"Are you crazy?"
"No, no, this is just my personality. Isn't it cool to stay true to yourself, even in the middle of this chaotic sea?"
Rocco spoke as if he were talking about something completely ordinary. After all, this world had people who headbutt bells, pick their noses in public, or obsess over noodles.
So, what's one more eccentric pirate?
Kadun brushed past the lackeys and approached Jack. "How is he? What's his strength like?"
"He's not that much stronger than me—just a lot faster."
"Then it should be easy to deal with, right?"
"No, I mean I'm too slow!" Jack clarified.
He could sense the attack coming, his Observation Haki kicked in, and even his body moved to react—but it was just a split second too late.
He was simply too slow.
…
…
Speed was a weakness for both of them. Going up against someone who outclasses you in speed was like trying to win by playing into the opponent's strengths.
"So, what's the plan?" Kadun asked.
"Simple—you go in for close combat. I'll shoot from a distance."
"Got it."
"…Huh??" Kadun suddenly realized something was off. Wait a minute—wasn't he even slower than Jack?
Aside from navigation skills, Jack was probably better at everything.
"What do you mean 'huh'? Want me to be the bait while you finish him off?"
"Forget it. I can probably hold him off for five minutes. Do your best." Kadun shrugged, ready to risk it all for those five crucial minutes.
"Hey, hey! Are you two done talking? If so, hurry up and get over here already."
Rocco licked his lips and ordered his crew to scatter and raid the Chris, leaving himself behind to handle these two brats.
They were bold enough to charge in—clearly, they were the strongest ones on the ship.
"Here I come!"
Kadun stomped forward, each step propelling him faster. In the blink of an eye, his fist was already aiming for Rocco's face. All his strength poured into this one strike—but it hit nothing.
Rocco's body was already vanishing.
All that remained was an afterimage.
"Kid, you should be honored to die by the signature move of the great Rocco!"
Kadun's expression shifted dramatically at the voice behind him. He tried to use Soru again, but a sudden sharp pain flared in his back. He could feel it clearly—a long, deep gash torn across his spine.
Death loomed over him.
Rocco wasn't in a hurry to kill. He enjoyed playing with his prey, savoring the most beautiful note of all—despair in the face of fear.
Bang!
Just as Rocco moved in for a second strike, a gunshot rang out. Clang! The bullet struck the dagger in his hand with enough force to almost knock it from his grip.
Kadun seized the moment and escaped, and now the two of them had Rocco cornered.
"Two-on-one? Doesn't matter. A swarm of ants is still just ants."
Rocco remained calm and confident. Numbers meant nothing to him.
In response, five gunshots fired in rapid succession.
Each bullet targeted a different vital point—every one of them forced Rocco to react. He had no choice but to dodge or block.
And just then, Kadun leapt forward from who-knows-where with a steel rod, swinging it hard at Rocco's head.
The tide seemed to be turning. With attacks coming from six directions, even one hit could result in serious injury or worse.
But instead of panic, Rocvo's grin widened. He leaned backward unnaturally, dodging all five bullets in a single motion.
The steel rod came crashing down—only to slam into his head, now coated in Armament Haki.
CLANG!
The impact echoed across the ship. Kadun stared in disbelief at his weapon, now bent from the collision.
"What the hell? How's his head so hard?" he muttered, stunned. That rod was solid metal—and now it was warped.
Rocco rubbed his head as the Haki dissipated. "That was a nice hit. Felt great. Shame it was a bit weak."
"Guess you're the weakest of the two, huh? Then I'll start with you, my beautiful melody of pain!"
Jack's face changed instantly. "Kadun, watch out!"
Too late.
BOOM!
A devastating impact sent Kadun flying. His body skidded across the deck, leaving a long trail before slamming into the mast.
With a loud creak, the damaged mast collapsed.
Kadun pulled himself up from the wreckage. If not for the past six months of training, that single hit might've killed him. But he wasn't the same man he once was.
"Damn pirate... that actually hurt," Kadun clutched his chest. "But you'll need more than that!"
In an instant, Kadun vanished and reappeared beside Rocco. "You think I've shown you everything? You sneak-attacking, dishonorable bastard!"
His fist, as large as a sandbag, slammed straight into Rocco's face. The pirate's features twisted and warped under the blow.
This time, Rocvo didn't lean into it. He was hit.
"One clean shot! Jack, now! I can't hold this form much longer!"
Rocco had ambushed him earlier—now Kadun returned the favor.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Jack didn't hesitate. Three more shots fired. Rocco couldn't dodge in time—he took all three. While none struck a vital organ, they still tore through him.
Blood oozed from the wounds, quickly soaking his charred and curled clothing.
Rocco staggered up, dipped a finger in his own blood, and brought it to his lips.
"…So that's what my blood tastes like. It's been a long time. Not since I returned from the New World have I bled like this."
"You two little brats actually managed to wound me. Impressive."
"But it's a shame. Because this is where you die."
"Don't bluff. If you could kill us, you would've done it already."
Jack's calm tone seemed to sting deeply.
Rocco exploded with rage. "I may have lost to those monsters in the New World—but do you really think I'd lose to you pathetic whelps?!"
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
He roared like a wounded lion, trying to scare off the hunting dogs closing in. But all his strength was bluff now.
The two of them had the upper hand. It was only a matter of time.
Fifteen minutes later, Rocco lay sprawled on the deck, panting heavily, eyes blank as he stared up at the sky, lost in thought.
"So this is the guy you were fighting?" Weiss crouched at the bow, eyeing the defeated pirate.
Rocco turned his head toward the voice—and when he saw Weiss, his pupils shrank in terror.
"It's you… the Sword Demon!"
"Now it all makes sense," Weiss said, glancing at the wrecked deck. "You had the power to survive the New World, yet you came back to bully the weak in Paradise. Another failure, huh?"
"…???"
Weiss genuinely had no idea what the battered man on the deck was rambling about.
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