I am the Bandit King of the East Sea.

Lieutenant General Kowell returned under the name Iron Chrysanthemum, and at his command, ten thousand retired Iron Crotch Army veterans rushed to the scene.

The Iron Crotch Legion, numbering 10,000, was rebuilt and trained as a special forces unit within the navy.

"The iron chrysanthemum remains!"

Such slogans resounded throughout the Naval Headquarters, becoming a beautiful sight.

Not only that, but in addition to Cowell, the Navy Headquarters also attaches great importance to this.

In order to deal with the man who should have been dead long ago, the navy allocated a huge sum of money to build ten makeshift proctology hospitals as quickly as possible, so as to completely eliminate the Iron Crotch Army's worries.

Even the great scientist Vegapunk, who was about to make his mark, received orders to develop a new generation of titanium steel groin protectors.

While the Navy was undertaking major construction projects, Sig was also working hard to familiarize himself with the affairs of Rocks and the so-called "King of the Pleasure District," Ivan.

In this new world of this era, there is also fertile ground for the kings of the dark world to survive.

As the head of intelligence in the underworld, Ivan had many dealings with powerful pirates like Rocks.

More than half a month has passed.

Sieg didn't receive any further contact from Ivan or Stussy, which gave him a bit of a headache.

The permanent compass sent by Stussy did not specify the location.

Meanwhile, Sieg didn't know how to contact Ivan or Stussy via Den Den Mushi...

"It's about time we set off. After all, we don't know where the permanent pointer is pointing yet. If we leave any later, we might miss our appointment."

With that thought in mind, Sigurd finally gathered the crew's officers at the port and prepared to set off.

The Rocks Pirates are now a massive force, with dozens of affiliated pirate crews and countless powerful individuals. Their strength is comparable to, or even greater than, the Four Emperors of later generations, making them a truly formidable military force.

Even the navy wouldn't easily start a war with them on the oceans of the New World.

For safety reasons, on this voyage, in addition to the necessary troops left behind, Higuma also brought almost half of his pirate crew.

However, just as they were about to set off, Sieg was greeted by an uninvited guest.

"Captain Rocks, the Roger Pirates have approached our territory and have already defeated three of our pirate crews!" a pirate reported.

"I really don't know how to live or die!"

"The Roger Pirates only managed to escape from the Rocks Pirates last time because their captain gave King Higash face. Now they dare to invade again?"

"Heh, that's just courting death. With Captain Rocks in charge, would Roger dare to attack?"

While the pirates sneered, they all turned their gazes toward Sig.

They may be laughing, but Roger's strength is no joke.

Even the most renowned members of the Rocks Pirates, such as Whitebeard and Shiki, never defeated Roger.

At this moment, a pirate reminded him:

"Captain Rocks, the island attacked by the Roger Pirates is Skull Island, which is part of our territory. It's located southeast of Beehive Island, exactly in the opposite direction from our destination..."

"If we change course to drive away the Roger Pirates, it will waste a lot of time going back and forth..."

At this point, Whitebeard stepped forward, naginata in hand, and volunteered:

"Captain Rocks, I'll handle Roger."

Sig looked up and met Whitebeard's gaze; neither of them showed any expression.

Since King Sieg's death, Sieg had tried to contact Whitebeard in secret.

But no matter what pretext was used to summon Whitebeard, he would always find various ways to evade and refuse, so much so that more than half a month later, Sig still had not found an opportunity to speak with Whitebeard privately.

“Then it’s up to you, Newgate.” Sieg finally nodded in agreement.

He turned his gaze to the others, leaving Whitebeard behind, and led his fleet of several thousand men, parting ways with Whitebeard's pirate ships at the port.

Whitebeard stood on the bow deck, watching Rocks' fleet gradually disappear into the distance, and slowly tightened his grip on the naginata in his hand.

........

Two days later, Whitebeard and his crew encountered Roger's pirate crew on Skull Island, a territory controlled by Rocks.

The fierce battle between the two sides lasted for three days and three nights without a clear victor.

After the battle ended, the two sides sat down together and began drinking, just like always.

After a few rounds of drinks, it was the white-bearded man who took the initiative to start the conversation:

"Roger, I've always been curious. You just fought Rocks not long ago, so why did you trespass into the Rocks Pirates' territory at this time?"

"Could it be that they heard about that man's death and came to confirm it?"

The white-bearded man asked in a deep voice.

"That's true... I see..."

Roger nodded, tilted his head back and drank a bowl of wine, seemingly not taking Whitebeard's words to heart at all.

This made Whitebeard narrow his eyes, slightly disappointed:

"I thought you were on good terms with that man and that you came here on purpose."

Roger shook his head:

"No, this is actually one of our objectives as well."

"There's been a rumor going around that the vice-captain, who had just returned to the pirate crew, was killed by your captain Rocks himself... That's what's being said."

"Then, Whitebeard, let me ask you this: did you witness Wang Xige's death with your own eyes, or did you see his body?"

These words left Whitebeard speechless for a moment.

He thought for a moment before speaking:

"Do not."

“Not only me, but the rest of the Pirate Crew also did not witness King Hig’s death. His battle with Rocks took place deep within an island, and no one witnessed it.”

"Moreover, we didn't even find a body."

However, at this point, Whitebeard hesitated a little:

"You mean, Lox is lying? But how could that be?"

"No body, no witnesses, that's good enough." Roger gulped down his drink, his gaze somewhat unfocused.

"If he were here, he would probably say this..."

Roger coughed lightly, his eyes becoming slightly serious, his chin tilting up slightly, his expression a half-smile.

"I will not die."

"I, King Sig, roam the seas, defeating all heroes under heaven. I am second to none in my life. Even if I am destroyed a thousand times, I will be reborn from the brink of death!"

Chapter 752 Rocks' Big Move

Whitebeard was deeply shaken after hearing Roger's words.

He and Roger clinked glasses again, and then Roger continued:

"Whitebeard, something similar has happened before!"

"Twelve years ago, on an island, Wang Xige was suspected of dying in an internal conflict and was killed by Charlotte Linlin from your ship."

"Eighteen years ago in Loguetown, East Blue, he was chased away by a young Charlotte Linlin. At the time, I thought he was dead, but I unexpectedly ran into him on my way to sea..."

Roger narrowed his eyes, recalling his early days as a novice.

“Newgate, Wang Sieg won’t die so easily. Although I don’t quite understand it either, the next time he appears, it might be several years, or even more than a decade, like the previous times!”

"Speaking of which, you must be quite curious about his abilities, right?"

Roger stared directly at the white-bearded man, his gaze somewhat profound.

When he reunited with Sig, it was on Water Star Island. At that time, he was completely absorbed by Sig's secrets about the final island and didn't pay attention to the battle.

Later on Scarborough Island, Roger witnessed Siegfried's impressive feat of splitting two tigers, but he didn't have the chance to fight him and they parted ways afterwards.

"So...Newgate!"

Roger downed the wine in his bowl in one gulp, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"Before he reappears, you must live well, take care of your health, and not succumb to old age and disease, so that you can always stay at the top."

"Let's wait until he reappears on the sea, until we stand at the true pinnacle, and then we'll challenge him!"

Whitebeard was taken aback.

He had never actually fought against Sieg.

But as Whitebeard pondered Roger's words, he felt that there seemed to be a hidden meaning in them.

.........

During the few days that Whitebeard and Roger made contact.

The Rocks Pirates' fleet sailed through the waves, rapidly approaching their destination.

For safety reasons, Higuma's fleet this time numbered several thousand people. With Rocks's reputation and the many great pirates on board, plus a massive fleet of several thousand people, there were probably few who could rival him in the entire New World.

Very stable!

"Having great power makes all the difference; it gives you a sense of security."

"The Rocks Pirates are very strong in terms of both size and the number and quality of their members."

Sig stood on the deck, gazing into the distance, occasionally glancing back at the massive fleet of dozens of pirate crews behind him, a sense of awe washing over him.

He could vaguely hear arguing and even the clanging of swords clashing coming from behind the fleet in the distance.

"What did you say, you bull-headed gorilla?"

"What did you say now, you old hag?"

Kaido swung his spiked club, striking Big Mom's giant sword Napoleon repeatedly, sending sparks flying.

These two men were tall and strong, and for some reason, they had started fighting again.

"Let's fight! Let's fight!"