CHAPTER 17

The deck was crowded.

Every notable officer aboard the Rocks Pirates' ship had gathered—including Rocks himself.

Ayr observed from the sidelines as Rocks' sharp gaze settled on Silver Axe.

"Silver Axe… do you wish to become one of my main cadres?" Rocks' voice was calm yet oppressive, as if the very air around them grew heavier.

The entire crew went silent.

Silver Axe remained motionless, waiting for Rocks to continue.

"If that's the case, you may challenge any of my top officers—Shiki, Edward, or Linlin. If you can hold your ground against them, then I will recognize you as one of my main cadres."

The Hierarchy of the Rocks Pirates

Unlike other pirate crews, the Rocks Pirates followed a brutal hierarchy of strength.

The officers were divided into two levels:

Ordinary cadres—strong, but still beneath the elite.

Main cadres—the few warriors standing just below Rocks himself.

Among them, only Golden Lion (Shiki), Whitebeard (Edward Newgate), and Big Mom (Charlotte Linlin) had truly earned the title of main cadre.

And the difference in power was overwhelming.

Not only were the main cadres significantly stronger, but their share of the loot was twice that of the lower-ranked officers.

It was this advantage that had led Silver Axe to seek promotion today.

A Challenge Mocked

Golden Lion leaned casually against the ship's guardrail, his golden hair swaying in the breeze. A mocking smirk curled across his lips.

"Oi, oi, Silver Axe… just give up now. You're nowhere near the level of a main cadre."

Charlotte Linlin, a grin stretching across her face, added in a teasing tone:

"What's wrong, Silver Axe? Are you picking me? Don't worry… I won't kill you."

Another main cadre grumbled.

"Captain Rocks, I'm also a main cadre. Why not let Silver Axe challenge me?"

Silver Axe ignored their taunts, his expression cold and unreadable.

Instead, he turned to Rocks.

"I wish to challenge you directly, Captain Rocks."

A murmur swept through the crowd.

The Logic of Madness

Ayr's eyes narrowed slightly.

So that's his plan…

It was obvious why Silver Axe refused to fight Shiki, Whitebeard, or Linlin.

If he fought any of them, he would not only lose—he would likely be killed.

But challenging Rocks himself was a gamble.

Rocks had no reason to kill him outright—Silver Axe was still a useful pawn in his eyes.

He was betting on survival.

But was it really the safer choice?

A dangerous gamble. A foolish gamble.

And Rocks laughed.

"Oh? So that's your choice?" Rocks' grin was wide and menacing. "I hope you realize… I don't hold back."

Shock and Laughter

Golden Lion burst into laughter, gripping his stomach.

"Silver Axe… you're seriously insane! You think you can take on Captain Rocks?"

Charlotte Linlin giggled, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

"You could've challenged me, and you'd still have a chance at survival. But now? Ahahaha~! You're going to die."

Ochoku folded his arms, frowning.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

John chuckled.

"Do you have a death wish, Silver Axe?"

Only Whitebeard remained silent.

He simply watched Silver Axe with curiosity.

Then, Silver Axe spoke, his voice cold and unwavering.

"Shut up, all of you."

The jeers stopped.

A smirk lingered on Shiki's face, but no one spoke further.

Then, Rocks spoke again.

"If you can satisfy me… you'll be recognized as a main cadre. But, Silver Axe…" Rocks' grin sharpened. "I won't be lenient."

Ayr remained silent as he watched.

"Silver Axe… you're walking the road to death."

---

The Battle Begins

The crowd parted, creating an open battlefield on the deck.

Voices whispered in hushed excitement.

"Is Silver Axe really doing this?"

"Captain Rocks hasn't fought in a while… this should be interesting."

"Tch, there's no way Captain Silver Axe is walking away from this alive."

"He had a chance if he challenged Whitebeard or Shiki, but Rocks? He's a dead man."

Yet despite their words, all eyes remained fixed on the battlefield.

Because no one dared to look away when Rocks D. Xebec fought.

A Clash of Monsters

Rocks stood calmly, his hands behind his back.

His overwhelming presence alone seemed to distort the air around him.

Silver Axe exhaled slowly, gripping his massive battle axe.

His muscles tensed.

His Haki surged.

And in the next instant—

BOOM!

He exploded forward, his massive frame moving at terrifying speed.

Ayr's eyes gleamed.

"He's fast… for someone his size."

Silver Axe vanished in a blur, reappearing directly in front of Rocks.

"Shhhhhh!!!"

He swung his axe downward, the air itself screaming as it split apart.

A mountain-shattering strike.

An attack powerful enough to tear through entire islands.

A strike meant to kill.

But—

"SNAP!!!"

The battlefield fell into silence.

Because Rocks…

Had caught the axe with one hand.

Not only had he stopped the attack—he hadn't even moved his feet.

The overwhelming force that could split mountains—

Neutralized in an instant.

Silver Axe's eyes widened in shock.

"…Impossible."

He had poured everything into that strike.

And Rocks had stopped it like it was nothing.

The Overwhelming Power of Rocks D. Xebec

Rocks smirked, his voice dripping with amusement.

"You've grown stronger, Silver Axe. But if you think this is enough to impress me… you're mistaken."

And with that—

He twisted his wrist.

BAM!

Silver Axe's massive frame was lifted off the ground—flung like a ragdoll.

He crashed into the ship's mast, the wood splintering on impact.

The battle had just begun—

But the outcome was already clear.

—