As the news of the Rocks Pirates' official founding spread across the seas, along with their sudden takeover of the island known as Hachinosu, countless pirates from every corner of the world began setting sail toward it.
They all came for the same reason: the chance to join what was now being called the most dangerous pirate crew in the world.
Rocks' reputation had already reached the point of infamy, his name feared even among veteran captains, yet it was that same notoriety that drew them in.
These pirates understood well that the Rocks Pirates operated under one simple law—strength was everything.
Every rumor about the crew only added fuel to the fire. Each mission they completed was said to target the World Government directly, stealing treasures and supplies that could allow a single pirate to live in comfort for a lifetime.
The idea of sharing in that wealth was more than enough to make desperate men risk everything.
Day after day, ships of every size and design began docking at the shores of Hachinosu. Some were small, crewed by only a handful of pirates, while others carried full-fledged bands numbering in the hundreds.
All of them were met immediately by the groups of criminals already living around the massive fish-shaped stone at the island's center.
These criminals acted as guards, screening newcomers and judging whether they were worth letting in.
The island's security was not random either—Ochoku himself remained connected to the structure of the island through his Devil Fruit ability, allowing him to watch over the entirety of Hachinosu from wherever he stood. Nothing escaped his sight.
Meanwhile, within the island's chaotic yet strangely organized environment, old habits returned among the core members.
Ganzui restarted his smuggling business, quickly reconnecting with several underground figures he had dealt with in the past.
He supplied them with whatever they demanded—guns, weapons, slaves, or food—always for the right price.
His operations soon expanded, as more and more pirates who came to the island found themselves depending on his services.
Shiki and Don Marlon, on the other hand, spent most of their days drinking, gambling, and fighting among themselves.
Both of them were natural gang leaders, each having a crew larger than most small-time captains could ever dream of.
Don Marlon's group resembled a family of old-fashioned gangsters, complete with hierarchy and codes of loyalty, while Shiki's followers were more like a street gang, unpredictable and violent.
Their numbers grew quickly as new arrivals chose sides, pledging themselves either to Shiki's gang or Marlon's family depending on who they thought was stronger.
Linlin, with the help of Streusen, focused on something entirely different. She began searching across the island and beyond for individuals of rare races, particularly those who might serve as potential husbands.
Her obsession with creating a family that contained every kind of race in the world had not faded. In fact, her ambitions had only grown after joining Rocks.
She still often mentioned her wish to marry Thor, an idea that Thor himself found deeply unpleasant.
No matter how attractive Linlin appeared in her younger years, Thor could not separate the image from what he knew about her future self.
Every time he saw her, the image of the old, distorted Linlin from his memories surfaced in his mind, making it impossible for him to see her as anything other than a walking reminder of decay and madness.
He avoided her whenever possible, often making excuses to train or spend time with Newgate instead.
Among all of them, Newgate, Thor, and Stussy were the most laid-back. They rarely involved themselves in the petty squabbles of the others and instead spent their time improving their own skills.
Thor, in particular, had developed an unusual relationship with both Rocks and Newgate. It was not a friendship, but more of a mentorship built from mutual benefit.
Rocks took it upon himself to teach Thor about the deeper aspects of Haki, helping him refine the abilities he already had, while Newgate focused more on the technical side—how to fight efficiently using weapons and Devil Fruit powers together.
Contrary to how he was often portrayed in stories later on, Newgate was not just a brute relying on his Devil Fruit.
He was incredibly skilled with his naginata, wielding it with precision that matched the most disciplined warriors.
His movements were quick and controlled, surprisingly graceful for someone of his size and strength. Watching him train gave Thor a deeper understanding of balance and technique, lessons he incorporated into his own fighting style.
While the main members went about their business, the continuous flow of new pirates being screened on the island never stopped.
Only those who survived the trials set by the criminals were considered strong enough to become official members of the Rocks Pirates.
Many failed, their bodies left to rot on the shores, but some succeeded and found themselves welcomed into the crew.
One of the first among the accepted newcomers was Barbel, a catfishman whose head was covered by thick, curly hair that almost looked like an afro.
Barbel came from Fishman Island, but his life had turned violent long before reaching the surface.
He had been captured by a World Government vessel and was meant to be used into slavery, yet he broke free before reaching his destination.
His raw strength was monstrous, and in his rage, he slaughtered every agent aboard the ship.
From that day forward, Barbel devoted his life to hunting down any Marine or Government agent he encountered, leaving none alive.
When he heard that Rocks openly defied the World Government, Barbel saw it as a perfect opportunity to take his revenge on a larger scale. His hatred aligned perfectly with the crew's goals, and thus, he joined without hesitation.
Another pirate who found his place within the Rocks Pirates was Captain John. Known across the New World for his greed and his habit of plundering anyone unfortunate enough to cross his path, John had already been on Hachinosu when Rocks launched his takeover.
He survived the chaos and quickly pledged his loyalty to Rocks after seeing the crew's overwhelming strength. No one questioned his decision, as his motives were clear to everyone.
Captain John's greed was legendary. It was said that he cared for nothing beyond the treasures he collected.
He did not hide this, and Rocks did not mind, as long as John's hunger for riches drove him to fight harder and raid more.
Within the crew, his obsession was considered both a flaw and a strength—something that made him predictable, yet also reliable in his own twisted way.
As the weeks passed, the Rocks Pirates grew larger and more structured. The island of Hachinosu became a stronghold unlike any other, filled with criminals, outlaws, and ambitious captains who had all sworn allegiance to Rocks D. Xebec.
What once was a chaotic den of pirates slowly transformed into the headquarters of what many would later call the most dangerous pirate crew in history.
Thor, standing on one of the cliffs overlooking the harbor, often watched the constant activity below. The noise, the fights, the new faces arriving every day—it all reminded him that a storm was building.
The crew was expanding faster than anyone could control, and even though Rocks stood at the top, Thor could sense that one day, the strength gathered here would not just shake the seas but challenge the entire world itself.
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One day, Newgate returned from one of his usual drinking sessions at a nearby bar. It was something he often did, not only to avoid the meaningless brawls that constantly broke out among the Rocks Pirates but also to escape from a particularly irritated Stussy.
Even Thor, who usually had little fear of anyone on the ship, stayed clear of Stussy whenever she was in that mood, knowing well that getting involved was never worth it.
Sitting by the edge of the dome's entrance, Thor sensed Newgate's return long before he appeared.
His observation haki allowed him to feel the familiar presence approaching the harbor, steady but accompanied by another, unfamiliar one. The second presence was strong, much stronger than most newcomers, and carried a distinct air of pride and hostility.
When Thor finally turned his head toward the entrance, he saw Newgate walking with someone beside him. The stranger was tall, muscular, and carried a massive iron kanabo resting across his shoulders.
What immediately caught Thor's attention, however, were the horns. They were not like Thor's curved and thick pair, but longer and sharper, resembling the kind once worn by the ancient giants—the kind that Oars and Oars Jr. were known to have.
"Newgate, who's this?" Thor asked, his tone neutral but his curiosity evident. He already had a strong suspicion about who the newcomer was.
"This is Kaido," Newgate replied after a short pause, his voice steady but with a hint of irritation, as if he had been dealing with the newcomer's arrogance for hours. "Rocks personally scouted him after he escaped from his captivity. Said he was too promising to leave behind."
Kaido, still silent, stepped forward and slammed the end of his kanabo against the ground. The sound was heavy, echoing across the dome. His expression carried a mix of confidence and challenge, the kind of arrogance that demanded attention. Thor, however, remained unimpressed. He had seen too many like him—strong, ambitious, and reckless.
"Thor," Thor said simply, introducing himself, though his tone carried the weight of someone who didn't care whether the other remembered it or not.
Kaido said nothing in return. Instead, he turned his head slightly, as if dismissing Thor entirely, and began walking toward the entrance of the massive fish-shaped structure that served as the crew's meeting hall.
The gesture was enough to annoy Thor. Without hesitation, he reached out and gripped Kaido's shoulder.
The reaction was immediate. Kaido swung his kanabo in a wide, heavy arc, hitting Thor squarely on the side.
The blow would have crushed an ordinary man, but Thor barely flinched. He turned his head slowly toward Kaido, a faint grin forming on his face, his eyes filled with amusement rather than anger.
"That's all?" Thor said quietly, almost as if he was testing him. Then, before Kaido could pull back, Thor's massive fist shot forward and struck Kaido in the chest.
The impact sent Kaido skidding several meters across the stone floor.
Dust and fragments of rock scattered from the force, and even Newgate raised an eyebrow, watching closely but choosing not to intervene.
Kaido stopped himself, dragging his kanabo along the ground as he came to a halt. He grinned, assuming that was the end of it. But as he tried to step forward again, his knees buckled for a moment.
The delayed force of Thor's strike had reached deep, shaking him from within. For the first time, Kaido's grin faltered slightly.
"So much attitude for someone so weak," Thor remarked, his tone calm but cutting. The words hung in the air, and Kaido's eyes narrowed.
Then, instead of backing down, Kaido laughed—a short, rough sound that carried no embarrassment. He tightened his grip on his kanabo and rose to his feet again, his grin returning even wider than before.
"I like it," Kaido said finally, his voice rough and deep.
Without another word, he rushed forward, swinging his weapon again. Thor met him halfway, his fist colliding with the iron club. The sound of their clash echoed across the dome like thunder.
The floor beneath them cracked and splintered from the pressure.
Newgate sighed from where he stood, shaking his head as he picked up a sake bottle that had rolled near his foot. "Of course," he muttered. "The moment I bring one problem home, it starts fighting the other."
The battle between Thor and Kaido continued, neither using haki at first, relying purely on their physical power.
Every exchange shook the walls of the dome, sending shockwaves across the harbor.
Around them, several of the crew began to gather, watching the two young monsters test each other's strength.