One Piece: Hell Pirates

Seeing Garp again—his old rival and the man who'd once beaten them to a pulp—Roger couldn't help but feel a little itchy. He cracked his knuckles with a grin. It just didn't sit right, leaving without returning the favor. And now that this was Brook's territory, maybe it was time to collect some overdue payback.

"As a member of the Pirate Guild," Roger muttered, "don't we have an obligation to drive off Marines? Might even get some reward points too."

Rayleigh adjusted his gold-framed glasses, and a glint of mischief flickered in his eyes. "There's a mission posted on the Diamond-rank Den Den Mushi," he said casually. "Capturing or destroying warships belonging to Marine officers. Different payouts depending on whether it's a Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, or Admiral. Plus, rank points. Tempting, isn't it?"

After his life-or-death duel with Saracha, Rayleigh had awakened the Conqueror's Haki Entanglement—an advanced technique reserved for only the most elite of crews. Sure, the Roger Pirates weren't officially part of the Overlord Pirate Group, but their name carried enough weight. Letting this opportunity slide would be a waste. If they didn't show strength now, others might think they'd gone soft.

"Hahaha~ Then I guess it's time we return the favor to that mad dog," Roger laughed, stretching his arms. He hadn't intended to pick a fight with the Navy, but since Garp had barged right into Brook's turf chasing pirates, wasn't this fate?

The Roger Pirates slipped seamlessly into the chaos of the pursuit. When Chinjao spotted them—the crew who had shaken the New World to its core—his eyes lit up. He was still being hunted like prey by Garp, and now salvation had dropped out of the sky.

Months ago, his Happo Navy had clashed briefly with the Roger Pirates. But after the Roger Pirates vanished for half a year, they'd reemerged with a staggering victory over the pseudo overlord Saracha. That feat alone had left every rookie overlords reeling.

Chinjao didn't believe they'd won through tricks or cheap tactics either. He'd personally sensed Roger's terrifying Haki. As someone who had also awakened Conqueror's Haki, he could tell—this man was the real deal.

"Roger!" Chinjao shouted. "Let's take down that mad dog together! I just need the Vice Admiral's head—everything else is yours. That bounty'll be enough for me to join the Pirate Guild officially."

Chinjao had already accepted reality. He wasn't going to become a kingpin of the sea—but being a free pirate with decent rank? That was still a life worth living. Killing a Vice Admiral would qualify him for Gold rank status in the Pirate Guild. And since he was deep in the Hell Pirates' territory, the alternatives weren't great. Get captured, be forced to join, or die.

He'd already clashed with Shiki the Golden Lion once—and lost badly. The Happo Navy had been smashed and forced to retreat in shame. Then Garp had chased him all the way here. Frankly, joining the Guild was his best move.

"Hahaha! That's pathetic, Chinjao. I heard Shiki beat you like a drum!" Roger teased, laughing hard.

He knew Shiki's strength well. If Chinjao had gotten stomped by him, then this so-called rookie overlord wasn't even in the same league anymore.

That's just how the New World worked. The strong got stronger. If you couldn't keep up, you got left behind—even if you entered the sea at the same time as the others.

Look at the Worst Generation: Luffy, Kidd, and Law were rocking bounties over 3 billion berries. Meanwhile, others like Bonnie and Drake were stuck in the 200-300 million range. Power dictated status.

Roger himself had once been a lower-tier rookie overlord. But after defeating Saracha, he'd surged past them all—his bounty now even surpassed the top four fighters of the Hell Pirates.

That rise in infamy was also why Shiki had it out for him. The Golden Lion was obsessed with retaking his crown. Every time he lost to Roger, he burned to beat him and reclaim his former glory. But even at full power, Shiki could only fight Roger to a stalemate using his Float-Float Fruit. Roger's Haki and swordsmanship were just too much.

"Hmph." Chinjao, face flushed, chose not to answer Roger's smug jab.

On the Dog-Headed Warship, panic was spreading like wildfire.

They'd entered the territory of the Hell Pirates. Even though they hadn't encountered Brook's crew directly, running into the Roger Pirates was nearly as terrifying.

"Vice Admiral Garp! We need to retreat—now!" a staff officer yelled, gripping the rail in fear.

The last time Garp had gone rogue, chasing remnants of the Diger's Pirates, the Navy had suffered massive casualties. He'd been reprimanded hard by Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

Now, he was doing it again—this time chasing Chinjao into enemy waters. If the three warships took serious damage, not even Sengoku could save Garp from court-martial.

Especially now. With Rocks rumored to be on the move, the Navy had just issued an emergency order: do not engage inside Overlord territories. Garp had violated that order knowingly.

Even if he survived the battle, if he didn't get his troops out alive, the charges—disobeying orders, reckless engagement, endangerment of elite Marines—would bury him.

Garp stared at the oncoming Roger Pirates and felt that old itch to throw fists.

But his subordinates' words brought him back to reality. He could make it out alive—but what about the men under his command?

Against Roger alone, maybe. Against Roger and Chinjao together? His men wouldn't stand a chance.

"...Prepare the shells. I'll cover the retreat!" Garp finally barked.

He couldn't afford to let his pride get more Marines killed. Sengoku had already chewed him out. Tsuru too. He had to act responsibly—for once.

"Y-Yes, sir!!" his adjutant cried in relief, scrambling to relay the order.

He'd been worried Garp would dive headfirst into a fight and doom them all. Did Garp think every Marine was built like him?!

"Fist Bone: Meteor!"

With a roar, Garp grabbed cannonballs with his bare hands and began hurling them like missiles toward the Roger Pirates and the Happo Navy.

Each throw shook the air. The sheer force made the Dog-Headed Warship lurch backward, as if slammed by a giant. The recoil alone was enough to accelerate their retreat faster than full sails.

Three warships pulled away at full speed.

Even elite pirates had trouble catching up to top-tier Marine ships. And with Garp acting as a human artillery cannon, throwing explosive shells faster than any turret, no one dared give chase.

Cannons needed to be loaded and fired.

Garp just threw them.

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

Roger never expected that the notoriously ferocious "Mad Dog" Garp would choose to retreat. But even though the Marine Vice Admiral pulled back, Roger had no intention of giving up. Meanwhile, Chinjao halted his ship and steered toward Doragonzo Island—his goal: officially register with the Pirate Guild.

To avoid pursuit by the Hell Pirates' senior officers, Chinjao and his crew separated from the Roger Pirates. Sailing cautiously, they hoisted a green flag—the color of neutrality—and navigated through the outer waters until they reached the core territory of the Hell Pirates.

It was their first time entering the famed island, and they were floored by its opulence. The prosperity of Doragonzo Island was on another level—no wonder the Hell Pirates had become the wealthiest crew in the seas following the fall of Diger Sparrow.

Not only had they inherited part of the Ten Kings Island's treasure vault, but their management capabilities were even more efficient than those of the legendary Diger Sparrow. Rumor had it that every major underground power was now gravitating toward the Hell Pirates. Their influence spread like wildfire.

Giants and uncrowned emperors of the underworld had all gathered for the very first "Tea Party" hosted by Charlotte Linlin—the infamous Crimson Soul Queen and consort of Overlord Brook. It was a clear signal to the world: the Hell Pirates weren't just powerful—they were unstoppable.

The Happo Navy paid a hefty registration fee—an obvious form of protection money—and successfully became registered members of the Pirate Guild. As long as they didn't cause trouble on land, they were free to sail throughout the Hell Pirates' territory.

Of course, that peace only applied to land. At sea, even fellow members of the Pirate Guild were fair game. Battles and robberies were common; honor among pirates was more suggestion than rule.

"I'm only ranked Silver?! Two tiers below Roger?!" Chinjao fumed, veins popping on his temple. "I'm a great pirate! My bounty's almost 500 million berries! How can I be just Silver?!"

"Mr. Chinjao," said a cheerful, curvy pirate receptionist at the front desk, unfazed by his fury. "If you defeat a Marine Vice Admiral or anyone with a bounty above 500 million, and accumulate some guild points, you'll be promoted to Gold in no time! Then you'll also enjoy better discounts on goods and services."

She remained polite and unshaken—after all, she had the full backing of the Hell Pirates. Besides, Chinjao had already been humiliated by the Golden Lion, so his bluster didn't scare her.

"Hmph. I get it." Chinjao snorted and snatched the silver Den Den Mushi phone and discount card. For the first time in years, he felt a faint sense of security. At last, he no longer had to run from the Navy, Rocks' remnants, or the Roger Pirates.

On the island, he bumped into a familiar face—Woonan, the so-called "Golden Pirate," now lounging in the casino. Ironically, Woonan had also been downgraded to Silver rank.

"Woohaha! Chinjao, never thought I'd see you here! Done chasing dreams of domination?" Wunan raised his mug. "After the rookie overlords gathering in the Majiatska Kingdom, Great Evil Monk Urti was killed by Rocks, the Karns brothers surrendered to him, and even World's crew bowed to Brook! You made the smart move."

He grinned wide, teeth glinting with the casino lights. "Joining the Guild means we get to live free. Now only Naguri and Eric Dane are still struggling in the chaos zone. Three factions closing in on them? I don't envy that life!"

Woonan was clearly enjoying his new reality. He had money, a Silver discount card, and all the entertainment the island had to offer. But he admitted there was one downside—everything here was insanely expensive.

From alloy-forged swords and wind-dial gliding boots to sound-dial music boxes and fire-dial burners, the wares on Doragonzo Island were top-of-the-line. Thunder-dial fencing swords were a crowd favorite. But all these weapons needed refueling or recharging—especially the Thunder Blade, which required a special charger on Thunder God Island. Sure, pirates could try recharging it in natural thunderstorms, but it came with the very real risk of being fried alive.

Even with these flaws, demand for Brook's weapons never waned. After all, if you didn't buy the latest gear, your enemies would. And so began Brook's devilish capitalist cycle.

"Hmph! I won't end up like you—rotting in a casino!" Chinjao shot back. "I'll head back to the chaotic zone and grow stronger. I'll only return to Brook's turf when I need to regroup."

But even as he barked, he couldn't take his eyes off the weapon shop displays.

"I will buy all this gear for my Happo Navy," he muttered. "Every last item."

The Happo Navy wasn't broke either. They had stored massive amounts of gold and silver under the eternal glacier of the Flower Kingdom. The ice there was so dense that only Chinjao Cone Head martial arts could shatter it. The Chinjao family had saved for centuries. Their fortune rivaled that of entire nations.

Chinjao had brought only a few dozen elites with him to the New World. The current few hundred men under his command were recruits. But back home, the full force of the Happo Navy numbered in the thousands.

"Woohaha! Then get ready to cry in that weapon mall!" Woonan bellowed, pounding the table. "Those rage potions? ES potions? Don't even get me started. One vial can boost your strength fivefold—but good luck surviving the side effects! You'll either lose years of your life, or collapse for a week!"

Even the so-called "Holy ES Potions," with minimal side effects, were ridiculously expensive. Each one cost hundreds of millions of berries. They were miraculous tools for comebacks—but the price tag made even veteran pirates sweat.

"Every level costs more, every enhancement has a longer cooldown," Woonan warned. "I blew through over a billion berries in one day. Now I'm stuck praying to Lady Luck at the blackjack table!"

It was clear: these life-saving consumables marked the start of Brook's grand exploitation scheme.

As a true capitalist, Brook had no interest in making durable or permanent items. Like smartphones and electric gadgets from the old world, all of Brook's tech was designed for regular replacement—to keep profits flowing.

Even worse, Moore Thomas had embedded special compounds in the rage potions. If pirates turned against the Hell Pirates, Brook's agents only had to deploy a "fusion smoke potion" to cancel their buffs—or outright kill them.

Brook had chuckled at the cruelty, but he kept the system in place. It was airtight. As long as pirates didn't target the Hell Pirates, they were free to wreak havoc elsewhere.

And if they wanted to survive—and thrive—they'd need to keep buying.

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