Rocks' sudden outburst caught Vesper and Brook off guard. Brook felt a twinge of regret—maybe he'd pushed the game too far. But he didn't think he was wrong!
He'd never let Rocks keep recruiting big-name pirates to swell his ranks. Sure, forcing Rocks' hand early was risky, but it shoved the Rocks Pirates right into the crosshairs of every crew in the New World!
Now, Rocks' dream of expanding his empire would hit a wall, giving Brook more time to grow his own influence.
That said, Rocks' wild, unhinged style still drew a crowd of lawless, depraved pirates—his crew was practically a haven for monsters and madmen!
And now, the Rocks Pirates were charging straight for Ten Kings Island! Vesper's face turned green with fury. Why did his Vesper Pirates have to deal with the mess Brook and those upstart Supernovas stirred up?
All Vesper wanted was to chill and wait for his grandkid to be born. But with the Rocks Pirates bearing down, he had no choice but to call Brook for backup.
Rocks' real target was the Hell Pirates, but Golden Lion Shiki and Whitebeard Newgate's Devil Fruits were a nightmare to deal with. For now, he'd settle for crushing Vesper—after all, Ten Kings Island wasn't going anywhere!
This war would erupt on Vesper's turf, not some neutral island meant for a clash of titans. Rocks was too impatient to wait. Take out Vesper first, then deal with Brook's crew later.
As for those Supernovas? Mere annoyances. Once Rocks dismantled Brook's intelligence network, those small-fry would fall easily.
...
On the high seas of the New World, the ship sliced through the waves at breakneck speed.
Rocks clutched a black iron Den Den Mushi, his face twisted in a scowl. A groveling pirate knelt before him, offering up a Den Den Mushi emblazoned with the Hell Pirates' guild logo—a gift for the so-called "strongest overlord."
"Seagull News Birds belong to Brook. Even the damn Den Den Mushi are Brook's!"
For the first time, Rocks felt outsmarted by Brook's cunning. Every time his position was exposed, it was either a news bird, a Den Den Mushi, a spy, a reporter, or some Devil Fruit ability user!
He hated this feeling—like he was a puppet dancing in Brook's palm!
Purging the Seagull News Birds and Brook's intelligence operatives had nearly cut him off from the world. His intel sources were drying up fast.
Now he realized just how vital information was. Even as the New World's mightiest, he was miserable without it!
Rocks knew he couldn't match Brook's strategic genius or organizational growth. Worse, he couldn't even wipe out the Hell Pirates!
In the New World, knowing the news birds and Den Den Mushi were rigged didn't help. Could you really stop buying papers or using Den Den Mushi entirely?
Brook's web of influence was terrifying, and Rocks felt a creeping sense of powerlessness. Even the Underground Transport Emperor had the gall to hassle him and cut off his supplies!
If he could just find the Umi Family's hideout, he'd wipe those pests out!
Being the enemy of the world made Rocks proud—it proved his strength scared everyone. But over time, the isolation grated. Even fine wine and gourmet food rarely reached his territory anymore.
The great New World overlord couldn't even get his favorite North Blue liquor! In that moment, Rocks realized that beyond raw power, he was outclassed by Brook in every way—even his lieutenants couldn't compare!
So, he made a tough call. He'd abandon his dream of unifying the New World—for now. But he wouldn't let an old fossil like Vesper keep ruling his corner of the seas!
He'd rather share the New World with Brook. After all, Brook was already at war with the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, and Rocks' ultimate goal was to storm the Valley of the Gods!
He'd planned to conquer the New World first, then hit the Valley of the Gods with full force. But the Hell Pirates—five Conqueror's Haki awakeners, all wielding top-tier Devil Fruits, and some freaky ability to steal skills or techniques—had wrecked his plans.
Brook's scheming and foresight were the real threat. Give him another decade, and Rocks might find himself crushed under the Hell Pirates' boot!
He wasn't about to let that happen. While the Hell Pirates were still growing, Rocks would trick Brook into joining him to attack the Valley of the Gods—maybe even drive the Navy out of the New World entirely!
That way, he'd achieve a world-shaking feat and fulfill his dream. Maybe he'd even team up with the Hell Pirates to storm Mary Geoise, carrying out the will of the D Clan!
...
On the way to Ten Kings Island, after snagging the black iron Den Den Mushi, Rocks' mind raced. If he couldn't destroy the Hell Pirates, he'd ally with them.
His new plan: secretly contact Brook, split Vesper's crew between them, form an alliance to rule the New World, and then take down the Celestial Dragons!
He admired Brook's blend of brains and brawn. With Brook's cunning, the assault on the Valley of the Gods might actually go smoothly.
Hell, Rocks was starting to think trusting Brook's smarts was better than trusting his own!
...
In the captain's training room aboard the ship suddenly slowed on Rocks' orders.
"I know you're listening! Get me Brook, now!"
Rocks' face was grim as he dialed the black iron Den Den Mushi, his anger flaring. Brook had been planting traps for him that long ago!
Every economic newspaper, Den Den Mushi, and even smuggled goods from the underworld was now triple-checked.
These plundering, non-producing pirates had been infiltrated in every aspect of their lives. Rocks spotted T-shirts, hats, and even boxers stamped with the Umi Family and Economic News Agency logos.
Worse, the fiercest white liquor bore the Hell Pirates' emblem, and a quick check of clothing tags revealed Fishman Island origins—everyone knew Fishman Island was Hell Pirates' turf!
Rocks glanced at the label inside his new captain's hat. Son of a—! It was a limited-edition Hell Pirates x Fishman Island collab!
His hands shook. He tore off his Haki-infused greatcloak and checked the brand tag. Damn it! Brook's "Tyrant Captain Series" exclusive!
Rocks took a deep breath, refusing to strip down further. He could feel Brook's presence everywhere—maybe even under the bed or in the cabinets!
Clutching the black iron Den Den Mushi and the newspaper prize Den Den Mushi, he glared, waiting for Brook's response.
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+300 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg