Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters below the sea!
In the dim Fish-Man District.
On the dilapidated streets, Rocks was knocking down many powerful Fishmen with a single punch each.
The boss of the Fish-Man District in this era was none other than the Catfish Fishman, Babel.
His hair surged like rising flames.
Under Rocks' formidable martial prowess, Babel was completely beaten into submission and forced to join the Rocks Pirates.
At this moment, Fang Huo was floating outside the battlefield, while all the other soul worms had returned to his soul.
The moonlight gu had turned into a faint blue crescent moon mark on Fang Huo's forehead.
The Gravity Gu had turned into a purple tiger-shaped tattoo on his arm.
Furthermore, under the power of the Moonlight-Moonlight Fruit, Fang Huo's black hair could turn silver.
This silver hair, combined with the crescent mark, gave him a bit of Sesshomaru's cold and detached vibe.
Fang Huo floated in the air, watching Rocks display his great power, before finally looking at a young Fishman's figure.
Doesn't this guy look a bit like that Fishman Sanbel from the Roger Pirates!
To become an elite crew member of the Roger Pirates, his strength should be pretty good!
Babel, Sanbel... interesting, very interesting~
Poaching talent starts now!
"Hey, is your name Sanbel? Are you interested in living on the surface and bathing in real sunlight, just like your boss Babel?"
"See that? That guy is the most evil pirate with a bounty of 3,811,540,000 Berries, the world's strongest pirate, who even took down a Marine Admiral!"
Fang Huo pulled out Rocks' wanted poster, using it directly as a grand recruitment sign.
"What! 3.81154 billion Berries?"
"He took down an Admiral?"
Following Fang Huo's shouting, a noisy and heated discussion immediately broke out in the Fish-Man District.
In the Ryugu Kingdom, the King and Prince Neptune, upon hearing that the most evil pirate Rocks had entered Fish-Man Island, were blocked in the palace by the Ministers of the Left and Right, not allowed to leave.
Fang Huo raised Rocks' banner, and the effect was immediate.
A significant number of powerful Fishmen, longing for sunlight and freedom, wanted to join the Rocks Pirates.
However, apart from Babel, Rocks didn't take an interest in those weakling Fishmen.
Even Sanbel, whom Fang Huo personally recruited, was a bit weak in Rocks' eyes and not qualified to board the ship.
But ultimately, at Fang Huo's insistence, Rocks allowed Sanbel to join.
And so, Babel and Sanbel from the Fish-Man District officially became members under Rocks' command.
Under the guidance of the two, Fang Huo and Rocks arrived at the Sea Forest and saw the two poneglyphs, one red and one gray.
"Fang Huo, do we really have to take this red poneglyph? Wouldn't a rubbing be enough?"
Hearing that Fang Huo wanted to take the red poneglyph away, Rocks found it a bit of a nuisance.
He didn't want this big rock sitting on his gibecks sword.
"..."
"Fine, fine, if we're not taking it, we're not taking it. Let's just make a few more rubbings!"
Since the Captain was unwilling to take it, Fang Huo had to temporarily drop the idea.
In the future, once he had the storage ability of the Castle-Castle Fruit, he would come back for it.
Rocks and Fang Huo, who were not short on money, took Babel and Sanbel—those two paupers from the Fish-Man District—and enjoyed themselves on Fish-Man Island for a few days, spending money lavishly.
Only then did they reluctantly leave Fish-Man Island.
Sent off by countless Fishman thugs from the Fish-Man District, the Rocks Pirates left the deep sea and headed for the New World.
Shortly after, as the gibecks sword burst through the sea surface.
The first to cheer was the young Fishman Sanbel; this was truly his first time leaving Fish-Man Island.
On the other hand, Babel, the boss of the Fish-Man District, had once quietly visited the Sabaody Archipelago to take a look.
"I will definitely make a name for myself in the future and become a Great Pirate that makes the World Government tremble with fear!"
Babel shouted excitedly; he also wanted to become a big figure like Rocks.
Even if he couldn't kill a Marine Admiral, he at least wanted to be able to trade dozens of blows with one!
"worororo! This is a good start!"
"Fang Huo, where are we going next!!"
"Let's see which guy is closest to recruit first!"
Rocks began picking up a large stack of bounty posters, checking which of those destined Executives were currently making a living in the early stages of the New World.
"Can Vice Captain Fang Huo really see the future?"
Under Fang Huo's bluffing, Sanbel really did call Fang Huo the Vice Captain.
"Sanbel, I told you Fang Huo isn't the first mate. There is no first mate on my ship. Whoever is stronger gets to share more of the spoils."
Rocks glared at the cunning Fang Huo; he actually dared to fool the newcomer.
"Captain Rocks, but even you are asking for Fang Huo's opinion."
Although Babel didn't call Fang Huo the Vice Captain, seeing Rocks' attitude, wasn't Fang Huo essentially the second-in-command on the ship?
And the ability to predict the future is so powerful! So mysterious!
"Hmph! Regardless, there is no first mate on this ship!"
Rocks gave a light snort, but he didn't deny Fang Huo's importance.
"Hehe, if not Vice Captain, then call me the chief strategist!"
Fang Huo gave Sanbel a satisfied look; authority is something that can be established through subtle influence.
"Next, let's go find that Whale Pirates group! That guy Edward Newgate, Whale Uharle can't handle him."
"They just happen to be in the early stages of the New World!"
"Of course, we also need to inquire about information on Shui Gu Town."
"Captain Rocks, the plan is set. Please give the order!"
Fang Huo spoke casually, but in the end, he still gave Rocks, the Captain, plenty of face.
"worororo! Then charge! Let's snatch our next partner!"
Rocks shouted in excitement, and everyone on the ship cheered.
---Under Rocks' immense strength, the harsh weather of the New World was simply not a problem.
If they didn't have a Permanent Log Pose, they'd steal one!
If they didn't have information, they'd buy it from the underground dark world!
With a clear goal, the Rocks group soon found the Whale Pirates, who were plundering treasures in the early stages of the New World.
"worororo, Whale Uharle, let's have a Davy Back Fight between pirates!"
The moment the two pirate crews met, Rocks sensed Edward Newgate's powerful aura.
This guy was definitely stronger than the Captain, Whale Uharle.
This year, Edward Newgate was only 18 years old, and his iconic white beard hadn't grown in yet.
At this time, his blonde hair was wrapped in a bandana, and he wore a simple vest, revealing knotted muscles.
Sensing Rocks' terrifying aura, he was equally shocked.
He had never encountered such a powerful monster!
"The most evil pirate! Rocks!!"
When Uharu saw Rocks clearly, he was instantly scared out of his wits.
What right did he have to be sought out by this strongest pirate with a bounty of 3.81154 billion Berries!
"Lord Rocks, whether you want treasures or the pirate flag, or even me, just please don't kill me!"
Whale Uharle, dressed in a pirate Captain's outfit, surrendered instantly, not daring to fight Rocks at all.
Besides, if he could join Rocks' command, it didn't seem so bad.
"worororo, you think you can become my subordinate? Too weak!"
"The things I take an interest in, I'll snatch myself!"
Rocks stuck out his large tongue and licked his lips, his eyes fixed on the strongest pirate of the Whale Pirates, Edward Newgate!
Newgate was startled by Rocks' burning gaze.
Could it be that this most evil pirate, who killed a Marine Admiral, was targeting him?
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