Rocks, who had been hurled into the dark pillar of light, didn't vanish into glowing particles as everyone had expected.
Bathed in the black light, the muscles on Rocks' stiff face began to twitch. A trace of struggle surfaced, and the vacant look in his eyes gradually regained clarity.
His self-awareness had returned.
The moment his consciousness was restored, Rocks immediately grasped the situation. He frowned, and an overwhelming burst of Conqueror's Haki exploded from him—far stronger than before. His Haki had nearly reached a tangible form, coalescing into a black-and-red spherical shield that enclosed him.
With a thunderous roar, Rocks forcefully broke free from the dark pillar, relying solely on his Conqueror's Haki for defense.
Seeing this, Lucia and the others' expressions changed dramatically. They cursed inwardly and quickly activated their demonic powers in preparation for Rocks' counterattack.
But once again, Rocks defied all expectations. Rather than attacking the trio, he stood atop a cloud of white flames, silently staring at the heart-sized black mist swirling over his chest.
...
A moment later, a faint smile crept onto Rocks' lips. He raised his head to gaze at the raging darkness high above—where Joy Boy and Carl were locked in a battle that would decide the fate of the world.
Even Rocks, once the Pirate Overlord of an era, felt a shiver in his heart at the overwhelming waves of power emanating from that clash.
A complex light flickered in his eyes as he murmured,
"You freed me from control... but didn't try to manipulate me afterward? How ironic. And to think the one who did that was a Marine... no, a Celestial Dragon. Now that's truly amusing..."
While he was speaking, Lucia suddenly attacked, sword in hand. Empowered by her Mythical Zoan—Fallen Angel Fruit—her speed surpassed the limits of human perception. In a flash, she appeared before Rocks.
Lucia was indeed a disciple trained by Carl. From top to bottom, she carried Carl's imprint. In battle, she always found opportunities to catch her opponent off-guard.
But this time, her opponent was Rocks—the Pirate Overlord who once dominated an era.
What had improved the most after Rocks regained his consciousness wasn't his Conqueror's Haki or Armament Haki—it was his Observation Haki.
He had honed it to a level that allowed him to foresee the future—surpassing even Katakuri.
The moment Lucia approached, his body reacted instinctively. He first deflected her blade with a raised hand, then punched straight toward her abdomen.
Had that punch connected, even with her awakened Mythical Zoan physique, Lucia would've suffered serious injuries—ones that couldn't be healed quickly.
But Rocks' fist never landed. At the last second, he changed it into an open palm and shoved her away instead.
Lucia flipped through the air several times before landing between Kuzan and Aramaki.
The two immediately rushed forward to check on her. That sudden strike had startled both of them. Everyone in the Navy knew how much Lucia meant to Carl. If something had happened to her—even if Carl wouldn't blame them—they'd never forgive themselves.
Lucia shook her head slowly, her sharp gaze fixed on the distant figure of Rocks. She whispered,
"I'm fine. But that Rocks... there's something off. It doesn't seem like he wants to keep fighting."
Kuzan raised an eyebrow.
"What? He got his mind back—what, is he thinking of running away now?"
Aramaki shot him a glare.
"Use your damn brain, rookie. He was summoned by Joy Boy—he's already died once. What would be the point of running away for someone like him? Besides, I've heard rumors inside the World Government about Rocks. He's not the kind of guy who would run. What, you think he's Roger?"
Kuzan was used to Aramaki's sarcasm and ignored the jab. He nodded and replied,
"You've got a point. But we still can't let our guard down. A pirate is still a pirate. The chance of finding gold in a cesspit is lower than a meteor striking a planet. Carl-senpai told me that."
"Oh? Lord Carl said that? My god! As expected of Lord Carl! Truly words of wisdom! You dimwit, how could you not tell me this sooner? That quote needs to be passed through the entire Navy!"
"..."
Even Kuzan, who idolized Carl to an extreme degree, found Aramaki's reaction hard to take. Though it wasn't an act—Aramaki was being completely sincere.
Lucia interrupted,
"Enough chatter. That guy's coming this way!"
...
Kuzan and Aramaki's faces turned serious at once. Frosty air and verdant vines began to radiate from their bodies. Lucia's blade ignited once more with deep violet flames of desire.
Rocks leapt through the sky, stepping across the white flame clouds left behind by Joy Boy, until he stopped just ahead of the trio.
Seeing the hostility on their faces, Rocks raised a hand casually and said,
"No need to look at me like that. I'm no longer your enemy."
Lucia frowned.
"Rocks, what are you planning?"
Rocks grinned, a feral smile tugging at his lips.
"What am I planning? I've been given one more walk through this world—of course I'm going to make it count!"
...
Just as he finished speaking, Aramaki suddenly attacked. Eight thick, black wooden spikes shot toward Rocks. His eyes narrowed, and with one punch, he shattered all of them.
Aramaki was about to continue when Lucia raised a hand to stop him.
Had Kuzan made that gesture, Aramaki wouldn't have even looked twice. But since it was Lucia, he obeyed immediately, like a loyal soldier receiving orders.
It wasn't because he had feelings for Lucia. Far from it. To Aramaki, when Carl wasn't around, Lucia was Carl. She was one of the only two people in the Navy he'd willingly listen to.
Stopping Aramaki, Lucia stared straight into Rocks' eyes. Deep down, she already understood what he meant and spoke softly,
"You're going to fight Joy Boy?"
Rocks' grin widened.
"Damn right! That bastard dared to control me like some puppet. I'm Rocks, damn it!!!"
Crackle—!!
A storm of black-and-red Haki lightning erupted from Rocks' body.
In this moment—The Pirate Overlord, Rocks, had returned.
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+150 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg