In the Kingdom of Joromia's royal palace, there was a training ground specifically designated for the royal guards. After the establishment of the Oath Blood Guard, this place became the designated training area for their forces.
As the commander of the Oath Blood Guard, Binz had been training his troops here every day, as per Rossinante's orders.
Today, just like any other day, Binz arrived at the training ground with his men, but something felt different today.
After Jack and the others returned, they brought dozens of pirates with them. Rossinante incorporated them into the Oath Blood Guard, with ten of them being pirate captains who had bounties exceeding 100 million. Among them, three had bounties that reached 300 million.
Pirates were always judged by their strength and bounties, but now, a person with a bounty of 190 million like Binz was expected to lead these pirates, whose bounties reached 300 million. How could the three pirate captains, each with a bounty of 300 million, accept being commanded by someone with a lower bounty than them?
Winter was the strongest of these pirates, with a bounty of 330 million. His strength was not far from that of Hermi and the others. He had sworn allegiance to Rossinante because of Rossinante's monstrous abilities, the threat of the Healing Seal, and the immense strength of Jack and the others. He didn't feel it was a disgrace to join here.
However, despite agreeing to join, he wasn't about to become a mere soldier and certainly would not accept someone weaker than him as the commander.
"Hey, kid, you're the commander? This is your idea of training? It's child's play!
What do you say? Let's see who's stronger with a one-on-one fight," Winter sneered.
Upon hearing Winter's words, Binz's expression darkened.
(So… it's started, huh?) he thought, recalling what happened the day before.
After Jack and the others left, Rossinante had called Binz into his room.
As soon as Binz stepped into the room, he saw two peculiar fruits placed on the table.
As a pirate from the New World, he immediately recognized them as Devil Fruits.
"Binz, you and I haven't known each other for long, but I am still very satisfied with you. The Oath Blood Guard is my personal army, and it must be entrusted to someone trustworthy. You've done well so far, and I trust you with this army. Today, Jack brought back some pirates, and I've decided to have them join the Oath Blood Guard. Among them, three have bounties of over 300 million. Do you know what that means? Pirates speak with strength, and to command them, your strength must surpass theirs. Here are two Devil Fruits: one is the Paramecia-type Hollow Hollow Fruit, and the other is the Zoan-type Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Lynx. Choose one and eat it!" Rossinante said.
Upon hearing Rossinante's words, Binz was filled with excitement. These were Devil Fruits!
In the New World, Devil Fruits were typically held by the big powers and major pirates, and ordinary pirates rarely got their hands on them. In fact, it was easier to find Devil Fruits in the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line.
Binz, being a native of the New World, knew how hard it was to acquire a quality Devil Fruit, especially something as rare as the Hollow Hollow Fruit or Mountain Cat Fruit.
"Your Majesty, Binz swears again: the Oath Blood Guard is your strongest spear and shield. As long as even one of us remains, no one will be able to harm you," Binz respectfully said.
"Very well, then from now on, my guard will be under your command. Now choose!
Which fruit do you want?" Rossinante asked.
Back in the present, Winter with a sinister grin, looked at Binz. Standing at three meters tall, he swung a massive sword, nearly as tall as he was, toward Binxi.
As expected of a pirate captain with a bounty of 330 million, Winter's strength could not be underestimated. The speed of the sword swing was incredibly fast, and the wind pressure created by the blade was terrifying. Even before the sword touched him, the oppressive force was already bearing down on Binz.
Binz didn't avoid it. It seemed like he was too frightened to dodge, staring blankly as Winter's massive blade struck his body.
The Oath Blood Guard members watching all gasped, and the pirates who had just joined, like Winter, wore grim and disdainful smiles.
The massive sword cut through Binz's chest, but then it emerged from a dark hole right behind Winter, deeply embedding itself into Winter's own body.
"If it weren't for His Majesty's Silent Seal, you'd already be dead. Remember His Majesty's grace," Binz said lightly.
"Devil Fruit power?" Winter pulled back his sword, astonished.
"This is a token given to me by His Majesty as the commander of the Oath Blood Guard. It's the Paramecia-type Hollow Hollow Fruit, which allows me to open spatial wormholes," Binz explained.
In the New World, rumors spread that Whitebeard's Gura Gura no Mi was the most powerful Devil Fruit in the world, capable of destroying everything. Binz admired the power of Rossinante's Devil Fruit just as much.
Both of these fruits were Paramecia-type, and influenced by this, Binz finally chose the Hollow Hollow Fruit.
Binxz's strength lay in his martial arts and swordsmanship, and after consuming the Hollow Hollow Fruit, he immediately gained control over its basic abilities. It was much like how Sabo instantly mastered the basics of the Mera Mera no Mi after consuming it.
The Hollow Hollow Fruit allowed him to open spatial wormholes. With this ability, Binz was almost unbeatable. This was the power Rossinante had longed for.
"Who else is dissatisfied?" Binz calmly asked, gazing around at the others.
Looking at Binz, all the pirates exchanged glances. However, now that Winter had already proven himself, no pirate dared to defy him.
A few days passed in peace.
One day, Rossinante was having lunch at the dining table when he suddenly stopped, put down his utensils, and waved for the maids to leave.
"Come out!
You carry my Healing Seal; your trace cannot be hidden from me!" Rossinante said after the maids left.
A small flying shadow darted toward Rossinante. With a quick motion, Rossinante caught it in his hand.
Opening it, he saw that it was an invitation.
"This is an invitation to Mama's tea party. No one can defy Mama's invitation; otherwise, it will be considered an act of war against her," a voice from the shadows said, as a figure stepped out, leaning against a nearby pillar.
"So, Big Mom has decided not to go straight to war," Rossinante said, somewhat surprised.
"Mama changed her mind after seeing that I could quickly silence wounds with the Healing Seal. She likely has her eye on your Silent Seal ability," Katakuri said, his expression darkening.
"She's interested in my Silent Seal ability? What, Does she think she can have me mark your siblings with the Silent Seal too?" Rossinante said, amused.
Upon hearing Rossinante's words, Katakuri's face darkened further.
"No way...? No matter what, you're still her children. She wouldn't put your lifes in the hands of an outsider, would she? Didn't you tell her that I can control this Healing Seal at will?" Rossinante asked, his surprise evident.
"In Mama's eyes, your ability could greatly enhance the power of Totto Land, and that's enough. As for being controlled by you... as long as you're under Mama's control, there's no need to worry about being controlled," Katakuri said coldly.
"Heh... heh... Big Mom truly think she can mold me like clay," Rossinante snapped angrily.
A domineering aura emanated from his body, causing some of the maids in the palace to faint from the overwhelming pressure.
At the same time, Binz and the Oath Blood Guard appeared, and Jack and the others quickly rushed in, surrounding Katakuri.