Chapter 3: Executives! And Roa's Feast

Hachinosu Island, the headquarters of the Rocks Pirates, was widely acknowledged in the New World as the most dangerous island, striking fear into almost everyone who heard its name.

Although it was commonly spoken of as a demonic den, in reality, the island boasted beautiful scenery and pleasant weather. Its golden beaches were no less stunning than anywhere else, and with its perpetual summer climate, it could even be considered an excellent tourist destination.

It was just that the "tourists" gathered here were all heinous pirates.

When the large ship slowly descended from the sky, the pirates at the port erupted in cheers.

"Boss Shiki is back! Does that mean the Golden Pirate Crew has been dealt with?"

"As expected of Boss Shiki! That was 'Golden Lord' with an 800 million bounty!"

"Isn't that obvious? All who dare to oppose our Rocks Pirates only face death!"

"They don't even know their own standing! How dare they try to establish a pirate island like Boss Rocks!"

Roa stood at the ship's rail, the small child hugging his arms, looking down from above with a sigh. "Oh, oh, Uncle Shiki is really popular. A big star of Hachinosu Island, unlike me. I clearly contributed, but no one even mentions me. It's truly disheartening."

"Less chatter."

The Golden Lion had long passed the age of getting excited by others' cheers. After docking the ship, he soared away. "Let's go, to see that guy Rocks."

"Help me send my chang ghost back to the gladiatorial arena."

Roa turned back and instructed the pirates on the deck.

"Yes, sir!"

The pirates quickly lowered their heads and answered respectfully, not daring to show any hesitation. It was as if the smiling Roa was a ferocious beast that preyed on people.

"Wait for me, Uncle Shiki!"

Roa instantly transformed into a black tiger-man with wings on his back. His dark wings flapped, and he shot up like an arrow released from a bow, chasing after the Golden Lion.

The core of Hachinosu Island was the enormous Skull Building. The executives of the Rocks Pirates usually handled their affairs here, and it was also Rocks' residence.

However, Roa and the Golden Lion did not meet Rocks.

"That bastard took Linlin and Kaido to hunt down Roger,"

In the spacious office, a large man with flowing golden hair and a white crescent mustache said while drinking, "That scoundrel actually made me stay here to guard Hachinosu Island."

"What? Roger?"

Uncle Shiki showed the same expression as the man in front of him. "Why didn't that bastard Rocks wait for me to return! How can chasing Roger be done without me!"

Another high-ranking executive of the Rocks Pirates, Edward Newgate, also known as Whitebeard, angrily slammed his goblet onto the table. "That bastard just wants to deal with Roger personally!"

Roa scratched the back of his head. "Haha, you uncles really like Roger, huh."

Gol D. Roger, known as the "Pirate Succubus."

Hearing his voice, Whitebeard looked down at him, his gaze filled with obvious disdain.

Roa was not surprised by this. Among all the executives of the Rocks Pirates, this Uncle Whitebeard was one of the only two who disliked him.

"Hey, hey, Newgate, that's not how you should talk to a child."

Shiki placed his left hand on Roa's head, blowing smoke rings as he spoke. "This kid was very active this time too."

"I have nothing to say to this malicious brat."

Whitebeard sneered.

"Haha."

Roa let out a tactical silly laugh, his cute little face looking adorable.

Whitebeard was considered orderly among pirates, and he strongly disliked Roa, who fed on human suffering.

"Gahahahaha!"

The Golden Lion roared with laughter, rubbing Roa's head, not taking it to heart.

This was a good thing. The Rocks Pirates would eventually fall apart, and at that time, the whereabouts of Roa, this endlessly potential kid, would be crucial.

Shiki felt that Newgate was the only one who could compete with him.

But Newgate greatly disliked Roa.

"And you, Shiki,"

Whitebeard's gaze focused on the Golden Lion's face. "You went too far this time. You destroyed the entire Doldoria Island?"

"Without decisive action, how can we deter those dogs? And, Newgate,"

Shiki didn't buy it at all, his voice suddenly turning cold. "Do you have a problem with my methods?"

"Hmm?"

Whitebeard frowned. "Are you not convinced?"

"Gahahahaha!"

Accompanied by the lion's wild laughter, black lightning began to crackle around him. "It seems you want to fight me?"

"If that's how you understand it, I don't care!"

Whitebeard's mustache began to tremble.

Rumble!

The Skull Building suddenly began to shake. Though unseen, Roa estimated that the entire Hachinosu Island must have started trembling.

"Oh, oh! Are the two uncles going to fight?"

Roa wisely retreated.

This was a daily occurrence in the Rocks Pirates; the executives would start fighting over a single disagreement.

After all, the strongest pirate crew in this world was characterized by their disunity.

And every clash between the executives was when Roa was most excited.

Fight, the more serious the fight, the better.

If two monsters clashed on this island, how much delicious black mist could the people on the island emit?

Saliva began to seep from the corners of Roa's mouth. On the way back, he could only eat normal food, and he was craving.

However, just then.

"Newgate!"

An unusually affected woman's voice rang out. "I baked you a cake! Come and try it quickly!"

A woman excitedly pushed a food cart into the room.

She was a very beautiful woman, with short golden hair, exquisite features, and a graceful figure – undeniably beautiful.

However, if such a woman's face was flushed with a strange blush, filled with a twisted, bizarre smile, and even had a nosebleed, she wouldn't be so captivating.

What a waste of a face, little Roa sighed inwardly.

This woman was the second person, besides Whitebeard, who disliked Roa. Because she was madly in love with Whitebeard, she naturally disliked anyone Whitebeard disliked.

Thankfully, there's still Stussy.

Even Uncle Whitebeard, who was confronting Uncle Shiki, stopped his clash with Shiki, immediately showing an extremely disgusted expression. "Stussy, what did you add this time?"

"Added?"

The woman wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, giggling strangely. "Nothing, nothing at all! Come, Newgate, come and try it!"

"That's enough,"

Another woman walked in, also a captivating beauty with long white hair, accompanied by a long snake. "Newgate, it's best not to eat it. That idiot Stussy put elephant aphrodisiac in the cake."

"Gloriosa!"

Buckin's Stussy, the future mother of Weevil and the clone template for CP0 agent Stussy, shrieked and pounced at the newcomer. "You're asking for death!"

The woman named Gloriosa, the former empress of Amazon Lily, rolled her eyes, gracefully dodging Stussy's pounce.

She even had enough leisure to greet Roa. "Little Roa is back too?"

Looks like there won't be a fight.

Roa sighed, What a pity.

Though he sighed inwardly, the most polite good child of the Rocks Pirates still earnestly replied, "Aunt Gloriosa, good afternoon! You're super beautiful today too!"

"Oh, what a well-spoken good child!"

Gloriosa dodged Stussy's attack again, even managing to pat Roa's head. "Did you have fun outside this time?"

"Lots of fun."

Roa grinned.

It had been a long time since he tasted such delicious black mist; Uncle Shiki was indeed an excellent chef.

Seeing that Whitebeard no longer had any intention of fighting, the Golden Lion clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Kid, I'm going to eat. Coming along?"

"No, thanks."

Roa politely refused. "I'll eat back home."

The Golden Lion raised an eyebrow, then gave a strange smile. "It's no wonder Newgate doesn't like you, kid."

"Hmph."

Whitebeard snorted coldly.

Roa scratched the back of his head, giving a tactical silly grin.

Bidding farewell to his much older colleagues, Roa returned to his residence on Hachinosu Island.

It was a small gladiatorial arena located very close to the Skull Building.

Before he even entered, a man came to greet him. "Lord Roa! You're back!"

"Oh! Dylan, I'm back! Thank you for taking care of the place these past few days!"

Roa waved to the approaching man.

The man named Dylan was Roa's follower.

The Rocks Pirates were like this: nominally one pirate crew, but internally they were like separate factions, the executives just one step away from falling apart.

Even Roa had his small group.

"The new chang ghosts have been settled,"

Facing his smiling master, Dylan was meticulous. "Are you going to dine now?"

"Yes, yes!"

Roa's cute little face was full of anticipation. "I've only been able to eat regular food these past few days. Quickly bring out all the delicious feasts for me!"

"Yes, sir."

And so, shortly after.

Roa had once again transformed into a massive black tiger, lying expectantly on the throne at the highest point of the gladiatorial arena's spectator stands.

In the arena below, iron gates on both sides lifted with a boom, and two groups of anxious people emerged from the two respective entrances.

Most of them were injured and looked disheveled, but everyone held swords and blades.

When they noticed each other, their expressions instantly grew even uglier.

To one side of the throne, Dylan raised his voice, "Now, begin the slaughter! Only the victors will survive!"

Saliva seeped from the corners of Roa's mouth.

Heh heh, dinner time.