Chapter 28: Heavenly Gold
"Wow, hahaha! I didn't expect this boy to be such a pervert! Truly unexpected!"
Rocks paused for a moment before slapping his thigh and laughing loudly.
The others joined in, their laughter filling the room.
"Captain Rocks, that guy is really something. There are at least 20 young and beautiful women on his ship, each one more stunning than the last. I don't know how he handles it all," John said with a sly grin.
The group exchanged knowing looks and chuckles. Even Edward Newgate, Whitebeard himself, laughed out loud.
What do pirates talk about when they gather?
Nothing more than women, wealth, and strength—pirates' favorite topics during any downtime.
Peaceful moments like this passed quickly for the Rocks Pirates.
---
A pirate without plunder will soon find himself penniless.
"My friends, we've received news that the annual Heavenly Gold shipment is about to begin," Rocks said, sitting on his throne and addressing the eight cadres assembled before him.
"During this period, kingdoms in the New World will send Heavenly Gold to the World Government. The Navy will escort these shipments, led by a vice admiral. Our target is the Heavenly Gold."
Rocks' words immediately caught everyone's attention.
"This time, we'll divide the targets among you."
"Shiki, Whitebeard, you two are responsible for the Heavenly Gold from the Kingdom of Kabu Ice."
"Linlin and Charlotte, your task is the Heavenly Gold from the Kingdom of Sk."
"John, Silver Axe, Ochoku, and Kurozumi Muchan, you will split into two teams to destroy these two kingdoms."
Rocks' tone was commanding, leaving no room for negotiation.
The cadres reviewed the intelligence provided by Shakky, which detailed their targets and the vice admirals involved.
Charlotte skimmed through the information about the naval escort for his mission.
Vice Admiral Quint Gunther, a user of the Animal-type Bug-Bug Fruit in its mantis form, was noted to be particularly strong.
After reading, Charlotte folded the paper and tucked it away.
"Any questions?" Rocks asked, scanning the room.
The hall fell silent.
"Any questions?" Rocks repeated, his tone sharper this time.
"No," the cadres responded in unison.
Rocks nodded in satisfaction. "Let's move according to plan!"
With that, the meeting was dismissed, and the cadres departed.
---
Outside the hall, Shiki the Golden Lion grumbled loudly.
"Damn it, John and the others got off easy! Why do we have to take on the tougher missions while they reap the benefits? This is ridiculous!"
Shiki's frustration was evident as he paced.
Whitebeard sipped from his flask and remained silent, his expression calm.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Linlin turned to Charlotte.
"Well, well, well! What do you think about all this, Charlotte?"
Charlotte rolled his eyes.
"What can we do? Resist Captain Rocks? That's a one-way ticket to death. Let's just handle our tasks and move on."
He sighed, resigned to the reality of their situation.
"Get ready! We're leaving soon," Whitebeard said, gripping his weapon, the mighty Cong Yunqi.
Shiki took a puff of his cigar and nodded.
Soon, the four of them boarded a large ship docked in the port.
"All aboard!" Shiki called out as the group embarked.
In no time, the ship set sail toward its destination.
---
Out on the calm sea, a fleet of eight ships sailed slowly. Six warships surrounded two transport ships, forming a protective barrier.
"Hahahahaha!"
Suddenly, a wild laugh echoed from above.
Sailors on the deck froze, looking up in confusion.
"Why do I hear laughter coming from the sky?" one of them muttered.
Only the two vice admirals on board realized the danger.
"Oh no! Pirates are coming!" Quint Gunther shouted, his expression grim.
He transformed instantly into his mantis form, a massive two-meter-tall beast.
The other vice admiral drew his sword, scanning the skies.
"Everyone, prepare for battle! Pirates are approaching!"
The sailors squinted against the sun, which seemed to be growing larger.
"What's going on? Why does the sun look like it's getting closer?" one of them asked nervously.
"Prometheus!"
A booming voice answered, and a massive ball of flame crashed into one of the warships, engulfing it in fire.
Quint Gunther turned toward the source of the attack, his compound eyes narrowing.
"Mmmmmm! Navy, hand over the Heavenly Gold! Mama needs it for her birthday party!"
Charlotte Linlin, with her flaming hair and thundercloud Zeus beneath her feet, loomed over the fleet. In her hand, the sword Napoleon gleamed menacingly.
"Charlotte Linlin, a member of the Rocks Pirates!" one of the sailors shouted, his voice trembling.
"Hahahaha! Don't forget about us!"
The Golden Lion Shiki floated into view with his ship.
"Shiki the Golden Lion, Edward Newgate the Whitebeard, and the Blood Sword Master Rockefeller Charlotte! They're all here!"
The sailors' morale plummeted as they recognized the infamous cadre of the Rocks Pirates.
"Protect the Heavenly Gold at all costs!" Quint Gunther commanded.
"Fire the cannons! Justice will prevail!" the other vice admiral added, rallying his men.
Cannons roared to life, their thunderous explosions echoing across the sea.
Whitebeard smirked, his signature beard curling. He raised his massive fist and punched the air.
BOOM!
The shockwave from his attack detonated the cannonballs mid-air, leaving the navy dumbfounded.
In the chaos, another vice admiral retreated to the cabin to make an urgent call.
"Navy Headquarters, this is Vice Admiral Bill Robb! We've encountered cadres of the Rocks Pirates. Requesting immediate backup!"
"Headquarters received. Which cadres are present?"
"Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Golden Lion Shiki, Charlotte Linlin, and Blood Sword Master Rockefeller Charlotte!"
The operator gasped audibly.
"Understood. Hold on. Reinforcements are on the way!"
---
Back on the battlefield, Charlotte used his Observation Haki to eavesdrop on the distress call.
"Sounds like they've called for backup. We should wrap this up quickly," Charlotte remarked, drawing his sword.
He unleashed a powerful slash, sending a wave of energy toward the warships.
Not to be outdone, Shiki activated his Float-Float Fruit, hurling debris at the navy with devastating precision.
The battle raged on, with the Rocks Pirates unleashing chaos on the helpless naval fleet.
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