On the sea, some distance away from the Valley of the Gods, a ship flying the flag of the Rocks Pirates was quietly anchored.
Dylan stood at the bow, peering at the distant island through a telescope.
Through the lens, he could clearly see the entire island of God's Valley trembling. The mountain at its center had collapsed, and a thick cloud of dust shrouded the whole island.
"What on earth is happening there?"
Dylan had witnessed countless storms, but at this moment, he couldn't help but feel a chill of fear.
There was no doubt that Lord Roya's actions signaled his intention to leave the Rocks Pirates.
But why?
Why would he do this?
Lord Roya's position within the Rocks Pirates was beyond question.
Most of the officers treated him with care, even the captain himself.
Everyone said that Lord Roya was the future successor Captain Rocks had chosen. What reason could he possibly have for abandoning the crew?
Dylan could only think of one possibility—the most unlikely one.
Lord Roya… what exactly did you foresee?
Splash!
Suddenly, water erupted in front of the ship.
Dylan's pupils shrank, and he instinctively stepped back. His right hand turned into a blade-like shape, his arm coated in pitch-black Armament Haki.
Bloody Dylan was infamous for his swordless style, using his hardened hands like blades to pierce his enemies, staining them red with blood. He was 35 years old this year and carried a bounty of 360 million berries.
But Dylan's tension faded in the next moment.
"Hey! Dylan! Sorry to keep you waiting!"
The lively, energetic boy leapt nimbly onto the side of the ship, shaking water off his body like a big dog, and grinned.
"Welcome back, Lord Roya!"
Dylan bowed slightly out of respect.
"Huh—haha, I almost didn't make it back."
Roya let out a sigh of relief.
"Was it that dangerous?"
Dylan's usually calm face showed a flicker of surprise.
This time, almost all the Rocks Pirates had gone to the Valley of the Gods, with every officer participating.
With such a lineup, how could Lord Roya say he almost couldn't return?
"Of course, because the enemy was even more terrifying."
Roya answered casually.
Roger's crew, Garp the Iron Fist, the Knights of God, the Five Elders…
Even an all-star crew like the Rocks Pirates couldn't match such overwhelming forces, especially when everyone's focus was divided.
Roya glanced back at the roaring Valley of the Gods. That island was finished.
"Dylan,"
Roya laughed, "Lower the flag. From today, the Rocks Pirates no longer exist."
So, this was the end of an era?
Though shocked, Dylan stayed composed. "I understand. Lord Roya, is that the country we're heading to next?"
"Yes. I won't return to Beehive Island."
Roya replied, "That country will be a good place to settle for now."
"Then I'll prepare to set sail immediately."
Dylan hurried to give orders to the crew.
Roya stood alone at the bow, quietly gazing at the Valley of the Gods.
A smile crossed his lips. "Goodbye, Captain… and my days as a pirate."
Valley of the Gods.
The great melee at the center of the island was coming to an end.
Rocks D. Xebec was gasping for breath, so exhausted that he didn't even wipe the blood streaming down his forehead.
"Wake up, Rocks! You've already lost!"
Iron Fist Garp's head was also bloodied as he roared, swinging his fist, black lightning crackling around it.
"Wa-hahaha! Rocks, this is the end!"
Roger's bicorne hat had long since flown off to who knew where, but his sword was still sharp and deadly.
"I never thought you two bastards would join forces!"
Rocks was now barely fending off their attacks.
The chaotic battle had split into smaller duels.
He now faced both Garp and Roger together.
Even for someone as powerful as him, the combined force of these two monsters was too much.
Defeat.
This time, it was a total defeat.
That brat Roya had already fled.
Then came Lingling, Wang Zhi, and the others…
There was no chance of victory.
"Roger! Do you think you'll meet a good end after killing me?"
Rocks roared, "The Five Elders are here! They're watching us tear each other apart!"
"Who cares about that crap?"
Roger laughed recklessly. "I'm here for revenge!"
Rocks froze for a moment.
Then—
"Hahahahaha! You bastard! Turns out I was the stupid one!"
Rocks laughed wildly. "This won't end here, Roger! The kid who's inherited my will is still alive! Sooner or later, he'll overturn this entire world!"
"I told you, I'm only here for revenge! I don't care about anything else!"
Some time later, in the West Blue.
Roya placed a silver fruit on the table, looking at it with mild disappointment. "Dylan, you don't recognize this fruit?"
"I'm sorry, Lord Roya,"
Dylan shook his head. "I've never seen the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia either."
"Forget it. We'll know what it does when we find the right person to eat it."
In any case, it had to be a high-grade Devil Fruit; otherwise, it wouldn't have been kept alongside the Azure Dragon Fruit and the Paw-Paw Fruit.
Roya could eat another fruit himself, but he wasn't interested.
His abilities were already versatile enough. There was no need to add more weaknesses.
Dylan remained calm, showing no desire for the fruit.
Roya then drew out the second trophy from his waist—a long sword with a black scabbard and a purple handle.
The blade was about 1.2 meters long, its curvature smaller than a katana, making it look straighter.
Roya gripped the hilt tightly and slowly unsheathed the blade.
A strong smell of blood filled the air.
"Oh!"
Roya looked at the weapon with genuine surprise.
The dark red blade slid out, its color gradually brightening to a blood-red hue.
"Huh?"
Roya looked down at his right hand.
Blood was oozing from his palm, soaking into the handle of the blade.
"Oh my, this is interesting!"
He exclaimed, "This thing is drinking my blood!"
I'm supposed to be the one draining blood, not the other way around!
"Lord Roya! Please be careful!"
Dylan called out in alarm. "If I'm not mistaken, this is one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords—the Shura Blade: Demon Sword, Sea of Blood!"
"Supreme Grade Sword? Shura's Blade? Sea of Blood?"
Roya raised an eyebrow. "Sounds interesting."
"It's said that this sword absorbs blood to evolve!"
Dylan explained seriously, watching Roya's bleeding hand. "If you can't gain its recognition, it'll slowly drain you dry! It's a true demon blade!"
"Once the sword accepts you, its thirst for blood will only grow stronger. You'll gain power from feeding it, but if it goes without blood for too long, you'll weaken! To maintain its power, its wielder must kill relentlessly, eventually falling into the path of Shura!"
"Sounds perfect for me."
Roya snapped his fingers. "Blood? That's easy."
The cabin door swung open, and pale-faced figures shuffled out like zombies.
"Come, little darling. Let me test your strength—and see if you're worthy of being my dinner knife."
Roya stabbed the blade into one of the ghosts.
So sharp!
There was no resistance at all—it was like cutting through air.
That was Roya's first impression.
Then he watched as the ghost's face turned pale, its body shriveling rapidly.
"Oh! I like kids with a big appetite. Go on, eat up."
Roya switched to another ghost, not wanting to waste his supply. These spirits weren't easy to collect—especially without the Rocks Pirates' help.
Later—
"You're full already?"
Roya raised the demon blade. The blade glistened red, almost dripping blood, glowing faintly under the sunlight.
It was now docile, no longer drinking his blood.
"Your appetite is too small. We'll have to fix that. As my partner, you'll need a feast next time."
Dylan glanced uneasily at the shriveled ghosts behind Roya. "Still young," he muttered.
But as expected of Lord Roya, he had already mastered the demon blade.
Roya was very satisfied with the weapon.
It had clearly weakened from lack of blood, but even now, it was formidable.
First, its sharpness was absurd. Even in his Qiongqi form, his tough fur could barely withstand it. His current defenses weren't at Big Mom's level, but they were tougher than steel.
Second, its blood-draining ability was deadly. After feeding on ghosts, it absorbed blood faster. A few cuts from this sword would drain an enemy dry.
Roya was eager to see how it would evolve further.
"But the name 'Sea of Blood' is too ugly,"
Roya mused. "Since you're my blade now, I'll give you a better name."
"Tiger Soul!"
*Be sure to send powerstones and add this book to your Library.*