Charlotte Linlin cast a meaningful glance at Ares, who sat between Golden Lion Shiki and Whitebeard, then slowly lowered her head.
The brim of her hat cast half of her face into dark shadow.
She picked up the giant cake in front of her and brought it to her mouth.
"Mamamama… what a delicious mousse cake!"
Her mouth was busy with dessert, but her heart was fully consumed with thoughts of Ares' sturdy, muscular physique.
She couldn't help but wonder, It must be so hard, right?
Compared to the cake in her hand, Linlin was far more curious about the taste of this young, unripe boy named Ares. She was sure he would be… uniquely delicious.
She giggled to herself, Ares, I don't believe Newgate and Shiki can always stick to your side. My chance will come sooner or later.
I'm only in my twenties. I've got plenty of time.
Ares, one day, I'll devour you!
Mamamama…
As Linlin laughed to herself, her eyes shimmered with a dangerous spring-like heat.
The room was filled with joyous laughter. Pirates, after all, lived for moments like this a feast and a drinking contest.
Ares' tolerance for alcohol had improved somewhat, but he didn't dare overindulge. Instead, he focused on the mountain of delicious food in front of him, devouring it like a starving beast.
His teeth were like meat grinders, and he didn't even bother spitting out the bones he simply crushed them with a crack and swallowed them whole.
This was one of the reasons why his bones had become so sturdy and resilient.
"Everyone, quiet down. I have something to say!"
Captain Rocks scanned the room with his piercing tiger-like gaze. Once the hall fell silent, he spoke in a deep, commanding tone, "This time, during a mission led by Wang Zhi, they encountered the Waldo Pirates at sea."
The moment Rocks mentioned the Waldo Pirates, the expressions of the officers in the room grew serious.
They knew this meant Rocks was preparing to act.
As expected, Rocks' magnetic voice echoed through the hall: "The Waldo Pirates dared to provoke the Rocks Pirates. They must pay the price."
The Rocks Pirates' reputation and pride could not be trampled on by anyone.
Blood would prove to the entire sea that those who crossed the Rocks Pirates must die.
The officers quickly voiced their support.
Wang Zhi was the first to step forward, passionately declaring, "There can only be one pirate overlord on this sea, and that is the Rocks Pirates. Any pirate who stands against us "
"Must be utterly destroyed!"
"Exactly! I support the captain's decision!" Silver Axe grinned and immediately joined in, riding the momentum.
Whitebeard and Golden Lion had no objections either.
But Rocks' plan didn't stop there. This was just the beginning of his march toward the pinnacle.
A crazed, triumphant smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He continued, "The Waldo Pirates will be dealt with by Newgate's squad. As for the Roger Pirates, they seem quite formidable. Shiki and Wang Zhi, you two will lead the mission to approach them."
"Try to recruit the Roger Pirates. If they refuse, then send them to the depths of the sea."
"The Roger Pirates, huh?" Shiki's lips curled into a wild grin, his confidence and battle-hunger unmistakable. "Jahahaha… I'll be the one to meet the Roger Pirates, then."
His heart surged with anticipation.
The Roger Pirates had recently made a name for themselves across the seas, quickly rising as a dazzling and powerful new crew.
What excited Shiki even more was that the captain had assigned Wang Zhi to accompany him meaning he could bring Ares along.
A perfect chance for a beautiful 'honeymoon.'
Tracking the Roger Pirates would take quite some time, giving him the opportunity to shake off Whitebeard and enjoy Ares all to himself.
Shiki's mood instantly soared. He eagerly raised his sake bottle and guzzled it down in big gulps.
He was ecstatic.
He could hardly wait to set sail with Ares to hunt down the Roger Pirates!
Ares, too, grew excited. "A voyage, huh?"
"Maybe this time I'll come across one of those Devil Fruits Captain John told me about. If I get one, my recovery ability will become even stronger!"
He was filled with anticipation not just for the Devil Fruit, but for the chance to battle other powerful pirates out at sea.
The Roger Pirates…
If Captain Rocks had assigned both Shiki and Wang Zhi to this mission, the Roger Pirates must be truly formidable.
"The expedition will begin in one month," Rocks declared, raising his sake bottle high, his voice resonating throughout the room. "Let's drink! Together we'll make the Rocks Pirates' name resound across the seas!"
"Zeahahaha…!"
The pirates roared with excitement, raising their bottles and cups, drinking to their hearts' content.
A chorus of strange, hearty laughter filled the hall.
…
Time passed quickly, and twenty-seven days soon slipped by. Rocks' plan was about to set sail.
"Roar roar roar… I've finally mastered Armament Haki!!" Kaido clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging, his aura terrifying.
His arms now gleamed like polished black metal, reflecting a cold, brilliant light.
That was Armament Haki!
Kaido's excitement was overwhelming.
In just over twenty days, he had fully mastered Armament Haki, able to coat his fists or any part of his body with it at will.
Standing nearby, Streusen exclaimed, "Kaido, you really are a monster. You've mastered complete control over Armament Haki in just over twenty days!"
Although Armament Haki was a common power in this world, mastering it was no easy feat.
The process from learning about Haki, to the countless trial-and-error training sessions, to the moment one could finally use it reliably, and then being able to control it at will over any part of the body normally took months, if not years.
But Kaido this monster had done it in less than a month.
Given time, his Armament Haki would surely become terrifying.
"My strength has improved leaps and bounds over the past month. This time I will definitely defeat Ares!" Kaido's enormous eyes shone with an unshakable fighting spirit.
Over the past month, aside from eating and sleeping, he had devoted himself entirely to relentless, intense training.
Even during his 'high-intensity workouts' with Linlin, he found ways to push his limits. Even those sessions sharpened his willpower.
He had truly grown stronger!
Far stronger than the version of himself from a month ago.
Streusen's expression instantly tensed as he asked in alarm, "Hey, hey, Kaido, don't tell me you're planning to challenge Ares?!"
"Aren't you afraid Shiki and Newgate will be furious?"
"Afraid of what?!"
Kaido's eyes hardened, his massive head blocking out the sun as he looked down at the much shorter Streusen with a toothy grin. "This is between me and Ares. Do they plan to keep him under their wings forever?"
"This is my challenge, and he'll definitely accept it!"
"Even Whitebeard and Golden Lion won't interfere!"
This would be a proper, head-on challenge.
Kaido turned and strode toward Ares' training grounds, his heart ablaze with determination. Today, he would defeat Ares!
He would become the brightest, most dazzling rising star in the Rocks Pirates!
Watching Kaido leave, Streusen quickly followed, his eyes shimmering with anticipation. "A clash between monsters… this is going to be spectacular!"
"Especially since…"
"This time, Kaido's got Armament Haki on his side!"
----------------------------------------------------
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