Chapter 97: A Showdown for the Vice-Captain’s Seat

Karl and his companions waited on another deserted island for the arrival of Rocks and his crew.

A salty sea breeze carried across the island, rustling through the thick trees while sunlight filtered down in broken patches, painting dappled shadows across the ground.

The Jibeck edged closer to the shore. Rocks and the others, decked out in vibrant pirate attire, soared over with Moonwalk.

Each of them radiated a fierce aura, like they could slice through the air itself. It was clear everyone was in a foul mood.

A huge table was already set up on the shore.

As everyone took their seats, Rocks locked his gaze onto Karl, as if he could see right through him.

Karl recounted everything that had happened to Rocks and the others.

Rocks’s face darkened even further, his brow twisted in a deep scowl.

“So you’re telling me the mission failed?”

Rocks’s voice was thick with disappointment and frustration.

They’d already been outplayed by Sengoku and the others. Who would’ve guessed the only genuine stash of Heavenly Gold would slip away right under Karl’s nose too.

He glared hard at Karl, his expression anything but friendly.

Meeting Rocks’s sharp gaze, Karl stood up.

He jabbed a finger at Rocks, not showing a hint of fear.

“This is all because your intel was off.”

Every word trembled with anger.

“Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr were all on that ship, and you think just Linlin and I could handle that?”

Karl’s irritation was written all over his face.

Rocks rose as well. Towering over Karl, his threatening glare stayed fixed in place.

“So now it’s my fault, is that it?”

Rocks’s tone turned icy, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

Karl wanted to provoke him. Only by stoking Rocks’s fury could he pull off what needed to be done next.

Besides, Karl had figured out that neither Rocks nor Golden Lion ever laid eyes on the supposed Heavenly Gold.

It seemed Sengoku had played them all. Now tempers were hot.

“Whose fault do you think it is, then?”

“You really think you’re a genius, don’t you?”

“Your plans are trash. An elementary schooler could do better.”

“You had no idea if the info was real, but you charged ahead anyway.”

Rocks bristled at the barrage but caught himself—this wasn’t usually how Karl acted.

“You…”

“What are you really after?”

Karl swept his gaze around the group, then spoke softly.

“Here’s what I think: this crew needs a vice-captain. Decisions shouldn’t rest on your shoulders alone.”

Just as expected, everyone looked floored—even Rocks couldn’t hide his surprise.

Linlin caught on immediately. So that’s Karl’s plan, she thought—he wants to become vice-captain of the Rocks Pirates.

Far off on deck, Davis and the others had no idea what was being said, only that everything had suddenly gone silent. They all wondered if something huge was happening.

Suddenly, Rocks stood up and let out a wild laugh, throwing his arms wide and staring down Karl.

“Hahaha!”

“If you’re strong enough, of course you can.”

The air turned tense in an instant.

“Creak!”

Everyone’s eyes snapped to the golden light collecting in Karl’s hands. With his energy surging, it was obvious this battle was unavoidable.

Golden Lion and the others jumped up and backed away fast, leaving a wide space for the duel.

Golden Lion drifted off to the side, lit a cigar, and started laughing shamelessly.

“Jiehahaha!”

“Karl’s ambition is off the charts!”

He glanced sidelong at John, who was practically buzzing with excitement.

“John, maybe today’s your lucky break.”

John never imagined Karl would be dumb enough to challenge Rocks head-on.

“Hahaha…eh!”

But John’s laughter cut short when he noticed Newgate and Charlotte Linlin shooting daggers at him.

“Gurarara!”

“If anything happens to Karl, John…”

“Mamamama!”

“John, we’ve still got a score to settle.”

John instantly fell silent; the thought of getting ganged up on by Linlin and Newgate made his blood run cold. With his right hand gone, he wasn’t what he used to be.

“Boom!”

Everyone’s attention snapped to the shore at the thunderous noise, where two figures faced each other down.

Davis and the others stopped talking as they watched the fight play out.

“The captain’s fighting Captain Rocks!”

Two arcs of red Conqueror’s Haki collided in midair for all to see.

“Hahaha!”

“You’ve got some skill, don’t you?”

Karl didn’t know the full extent of Rocks’s strength, but anyone who could overwhelm Golden Lion and Newgate had to be on another level.

“But you’re still a long way from the captain’s league.”

Karl took a deep breath. He knew he was seriously outmatched in this Conqueror’s Haki clash—he could feel his own aura being shoved back by Rocks bit by bit.

A determined spark flashed in his eyes. He couldn’t afford to wait any longer.

“Heaven and earth obey my will, all energies return to source, after countless calamities my spirit shall rise—within and beyond the three worlds, only the Way endures. My body covered in golden light, nothing can harm me!”

As he chanted, a halo of gold flared up around him, layering his whole body in radiant armor.

He knew it still wouldn’t be enough.

“Titan Form!”

His entire body swelled even larger.

“Eight-Level Fist—Heaven-Piercing Elbow!”

Of all his skills, the Eight-Level Fist was the best for close combat, packing incredible power in seconds.

With both feet pushing off the ground, Karl shot toward Rocks like an arrow unleashed.

Rocks grinned savagely, watching Karl’s form morph in an instant—this was the chance to finally test his true strength.

“Karl, you really are full of surprises.”

As Karl closed in, Rocks spun to block him. Their elbows collided, cracking the air with a sizzling static.

But Rocks didn’t hesitate for a second.

He drove his right foot out in a flash, smashing into Karl’s waist at blistering speed.

Pain shot through Karl as he was flung hundreds of meters, crashing hard and leaving a crater dozens of meters deep.

Rocks didn’t show any relief at the sight.

He stomped forward, charging at Karl with the relentless focus of a predator locked on its prey.

Caught off guard by the attack, Karl refused to give up. He pushed himself up, fixing his eyes on Rocks barreling toward him.

The difference in raw strength was glaring—Karl was nowhere close to Rocks’s power.

Was Rocks even human?

Karl raised his hands. Energy crackled between his palms, his eyes blazing as he tracked Rocks’s approach.

“Thunder Fist!”

Karl stood his ground, blasting a thunderball-shaped shockwave at Rocks.

But Rocks was no fool. He instantly punched out with his right arm, cloaked in Armament Haki, and shattered every thunderball Karl launched.

After blocking the barrage, Rocks felt a faint tingle run up his left hand.

“Not bad at all. Your powers have some bite.”

His interest piqued, Rocks rushed at Karl even faster. He hadn’t felt a jolt like that in a fight for ages—it made him even more pumped.

The thrill from Karl’s lightning had lit a fire in him. He seemed more exhilarated than ever.

Feeling his palm attack had little effect, Karl dared not hold back. He launched right into Eight-Level Fist—Mountain Press!

In a blink, their attacks collided midair, unleashing an ear-shattering boom.

The shockwaves cracked the earth and sent dust flying everywhere.

High above, a jagged rift tore open in the sky. Even dark clouds were sucked in, vanishing without a trace.

“The sky’s been split apart!”