"Is that the extent of your ability? Brat!"
Rocks glanced at the people affected by York's power, a look of scrutiny and evaluation in his eyes.
"Of course not!"
York responded with a smile. From his clasped hands, he separated one palm and extended it forward.
Holy white light condensed in his palm, and suddenly, several tentacles made of light shot out, winding towards Rocks, Whitebeard, Stussy, and Kaido.
The first two showed no intention of dodging. The latter two hesitated for a split second, and in the end, failed to dodge in time.
Moreover, Rocks and Whitebeard actively reached out and grabbed the tentacles released by York. Stussy and Kaido couldn't manage that, but they only allowed one of their arms to be entangled by the white light tentacles.
The next second, the expressions of the four people—who had previously shown no reaction under the Holy Light—changed simultaneously.
A shy blush surfaced on their faces. Rocks and Whitebeard shouted sternly at the same time, their Armament Haki erupting as they forcibly crushed the tentacles they were holding.
However, even though they shattered York's tentacles, they couldn't immediately calm their bodies' reactions. Both of them blushed and slightly hunched their backs.
Stussy and Kaido fared worse; they couldn't actively break free from the entanglement. In the end, it was York who voluntarily retracted the tentacles.
Like the others affected by York's ability, Kaido hunched over with a flushed face and couldn't help but complain, "This ability... is truly in bad taste!"
Stussy didn't curse at York. Her beautiful face was flushed with a charming redness. She pressed her long, slender, well-rounded legs together, turned her beautiful sapphire-like eyes, and looked affectionately at Whitebeard.
"Newgate~~"
Whitebeard took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, calming the strange sensations in his body, but he gave Stussy no response.
Seeing this scene, a strange glint flashed in York's eyes. His gaze then locked onto Stussy, his tongue slightly extending to lick his lips lightly.
"Wohahaha! Your ability is actually pretty good!"
From the main seat of the hall, Rocks, with his black and white hair, laughed boisterously.
"I approve! From today on, you are the second apprentice of the Rocks Pirates!"
"Just an apprentice?"
York turned his head to glance at Kaido, who was still hunched over.
If they were to fight seriously right now, Kaido couldn't even break free from the tentacles he released, let alone handle direct physical contact.
After all, the usage method of his Happy-Happy Fruit was modeled after the Love-Love Fruit (Mero Mero no Mi).
Not only could it cover a large area with Universal Holy Light and strike precisely with Holy Light Tentacles, but it could also be applied in Taijutsu (hand-to-hand combat).
Furthermore, the intensity of the ability's effect when activated through direct physical contact was at least three times stronger than the Holy Light Tentacles!
"Well, it doesn't matter. I'm here to learn from experience anyway."
Several minutes later.
The people in the hall who had been affected by the ability gradually recovered.
The gazes they cast toward the new member, York, were not as pure as Rocks'.
Wariness, bloodlust, curiosity, greed, malice!
They didn't look at York as a comrade at all. It was more like they had discovered a natural predator, a fun toy, and... a peerless treasure!
York noticed that among all those gazes filled with undisguised malice, the guy with the triple chin and a tongue forked like a snake had the most fiery look in his eyes—and also the one that disgusted York the most.
"Hey! Kaido!"
Rocks' voice interrupted York's observation of the others.
"You're a senior now! Take the rookie to arrange his living quarters and explain the crew's rules while you're at it!"
"Yes!"
Kaido, having recovered, agreed and turned to lead York out of the hall.
"Our pirate crew's rules are very simple! There is only one!"
"Admit that you are a member of the Rocks Pirates!"
"There are no other restrictions."
York nodded slightly, while the image of that triple-chinned guy resurfaced in his mind.
York wasn't very familiar with that guy before he transmigrated, but after transmigrating, his name was thunderous to the ears!
The Pirate Boss, Wang Zhi!
In the original story, after the God Valley Incident where the Rocks Pirates fell apart, he was the man who occupied Hachinosu for decades.
York wasn't sure what role he played in the God Valley Incident, but since he ended up occupying Hachinosu, it likely wasn't a very honorable one.
Of course, members of the Rocks Pirates backstabbing each other was a specialty of this crew. Wang Zhi wasn't the only one he needed to guard against, but York temporarily raised his vigilance priority for him to the highest level.
The night passed without incident.
York, who thought he would be attacked in his sleep, did not encounter any assaults.
The next day.
Another new member joined the Rocks Pirates.
His name was Xiong. He wore sunglasses with an "X" pattern on the lenses and had a giant "Fierce" (Xiong) character tattooed on his left chest.
His title was "Gangster Killer," and he was said to be the rival of the current Golden Lion Shiki.
This new member's method of joining was similar to York's, except he had forcibly fought and killed his way up from the foot of the mountain.
Plus, his fierce reputation had been known for a long time, and he was older and more mature.
Therefore, Rocks directly gave him the position of an Officer in the pirate crew.
For the next few days, York lived peacefully on the island, familiarizing himself with everything there. No other new members joined.
Until one day, Rocks suddenly went crazy and summoned everyone. Then, with two loud booms, he punched two large holes resembling eyes into the fish-shaped mountain.
"Look! This view! This scenery!! I told you we needed to punch some holes! Don't you agree?!"
York didn't know what Rocks was planning, so he stood quietly beside Kaido, waiting for what was to come.
Seeing that everyone was present and their attention was focused on him, Rocks began his formal speech.
"Simply put, there are two Devil Fruits I want to get!!"
"One of them is likely in Elbaf!"
"That one must be eaten by Harald for its true power to be unleashed!!"
Before he could finish, John, the man with pale purple hair, suddenly interjected: "Also, you're looking for the [Great Mallet Corps]. I've heard their legends..."
Charlotte Linlin: "I used my own intelligence network to search. I haven't seen any frozen giant army anywhere."
Whitebeard: "Even if they really exist, they'd be corpses by now."
Streusen: "Indeed, it's impossible for them to resurrect."
"Shut up, all of you!! I'm talking about dreams here!!"
Rocks roared in anger, but the others completely ignored him.
The only Fishman member of the crew, Babel, continued to interrupt Rocks' speech.
"Besides, even if they came back to life, there's no reason for them to obey your orders!"
Rocks: "That is exactly why I need the power of the current King of Elbaf, Harald!!"
Kaido then chimed in: "Can't we just crush them with strength? That guy named Harald, if we just beat him into the ground, won't he behave and listen?"
"Stop thinking like that! You bastard!!"
Rocks, whose speech had been constantly interrupted, kicked Kaido in the face, venting all his anger on him.
"Stop it! Rocks!!"
Charlotte Linlin roared immediately.
Kaido, who had been kicked flying, charged back in anger. Just as he was about to retaliate, he saw that everyone had drawn their weapons. Even York had released Holy Light Tentacles in his palm. The atmosphere instantly became tense, swords drawn and bows bent.
"You..."
Furious, Kaido wanted to curse. Why was it fine for others to interrupt, but he got beaten up for it?!
Seeing this, Charlotte Linlin sighed lightly and advised Kaido: "Kaido, you too, stop it!"
Golden Lion Shiki warned everyone directly: "It took a hell of a lot of effort to get this island. Do you want to turn it into ruins? Even if this team is going to fall apart soon, there's no need for this!!"
Hearing this, everyone slowly sheathed their weapons. John also took the opportunity to smooth things over.
"How about this? Let's wait until we rake in a few more scores before we do it? Horned rookie!"
Kaido was still somewhat indignant, but he didn't dare to make any rash moves easily.
"Harald is my friend!! If you dare spout nonsense again, I'll destroy you! Kaido!!"
Rocks gave a serious warning and then continued his speech:
"Listen well, all of you!!"
"Elbaf is a critical key to overthrowing the Holy Land!!"
"If anyone doesn't believe it, get the hell out right now!!"
"Whether you follow me on the Day of Destiny or not is up to you!!"
"But! If you've made up your mind, then join me in causing an uproar!!"
"I will definitely make you see the pinnacle of the world!!!"
After finishing his impassioned speech, Rocks finally felt satisfied. The others also seemed slightly entranced by the grand picture Rocks had painted.
Seeing the expressions of the crew—who appeared nonchalant on the surface but were actually shaken inside—Rocks became increasingly satisfied.
But at this moment, the newcomer York, who had been silent and had joined not long ago, suddenly spoke up.
"If you are looking for the frozen giant army, I might know their approximate location!"
As soon as these words came out, the eyes of the entire Rocks Pirates collectively focused on York.