The next day, after Rocks declared that the time had finally come to accomplish one of his long-awaited goals, the ship carrying the Rocks Pirates sailed steadily across the open sea.
The morning air was calm, and the waves were gentle, yet there was a strange tension on the deck. Every crewmember could sense that this voyage was different.
Ahead of them, another ship could be seen anchored quietly in the distance, marked clearly with the symbol of the World Government.
Despite recognizing that symbol, Rocks did not order the cannons to be loaded, nor did he command anyone to open fire.
Not even a single musket was raised. This silence was intentional, as Rocks had a private agenda involving that particular ship.
Whatever agreement or transaction he planned, it had been decided long before this day, and the crew could tell from his expression that he intended to see it through exactly as he envisioned.
After several minutes of sailing, the Rocks Pirates' ship came alongside the World Government vessel.
The two ships anchored beside each other, the sea between them becoming still as the crew of each ship observed one another.
Rocks moved toward the edge of his deck, followed closely by his strongest crewmates. Thor stood on the far left side, his eyes scanning the opposing ship.
Among the group of CP agents on the other side, one of them glared directly at Thor with visible hostility.
Thor noticed the expression and grinned slightly. 'Maybe his family was one of those I killed before,' he thought to himself, remembering the CP agents he had faced in earlier raids.
Yet his attention soon shifted to another individual on the opposite ship—the one whose presence felt heavier and stronger than the rest.
Even so, Thor could tell that despite the man's confidence, his strength did not even come close to matching the second-weakest member of the Rocks crew, which at this point was Don Marlon.
"Rocks D. Xebec," the leading agent began arrogantly, his tone sharp and self-important. "We are representatives of the World Government.
We have come to deliver your payment for your recent service in reclaiming the island of Hachinosu.
Consider this an act of gratitude from the higher powers. If you do not fail in your next task, you might even be granted an audience with the rulers of this world."
The way he spoke made it clear he believed Rocks should feel honored. He expected submission or at least a sign of respect.
But Rocks only looked at him with cold amusement. Without a word, he reached for the flintlock pistol hanging at his side and fired a single shot.
The bullet hit the agent directly in the forehead, killing him instantly. His body dropped lifelessly onto the deck, and for a few seconds, silence filled the air.
None of the other CP agents reacted. They remained perfectly still, their discipline unwavering.
They already knew that the man's fate had been sealed the moment he opened his mouth so carelessly.
Within moments, another agent stepped forward, replacing him as if nothing had happened, while two others carried the corpse away and threw it into the sea.
"This kind of gesture is forgiven," the replacement said indifferently. "The World Government does not tolerate disobedience. Anyone who fails to follow orders, or who speaks when not instructed to, has no right to remain an agent." His voice was calm, completely unfazed by the death that had just occurred beside him.
"I don't care about your excuses," Rocks replied impatiently. "Where is my money?"
The replacement nodded and snapped his fingers. Immediately, the other agents began moving in perfect order, retrieving the payment for Rocks' supposed cooperation.
Each motion was practiced and methodical, and within seconds, they had brought out several chests filled with gold and other treasures.
The crew of Rocks watched greedily, their eyes reflecting the shine of the treasure as they realized the scale of the payment being delivered.
Rocks grinned widely and turned toward Thor.
Thor raised his hand, and a thick bridge of ice extended outward from the Rocks ship to the World Government vessel, forming a solid connection between the two.
The agents, without hesitation, began sliding the treasure chests one by one across the frozen path.
The sound of sliding wood and metal echoed across the sea as the piles of wealth continued to grow on the deck of the Rocks Pirates' ship.
When the last chest had crossed, Rocks gave a satisfied nod. "We're done here," he said simply, before ordering his men to turn the ship around.
They began sailing away, leaving the CP agents behind on their own ship, which rocked lightly in the waves.
"Not killing them? That's interesting," Ochoku commented, his grin wide as he glanced at Rocks.
Rocks only kept smiling, his eyes gleaming as he looked down at the treasure piled at his feet.
A few moments later, a sudden explosion erupted behind them. The World Government ship burst into flames, the blast echoing across the sea.
Ochoku, Don Marlon, and Ganzui immediately broke into laughter, joined soon after by Linlin and Streusen, who were amused by the spectacle.
Rocks did not laugh but continued grinning, clearly pleased by the outcome.
Newgate, Stussy, and Thor remained quiet, knowing that there was nothing to celebrate in what was clearly part of Rocks' larger plan.
Rocks then gave his next order without hesitation. "Set course for Hachinosu. It's time to take what's ours."
Hours later, their ship reached the island of Hachinosu. From a distance, the island looked chaotic, filled with outlaws and criminals of all kinds.
The moment the Rocks Pirates came within range, gunfire erupted from the shore.
The island's inhabitants, who lived by preying on any ships unlucky enough to pass too close, had already spotted them and begun their attack.
Newgate stepped forward, ready to use his Devil Fruit to end the assault quickly, but Rocks raised a hand to stop him. "Not yet. I do not want to destroy my new island before I even take it," Rocks said, his tone serious. He turned instead to Ochoku, who nodded and leapt from the ship.
As Ochoku landed, his body began merging with the ground. The entire island trembled slightly as his power spread.
Ochoku's Devil Fruit, the Isle Isle no Mi, allowed him to control the terrain itself, merging with the land and manipulating its structures as if they were extensions of his own body.
The ground rose and shifted, and soon the buildings themselves began to move, forcing the defending criminals into disarray.
This was the same Devil Fruit that, many years later, would be held by one of the infamous captains serving under Blackbeard.
While Ochoku took control of the island's foundation, Rocks and the others made landfall, advancing toward the center of the island. The criminals tried to resist, but Rocks gave an unexpected order. "No killing," he said firmly. "They are still useful."
This surprised many, including Thor. Rocks rarely spared anyone. Yet, the crew followed his order, engaging in brutal combat but stopping short of execution.
Thor shifted into his giant form, towering over thirty meters tall, already surpassing Hajrudin's current height. His strikes alone sent waves of dust and debris through the streets.
After hours of fighting, the resistance finally crumbled. Rocks stood in the middle of the island's plaza, surrounded by the defeated criminals who now knelt before him. His grin returned, fierce and unrestrained.
"I am now the king of this island," Rocks shouted, his voice echoing across the land. "From this day forward, Hachinosu belongs to the Rocks Pirates!"
The crowd of beaten criminals, realizing that resistance was meaningless, began cheering in unison. In their world, strength was the only thing that mattered, and Rocks had proven beyond doubt that he was the strongest among them.
Thor stood nearby, looking out over the island from the highest point he could reach. He saw the chaos slowly transforming into order under Rocks' control and felt a strange excitement stirring inside him.
He imagined building something similar one day—a land of his own, a new nation that would carry the pride of his people.
A country not bound by the weaknesses of the old Elbaph, one that would surpass it entirely.
A place he would one day call the New Elbaph.