Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, it was already the third day since Roldy had joined the Rocks Pirates.
At dusk, Roldy made his way to the food district of Hachinosu. Entering a tavern, he ordered a jug of rum and enough food for ten men, then began devouring it without restraint.
The pirates inside the tavern couldn't help but stare.
"That's him, right? The guy from the rumors?"
"That distinctive ring of Mink fur—has to be! Nineteen challengers in two days. Every single one killed without mercy."
"Are Marines all like that? I heard yesterday he tore some idiot's head clean off. Absolute psychopath."
"Keep your voice down! You got a death wish? At this rate, the Seventh Division Commander seat is already his. You've got how many heads to risk insulting a monster like that?"
The murmurs didn't escape Roldy 's ears.
Though he was now a pirate, he still felt no goodwill toward these men. Combined with his need to establish authority, it resulted in ruthless methods.
And it worked.
At the very least, no one dared provoke him today.
After finishing his meal, Roldy stood and left—without paying.
The tavern owner merely smiled obsequiously, never daring to mention money.
The sky darkened gradually. A faint moon appeared on the horizon.
Roldy had no intention of returning early. He found a seat outside, lit a cigar, and leaned back.
The pirates who had been gathered nearby scattered as if avoiding the plague.
As the rich, spicy smoke rolled down his throat, his mood eased slightly.
Leaving Marine Headquarters had not been painless. He had spent seven years there.
But there was no turning back now.
He inhaled deeply. The thick cigar burned down rapidly, smoke curling upward like a dragon.
"Come out."
He didn't even turn around.
From the dark alley behind him, ten fierce-looking pirates emerged.
They varied in size. Their weapons were diverse. But their purpose was the same.
"Sharp senses. No wonder they call you 'Rampaging' Fite Roldy ! But a mere Marine Vice Admiral daring to claim the Seventh Division Commander seat? You're overreaching!"
A bald brute stepped forward, gripping a spiked club, murderous intent in his eyes.
Their objective was obvious.
His head.
In their minds, what strength could a former Marine Vice Admiral possibly have? The rumors had to be exaggerated. If a Marine became their commander, how would they save face?
"I'm in a hurry. All of you at once. I've got sleep to catch."
Roldy didn't take them seriously.
The Rocks Pirates truly hid monsters among them—many with bounties exceeding 100 million Berries. A few among this group were at that level.
But so what?
He had killed more than he could count.
The clash erupted.
It began suddenly—and ended just as abruptly.
When Roldy tore the bald leader clean in half with brutal force, terror and regret finally appeared in the man's wide eyes.
Too late.
Roldy casually tossed the corpse aside.
He finished the last drag of his cigar. A dark sheen of Armament Haki coated the remaining stub. With a flick of his fingers, he shot it toward a distant rooftop like a bullet.
Bang!
The cigar was smashed aside midair by a club.
Roldy remained where he stood, gazing at the towering figure before him—taller even than himself.
His brows lifted slightly.
"The Rocks Pirates' super rookie… the strongest apprentice. Kaido."
"Wororororo! Didn't expect someone like you to know my name, Marine Vice Admiral Roldy !"
A pair of curved horns gleamed under the moonlight.
Kaido stood over seven meters tall, gripping his massive kanabo, eyes full of provocation.
"A mere apprentice with a 560 million Berry bounty? Hard not to know you. So—you're here for my head too?"
This time, Roldy grew serious.
Kaido was different.
Despite having the option to join any Division Commander and secure a vice-commander position, he still bore the title of apprentice.
As a member of the Oni race, Kaido's strength was unquestionable. Even in his youth, he had been the strongest warrior of a kingdom. He was proficient in both Armament Haki and Observation Haki, and rumors claimed he possessed Conqueror's Haki as well.
His body and raw strength were monstrous.
This was the strongest challenger Roldy had faced since arriving on Hachinosu.
"Getting a Division Commander seat would be nice—but that's not what I'm after. I just want to see how strong the so-called monster really is!"
Battlelust ran in Kaido's blood.
Without hesitation, he attacked.
Despite his massive frame, his speed was explosive. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Roldy , swinging his kanabo downward at his head.
"Thunder Bagua!"
Roldy felt the overwhelming Haki infused into the strike.
His own battle instincts ignited.
A twisted, feverish grin spread across his face.
His left arm became fully coated in Armament Haki as he raised it to block.
The collision erupted in blinding sparks.
Their monstrous strength clashed head-on.
The Oni were born with immense power. And Kaido was an anomaly even among them.
But—
Roldy , too, possessed natural monstrous strength. Mink blood and Giant blood flowed through his veins.
To Kaido's shock—
He was being pushed back in a pure contest of strength.
"The weaklings earlier were boring! But you… you're barely worth getting serious for!"
A flash of red glinted in Roldy 's eyes.
With a burst of force from his left arm, he knocked Kaido's kanabo aside.
His right fist tightened.
Like a cannonball, it slammed into Kaido's abdomen.
Even Kaido's iron-hard abdominal muscles warped under the impact. A transparent shockwave blasted out from his back.
Kaido felt a sharp, explosive pain. His massive body bent forward like a cooked shrimp.
But that punch—
Was only the beginning.
Fists rained down like a storm.
Each strike, coated in powerful Armament Haki, battered Kaido relentlessly. His eyes rolled back under the ferocious assault.
This beating—
Would be one Kaido would never forget.
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