I'm A Great Pirate, And You Say I Just Set Sail?

The cabin of the Black Pearl wasn't very large, so any attack would quickly reveal their position.

"Forget the treasure, take down those two brats first!" shouted Bennett, captain of the Red Heart Pirates.

But the Red Heart Pirates were so dazzled by the treasures before them that they couldn't take their eyes off them. Even with their captain's order, they were reluctant to drop the valuables in their hands.

"Newgate, block the path above!"

"Got it!"

The passage of the Black Pearl's cabin could only fit two average-sized people. Just by standing there, the fourteen-year-old Newgate completely blocked the way.

"I'm definitely getting beaten up when the old man gets back."

Seeing Newgate using Magnus bed to barricade the entrance, Rox bared his teeth but didn't blame him.

Without the advantage of the cabin's layout, the two of them wouldn't have a chance against a whole pirate crew. But now, with the passage blocked, the Red Heart Pirates were split in two.

The strongest among them, Bennett, was trapped outside.

Inside, only a few grunts remained—nothing to worry about.

"You little bastard! You'll pay for that!"

Seeing Rox ambush and kill one of their crew, two nearby pirates flew into a rage, charging at him while still stuffing jewels into their pockets.

Meanwhile, outside, the other pirates began battering the blocked passage.

"We have to end this quickly!"

Using Soru (Shave), Rox's movements inside the cramped cabin were like flashes of lightning. The trapped pirates could only see a shadow zipping around before one of them was sent flying.

"Brat! Don't underestimate me!"

One of the top three strongest in the Red Heart Pirates, a three-meter-tall fatty, roared and charged like a wrecking ball.

In the tight space, Rox had no room to dodge.

"Tekkai! (Iron Body)"

With a thud, the fat pirate crashed into Rox, but Rox's Tekkai-reinforced body was like a wall of steel.

Rox was pushed back only a couple meters, scraping grooves into the floor, but the pirate's bloated body was severely deformed.

"Tekkai Impact!"

At the moment when the pirate's strength faltered, Rox countered, his muscular arm shining like metal.

Boom!

With a single punch, the fatty collapsed like a deflated balloon.

Faintly, Rox felt he was grasping something.

"Just a bit more."

No time to ponder—Newgate was already faltering.

"Retreat!"

At Rox's signal, they executed their plan: Newgate withdrew while Rox advanced, giving the larger boy a chance to retreat.

But then, smoke poured into the cabin from the vents, coalescing into a humanoid shape.

"You brats really think you can win against me?"

Bennett, captain of the Red Heart Pirates, cursed as he reformed.

With a bounty of 30 million berries, he wasn't weak.

"I ate the Smoke-Smoke Fruit. I'm a Logia user! With my custom gun, even a great pirate wouldn't dare take me lightly!"

He pointed the gun at Newgate.

Bang!

Newgate raised his arm to block, but the pain never came.

"A smoke man? You're just a thief trying to rob us while the old man's away!"

Even though his arm was bloodied from blocking the shot with Tekkai, Rox showed no fear.

"You're not even worthy of being compared to real pirates!"

"You little...!"

Bennett seethed, aiming again.

"At this range, you really think I'll let you fire?"

Rox kicked the gun out of his hand, but his follow-up strike passed right through.

"Haha! I'm a Logia-type, idiot! Physical attacks don't work on me!"

Rox's kick pierced Bennett's smoky body without leaving a mark. Bennett stretched his arm, reforming it into mist and retrieving his weapon.

"Die!"

With Rox pinned to the ground, Bennett aimed again.

"Aaaaargh!"

Newgate roared and swung Magnus bed like a club.

"It's useless! I'm a—"

Before Bennett could finish boasting, he was sent flying by the powerful gust that followed Newgate's swing.

Huff... Huff...

Panting, Newgate sat on the floor.

"Now we're even."

"Tch."

Rox clicked his tongue, annoyed, but had to admit it: without Newgate's help, that shot might've killed him.

"What do we do now?"

Newgate looked worried. He knew Logia users were nearly invincible.

"You hold off the others. I'll handle smoke-boy."

"You got a way to beat him?"

"Yeah."

Rox nodded firmly.

Magnus had once told him that no matter how strange a Devil Fruit ability was, it could be nullified by Haki.

He had boasted to Magnus he could master Haki in two months. Now, three had passed.

"Haki can only be mastered in battle!"

Recalling Magnus's words, Rox was no longer afraid.

Meanwhile, at the port...

Magnus and Ripley stood above, watching the battle.

Though Bennett was a Logia user, the Smoke-Smoke Fruit was hardly a threat in the New World.

What caught Magnus's eye wasn't Bennett, but the boy defending Rox.

The system message appeared at last:

[Year 1481 of the Sea Circle Calendar, February: You encountered the future Sea Emperor, Edward Newgate. He greatly admired your crewmember Rox and solemnly extended an invitation.]

["Become my son!"]

[Accept / Decline?]

(End of Chapter)

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