya stood at the ship's bow, reading a newspaper reporting that the top officers of the Rocks Pirates had brawled on Beehive Island before scattering. The once-dominant Rocks Pirates had finally collapsed.
"Captain, your uncles and aunts are already fighting over your inheritance before your body's even cold. If you're listening in the afterlife, don't just curse the government. Curse them too—and tell them to leave my share alone."
Roya sighed.
But the captain probably wouldn't care.
He was the type to value life itself, not his reputation after death.
"Lord Roya! We've arrived!"
Dylan's voice came from behind.
Roya looked up.
In the distance, a massive island came into view.
"Oh! What a great place!"
Roya's eyes sparkled. "Worth every mile of the journey! This is perfect!"
Even from afar, black energy could be seen rising from the island.
"Dylan, we're staying here for the next few years!"
Roya grinned. "Sorry, but our real fun will have to wait."
"Of course, Lord Roya!"
Dylan looked at Roya's back with admiration bordering on fanaticism.
When he first joined the Rocks Pirates, he realized how vast and cruel the world was. Compared to the monsters at the top, he was nothing but a stray dog, unnoticed and unwanted.
But two years ago, when Roya joined the crew, Dylan sensed something—if he followed this child, destined to rise to the summit of the world, perhaps he too could glimpse that peak.
And so, Dylan became Roya's loyal, powerful follower.
"Let's land on this island of endless war. How exciting!"
*Be sure to send powerstones and add this book to your Library.*