Chapter 43: Battle for the Devil Fruit: Rocks Pirates Invade Tyr Kingdom
by xennovel“Drip!”
The Snow Lion Admiral knew the moment he learned that Rocks and his entire crew had mobilized, his plan to escort the Devil Fruit back to Navy Headquarters was impossible. With such a giant target, he’d be the first one everyone chased. He had to think of another way.
“Rear Admiral North!”
“The mission to escort the Devil Fruit back to Navy Headquarters is yours now.”
After ending the call, Snow Lion went straight to his most trusted subordinate, Rear Admiral North. He wanted to pull a classic bait-and-switch. After all, North’s power barely registered on this battlefield. No one was going to pay him any mind.
“Admiral Snow Lion, I…”
Tasked in a crisis, Rear Admiral North understood instantly what kind of responsibility was placed on his shoulders.
“I’m too visible. Only you can handle this dangerous mission now.”
“Understood, Admiral Snow Lion. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”
North knew that if Snow Lion had handed him this task, things had truly reached a critical point.
He didn’t refuse. Instead, with just a hint of worry, he spoke up.
“What about you, sir…?”
“If luck’s on my side, I’ll see you at Headquarters.”
“Yes, sir!”
North snapped a formal Navy salute, his voice trembling on the edge of tears. He knew exactly what kind of risks Admiral Snow Lion was about to face. The Rocks Pirates had a reputation for being the most savage crew on the seas—not a single person had confidence they’d survive a clash with them.
“Alright. Once the Tyr Kingdom hands over the Devil Fruit, you need to grab it immediately. Take a small boat straight for Navy Headquarters. Remember, ditch the Navy uniform and disguise yourself as a pirate. That way, you’ll have a slightly better shot at making it.”
“Got it, Admiral Snow Lion. Please take care of yourself too.”
North saluted again before turning and walking away.
As he stepped outside, North clenched his fists tight. He knew the Navy was still too weak. Otherwise, there was no way the Rocks Pirates could run wild in the New World like this.
…
The Second Half of the New World!
A ship flew a black flag marked by a skull wearing an ancient captain’s hat. Two crossed white bones jutted from either brim, and the skull’s eyes burned with vivid red crosses, radiating an aura of bloodlust and horror.
That same flag had whipped up countless storms in the One Piece World. Just a glimpse made your blood run cold. It stood for power, fear and ambition. Every pirate dreamed of joining this crew—the legendary Rocks Pirates!
At the front, naturally, was Rocks’s personal ship, The Dark.
Following it sailed seven slightly smaller pirate vessels—each one belonging to a division captain.
Trailing behind them were countless other smaller boats.
Perched on a lookout, a sentry caught sight of the fleet in the distance and shouted to the soldiers below.
“The Rocks Pirates are coming! Somebody go alert the Royal Guard!”
“What? Are you sure it’s really them?”
A soldier below shouted back, panic in his voice.
“Positive! It’s the Rocks Pirates, so go notify command!”
The sentry on the watchtower pressed them urgently, face pale with fear at how serious the situation had become.
“Alright, alright, I get it! Keep watching and I’ll go report right now!”
That soldier scrambled up and dashed into the heart of town. They’d all heard already—the Rocks Pirates were coming for them.
Every day lately had been lived in fear and anxiety. All anyone could do was pray the Rocks Pirates wouldn’t come for their island.
But wishes weren’t enough. The Rocks Pirates had come anyway.
“Woooo!”
A low, blaring alarm sounded, echoing across the entire island.
“The Rocks Pirates are here.”
Inside the king’s hall, King Tyr sprang to action the instant he heard the emergency alarm, turning to his advisors Kreuss and Giles.
“Everyone, it’s time to move out.”
King Tyr strode straight out of the hall to the plaza.
“Soldiers! The Rocks Pirates are invading our land. What will we do?”
“Fight to the last man!”
“Good! Soldiers, charge with me!”
King Tyr led the way, his people charging after him onto the battlefield.
Elsewhere, reporters crowded the docks—after all, word of the Rocks Pirates attacking Tyr Kingdom had already spread.
But the pirates were even quicker.
“Alright, boys! Into Tyr Kingdom, now!”
“Let’s go, everyone!”
“Charge!”
“Treasure, here I come!”
Before their ships could even touch the shore, countless pirates from the Rocks fleet leapt down and rushed onto the docks.
“Open fire!”
“Bang Bang Bang!”
Suddenly, gunshots rang out in all directions.
As more and more people joined the melee, the docks were painted red with blood in an instant—a crimson haze began to creep over the sea itself.
“Jiehahaha!”
“I’m heading in first!”
The Golden Lion sensed his opponent speeding toward the battlefield and immediately floated away to intercept.
Whitebeard and Charlotte Linlin also raced straight for the center of the action.
With those three crashing into the fight, soldiers fell left and right. Even those who dodged the first blow were shredded by the battle’s shockwaves.
“Lion’s Thousand-Slice Valley!”
Golden Lion charged straight into the heart of the enemy army, cutting a bloody path as all eyes watched.
“Get out of the way! That’s Golden Lion Shiki!”
“Ahh—my hand!”
Golden Lion unleashed several strikes in a row.
“Jiehaha!”
“Found you!”
“Lion’s Might—Imperial Scroll!”
“Roar!”
Guided by his Devil Fruit’s power, Golden Lion made rubble soar into the sky, forming a gigantic stone lion’s head. It let out a thunderous roar at King Tyr, destroying everything in its path.
Seeing Golden Lion charge in, King Tyr clenched his fists, his whole body covered in Armament Haki, and dashed headlong at the lion’s maw.
“Boom!”
The instant they clashed, the entire world seemed to tremble. In a flash, the battlefield was cleared into a huge circle. But Golden Lion now stood at the height of his power.
King Tyr was forced back, stumbling hundreds of meters. He landed, face a bit red, stubbornly holding in a cough. He knew he was his nation’s symbol now—he couldn’t let anyone see him falter.
Golden Lion had been knocked back by the shockwave, but barely felt a scratch.
“Golden Lion, coming to Tyr Kingdom will be the worst mistake you ever make.”
After a brief pause, King Tyr turned into a streak of black lightning, appearing before Shiki in a blink and slamming his fist at Shiki’s skull!
“Jiehahaha!”
“Let’s see if you have what it takes!”
Shiki burst out laughing.
“Wave Slash!”
With a swing of his twin swords, he unleashed a golden, cross-shaped slash, its brilliance matched only by its raw power. It collided with King Tyr, forcing him to retreat again.
The giant stone lion and King Tyr’s body crashed together again and again.
Elsewhere, Whitebeard squared off with Kreuss, while Charlotte Linlin tangled with Giles. Battles broke out all around.
The field split into several furious skirmishes.
Thunderous booms filled the air.
Meanwhile, Rocks stood at the bow of The Dark and showed no intent to disembark. He stood there, wondering what tricks the Navy might pull this time.
But nobody noticed that, on the far side of the island, North had already set off with the Devil Fruit in a small boat.
King Tyr soon returned to the fight—but now he was watching Admiral Snow Lion from the shadows. As soon as he entered the fray, he sensed a lurking danger. All the while, he kept an eye on Long Yi and Long Er.