Chapter 40: Rocks Pirate Group's Action Plan

Though not a giant, Whitebeard possessed incredibly formidable strength.

Even the mightiest giants couldn't match his power.

It was this strength that allowed him to fully develop the Gura Gura no Mi (Tremor-Tremor Fruit).

Without it, no one else could unleash its destructive power as Whitebeard did.

It's safe to say that Whitebeard's prowess gave the Tremor-Tremor Fruit its legendary reputation.

Before him, the fruit was relatively unknown until he showcased its immense power.

Just look at Blackbeard in the original story; even after obtaining the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, he couldn't rival Whitebeard in his prime.

"Kyahahaha, Li Yuan, Newgate, you two are drinking here and didn't invite me?"

At that moment, Shiki the Golden Lion entered the tavern and approached Li Yuan.

"Shiki, why should we call you when we're drinking?" Whitebeard gave Shiki no face at all.

"I'm just done with training and came out for a drink to relax. Shiki, why are you here?" Li Yuan handed an open bottle to Shiki.

"Glug, glug, kyahahaha, good stuff!"

"I'm here for Newgate. Rocks wants me to call you for a meeting, and since you're done training, Li Yuan, you should come too," Shiki said with a laugh after downing a bottle.

"Oh? Rocks is holding an officer meeting? Let's go. It's my first time attending such a meeting."

Hearing Shiki's invitation piqued Li Yuan's interest.

He had been in seclusion for training for three months and was eager for some action, preferably a battle to test his progress.

"Kyahahaha, Li Yuan, it looks like you've made significant progress in these three months," Shiki remarked, seeing Li Yuan's eagerness reminiscent of his own after finishing training and itching for a fight.

"Of course. Shiki, we didn't get to fight when we first met. How about now?" Li Yuan asked, filled with battle intent. The current Shiki, without the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi (Float-Float Fruit) and his two famed swords, Sakura Ten and Kiku, wasn't as formidable, perhaps only slightly stronger than John.

"Kyahahaha, Li Yuan, if there's time, I'll show you that I'm no pushover like John. But for now, let's head to the meeting with Rocks," Shiki replied, not denying Li Yuan's challenge.

As a fellow swordsman, Shiki was quite interested in Li Yuan's magnificent and powerful swordsmanship and was eager to spar.

Upon arriving at the Rocks Pirate Group's officer meeting room, they found that all the other officers were already there, waiting for the trio.

"Yohohoho, Li Yuan, you're done training? How's your progress? Next time we fight, I won't hold back," John laughed upon seeing Li Yuan arrive with Shiki and Whitebeard.

Originally hoping to recruit Li Yuan, it was clear he had aligned himself with Shiki and the others, indicating they weren't on the same side.

In the Rocks Pirate Group, Shiki, Whitebeard, and Charlotte Linlin were later members.

Meanwhile, John, Wang Zhi, and Silver Axe had been with Rocks from the beginning, making them part of Rocks' core group.

Shiki, Whitebeard, and Charlotte Linlin had powerful talents and had surpassed the older members in strength.

Most importantly, their potential was far from exhausted, and they continued to grow stronger, possibly reaching Rocks' level in the future.

On the other hand, John, Wang Zhi, and Silver Axe were older and nearing their peak, with limited growth potential.

Thus, they were wary of Shiki, Whitebeard, and Charlotte Linlin, forming a secret alliance against them.

For new members like Li Yuan, John, Wang Zhi, and Silver Axe wanted to recruit him into their camp.

However, Li Yuan declined their offer, siding with Shiki, Whitebeard, and Charlotte Linlin instead.

Li Yuan wasn't foolish. The original story showed that Shiki, Whitebeard, and Charlotte Linlin had the most potential, strength, and longevity.

Why align with John, Wang Zhi, and Silver Axe, whose potential was nearly exhausted, instead of forging good relationships with the strongest?

"My strength has improved rapidly. In another battle, my sword might just taste blood," Li Yuan replied confidently.

"Yohohoho, I'm looking forward to it. If there's time, let's have another round," John provocatively suggested.

"I wouldn't miss it. Challenge me anytime!" Li Yuan eagerly accepted John's invitation. Although Rocks declared their last battle a draw, Li Yuan didn't see it that way—he saw it as a loss!

He accepted defeat gracefully, knowing he could fight again and reclaim his honor.

"Waahahahaha, now that everyone's here, have a seat!" Rocks emerged from the back of the meeting room as tensions rose between Li Yuan and John.

"Captain, what's the agenda for this meeting?" John asked eagerly.

Typically, Rocks' full officer meetings involved major announcements, often about battles and raids.

"The purpose of this meeting is simple: plunder. We'll start with the Kingdom of Vicks, those World Government member nations that refuse to submit to the Rocks Pirate Group."

"I want to show those World Government member nations whose territory the New World truly is."

"In the New World, everyone must submit to the Rocks Pirate Group, even World Government member nations. If they don't submit, they should prepare for annihilation!"

"I, Rocks, aim to become the king of the New World, even the king of the world!"

"Waahahahaha!!!!"

Rocks laughed loudly, pointing at the Kingdom of Vicks on the map.

"Kyahahaha, Captain, I'm with you!"

The ambition to become the king of the world was grand, wild, and perfectly aligned with Shiki's desires.

"Yohohoho, Captain, when do we set off? I can already see countless treasures beckoning me," John joined in the laughter. 

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