"Hey, Rocks, explain the rules properly! Don't just start fighting right away!"
At this moment, Fang Huo spoke up. He remembered that in the original timeline, Rocks had recruited the pirate Edward Newgate sometime within the eight years after wreaking havoc at the World Conference.
But it was clear that Newgate had always been very dissatisfied with Rocks.
In all probability, it was because Rocks had been too heavy-handed when he defeated Newgate's former Captain, Uharu, leading to Newgate's resentment.
It wasn't until the Hachinosu Island period and the God Valley Incident that Newgate began to truly acknowledge Rocks.
Right now, Newgate was just a combatant for the Whale Pirates, and he didn't care much for treasure.
He had always yearned for a family, and he sent all the treasure and supplies he received from the loot back to his hometown, Sphinx Island.
Even Captain Uharu had mocked Newgate for pursuing something as ethereal as family, saying it wasn't as reliable as treasure.
Now, with Fang Huo's appearance, the time of Newgate's recruitment was moved significantly forward, and Newgate's strength had not yet reached its peak.
Perhaps Newgate could become a true companion.
At the very least, he should become a good companion to Fang Huo.
After all, a guy like Rocks didn't value the bonds of companionship.
Otherwise, he couldn't exactly kill Edward Newgate just to seize the Tremor-Tremor Fruit Ability!
--- "Which pirate doesn't know about the Davy Back Fight game of the pirate world?"
Rocks snorted softly, but he still stopped his advance toward starting a direct war with Uharu.
He knew that if Fang Huo spoke like this, Fang Huo must have his reasons.
Perhaps Fang Huo saw a further future.
Pirates like Uharu and Newgate widened their eyes when they saw this little kid actually able to stop the actions of a demonic pirate like Rocks.
Even Rocks had to listen to this kid's advice?
"Captain Uharu, Edward Newgate, our Captain wants to play a Davy Back Fight with you. We hope you will follow the rules."
"Otherwise, I won't be able to stop the actions of this strongest Captain. After all, he's someone who even dares to kill a Marine Admiral!"
"Newgate, I believe you've already seen the signs. We indeed came for you!"
"Captain Uharu, we want to win Newgate. For Newgate's sake, we hope you'll give it your all, with the resolve to fight to the death, and have a grand battle with our Captain."
Fang Huo floated into the air and spoke to Uharu and Newgate, ignoring all the other pirates.
'As expected, they're here for me!'
Newgate frowned. To be honest, he was quite satisfied with the Whale Pirates right now and didn't want to leave them.
He had joined the Whale Pirates as a child, and he was a man of loyalty!
"You want Newgate?"
"I forfeit, I'll give Newgate to you!"
Uharu's face turned pale instantly. What 'resolve to fight to the death'? It was impossible for him to defeat Rocks.
He couldn't even beat a Marine Vice Admiral, let alone Rocks, who had killed a Marine Admiral!
"Newgate, please, save me..."
"Newgate, your strength is so great, you've long surpassed me. You should become a more famous Great Pirate."
Uharu pleaded with Newgate in a low voice, hoping Newgate wouldn't provoke a monster like Rocks.
Hearing his Captain's pleas, Newgate felt a pang in his heart. These pirate 'companions' he had spent years with were not true companions or family after all.
They were willing to'sell' him out so quickly!
"A Davy Back Fight means winning clearly and losing fairly! We will never violate the rules of the game."
"If Captain Uharu wins, you could have a super fighter like Rocks!"
"Aren't you tempted?"
"Alright, the rules have been explained. Let the game begin!"
"Newgate, do you have anything to add?"
To make Newgate more convinced, Fang Huo had kept the hot-tempered Rocks quiet for a long time.
If it weren't for Fang Huo, the 'Prophet', Rocks would have already resolved everything in his own combative way.
Edward Newgate wanted to object to the game, but Uharu's pleading eyes made him eventually close his mouth, tacitly accepting the rules.
Seeing that Newgate didn't vehemently object, Uharu let out a deep sigh of relief.
"I'll decide the competition event!"
"I want a Tug-of-war Match against Captain Rocks!!"
Uharu clearly knew the rules of the Davy Back Fight as well, and he was the first to propose an event.
To avoid physical contact with a monster like Rocks, he didn't even dare suggest arm wrestling, fearing Rocks would snap his arm off.
As for dangerous competitions like boxing, swordsmanship, or shooting, it was even more impossible for him to suggest them!
He didn't want to be killed by Rocks!
"What! Tug-of-war?"
Rocks was very dissatisfied; he had wanted to have some real fun with Uharu.
And it turned out to be such a simple children's game?
"That's right!"
"If you win, you can take Newgate, my pirate flag, and even me!"
"But if I win, I hope Captain Rocks will become my first mate!"
Uharu knew he couldn't win, but he still used reverse psychology, hoping Rocks would quickly agree to this Tug-of-war Match.
"Hmph! You think you can beat me! Then bring it on!"
Rocks accepted Uharu's game. Anyway, his initial goal was just to snatch Edward Newgate.
Soon, a serious tug-of-war game began!
Even the two Fishmen, Babel and Sanbel, were very excited. They didn't know such games existed between pirates.
If you wanted a strong person, you just had to win them through battle.
Newgate's mood was not good!
He hated others controlling his fate, and he was even more dissatisfied with Captain Uharu for treating him like an object.
"Newgate, there's actually no need for this. Perhaps leaving the Whale Pirates will give you a better future."
"What's the point of a life spent robbing and dividing treasure every day?"
"The family you want is not in the Whale Pirates!"
"If you don't mind, you can call me 'Big Brother.' I'm 20 this year, two years older than you!"
At this time, Fang Huo floated to Edward Newgate's side and spoke to the young giant.
The current Newgate was an adult, over 6 meters tall, almost reaching his peak height of 6.66 meters.
"Murder and Arson Koyuki Fang Huo, with a bounty of 80 million Berries. Did you really kill the King and General in Cang Country, kill countless soldiers, and set fire to the capital of Cang Country?"
Newgate gave Fang Huo a cold look, seemingly unimpressed by him.
"I only killed the enemies who destroyed my village. As for the arson, that was Rocks' doing."
"I believe you also hate all the enemies who destroyed your hometown, Newgate."
Fang Huo didn't deny the fact that he had killed the King and General of Cang Country, and he even brought the situation of Newgate's hometown into the conversation.
He wanted Newgate to recall the feeling of having his hometown destroyed.
"..."
Sure enough, the look in Newgate's eyes when he looked at Fang Huo changed instantly. They were both just pitiful people with no family and destroyed hometowns.
Seeking revenge for one's family and hometown was not something to be hated.
They were not wrong; what was wrong was this world!
This damned heavenly tribute system meant that non-Member Nations and weak countries didn't deserve peace, and the poor and commoners didn't deserve a stable life with enough food.
On the playing field, in just one move, Rocks yanked the rope and pulled Uharu over, sending him flying backward to crash into a large pit.
"worororo! I won! I want your Whale Pirates' Edward Newgate!"
---