One Piece: Hell Pirates

New World

A storm brewed not just above the sea, but within the hearts of the Diger Pirates. With their numbers already thinned, and key officers like Xiaofeng, Antman mysteriously missing after the Liuxia Port conflict, the mood was tense.

"Captain Diger! We're still down three top officers. Compared to the Rocks Pirates, our lineup is thin!" Barbosa growled, arms crossed as his sharp eyes swept across the gathered crew. "If Brook dares to stall his arrival again, we'll be the ones left bleeding. The Hell Pirates can't be trusted so easily."

His voice was laced with barely restrained anger. "Why not just take Saracha's route—retreat for now, regroup, and come back stronger? If we lose some berries, we can earn them back. But if we lose people…" He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to.

Barbosa's concerns were rooted in their last clash with the Hell Pirates. Though Jack had provoked the fight, it was Brook's crew who withdrew early—leaving Diger's men exposed. That betrayal nearly cost them dearly. And now… now they were supposed to trust Brook again?

"Captain, don't forget, the Hell Pirates' island practically flew away after the clash! Who else but Xiaofeng, with his Wind-Wind Fruit, could pull that off? You know as well as I do—it means Brook took him down and stole the fruit."

Barbosa spat on the deck. "This grudge is too deep. You can't expect full loyalty from a man who killed our own."

Diger's jaw tightened. "You're saying we should just hand over Ten Kings Island and Madagascar Island without a fight? That I, an Overlord of the Sea, should cower like a merchant with no pride?" His voice thundered with the vestiges of his prime.

"But I'll tell you this," he continued, his tone dropping with tired resolve, "If Brook doesn't show up in two hours… we retreat to Ten Kings Island. I won't gamble all of us just to prove a point."

It was a compromise. Diger's pride as a ruler burned in his chest, but even he couldn't deny the wisdom of caution. Still, the thought of losing Madagascar Island stung. That island wasn't just a base—it was the culmination of decades of power, the cornerstone of his legacy… and the home of his future daughter-in-law.

He turned his gaze toward the sea, whispering, "I'm too old for this. I never thought I'd reach a day when an Overlord like me had to wait on someone else's mercy…"

All he wanted now was to live long enough to see his grandson born—then he could leave the fighting to the next generation.

Barbosa remained impassive, but inside, his unease multiplied. He'd served Diger faithfully for over twenty years. He could read between the lines: Diger wasn't betting on victory. He was just hoping Brook wouldn't betray them a second time.

He clenched his fists. You're placing our fate in someone else's hands, old man. That's not strategy… it's desperation.

"It's obvious," Barbosa muttered under his breath. "We just need to give up a few islands temporarily. Rebuild if we must. Once we truly join forces with the Hell Pirates, we'll have the strength to crush Rocks. Why rush into battle alone?"

Feeling the walls closing in, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed in secret while Rocks was conveniently off relieving himself.

"Karina," he said softly to the receiver, "go into hiding. Like last time. No, this time's worse. Much worse. Disguise yourself. Don't come back until I call."

No matter how loyal he was to Diger, he wouldn't let his daughter get caught in this mess.

Not again.

"Barbosa!" Diger barked, snapping him from his thoughts. "Before Brook arrives, I want you to deal with the Martial Monk Scorpion Dragon. Jack will take on Wang Zhi and Monkey King Wizz. I'll hold off Rocks myself—for one hour, no more!"

Barbosa blinked, but nodded. "Understood."

He didn't like it, but he understood. Jack, for all his brutality, was better suited for head-on confrontation. His bloodlust was almost mythical. Barbosa, on the other hand, was a tactician—cold, patient, and strange to many. But now wasn't the time for subtleties.

Diger's strategy, though rushed, wasn't without merit. Wang Zhi and Wizz, while formidable, had bounties of only 700 and 710 million respectively. Jack should be able to overwhelm them—quickly.

But that still left too many unknowns.

Brook had already slain Salmon (900 million) and Xiao Feng (800 million), cutting down two top combatants from the opposing fleets. Their deaths sent ripples through both the Diger Pirates and the Rocks Pirates. But the numbers still didn't lie.

The Rocks Pirates had more than a dozen officers with bounties exceeding 500 million. That gave them a serious edge, even with Brook's unpredictable support.

------------------------

If the Hell Pirates were to arrive now, they could crush nearly all the Rocks Pirates' officers. No one had realized just how terrifyingly strong the Hell Pirates had become.

With the exception of Brook, whose combat ability still fell slightly short of true Overlord status, the rest of his core crew were already on par—or even stronger—than those under any other Overlord. What made them even more dangerous was their balance. Every member of the Hell Pirates was young, powerful, and brimming with potential. All five of them possessed Conqueror's Haki, and each wielded a top-tier Devil Fruit ability!

At this moment, the combined power of the Diger Pirates and the Hell Pirates could suppress even the Rocks Pirates. But if Rocks were ever truly cornered, neither crew might survive his fury. The problem was, the so-called alliance between Brook and Diger was held together by mutual suspicion. They each feared betrayal more than defeat, and that made it difficult for them to fight Rocks with full resolve. It was this lack of unity that allowed Rocks to maintain his dominance.

Still, Diger wasn't discontent with this fragile balance. He wasn't looking to rule for another decade. What he wanted now... was to retire—peacefully, ideally when his grandchildren were born. If he waited until he was too old to lift a sword, it would be too late. Even after stepping down, he'd need enough strength left to guide the younger generation.

"I wonder if that old Ice Demon is still alive somewhere, training up the next generation of Snow Giants... or if he's just rotting in a frozen grave."

While the Diger Pirates stayed on high alert, Rocks stood calmly on the bow of the Zebec ship, his expression unreadable.

This alliance with Brook... it was a gamble. A costly one. He was, in effect, fattening up the Hell Pirates, making them stronger by the day. Was this decision a mistake?

Yet, Brook had done something no one else dared. He attacked the Celestial Dragons.

And that alone earned Rocks' respect.

Diger, the Ice Demon, even monsters like Willank, David Kyons, Saracha, Diger and Ewald—they all backed down when it came to killing Celestial Dragons. They feared the consequences. But Brook didn't.

Among the current wave of Rookie Overlords, only World Destroyer Byrnndi had the guts to attack a Celestial Dragon convoy. And even he didn't have Conqueror's Haki. Still, Rocks admired his raw power and rebellious spirit. The man wielded the Moa-Moa Fruit, one of the most devastating abilities in the world.

After finishing things with Diger and cementing the alliance with Brook, Rocks intended to track Byrnndi down and make him part of the Rocks Pirates. Byrnndi's temper matched his own, and his Devil Fruit was a prize no one should overlook.

As for others—like Naguri and Chinjao—despite their possession of Conqueror's Haki, they were still hesitant to clash with the Celestial Dragons. They barely ever lifted a hand against the Allied Nations or the slave-hunting squads.

"If they join me, fine. If not… they're dead," Rocks thought coldly. "The New World has no room for timid kings."

What Rocks didn't know, however, was that Brook had already set his sights on Byrnndi. After the alliance was sealed, it would be a race. Whoever reached Byrnndi's territory first would have the right to capture—or kill.

There would be no mercy. No second chances.

If you failed and Byrnndi escaped into the other's domain, tough luck. You missed your shot. That was the pirate code.

Rocks wasn't wasting time. His territories were filled with rising stars and Rookie Oveords itching for a piece of glory. If he moved quickly, he could eliminate the future threats before they bloomed.

Thanks to his alliance with Brook, his own movements were no longer broadcast to the world. Even the Pirate Guild couldn't trace him. Still, he knew Brook had eyes on him. That bastard's intelligence network was terrifying.

After dealing with Byrnndi, Rocks planned to set up his own intelligence force—one that could rival Brook's. No more flying blind. He'd control every current and whisper in the New World.

---

"Captain Rocks, are we really sure about this?" Navigator Miss Bakkin asked nervously. "Brook's too cunning. What if he pulls another stunt and takes over Beehive Island again?"

She had good reason to worry. The Hell Pirates had betrayed them before. Brook's spy network and mobility were practically impossible to defend against. With the powers of the Float-Float Fruit and the Wind-Wind Fruit, he could move his forces anywhere—fast.

That was one of the main reasons Rocks agreed to a ten-year non-aggression pact. He knew Brook wouldn't stop unless he had a clear incentive. As long as they worked together to raid the Valley of the Gods, it would be worth it. That place held treasures unlike any other—Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits, ancient relics, and perhaps something more valuable than power: knowledge.

Rocks had his secrets too. His Observation Haki was… different. It let him hear all things, read minds, and even glimpse the future. Some said he could merge with nature itself, becoming one with the world. As a bearer of the Will of D, Rocks had access to things ordinary pirates couldn't even imagine.

"Don't worry," he replied. "Brook and I are bound by contract. For ten years, no fighting. We'll turn our focus to the member countries in the first half of the Grand Line. The Diger Pirates' territory already belongs to Brook, and I won't go back on my word."

Besides, even if they wanted more land, they'd have to explore unclaimed islands or strike at World Government allies. And that would take time.

It would be years before Brook could fully digest the more than ninety islands he'd just inherited. He'd need more subordinates, more soldiers. That gave Rocks a buffer period. In ten years, he'd still only be 56—prime age for a Overlord.

As long as he seized the treasures of the Valley of the Gods, unifying the New World would still be within his grasp.

---

"Captain Rocks, what about the rats in our territory? The Den Den Mushi are going crazy!" said Monkey King Wizz, eyes wide with frustration.

"Like I said," Rocks growled. "We handle Diger first. After that, we clean up the trash. Without Brook's intel feeding them, they're nothing but noise."

His voice radiated killing intent. Everyone around him fell silent. In the Rocks Pirates, there was only one king—and it was Rocks.

"Captain Rocks! Island ahead!" Miss Bakkin shouted, peering through her binoculars.

Rocks grinned. "I can already smell that old man's stench… Prepare for battle! The Diger Pirates die today!"

Whether Diger had faith in his strength or Brook's backing didn't matter. He came out of hiding—and Rocks would crush him.

As for Ten Kings Island, well... he doubted Brook would just let him pillage it freely. But that didn't matter. After eliminating Diger, Rocks would head straight to Madagascar Island, Diger headquarters.

That's where the real treasure was.

He would leave the rest of the Ten Kings Islands to Brook. Let him have the scraps.

---

Meanwhile, on Java Island, the Diger Pirates spotted the incoming Rocks fleet. Panic spread like wildfire.

Their artillery crews and long-range units rushed into position. Cannons were loaded, weapons drawn. Everyone awaited the order to fire.

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