Chapter Fourteen: The Final Campaign

The harbor of Hive Island had already come alive with activity. The busy pirates hurriedly loaded various supplies onto the ships. This was no simple task, for the sheer number of vessels was staggering. Not only were large pirate ships crowding the docks, but even beyond the harbor, the coastal waters of Hive Island were thickly dotted with ships, stretching as far as the eye could see.

“So this is how many people are in our pirate crew?” Roa stood atop a building outside the harbor, shading his eyes with his right hand as he gazed in amazement at the sea. “Unbelievable. Is it a hundred ships? Two hundred?”

“It’s been a long time since we’ve operated at this scale! It really gets the blood pumping!” Beside him, Katakuri was visibly excited. “Mama said Captain Rocks has gathered about sixty to seventy percent of the pirate crews! Besides the forces from this island, seventy or eighty affiliated pirate crews have been summoned here!”

“Other pirates on the island will probably be stirred up as well!”

After some encouragement from his older brother, Katakuri remained as cheerful as ever.

“Oh? So we’re really that impressive?” Roa clicked his tongue in admiration. “Haha! No wonder this is the pirate crew of the world’s strongest seven-year-old boy!”

Thirty-six years later, Whitebeard’s pirate crew had 43 affiliated fleets under its banner, with a total of 50,000 members—a staggering number and the largest pirate crew of its time. Yet, compared to the current Rocks Pirates, it was but a small ripple against a towering wave.

For this very operation alone, Rocks had summoned a pirate force numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Moreover, pirate crews eligible to join Rocks’ band were no mere riffraff; they were formidable groups with considerable prowess.

This was the might of the new world’s overlord—a true force capable of shaking the world to its core.

“You sure know how to flatter yourself,” Katakuri said begrudgingly. “But I want to hunt the Celestial Dragons too! Damn it, Roa! I’m so jealous of you!”

He yearned to elevate pirate hunting to the level of hunting the Celestial Dragons.

“That’s not impossible,” Roa replied casually. “How about it, Katakuri? If you beg me, I might just take you along.”

Though pirates, the Rocks Pirates’ intelligence capabilities were formidable. They had already confirmed that a massive naval force was gathering toward the West Sea.

There was nothing more to say then. Rocks immediately assembled the main force, preparing for a large-scale live-fire drill before the final battle commenced.

“Forget it,” Katakuri deflated, speaking despondently. “Mama said that’s not the battlefield I’m meant to step onto yet.”

“Hey~ Aunt Lingling’s assessment of you is pretty accurate,” Roa teased with a smile.

“Don’t get too cocky, Roa!” His good friend snorted coldly. “I’ve been training hard under Mama’s guidance lately. I’m getting stronger every day! One day, I’ll catch up to you!”

“Wow! That’s incredible!” Roa exclaimed, astonished. “You actually work so hard! Meanwhile, I just leisurely enjoy my meals every day. Am I going to be overtaken by you soon?”

“Hmph!” Katakuri proudly lifted his chin. “Good that you know!!”

Roa laughed silently. His friend was so driven; thankfully, he could grow stronger simply by savoring good food.

“Just wait, Roa. When you return from the West Sea, I’ll make you see me in a new light!” Katakuri declared confidently.

“Is that so?” Roa yawned, his interest half-hearted yet meaningful. “I’m looking forward to it next time we meet.”

Katakuri raised his head, gazing out over the bustling harbor. “By then, I’ll be a member of the Rocks Pirates! We’ll conquer the seas together!”

Roa smiled without a word.

What a pity, my friend.

The loading of supplies was swiftly completed. That very evening, the Rocks Pirates set sail, their destination the West Sea, the Valley of the Gods!

The massive fleet, composed of over two hundred pirate ships, spread across the sea like a dark cloud of sails.

The fierce waves of the New World were crushed beneath them, as if nothing in the world could stand in their way.

The world’s strongest pirate crew had begun their final voyage.

At night, aboard Rocks’ flagship—the command ship of the entire fleet—a lively grand banquet was underway.

Attending were not only the senior officers of the Rocks Pirates but also captains from many affiliated pirate crews.

“Gentlemen,” Rocks raised his cup high, “before the final war begins, let’s warm up with a little exercise!”

“Oh!!” The pirate captains’ cheers nearly tore through the clouds above.

“Ha ha ha! I’ve never killed a Celestial Dragon before!” Kaido guzzled down his drink like a thirsty man, roaring with laughter. “I wonder how those so-called gods will react at their dying moments!”

“Exactly, exactly!” Though Roa neither drank nor ate, he enthusiastically echoed the sentiment, brimming with anticipation. “I can’t wait to see what kind of deliciousness they’ll provide!”

Having never endured pain or hardship, always perched on high—if they were trampled into the mud and subjected to unprecedented torment, how rich and savory would the dark aura they emit be?

Just the thought made Roa instinctively lick his lips.

Celestial Dragons, huh? They deserve to be hunted!

“Mama, mama! Little Roa, are you already drooling?” Aunt Lingling laughed heartily from across the table. “Don’t rush. Sometimes, waiting only adds to the flavor.”

“Hmm!” Roa forced a smile and nodded solemnly.

This is the principle of delayed gratification!

“This time, there will be something for you to feast on, kid,” the senior Golden Lion laughed joyfully, puffing on a cigarette between drinks. “Hahaha! I’ve never done anything as crazy as slaughtering an entire nation!”

“Who cares if they’re Celestial Dragons or not,” Silver Axe laughed, wielding his massive silver axe like his nickname suggested. “Anyone standing in my way of claiming the treasure piled up in the Valley of the Gods will be split in two with my axe!”

“Don’t underestimate them,” Whitebeard set down his cup. “If the Celestial Dragons make a large-scale move, the Divine Knights will surely be deployed!”

“The Divine Knights?” Gloriosa looked worried. “The World Government’s most secretive organization. It’s said all members are Celestial Dragons themselves. No one knows what kind of power they truly possess.”

“It doesn’t matter!” Captain Rocks’ voice boomed boldly. “No matter the opponent, we’ll crush them! There’s no rival before us!!”

“Oh!!!” The pirates on deck erupted in fervent cheers.

“After this warm-up, it’s a full-scale war against the World Government!”

Rocks declared loudly, “The era of World Government rule is ending! A new world, a new order—I'll be the one to build it!”

“Long live Captain Rocks!!” The pirates’ cheers reached a near-mad fervor.

Who would doubt that Captain Rocks could achieve what he declared?

The Rocks Pirates had never been defeated.

And this time would be no different.

Even the senior officers were stirred, Whitebeard’s cheeks flushed with excitement.

Only Roa smiled with innocent simplicity.

Sorry, Captain. Compared to a new order, I much prefer chaos.

After all, as a gourmet, I wish for a world filled with delicious food.