One piece: The Greatest Swordsman of the Rocks Era!

Shakky vented all her pent-up frustration on the ingredients before her.

As the head chef of the Rocks Pirates, her skills were naturally top-notch. The small kitchen knife in her hand chopped rhythmically against the cutting board.

Whether it was vegetables or tough cuts of meat with hard bones, she sliced everything with precise uniformity.

But today, her chopping was noticeably more forceful than usual.

It almost felt like she wasn't cutting food, but rather cutting Ares.

As usual, the grand banquet was divided into separate areas: newcomers dined in the outer courtyard, official crew members enjoyed themselves inside the Skull Fortress, and the core officers and commanders gathered in private rooms.

Ares, flanked by both Whitebeard and Golden Lion Shiki, was naturally ushered directly to the officers' room.

The sight sparked envy across the Rocks Pirates. Countless members shot jealous glances their way.

Whispers spread quickly among the crew.

"Ares? That kid was given a 40 million bounty the moment he set sail. They're calling him 'Bloodhand!'"

"This news has already blown up on the island. I even talked to some of the guys who went to sea with him they said Ares actually fought Vice Admiral Garp!"

"Holy crap!? He's that bold? He wasn't afraid Garp's fists would kill him?"

"Bold? That's an understatement! While the rest of the ship was retreating, Ares jumped straight into the sea and charged the entire World Destroyer Waldo Pirates by himself. You tell me, is that guts or what?!"

"Damn! That's some next-level bravery! The Waldo Pirates' captain is the World Destroyer Buster Call Bundy Waldo!"

"You think there's no reason why both Golden Lion and Whitebeard are personally training him? Of course there's a secret behind it!"

"A secret? Come on, spill it."

"…"

The Rocks Pirates were buzzing with heated discussion. The fact that Ares was personally mentored by the two strongest commanders Golden Lion and Whitebeard had already caught widespread attention.

So far, no one in the Rocks Pirates had ever earned the honor of being personally trained by both of them.

It wasn't just those two either. Even Captain Wang Zhi was said to look after Ares with special care.

In the crowd, Kaido's large, coppery eyes glistened with envy as he watched Ares, his heart knotting with frustration.

After all, Ares had stepped over him to gain the favor of Captain Rocks and leap into the status of an official crew member.

Now, Ares had become someone favored by both Whitebeard and Golden Lion.

Kaido's heart simmered with jealousy and bitter envy.

"Just wait."

"I'll surpass you. I'll train ten times, a hundred times harder! Streusen's already taught me Armament Haki. Once I master it and once I get that Devil Fruit from Linlin…"

"I will definitely surpass you. I, Kaido, won't just be an official crew member I'll become an officer of the Rocks Pirates!"

His eyes burned with determination, blazing with a ferocious flame.

In his heart, he silently vowed: I will reclaim my glory.

I should be the most dazzling, the most celebrated, the strongest newcomer on the Rocks Pirates' ship!

Inside the officers' hall.

When Ares walked in, a scorching gaze immediately locked onto him. Ares, now much sharper in his perception, instinctively followed the gaze.

His eyes landed on Charlotte Linlin, who had been staring at him from the moment he entered.

When their eyes met, Linlin brazenly made a seductive expression her crimson lips curled up as she licked them slowly.

Her gaze sparkled with dangerous flirtation. She even winked at him. Wink!

Ares frowned.

Whitebeard, with his arm draped casually over Ares' shoulder, also noticed Linlin's stare. His eyes immediately sharpened like drawn swords as he glared at her.

His tone was icy and laced with warning: "Linlin, you'd better keep your filthy hands off Ares. He's still a child."

"If I catch you messing around, I'll sink you to the bottom of the sea."

Sure, Ares might look big and burly, but Whitebeard knew full well Ares was barely fourteen or fifteen. Still a minor.

And as for Linlin's… tastes? Whitebeard was all too familiar with her reputation.

Over the years.

On the Rocks Pirates ship alone, Linlin had already given birth to more than a dozen children boys and girls combined!

At her peak, she could give birth to up to four children a year!

As for who their fathers were? Even Whitebeard had long lost track. Sometimes even the kids themselves didn't know who their dads were.

Golden Lion Shiki bit down on his cigar, his lips curling into a wickedly domineering grin: "Linlin, Ares is my disciple. If you think your iron skin can withstand my slashes "

"You're welcome to try."

He exhaled a thick puff of white smoke, his face carrying that fearless, taunting expression Come on, I dare you.

Faced with threats from both Golden Lion and Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin's eyes bulged with fury. She declared bluntly, "I just like Ares!!"

"If you let me have him, I'll pay you in gold, Berries anything you want…"

But before she could finish the last word.

Her eyes suddenly widened in shock and disbelief.

Reflected in her amber pupils was the gleaming edge of a massive naginata Whitebeard's Murakumogiri.

Her heart seized in alarm.

Whitebeard actually drew his weapon against her right here, during the Rocks Pirates' officers' banquet!

Whoosh!

Whitebeard glared at her, roaring, "Linlin! Do my words mean nothing to you?!"

His right hand raised Murakumogiri in a single, swift motion, its shining blade pointed directly at Charlotte Linlin's face but ultimately, he stopped short.

His expression remained icy, his overwhelming and ferocious aura instantly blanketing Linlin in pressure.

With furrowed brows, he growled coldly, "Linlin, just because this is Captain Rocks' banquet doesn't mean you can target Ares right in front of me."

"This is your warning."

"Next time, my blade won't stop it'll cut straight into you."

The sharp wind carried by Murakumogiri whipped across Linlin's face, sending a cold sweat trickling down her forehead.

The entire room fell silent in an instant.

You could hear a pin drop.

The tense, suffocating atmosphere climbed to its peak.

Streusen quickly emerged from behind Linlin, wearing a peacemaker's smile. "Come on, Newgate, Linlin was just joking."

"We're all part of the Rocks Pirates. There's no need to make this ugly."

"Captain Rocks will be here soon it wouldn't look good if he walked in on this."

"Let's put the weapon away, shall we?"

Other officers chimed in one after another.

Silver Axe also stood up from his seat and added, "Banquets are the happiest times for pirates. We should all be enjoying ourselves."

He walked straight to Ares' side and asked, "Ares, don't you agree?"

All eyes in the room turned to Ares.

Although Ares was just an official crew member and had only joined less than a month ago, his backing made all the difference.

After all, he had the personal support of Golden Lion and Whitebeard the two strongest commanders in the Rocks Pirates.

That alone made the other officers hesitant to underestimate him.

Ares made his stance clear. "I just want to eat! I just want to drink!"

After half a day of training, plus a shower back in his room, he was absolutely starving.

His answer sent ripples of laughter through the room.

"Jahahaha…"

"Gurararara…"

"…"

A few minutes later, Captain Rocks and Captain John entered the hall together.

The banquet officially began.

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