Chapter 33: The Reaction of the World Government

Rocks' announcement left the Rocks Pirates members momentarily stunned, but soon cheers erupted, celebrating the newfound strength of their crew.

Li Yuan was also taken aback, surprised that Rocks' idea of a draw was merely surviving a day against John, rather than fighting until the end.

"Congratulations on becoming an officer of the Rocks Pirates. If it were a land battle, you wouldn't last a few hours against me," John acknowledged Li Yuan's new status after Rocks' declaration.

"Jihahaha, Li Yuan, well done! You're truly the man I had my eye on!" 

Golden Lion Shiki was the first to approach Li Yuan upon his return to the group of officers, clearly aiming to build a good relationship, given their earlier acquaintance.

"Brothers! Let's have a feast to welcome our new officer, Li Yuan, to the Rocks Pirates!"

Rocks announced to all the members.

"Jihahaha, I love feasts!" 

Golden Lion Shiki burst into laughter at the mention of a banquet.

"Mama, mama, I love feasts and cakes," 

Charlotte Linlin laughed, drooling.

With Rocks' words, Hive Island came alive. Pirates love nothing more than feasting, eating meat, drinking, celebrating, and reveling.

Li Yuan sighed with relief, quietly exiting the Life Return state, and began voraciously consuming large chunks of roast meat.

He used the [Sword God Tempering Technique] to absorb the energy from the meat, healing and regaining strength.

While Li Yuan was eating and drinking, many hidden figures were taking photos of him and sending them out.

Li Yuan's Observation Haki had long detected these hidden figures, but he paid them no mind.

His Observation Haki could sense others' intentions, and no spy could evade his awareness.

"Gurararara, Li Yuan, care for a drink?"

As Li Yuan devoured the roast meat, Whitebeard approached with a large mug, helping himself to the untouched wine beside Li Yuan.

Whitebeard had run out of wine at his seat, and seeing Li Yuan focused solely on eating, he came over to share some wine.

"Drink!"

Li Yuan generously pushed half the wine towards Whitebeard, grabbing a barrel himself and drinking with him.

"Gurararara, this is excellent wine!"

Whitebeard, seeing Li Yuan's gesture, clinked his mug against Li Yuan's and started drinking.

Although Li Yuan hadn't drunk alcohol before, his capacity was impressive. Any alcohol in his system was quickly metabolized.

The alcohol couldn't cloud his mind, a benefit of mastering Life Return.

Pirate feasts are joyous but can also be sorrowful.

Drinking excessively can lead to unconsciousness, and emotions may erupt, leading some pirates to attack their hated targets.

Such incidents can cause disturbances at feasts, but the outcome is always the same: those pirates are mercilessly killed.

This is why officers sit close together at feasts, while ordinary members keep their distance, fearing a drunken officer might kill them.

At the heart of Hive Island is the most secret place of the Rocks Pirates.

Even most officers are unaware of this location, known only to Rocks and a select few.

"I didn't expect you to really do it!"

Shakky smiled charmingly, looking at the intelligence in her hands.

She thought Li Yuan's strength would make him an intern like Kaido, needing years to grow into an officer.

But unexpectedly, Li Yuan became an officer right after joining the Rocks Pirates.

Mariejois

The Five Elders were examining intelligence on the Rocks Pirates, specifically Li Yuan's bounty and details.

"Li Yuan, sixteen, currently one of the Rocks Pirates' officers. Most importantly, he's of the Bloodline race, although not pure-blooded."

The Legal God of War, Topman Warcury, placed Li Yuan's dossier on the table.

Even if Li Yuan were a monstrous talent, he wouldn't usually attract the Five Elders' attention.

To them, Li Yuan wasn't Rocks, merely an officer, which was the Navy's concern.

However, his unique bloodline caught the Five Elders' interest.

The Bloodline race is marked by blood-red hair.

When living on the island, Li Yuan's parents had him dye his hair black.

But after their deaths and his previous life's memories awakened, he stopped hiding his bloodline.

He wasn't afraid of the World Government's slave hunters.

Yet, Li Yuan couldn't have guessed that his Bloodline identity would attract the Five Elders' attention.

"Who would have thought the seas still harbor the Bloodline race. Perhaps they've always been there, eluding our grasp."

"This Li Yuan from the Rocks Pirates could be a breakthrough, leading us to more of his kind or even a settlement."

The Scientific Defense God of War, Jaygarcia Saturn, spoke.

"The Bloodline's unique blood, when consumed regularly, grants longevity. We once captured all Bloodline individuals globally, using them as a blood bank."

"But their low fertility drained our reserves. Who'd expect to find a Bloodline individual now."

"This Li Yuan must be captured alive."

The Agricultural God of War, Shepherd Ten Piter, spoke passionately.

Despite their efforts to breed the captured Bloodline individuals with each other or humans, their numbers dwindled to extinction.

The remaining Bloodline blood is precious, diminishing with each use.

Such life-extending blood is in high demand in Mariejois, reserved for the most elite Celestial Dragons.

Seeing a living Bloodline individual, the Five Elders couldn't resist.

"I second that!"

"Send the Navy openly, and CP0 secretly. As soon as he leaves the Rocks Pirates, capture him."

The Environmental God of War, Marcus Mars, spoke greedily.

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

Thus, unbeknownst to him, Li Yuan became a target of the World Government.

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