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Chapter 11 - Chapter 10

The wrecked warship looked like a dead steel sea monster, its broken cables drifting in the wind and the twisted turrets pointing at the sky like silent witnesses to the tragedy that had just unfolded.

Tanma leaned against a relatively intact section of the hull. His hastily bandaged wound still oozed through the cloth. The dull echo of waves striking the wreck reverberated in his ears as his gaze swept over his companions scattered across the ruined deck.

At the highest point stood Rocks D. Xebec, the same manic confidence etched into his expression. His grin was wide, and his eyes—sharp, feverish, and domineering—surveyed the rebellious faces below.

"Hey, don't look so damn gloomy," Rocks said, voice low but cutting through the roar of the sea. "Don't make faces like your old man just died."

No one answered, yet the air thickened instantly.

Shiki snorted, cigar clenched between his teeth. Malone polished his rifle in silence. Newgate stood with his massive arms folded, staring toward the horizon.

Rocks seemed pleased by the tension simmering beneath the silence. He spread his arms and suddenly declared, "Our next destination has been decided!"

He paused—just long enough for their attention to tighten.

"To Elbaf! The legendary kingdom of giants!"

The still air shattered.

Stussy gasped in mock surprise. "Oh my… that's an incredible place."

Tanma's pulse quickened.

Elbaf, the Warrior's Land, home of the mightiest nation of giants. Names spoken only in ancient songs and whispered nightmares.

Rocks' grin widened, savoring their reactions.

"That's right! That Elbaf!" he roared. "They say their warriors can shatter mountains with a punch—and their roars split the sea! Doesn't that make your blood boil?"

His gaze swept the crew, finally locking on Tanma.

"But…" Rocks' voice dropped, low and deliberate. "The point isn't the ordinary giant warriors."

"Their current king… Harald," he said, his tone hardening. "His power is beyond imagination."

He pointed sharply, eyes blazing.

"I swear—when you see him with your own eyes, you'll be shocked!"

He tilted his head slightly, a dangerous smirk twisting his mouth. "So what do you say, Tanma? You proud bastards…" His finger stopped inches from their faces.

"Want to come with me?"

The deck was silent for a heartbeat. Then—

"I'll go," Tanma said quietly, meeting Rocks' gaze head-on.

Almost at once—

"Gurararara…" Newgate's deep laughter rumbled across the deck. "That sounds interesting. If even you praise this king, Rocks… I'd be a fool not to see him for myself."

"Hahaha!" Shiki laughed through the cigar smoke. "A monster who can impress you? Sounds worth the trip. Don't disappoint me, Rocks!"

Ochoku gave a raspy chuckle, the bone rosary at his neck rattling. "Count me in."

"Oh my, how thrilling," Stussy said, feigning exasperation, though her excited grin betrayed her. "How could I miss a story like this?"

"Hahaha! Giant King? That's wild enough for me!" Malone slammed his palm on the deck.

Silver Axe, sitting lazily in the corner, opened one eye. "Sounds like a pain… but I'm curious."

Their reasons differed—some for glory, some for bloodlust, some for amusement—but for once, their goal was aligned.

To see the one Rocks called the mightiest king in the world.

Harald.What kind of monster could command the respect of Rocks D. Xebec himself?

Then Rocks' grin shifted, the atmosphere changing with it. His gaze turned razor-sharp as he slowly looked across the deck—pausing on the likes of Tanma and Shiki, whose tempers burned brightest.

"But…" he said softly, stretching the word. The oppressive tone returned. "Before we go, there's something you all need to understand."

He waited until every eye was on him.

"Harald," Rocks said, his voice low and deliberate. "That monster… is my friend."

The word landed like a thunderclap.

In Rocks' world, friend was a foreign concept. He had subordinates, pawns, and enemies—never friends. Yet he said it plainly, with deliberate weight.

"So," he continued, voice sharp as a blade, "when we reach Elbaf, you bastards better restrain yourselves."

His tone was calm—but behind it, there was murder.

"Anyone who can't control their hands or their damn mouths, who causes trouble where they shouldn't…" His eyes glowed with killing intent. "Don't blame me for what happens next. Got it?"

The contrast between his fiery challenge and this cold warning was absurd—and chilling.

For a moment, the deck was silent.

Then—

"Pfft… HAHAHAHA!" Shiki burst into laughter, nearly dropping his cigar. "Oi, Rocks! Friends? You actually said that? And threatening us over it? That's the best joke I've heard all year!"

"Gurarara!" Newgate's deep laughter followed. "You've outdone yourself, Rocks. 'Mercy' and 'friends'—coming from you? Truly strange times."

Ochoku sneered, spinning his bone beads, clearly unimpressed.

Stussy chuckled softly. "How touching. But isn't our mere existence already trouble enough?"

Malone slammed his palm against the deck, laughing. "Rocks! When did you start growing sentimental?"

Silver Axe didn't even bother to open his eyes—just smirked faintly.

Tanma didn't laugh as loudly, but the corner of his mouth twitched. Rocks giving a serious warning? It was almost comical.

Rocks' friendship… it's more of a fantasy than any legend.

Maybe this was just another one of his twisted games—or perhaps Harald was a prey only he wanted the right to hunt.

Who could tell?

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