"Why did my epithet change!"
Sunbell, who had always wanted to be a hero of Fish-Man Island, saw his nickname changed to "Tidal Sea Demon" and was filled with fury and grievance.
He didn't want to become a demon!
This title was even more terrifying than Babel's "Deep Sea Titan."
He didn't know how the clans of Fish-Man Island and the Fish-Man District would view him if he was a demon!
"Tch, and you think you deserve the title of 'Sea Knight'?"
"Why don't you take a look at your crazed face when you destroyed those warships, and your ruthless heart when you killed those Marine officers!"
The resentment in "Silver Axe" Fierce's tone was even thicker than Sunbell's.
Back during the Black Hand Pirate Island incident, his bounty had been second only to Rocks's, making him the crew's Number Two.
But now, thanks to their Devil Fruit powers, Fang Huo, Newgate, and Shiki had all surpassed him in bounty.
He had now fallen to Number Five in the Rocks Pirates.
How come Fang Huo, Newgate, and Shiki each got a 300-million-Berry raise, while even Babel and Sunbell got 200 million, yet he alone only got 100 million!
They were looking down on him, "Silver Axe" Fierce!
He would remember this humiliation!
Next time, he'd make them pay!
"Jihahaha! You loser who couldn't even kill a Marine Vice Admiral!"
"Golden Lion" Shiki winked and mocked "Silver Axe" Fierce.
In this war, besides destroying four or five warships each, they all had Marine Vice Admiral blood on their hands.
That was why their bounties shot up!
"Silver Axe" Fierce had only managed to kill a few Marine officers, just like Babel and Sunbell.
So now, he no longer deserved to sit at the same table as them.
He, Fang Huo, and Newgate were the Rocks Pirates' "Three Giants"!
"You're asking for death!"
"Silver Axe" Fierce and "Golden Lion" Shiki glared at each other, the former itching to swing his giant axe and kill the bastard!
Fang Huo's face darkened as he read the newspapers and wanted posters.
"Great Demon Venerable" Koyuki Fang Huo, Paramecia Gravity-Gravity Fruit user: Bounty 680 million Berries.
"Whitebeard" Newgate, Paramecia Tremor-Tremor Fruit user: Bounty 646 million Berries.
The World Government had actually altered Fang Huo's title; "Murder and Arson" no longer captured his cruelty and evil.
He wondered if the World Government had learned in the Kingdom of Ying that Fang Huo called himself the "Great Love Immortal Venerable," and maliciously twisted it into "Great Demon Venerable."
"Great Demon Venerable?"
"Let me find out which bastard changed that title!"
"Or I'll make him wish he were dead!"
Fang Huo's voice was icy; he hated the infamy—how could he become a benevolent immortal later?
"Worororo, what a domineering title—even cooler than mine!"
Rocks shouted exaggeratedly; his own bounty and title hadn't changed.
He felt "Great Demon Venerable" sounded even more awesome than "World's Worst Pirate"!
"Gurarara, surpassing Charlotte Linlin's bounty will be easy!"
"Fang Huo, your 'small goal' is indeed tiny!"
Newgate gulped wine and laughed heartily, clearly in a great mood.
Whether obtaining the Supreme Grade blade or the bounty spike, he was thrilled.
After the Omaha Sea Battle, he realized he seemed to have awakened Conqueror's Haki.
It was truly three blessings at once!
"Now that Newgate has awakened Conqueror's Haki and Shiki's on the verge, you'd better work hard, Fang Huo!"
"Or you'll be overtaken and left behind by them!"
Rocks was equally pleased; his subordinates' potential was immense—more battles like this were needed!
"Jihahaha! I'll definitely surpass Fang Huo!!"
"Golden Lion" Shiki was ambitious; he planned to recruit Fang Huo in the future, so he had to be stronger!
When Rocks fell and the crew disbanded, he'd snatch Fang Huo as his First Mate and conquer the world together!
"Gurarara, next small goal: a bounty higher than Fang Huo's!"
Newgate laughed; setting and achieving such small goals felt great.
"Hmph!"
Fang Huo was equally annoyed.
He wished he could awaken the Three Types of Haki right now, but his cells and physique hadn't fully adapted to this world's unique constitution.
Still, during the Omaha Sea Battle, he had harvested plenty of elite Marine blood.
In his quest for strength, he was indeed acting somewhat demonic.
The World Government and Marine Headquarters calling him "Great Demon Venerable" wasn't unreasonable.
But for power, he had long since crushed any kindness or guilt in his heart!
In this world, no one is innocent—only the strong prey on the weak!
If one day Imu and the Five Elders kill him, he'll have no complaint—only lament that he wasn't strong enough.
That is the law of this world!
"Fang Huo, I'll take you to find the Kurozumi siblings later—just tell me now whether I can get a fitting famous sword in the future, and what its name is!"
Shiki floated beside Fang Huo, nudging his shoulder with a sly grin.
For his own benefit, two former partners were nothing—sell them and be done!
"Oto! Kogarashi!"
Fang Huo had long noticed Shiki's shift and knew the ambition in his heart.
So he stopped stringing him along!
This unruly "Golden Lion" would owe him at least seven-tenths of a favor later on.
That was almost equivalent to following Fang Huo's "suggestions" and "guidance."
Outright orders were impossible—after all, Shiki possessed kingly potential and refused to bow to anyone.
But Fang Huo could guide their wills in the direction he desired.
Now Rocks, Newgate, and Shiki more or less heeded Fang Huo's opinions and advice.
"Jihahaha, Fang Huo, I acknowledge you as my partner!"
"Golden Lion" Shiki grinned; he'd finally gotten the info he wanted, and more importantly, established cooperation with Fang Huo.
Digging him over later would be much easier.
He also wanted to know the secrets of the three Ancient Weapons!
"Rocks, am I really without kingly potential!"
"Silver Axe" Fierce, hearing that Shiki—whom he used to chase around—was about to awaken Conqueror's Haki, felt indignant.
Why?!
"As of now, you don't."
Rocks glanced indifferently at Fierce and answered bluntly, paying no heed to his feelings.
"Jihahaha!! People's talents differ."
"Fierce! Watch how I leave you in the dust!"
"Golden Lion" Shiki laughed wildly; he no longer considered Fierce a rival.
Newgate and Rocks were his new targets.
"Damn it!! I challenge you to a duel!"
"Silver Axe" Fierce was furious; even without Conqueror's potential, he'd still become a mighty force on these seas!
"Once I get Oto and Kogarashi, I'll shatter your Silver Axe!"
Shiki floated in the air, unafraid of Fierce's challenge, even glancing at Rocks and Fang Huo to see if he could borrow the Saber of Xebec and the Seven Star Demon Sword.