Pirate: I have a Hollow living inside me!

He's out of options.

To survive, any means necessary will be used!

"Humph……"

Lockes didn't want to waste time and seemed to have figured out what the other person was thinking.

So even after enduring the close-range sonic impact of the Hanafuda, he couldn't help but groan, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth...

"it's over……"

A sinister smile appeared on Rocks' face, and his Conqueror's Haki relentlessly assaulted the opponent's mind.

The Seven Star Sword was raised high once more, unleashing a powerful thunderous aura and flashing emerald light.

This fully charged sword strike... is sure to kill the opponent!

"you……"

Seeing this, Hanafuda's eyes showed even greater despair.

This guy is a madman; he didn't even dodge or evade his attacks.

Do you really want to kill him that badly?!

Hanafuda is now somewhat regretful.

If he had known that the Black Demon was the other side's ship, then he would have...

No, I should say...

If he had known the other party was so strong, he would definitely have given up the Black Demon.

To offend such a terrifying being for the sake of a ship, and even risk one's life...

This deal is not worth it at all!

Hanafuda still tried to struggle, invoking the name of his backer. He roared, "You can't kill me! I'm Kaido's man! If you kill me, Kaido will..."

"It doesn't matter if your father or mother is Im..."

Rocks sneered.

Is the other party connected to Kaido?

Some of the surprises were actually expected.

The other party is collecting Zoan-type Devil Fruits; Hanafuda is also a type of playing card.

The three calamities of the Beasts Pirates correspond to the face cards in playing cards.

But so what if "Tyrant Dragon" Hanafuda is one of "Beasts" Kaido's people?

Can't we kill him?

It doesn't matter that you're Im's son!

Unless you claim to have a connection with Shanks, Rocks, being a user of the Face-Face Fruit, would still have to give you some face...

In the original work, those who didn't give Shanks face, well, they all met rather tragic ends...

"Extreme Slash!"

Rocks's sword, poised to strike, had already fallen.

The sword's edge flashed like light, its blade glowing like a fluorescent light.

A sword imbued with domineering power, ability, and willpower is enough to sever most matter in the world.

The domineering aura used for defense? It was instantly severed and shattered!

Zoan-type Devil Fruit users have incredibly strong physiques? They're as fragile as tofu!

The Awakened One's incredible regenerative abilities? My friend, that's not immortality!

*Sizzle!*

The sound of a sharp blade slicing through flesh rang out.

A line of blood appeared on Hanafuda's body after Rox's sword strike, spreading from his head to his feet...

"You... hehe... Kaido... will avenge me... You... have hindered his... plans..."

The awakening of Zoan-type abilities gives Hanafuda a powerful life force, but it is also a last gasp before it dies.

His voice, which had been intermittent, became clear: "Hahaha, you'll be killed by him! I'll be waiting for you in the underworld, Black-haired Swordsman!!"

"I will... wait... for... you..."

Amidst the menacing laughter, the sound of the Hanafuda cards grew fainter and fainter until it disappeared completely...

His body split in two along the bloodline, falling to the left and right.

Blood stained the sea red, and entrails spilled out, creating a gruesome scene...

"What a pity, we're missing a decent Devil Fruit..."

Lox was unconcerned about the final threat posed by Hanafuda.

On the contrary, he felt it was a pity that a decent Devil Fruit had disappeared right under his nose...

He could sense that after Hanafuda died, the "essence" of the Devil Fruit slowly dissipated.

He was like an "incompetent husband," only able to watch helplessly, unable to do anything.

My heart is aching so badly it feels like it's bleeding!

"If only I had a storage ring, I could carry the fruit with me and not waste a decent Devil Fruit..."

Rocks counted on his fingers, sighed, and shook his head.

What a waste of a Devil Fruit, especially a relatively rare Ancient Zoan one.

"Well, it's not like we gained nothing. At least we got two more Devil Fruits into our bags: the Leopard-Leopard Fruit and the Door-Door Fruit..."

Lockes shook off the thought from his mind.

With a flash, he returned towards the No. 1 dock port.

Although they lost one Ancient, they still managed to capture Rob Lucci and Bruno.

Both of them are Devil Fruit users.

All told, Rocks currently possesses three Devil Fruits.

Logia-type Sand-Sand Fruit, Zoan-type Leopard-Leopard Fruit, Paramecia-type Door-Door Fruit.

He possesses all three types of Devil Fruits.

Of course, Lox could never have too many...

……

By the time Rocks returned to Dock One, the battle between Kuina and Kaku had ended.

The winner is naturally Kuina.

Kuina's strength is not bad.

Kaku is not a Devil Fruit user yet, and there are still three years until the timeline of the original story.

It's normal that he's no match for Kuina...

As for Rob Lucci, he was already seriously injured, and then Issho used his ability to suppress him, so he had long since fallen into a coma...

Since then.

The CP9 members, who were carrying out a mission on Water Seven Island in disguise, were all captured by the Blackwing Demon Adventurer Group!

"Is it resolved?"

Aside from sweat on her forehead, Kuina was unharmed. Upon seeing Rocks return, she inquired about the situation.

Lox nodded: "Yes, but it's a bit of a pity we couldn't capture them alive..."

It was indeed difficult to capture them alive at that time, as Zoan-type Awakened beings have extremely strong resistance to attacks and recovery abilities.

To avoid any unforeseen circumstances, Rocks had no choice but to kill.

He's always been cautious!

Kuina responded softly, "Mm."

She and Nami knew that Rocks could steal Devil Fruits from Devil Fruit users.

I know what he meant by "regret"...

Robin walked over and pointed to the unconscious CP9 members: "Captain, what should we do with them?"

Rocks glanced at the four CP9 members and said calmly, "Keep the two Devil Fruit users alive, and execute the rest on the spot. Showing mercy to the enemy is cruelty to your comrades..."

As I said before, Rocks would show no mercy to his enemies.

Even if one of them is a stunningly beautiful woman with a curvaceous figure...

CP members are loyal to the World Government and have been brainwashed since childhood, so it is impossible for them to be "reformed".

Why not kill them and keep them for the New Year?

Robin tilted her head: "Two Devil Fruit users?"

Rocks said, "That guy with the bull horns is also a power user."

'Hiss...'

Upon hearing this, Kuina drew her sword, Wado Ichimonji.

With two decisive slashes, two heads flew off.

Kaku and Kalifa followed Hanafuda without suffering...

Carrera Company staff: "..."

So decisive?

Seeing their former "partners" dead, they were not in high spirits.

Although the other party was a member of the CP organization who had infiltrated their ranks, they had at least spent some time together...