Chapter 21: Head-to-Head

"Roger! The Rocks Pirates have made a big move again!" Rayleigh hurriedly approached Roger, who was sitting at the bow of the ship.

"Oh? What has that guy Rocks done this time?" Roger, wearing his straw hat, took the newspaper and glanced at it.

"Wow! Rocks is really aiming to clear out all the Navy in the latter half of the Grand Line!" Roger said in surprise as he examined the photos of the destroyed G-8 base.

"There's another headline! New member of the Rocks Pirates, the Eighth Division Captain, Rockefeller Sharlo with a bounty of 300 million Berries! They've recruited a new member?" Roger was astonished, staring at the photo of Rockefeller Sharlo.

The picture depicted Sharlo in a clash of Conqueror's Haki with the Rocks Pirates' officers, showing the sky being torn apart.

"What a monster! These young people nowadays!" Rayleigh, standing beside Roger, also saw the photo of Rockefeller Sharlo.

"Haha! We don't need to worry about him. Let's continue our adventure. We are men who will explore the entire sea!" Roger cheerfully tossed the newspaper aside.

"Ugh! Even if we're adventuring, why throw away the newspaper? That's fifty Berries!" Rayleigh said, facepalming.

"Don't sweat the details! Let's have a party to celebrate the Navy's big loss again!" Roger wrapped his arm around Rayleigh's shoulder.

"Alright!" the crew cheered, raising their hands.

"Do you really need such a lame excuse for a party?" Rayleigh sighed. As the first mate, he managed the finances. Despite their strength, the Roger Pirates were always short on money since they never plundered but only fought other pirates or the Navy, barely covering their expenses.

Meanwhile, the news of the G-8 base's destruction caused an uproar, overshadowing Sharlo's joining the Rocks Pirates. Only the keen-eyed noticed his presence.

"Ugh!" Sharlo squinted as the sunlight hit his eyes. He felt groggy from last night's party, where he drank more than he could handle and woke up with a splitting headache. Looking around, he saw pirates sleeping everywhere on the harbor.

"Boss?" Ivan, who had been keeping watch, noticed Sharlo waking up and immediately perked up. Sharlo nodded, looking around. He saw Rocks, Shiki, and the others still asleep, and remembered the events of yesterday, smiling wryly.

He never thought he'd become a pirate this way, imagining scenarios like defeating the Celestial Dragons or liberating slaves, but not being coerced by Rocks.

He looked toward the town, which remained untouched. The pirates hadn't looted, likely deterred by yesterday's slaughter.

"Is everyone in town alright?" Sharlo asked, concerned for his hometown.

"Yes, boss! Some pirates tried to enter, but that white crescent-bearded giant stopped them," Ivan replied, referring to Edward Newgate.

"Edward Newgate?" Sharlo was surprised he had helped.

"Yeah!" Ivan pointed towards Newgate, who was drinking on his ship's deck, watching the sunrise. Sharlo approached.

"Don't mention it, kid!" Newgate said, seeing Sharlo approach, cutting off his thanks. Sharlo's words stuck in his throat, making him uncomfortable. Seeing his expression, Newgate burst into laughter, shaking the sea with his voice, waking the pirates.

"Who the hell is making such a racket?" A pirate with a temper snapped, then froze seeing Newgate. "Sorry, captain!"

Newgate ignored him, letting the pirate breathe a sigh of relief. Shiki floated over, laughing. "Newgate, what's got you in such a good mood? Share the joke!"

"Don't touch my ship!" Newgate warned, launching a punch that Shiki blocked with his swords, sparking tension. "Trying to cool off your temper?" Shiki teased.

"Run! They're going to fight!" The pirates fled, recognizing the danger. Sharlo grabbed Ivan and jumped to the harbor. Rocks, sitting by last night's extinguished bonfire, looked at Sharlo.

"Aren't you going to stop them, Captain?" Sharlo asked, still adjusting to calling him captain.

"Let them fight. On my ship, the rule is strength above all," Rocks declared, smiling. Sharlo was reminded of Rocks' reputation for ruling by force and ambition to become the king of the world, even though his downfall at God Valley was legendary. The Rocks Pirates dominated the seas, unmatched even by Roger, who avoided them while sailing elsewhere.

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(40 Advance chapters)