Shiki's grin gradually faded as a troubling thought crept into his mind.
"Damn... this won't do."
"If Ares joins the Rocks Pirates, someone has to warn him... that crazy woman Linlin is off-limits."
"That beast treats people like breeding stock!"
He'd seen what happened to men who got involved with Linlin none of them had a happy ending.
To her, they were just tools for producing children.
Meanwhile, Ares hadn't even spared Kaido a second glance.
His burning gaze was fixed squarely on one man: Rocks D. Xebec.
His usual calm expression had melted into a fain**pter**t unmistakable excitement.
With a hoarse voice, he asked, "Now\... can I fight you?"
After fighting Kaido, he'd learned something valuable.
That punch its force, its technique taught him how to better unleash his strength.
He was hungry now. Hungry for more.
"Fighting really does sharpen you..."
"That pirate was right. Combat is how you forge yourself into a blade."
His blood boiled with anticipation. His heart pounded like a war drum.
He wanted this.
He wanted to fight someone stronger.
Wang Zhi watched him with amazement. "This kid's got guts. Still wants to challenge the captain?"
"Beat Kaido and thinks he's ready to face the infamous Rocks?"
He hadn't expected Ares to stay humble or bold after defeating Kaido.
Even Silver Axe snorted with amusement. "That's what makes kids like him fun."
"He doesn't even know how vast the sea really is. If he did, would he still dare challenge Rocks?"
Everyone watched like they were front-row at the best show in the world.
The surrounding pirates began to cheer and jeer, egging things on.
"Captain Rocks, show him your power!!"
"Yeah! Teach that little punk what real strength looks like!"
"Give him a taste of the sea's top dog!!"
Excitement surged like a tidal wave.
This was way more entertaining than raiding treasure or partying on Hachinosu.
But Ares didn't react.
Not a twitch. Not a blink.
His eyes remained locked on Rocks alone.
He could feel it this man before him was more dangerous than any beast he'd ever faced.
His heart thundered.
Like war drums calling him forward.
"He's strong. Really strong."
"If I fight him... I'll grow. Learn more. Make my body even tougher."
"I'll forge myself into a blade mightier than the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords."
Without knowing it, Ares radiated a wild, feral energy.
The aura of a predator who'd clawed his way through countless beasts.
Rocks studied him, amused.
The boy was tall half a head taller than him and overflowing with primal spirit.
But even with all that potential, his haki told Rocks that Ares wasn't a threat.
Not yet.
Still, he smiled with interest.
"You want to fight me?" he said. "Fine... but if you lose, you join my crew."
He wasn't worried.
The brat was powerful, yes. He'd tanked Kaido's punch and flattened him like it was nothing.
But he was raw. Uncut.
Rocks was intrigued. He wanted to mold him.
"Deal!!" Ares shouted instantly.
"Then let's fight!!"
He clenched his fists, eager beyond words. His muscles cracked and popped as he stretched.
As if Kaido hadn't even warmed him up.
All around them, the pirates held their breath.
They didn't want to miss a second of what was coming.
Silence fell.
So quiet, you could hear the wind. And beneath it the pounding of Ares's heart.
Rocks grinned, cocky and fearless.
"Come at me, kid."
In a blink, Ares exploded forward.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he launched.
He shot toward Rocks like a cannonball, fist cocked back.
The force of it bent the air itself.
This punch... this punch had once killed a ten-meter-tall giant ape.
It had crushed the skull of a black-furred mountain bear.
Rocks's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"Haha! That's it!!" he laughed.
"But you're not ready yet."
"I'll be waiting for the day you truly can challenge me!!"
He raised his own fist and threw it.
BOOM.
Their fists collided.
The air screamed.
Ares felt like a mountain had slammed into him at full speed.
His body flew through the air like a meteor.
Hundreds of meters in a flash.
One punch.
The same monster who casually defeated Kaido... was sent flying like a ragdoll.
A thunderous crash shook the island.
Rocks calmly lowered his arm.
He turned to Captain John and said, "Bring the kid back to the ship."
"From now on, he's part of the Rocks Pirates."
Then, with a grin that could cut steel, he declared to everyone:
"And not as some rookie."
"He's joining as an official crew member!"