"WHAT!!!"
When Rocks formally announced Fang Huo as the first mate of the Rocks Pirates, Golden Lion Shiki, Smuggler Ganzi, and Silver Axe all roared in unison.
Silver Axe especially had never imagined that after he proposed splitting up, it would push Rocks into changing his mind and allow the crew to have a first mate.
That meant if something happened to Captain Rocks, Fang Huo could rightfully inherit everything the Rocks Pirates possessed.
"worororo! What, you don't accept Fang Huo?"
"Then I'll give you a chance to challenge him—whoever beats Fang Huo can take his place as first mate of the Rocks Pirates!"
"No time limit!"
Rocks swept his gaze across the group, glanced at Fang Huo and Shiki, and grinned wickedly.
He was giving the others hope while piling pressure on Fang Huo.
If Fang Huo wanted to keep the seat, he would have to keep getting stronger and stay ahead of Whitebeard Newgate and Golden Lion Shiki.
"Well, that's acceptable."
Golden Lion Shiki muttered; at least there was still hope, and he believed he'd only grow stronger.
"Captain, you know I've always backed your decisions."
When Ganzi heard the extra condition, he promptly flattered Rocks; the schemes in his heart still smoldered.
"Fang Huo, wait for me—I'll challenge you one day!"
Silver Axe burned with fighting spirit and reluctantly accepted the new first mate.
"You want to challenge Fang Huo? You can't even get past me!"
Golden Lion Shiki couldn't help running his mouth again, shooting Silver Axe a disdainful look.
"Shiki! I'm not done with you!"
Silver Axe cursed, and the two hot-heads started their daily brawl.
—"Congratulations, Fang Huo!"
"But you'd better stay strong, or I'll personally knock you off that perch!"
Whitebeard Newgate grinned; he acknowledged the first mate, but calling Fang Huo "first mate" was out of the question.
After all, he didn't even use an honorific for Captain Rocks.
"Rocks, you're roasting me over a fire here."
"But since you sincerely offered, I'll reluctantly accept the post."
Moments ago cold and aloof, Fang Huo brightened the instant Rocks appointed him first mate.
Inwardly he even thanked Silver Axe and the others for changing Rocks' no-first mate rule.
What Fang Huo didn't know was that his own domineering declaration and heartfelt loyalty to the crew had convinced Rocks to change his mind.
"Tch—stop showing off!"
Rocks, Newgate, Shiki and Fierce all rolled their eyes at him.
Classic case of getting a bargain and still acting cute—did he have to showboat?
"Newgate, that statement is forcing me to power up!"
"To keep this first mate seat, I'll have to get serious!"
Only after taking the post did Fang Huo feel the immense pressure.
Whitebeard and Golden Lion were legendary Great Pirates who dominated an era; staying stronger than them would be a huge challenge.
Especially Whitebeard Newgate—the monster who would one day be called 'The Strongest Man in the World'.
"Get serious?"
"So you weren't serious when we fought last time? Care for a rematch?"
Newgate's magnificent mustache bristled as he glared at the swaggering Fang Huo.
"Let's save that for later!"
"Right now let's decide who wants to head to the North Blue early to hunt Devil Fruits."
Fang Huo brushed off the challenge; he had no wish to fight that monster, nor any need.
"I'm heading back to Paradise Island!"
"Shiki, let's steal a few dozen pirate ships, build a sky-fleet, haul the West Blue's supplies to the New World, and split the profit fifty-fifty."
Smuggler Ganzi jumped in, eyes gleaming with greed; searching the North Blue for vague rumors of Devil Fruits was a waste of time to him.
He already had a Devil Fruit power and no interest in finding fruits for his subordinates.
Golden Lion Shiki only wanted to go to the North Blue to mess with Silver Axe.
He couldn't exactly say he was already stockpiling resources for the day he left the Rocks Pirates.
"Gehahaha! No problem!"
Golden Lion Shiki agreed at once; easy money was money earned.
"You're coming too?"
Silver Axe looked at Bolo Gram; there weren't many non-Devil Fruit users on board.
Besides the two Fishmen, Bolo Gram posed the biggest threat to him.
As for the newcomers Stussy and Maron, Silver Axe didn't spare them a thought.
"I wasn't planning to, but that inexplicable fighting spirit of yours piqued my interest."
"Guess I'll head to the North Blue early for some fun."
Bolo Gram hadn't considered going; he'd rather stay on board partying with Newgate and Fang Huo.
Without troublemakers like Shiki and Fierce, the atmosphere might actually improve.
"Hmph!!"
Veins throbbed on Silver Axe's forehead; now even Pineapple Head was getting on his nerves.
"worororo! Stussy! Maron! You two don't have Devil Fruit powers yet—how about joining them in the North Blue to search for fruits?"
Rocks saw four were already leaving and didn't mind a few more going.
It would serve as a Survival Mission.
Anyone the World Government or Marines eliminated simply lacked the strength or the luck.
"I'm sticking with Vice Captain Fang Huo—he'll definitely find me a suitable Devil Fruit."
Stussy glued herself to Fang Huo; following those hotheads offered no protection, whereas Fang Huo was safer.
Most importantly, Fang Huo could predict the future.
As long as she handled Fang Huo, powerful Devil Fruits would be hers.
Why trudge around the North Blue for uncertain rumors?
"I'll stay in the West Blue and help the Captain look for that Patrick Redfield; I've got a few info channels here."
Maron, the new West Blue Mafia Executive, knew he wasn't strong enough yet; this wasn't the time to enter the New World or wander the North Blue.
He needed more time to build himself up.
Rocks asked the non-Devil Fruit Fishmen, Babel and Sanbel; both chose to stay on the gibecks sword.
"In that case, the four of you will leave for now!"
Rocks formally approved the departure requests of Shiki, Ganzi, Fierce and Bolo Gram, confirming the Split-Up Plan.
The four immediately commandeered several treasure-transport Flying Battleships seized on West Blue's Charity Island and set off on their raiding-and-supply run.
They aimed to steal a whole fleet and a cargo haul back to the New World.
Though Silver Axe hated wasting time, with Golden Lion Shiki's Float-Float Fruit powering the ships, he could only let Shiki and Ganzi keep 'moonlighting'.
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