Dimon said "yes" so fast that Rocks actually blinked.
He'd been ready to persuade—this was a brewer who could craft Wine of Immortality, not some random deckhand. People like that usually hated pirate life.
"You're really agreeing to join the Rocks Pirates?" Rocks asked, genuinely surprised.
"With a crew this famous inviting me, why would I say no?" Dimon smiled. He could already read Rocks' angle.
Sure, he wasn't strong—just undying. But no one could trap him, either. If the Chao'Yin royal guard summoned him again, he could answer the call and slip free. For him, joining carried few risks… and a lot of upside.
"Still," Dimon added, "even as a crewmate, the Wine of Immortality won't be free."
Caught red-handed and unbothered, Rocks grinned. "Welcome aboard, Brewer."
He led the clap; the others followed with the most awkward "welcome" this side of the Grand Line.
When the half-hearted ceremony ended, Rocks went right for the wallet.
"I heard from Kaido—one cup costs one Devil Fruit. The effect is real, the price is fair. But if it helps, I can pay 100 million Berries per cup."
Dimon shook his head. "Turning Fruits into money is easy. Turning money back into Fruits… not so much."
Whitebeard frowned. "Why insist on Devil Fruits? A person can only eat one—two will kill you."
"They're an ingredient," Dimon said. "One Fruit brews one bottle. One bottle pours four effective cups. We've already used one; three cups remain."
Ah.
Gloriosa's brows rose. "So that's it. I've never heard of anyone brewing with a Devil Fruit."
Neither had history. They were the "treasures of the sea." Even in the New World, most people never saw one in their lifetime—plenty of ability users went decades without laying eyes on a second.
Dimon glanced at the princess. "Alfreda, guests are guests—water for everyone."
"Yes, Lord Dimon."
Charlotte Linlin drained her cup in one gulp. "Don't be stingy, boss. At least treat us with wine. And I didn't catch your name."
"Dimon," he said. "And I only stock the Wine of Immortality. If you want it, bring a Fruit."
He gave Linlin a brief once-over. In her youth she really was a beauty—worlds away from the BIG MOM to come.
Catching his look, Linlin's smile curled. "Am I pretty? Sleep with me and give me a cup."
Gloriosa: "Shameless woman."
Linlin: "My life, my rules."
Stussy sniffed. "Don't fall for her act, Dimon."
Dimon, internally: …I pour drinks, not drama.
Rocks laughed. "I don't have Fruits now, but I'll have plenty soon."
Money he had. Fruits—not yet. He didn't want scraps; common Fruits didn't interest him. But with a brewer onboard? Every Fruit was now a bottle of no-aging, no-dying leverage.
"Then come back when you have them," Dimon said, unhurried. Time meant little to an immortal.
Rocks lifted a finger, eyes flashing with that dangerous madness.
"Or—we go get them. Tell me, Dimon… who owns the most Devil Fruits?"
Dimon raised a brow. "You're planning to rob the Celestial Dragons."
Rocks' grin widened. "Those World Nobles hoard plenty. We're pirates. If we want something, we take it."
The Celestial Dragons—descendants of the twenty kings who formed the World Government eight hundred years ago.
Not bowing was a crime; eye contact was an insult. Brush a sleeve and a Marine Admiral might knock at your door.
"Good idea," Dimon said cheerfully. "Go on then. Bring back a lot, and I'll have the wine ready."
Rocks chuckled. "You joined us, Brewer. If we move, you move."
Who wants to sprint into Mary Geoise with you lunatics? Dimon rolled his eyes. He was immortal, sure, but his combat power was… bartender-level.
"I'm a brewer. I don't fight."
"Don't worry," Rocks rumbled. "I'll protect you. It's not that scary—most Dragons are useless."
Shiki cut in, grinning. "Gehahaha—air drop from above. Hit fast, run faster."
Spicy plan. Also the definition of "bad idea."
Gentlemen don't stand under crumbling walls—and Mary Geoise is all crumbling walls.
"Imu. The Gorosei. The Holy Knights," Dimon said flatly. "Most Dragons are trash, but the top echelons aren't."
Rocks actually blinked. "You know about Imu?"
Knowing the Gorosei and Holy Knights was normal: the former were public "highest authority," the latter rumored royal guardians.
But Imu? The king of the world, the Void Throne's shadow—kept so secret that even many Dragons had no idea.
A brewer who made immortality in a bottle… and knew hidden names. Interesting.
Rocks didn't pry. Instead: "Suggestions?"
"Don't storm the Holy Land. Kidnap a Dragon. Ask for ransom," Dimon said. "Less noise, more profit."
"Ransom, huh…" Rocks considered it—and liked the taste. He'd visited Mary Geoise once. He'd even said hello to Imu… and left in one piece by leaving fast. For now, he wasn't that monster's match.
"Then we do it," Rocks stood, hand out. "Come along, Dimon."
"Just… us?" Dimon glanced around. "The Rocks Pirates are more than this."
"Someone has to guard Hachinosu. We are enough."
In the end, Dimon went. He told Alfreda to mind the bar, then headed for the port with the monsters.
There, he saw their ship.
Saber of Xebec.
Bigger than most pirate vessels, the black sails bore ROCKS in bold, the O painted as a blood-red skull.
Under a hundred watchful eyes, the flagship cut loose and surged from Hachinosu, sails fat with wind—
—and a job that could either make legends… or start a war.
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