Chapter 4#

Rocks, noticing something was amiss, acted just before the explosion reached the hall. Thick black smoke billowed out, blocking the incoming flames and quickly engulfing them. As the smoke dissipated, Charlotte Linlin was revealed, looking only slightly singed with no significant injuries.

Prometheus, now a bit scared, dared not look at Linlin.

"You... This bastard!" Charlotte Linlin glared at Uchiha Madara, fuming with embarrassment over how he had used her own move against her.

"How is this possible? That was Charlotte Linlin's best move, and it was actually bounced back!"

"Indeed, the power of those flames was immense."

Pirates in the distance murmured, astonished. Uchiha Madara turned to them and asked, "Can this be considered fire?"

While speaking, Uchiha Madara formed a seal with his hands, then added, "Watch closely; this is true fire!"

He then declared, "Fire Style: Great Fire Extinguishment!"

"Boom!"

A torrent of fire erupted from Uchiha Madara's mouth, filling the air with a curtain of flames hundreds of meters high. The members of the Rocks Pirates were momentarily stunned as the sky seemed to be on fire. The pirates behind Uchiha Madara stared in awe at the towering inferno, dumbfounded by its scale.

"Boom!"

Within moments, the skull at the back of the square was consumed by the flames, which stretched all the way to the seaside. Observant figures noted that the flames were so vast they seemed like a natural disaster.

Amid the blaze, a loud laugh rang out:

"Hahaha~"

It was Rocks's laughter. He then shouted, "Alright, that's enough! I admit you're strong. Put away your moves!"

Hearing this, Uchiha Madara ceased his Ninjutsu, choosing not to show off further. He didn't want to appear overly pretentious.

As the flames vanished, Uchiha Madara noticed that the banquet area was now shrouded in black smoke, obscuring the surroundings.

Uchiha Madara had deliberately avoided using his full Haki, knowing it would make it too easy for his opponents to deal with.

Seeing that the flames had disappeared and the black mist had cleared, Rocks laughed again. "Hahaha~ Join us!"

After a moment's consideration, Rocks added, "With you joining, our pirate group will become even stronger!"

Uchiha Madara observed Rocks's actions, noting that he had stopped Linlin from retaliating.

"Do you want to join us?" Rocks continued.

Uchiha Madara pondered, thinking, Rocks's power seems to be the greatest among the pirates. Joining forces with them might improve my chances of finding the Surgery Fruit. Building my own power from scratch would be too laborious and time-consuming.

Making his decision, Uchiha Madara replied in a low voice, "Alright!"

"Hahaha~"

Rocks, pleased with the agreement, laughed heartily.

"It seems our pirate group has grown stronger once again!" Whitebeard said with a hint of emotion.

"Not bad, not bad!" Shiki agreed.

"Now the Navy will be even more afraid of us!" Captain John added.

Charlotte Linlin, still angry, glared at Uchiha Madara. "You bastard, don't think you've won just by defeating me. I haven't even used my full strength yet…"

"Forget it, Linlin. We're all family now!" Rocks intervened, smoothing things over. He then turned to Uchiha Madara and asked, "By the way, what's your name? We don't know it yet!"

"Uchiha Madara!" Uchiha Madara replied tersely.

"How cool!" Flame Flower remarked.

"Come on, bring me another table!" Rocks shouted to the people outside.

Soon, four pirates arrived, two carrying a table and two bringing drinks and food. They stood uncertainly, unsure where to place the table.

Uchiha Madara walked over, kicked the table, and it spun to land opposite Rocks. Uchiha Madara then sat on the ground.

This move stunned everyone present. Some considered Uchiha Madara smart for not sitting behind Kaido or Flame Flower, which would have marked him as a newcomer. Others thought he was too arrogant for sitting alone opposite Captain Rocks.

Rocks, unconcerned, simply laughed. "Hahaha! Let's welcome Uchiha Madara to our group!"

Charlotte Linlin and the others looked displeased. Their seating positions were based on seniority or strength, and Uchiha Madara's choice to sit opposite the captain was seen as presumptuous, akin to claiming the role of a deputy captain.

Captain John sarcastically remarked, "Humph! Some people probably won't last long!"

"Kulala~ It seems that you've angered everyone right from the start~ Take care of yourself!" Whitebeard said with a hearty laugh, his words tinged with a hint of warning.

Uchiha Madara understood the underlying message but remained unfazed. He poured himself a glass of wine and raised it.

"Come on, cheers!" Rocks shouted, and despite their reservations, everyone raised their glasses in agreement.

Just moments after Uchiha Madara had joined the celebration, Fleet Admiral Kong of the Navy Headquarters received a report from spies stationed at Beehive Island.

"I understand!" Kong responded grimly as he hung up the phone. He turned to his aide and ordered, "Notify all naval officers above the rank of Vice Admiral still in headquarters to attend an emergency meeting!"

The navy officers at the door took two steps forward and saluted respectfully. "Yes, Fleet Admiral!"

Soon, the vice admirals and Admiral Sengoku, stationed at the headquarters, assembled in the meeting room. Ten high-ranking officers took their seats in a circle.

"Hahaha~ I'm late!" Garp entered with his usual carefree attitude.

"You're the only one missing. Find a seat and sit down!" Kong said with a touch of irritation.

"Sengoku when are you going on vacation? Want to visit my hometown?" Garp continued to chat.

Sengoku glanced at Kong, whose frustration was palpable, and lowered his head. Seeing Sengoku 's non-response, Garp turned to crane and asked, "Crane,are you going?"

Crane hinting for Garp to stop talking, kept blinking at him, but Garp seemed oblivious. "By the way, where's Zephyr? Why isn't he here?" Garp asked, growing impatient. "Come on, Fleet Admiral, I have to get back to the East Blue soon. I've got a vacation to enjoy. Hurry up and tell me what's going on!"

Kong's irritation was evident as he showed a well-defined mark on his forehead and said angrily, "You've been talking non-stop. What do you want me to say?"

"Hahaha~ Sorry, sorry!" Garp said awkwardly, realizing he had been out of line.