The bombshell news that the Rocks Pirates had wiped out the Wang Zhi Pirates spread like wildfire.
The Great Pirate Wang Zhi, hailed as the "Pirate Patriarch," had been defeated and killed by a mere officer of the Rocks Pirates—Rocks himself never even lifted a finger.
Once again, the world witnessed the terrifying might of the Rocks Pirates.
The landmark terrain now dominating Paradise Island had been forged by the Rocks Pirates' own "Great Demon Venerable" Fang Huo and "Golden Lion" Shiki.
"Whitebeard" Newgate had split the island in two with a single punch, carving out a natural harbor that turned Paradise Island into a booming hub.
The new strait allowed countless pirate ships to sail straight into the heart of the island, making Paradise Island more prosperous than ever.
From the center of Paradise Island, Rocks openly declared himself the "Overlord of the New World!"
He vowed to welcome any Great Pirate of the New World who dared to challenge or spar with him.
This newest title—"World's Worst Pirate"—sent crushing pressure rippling through the New World's notorious buccaneers.
The title "Overlord of the New World" left no room for doubt as to his ambition.
Rocks aimed to become the undisputed sovereign of the New World.
Though many Great Pirates seethed with resentment, none dared set foot on Paradise Island to face the monster known as Rocks.
After all, a creature capable of killing an Admiral was simply too terrifying.
Then came Rocks's proclamation: the Rocks Pirates would recruit affiliated crews to serve under them.
The announcement detonated across the New World.
Was the Overlord finally preparing to expand his power in earnest?
Countless pirate crews eager to ride his coattails surged toward Paradise Island, desperate to join the Rocks Pirates.
Meanwhile, plenty of up-and-coming crews simply wanted a glimpse of the Rocks Pirates' mighty officers.
They refused to believe Rocks could slaughter every crew unwilling to bend the knee.
Armadas of pirates flooded Paradise Island, turning it into a bustling metropolis within days.
The World Government and Marine Headquarters felt the Rocks Pirates' colossal threat looming larger than ever.
The notorious names of the Rocks officers spread just as rapidly.
Even the lowest-ranked among them—"Tidal Sea Demon" Sunbell and "Gourmet Knight" Streusen—gained devoted fans.
Fish-men and chefs everywhere revered them.
Securing a place among such monsters was proof enough of their strength.
"Deep Sea Titan" Babel and "Silver Axe" Fierce could fight Wang Zhi to a standstill—no small feat.
"Golden Lion" Shiki and "Iron Balloon" Charlotte Linlin even gained the upper hand against him.
"Whitebeard" Newgate was stronger still, flattening Wang Zhi in a single move—utterly monstrous.
And the man who personally slew the "Pirate Patriarch": the Rocks Pirates' First Mate, "Great Demon Venerable" Fang Huo.
With his stunning looks, sinister charisma, overwhelming power, and dazzling abilities, he became the crew's top celebrity.
His wanted poster became a must-have collectible for lady pirates and beauties across the Four Seas.
Fang Huo received sacks of love letters from around the world—much to Shiki and Fierce's irritation.
They couldn't fathom why women swooned over the pretty boy instead of burly warriors like them.
Perhaps the World Government no longer wished to fuel Rocks's notoriety.
After the Battle of Paradise Island, neither the World Government nor Marine Headquarters updated the crew's bounties.
By rights, wiping out the Wang Zhi Pirates should have sent their bounties skyrocketing.
High above the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Saint Saturn of the Five Elders seethed at the CP0 agent's failure.
After all, Koyuki Fang Huo was a target Imu had personally marked for capture.
Now, even their valuable pawn, Wang Zhi, had been eliminated.
Bribing a Great Pirate had never been easy.
Most were famously unruly, lawless, and openly contemptuous of the World Government.
Wang Zhi had been a rare find—greedy for gold and women.
This setback forced Saint Saturn to scheme anew against Fang Huo.
He dared not face Imu's wrath.
The God's Knights fared no better in their own search.
They still hadn't discovered which ocean Rocks hailed from.
Rocks seemed to have appeared out of thin air.
No trace of his past could be found.
Even the vast intelligence networks of the World Government and Marines drew a blank.
Which could only mean Rocks came from a non-member nation.
An island beyond the World Government's reach.
Even the underworld had no record of him.
Before the World Conference, no merchant or pirate had ever encountered him.
Which suggested another crucial point.
Rocks's homeland had never even brushed against the underworld.
Following these clues, the God's Knights could only comb obscure non-member islands.
They did scour Guyue Village—Fang Huo's birthplace—multiple times.
But they found no one else like him.
With Guyue Village destroyed by the Kingdom of Cang, their leads on Fang Huo were almost nil.
Somewhere in the New World.
The gold-armored "Smuggler" Ganzi spotted the Rocks Pirates' headlines and saw only profit.
He ordered his smuggling fleet loaded with cargo and set sail for the bustling Paradise Island.
He meant to strike it rich in the island's booming markets.
Becoming a subordinate crew never crossed his mind.
Why serve under someone when you can be your own boss?
His passion was gold, not bloodshed.
Yet, a partnership with Paradise Island would open a steady stream of income.
In another stretch of sea.
Up-and-coming crews like the Bolo Pirates and Bastard Pirates swarmed toward Paradise Island for a taste of the action.
If they kept a low profile, the big shots would never notice them.
"'Whitebeard' Newgate—so young, yet already so strong."
For some reason, Bolo Gram took an immediate liking to "Whitebeard" Newgate.
He sensed Newgate would make a trustworthy friend.
Perhaps even the kind you'd entrust your children to.
"The Rocks Pirates seem to be missing a sniper..."
"Four-Armed Gun King" Kiel Bastard, four translucent ghosts drifting beside him, weighed whether to keep going solo or join Rocks as an affiliate.
Or maybe even aim for an officer's seat.
Joining the Rocks Pirates might be a smart move.
Of course, letting Rocks "recruit" him would boost his fame even more.
But ending up like Wang Zhi—suddenly dead—would be a poor joke.