Charlotte Linlin and Kaido had both said it outright—"Rocks cannot be trusted." Even Whitebeard had cursed Rocks as a fool and openly refused to acknowledge him as captain.
So it seemed that despite the terrifying power of the Rocks Pirates, they had never truly been united—just a loose band of monsters forced together.
No wonder that after Rocks fell in the battle at God Valley, the entire crew immediately fractured, scattering into the winds, though surprisingly few of its officers actually perished.
This so-called Davy Back Fight, also known as the "Take Away the Crew Game," had one purpose: to steal the best members from other pirate crews.
The loser had to swear an oath on the spot—to serve the victor for life!
And if one wagered their flag or even their captain, once that pirate flag was taken, it could never be raised again.
Those who broke the sacred rules of the game would be branded as disgraceful pirates, and in many cases, executed by the victors without hesitation.
With Rocks' overwhelming strength, it wasn't unthinkable that he could use this game—or sheer force—to dominate Whitebeard, Big Mom, Golden Lion, Captain John, Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and other great pirates, forcing them under his command.
The question was: who among them had been the first to join Rocks as his original officer?
It could very well have been Wang Zhi, the pirate who later inherited Beehive Island.
During the God Valley battle, it was entirely possible that these mighty officers wanted Rocks to fall. Only then could they free themselves from their oaths without technically breaking them—and reclaim their independence.
"Even pirates have their own code of honor…"
Souta Kiryuu suddenly recalled Big Mom Charlotte Linlin's famous words. She had sailed since childhood alongside Streusen, forming her own crew. She had never been the type to willingly join someone else's banner.
Which meant she must have been forced into the Rocks Pirates—either through losing this very game, or being beaten into submission by Rocks himself.
"Capture that Slow-Slow Fruit user, then we move on to the next target!"
Souta Kiryuu flicked his hand dismissively. He had no intention of moving himself. Instead, he let his subordinates showcase their abilities.
This was their first true appearance as the Kiryuu Pirates, the first time the crimson-blooded flag of Souta Kiryuu flew from the Ark Maxim, declaring their presence to the world.
"That bounty of twenty-four million—leave him to me!"
As the golden ark descended rapidly, pirates on the island gawked in shock. Without hesitation, the grown-up version of Jewelry Bonney leapt down from the shining vessel, charging straight toward Silver Fox Foxy, her face alight with excitement.
On the deck railing, Enel stood with arms folded, looking down on the pirates below with contempt. With a casual wave of his hand, a thunderbolt lanced down into the densest crowd.
In an instant, dozens—no, hundreds—of pirates were struck down, their screams drowned in crackling lightning.
Chaos erupted across the island as terrified pirates scattered in every direction.
Law, Capone Bege, and Lafitte followed after, cutting down stragglers while covering Bonney's reckless assault.
"Their ship… it can fly!!"
Foxy and the surrounding pirates stared in shock. Fear, curiosity, and greed flickered in their eyes as they gazed upon the golden vessel.
"Could it be… the legendary Golden Lion Shiki!?"
Some of the older pirates trembled as they spoke. After all, only Shiki's flying fleet was known to wield ships that could soar through the skies.
"Out of my way! I'm taking down that wanted fool myself!"
Bonney, full of fierce momentum, tore through the crowd. Every pirate she touched either shrank into a toddler of two or three years, or aged into a feeble elder of seventy or eighty. Cries and groans filled the air as bodies collapsed all around her.
"What kind of Devil Fruit power is this!?"
"H-how is this possible!?"
Panic spread even to those who hadn't yet been touched. All eyes fixed in terror on the pink-haired beauty.
"Who the hell are you!?"
"Slow-Slow Beam!"
Seeing Bonney charging at him, Foxy panicked and unleashed his power, sending a wave of pink light straight at her.
But Bonney abruptly reverted to her true form, agilely dodging the beam before pressing the attack.
"Nine-Tail Barrage!"
Foxy, spotting her small form again, roared and swung his fists wildly, convinced he could overpower a mere child.
"Take this, bastard!"
But Bonney shifted back into her adult body mid-sprint, her fist swelling to an enormous size. She smashed through Foxy's flurry with a single, devastating punch.
Boom!
Foxy was sent flying, crashing into the earth and leaving behind a massive crater.
"Wooo! I just took down a pirate worth twenty-four million! That means I can become a big-shot with my own bounty too!"
Bonney cheered loudly, only for her glee to be cut short as several Slow-Slow beams shot toward her.
"Never let your guard down until your enemy is completely finished."
A massive figure appeared in front of her, gently lifting her into his arms. Bartholomew Kuma.
With a casual motion, he released a shimmering paw-shaped bubble.
The strange pink bubble reflected Foxy's beams back at him, striking the Slow-Slow user head-on.
Even Souta Kiryuu couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration. Truly, the Paw-Paw Fruit was broken beyond belief.
It could repel Zoro's flying slashes, Usopp's fire attacks—and now even Devil Fruit abilities like the Slow-Slow beams.
Hell, it could probably bat away Perona's negative ghosts as well. Was there anything Kuma couldn't deflect?
Foxy, struck by his own beams, froze instantly, his body locked in a thirty-second state of paralysis.
"Huh… turns out the Slow-Slow Fruit isn't as unbeatable as it looks."
Souta observed calmly. Its beams were slow, could be reflected by mirrors, bounced away by Kuma, and even blocked by thick enough Haki. Perhaps Foxy himself was just too weak to unlock its true potential.
If he could increase the speed and density of his beams to bypass even Observation and Armament Haki, then the ability might finally live up to its terrifying time-based nature.
"Let me go, Kuma!"
Bonney wriggled free from his grasp and rushed at the immobilized Foxy, beating him mercilessly.
When the thirty seconds of paralysis ended, all the damage she had inflicted burst upon him at once. Foxy's face swelled grotesquely as he collapsed, unconscious and defeated.
Bonney planted a foot proudly on his chest, glaring at the other pirates.
"This guy's mine! My bounty had better be higher than his!"
She shouted, ignoring Kuma's earlier intervention.
"Take him and let's move."
Souta Kiryuu didn't even spare the fleeing pirates another glance. His voice was calm, decisive.
At his command, Kuma hoisted both Bonney and Foxy effortlessly onto his massive shoulders and vanished back onto the Ark Maxim.
Law, Bege, and Lafitte, uninterested in finishing off small fry, soon followed.
Before the stunned, trembling eyes of every pirate on Long Ring Long Land, the golden ship rose once more into the sky. The crimson-blooded flag of Souta Kiryuu burned itself into their memories.
.....
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