SIX PATH SAGE OF THE ROCKS PIRATES

Ochoku raised an eyebrow, studying the freshly printed bounty poster in his hand. His expression betrayed a mix of surprise and amusement. "Kaito, huh? It seems the Marines are finally paying attention to him. His bounty has jumped quite a bit."

From nearby, Golden Lion Shiki noticed the bounty poster and strode over, his curiosity piqued. "A bounty? Let me take a look."

Before Ochoku could respond, Shiki snatched the poster from his hand.

"Hey, Shiki, you bastard!" Ochoku growled, clearly annoyed.

Unfazed, Shiki focused on the bounty poster, his eyes widening as he read the figure.

"Kaito's bounty… 450 million berries?"

The room stirred as the news spread. Kaito's bounty had skyrocketed from 100 million berries to 450 million berries after his clash with Garp.

Shiki whistled, a grin spreading across his face. "This is something. That fight with Garp really put him on the map. The Marines must see Kaito as a serious threat now."

"450 million berries?" A deep voice joined the conversation. Whitebeard Edward Newgate, towering and imposing, approached. "Looks like those Marine dogs have finally realized how dangerous this kid's potential is."

Whitebeard's gaze lingered on the poster, his expression thoughtful.

When Kaito had first joined the Rocks Pirates, his strength was impressive but far from extraordinary. While his Tailed Beast Bomb-like technique had shocked many, his abilities had been considered on par with an average crew member.

But in just two or three days, Kaito's power had grown exponentially. With his Sage Body advancing, mastery over Rasengan, and rapid development of Armament and Observation Haki, Kaito's strength had reached cadre level.

Even the veteran members of the Rocks Pirates were stunned by the sheer speed of his progress.

"That kind of growth is terrifying," Whitebeard said, his tone serious. "He's a monster in the making, no doubt about it."

Seated casually on the ship's railing, Charlotte Linlin smirked. "No wonder he refused to take any advice from us when he joined. His talent is beyond anything we could teach."

Linlin, who prided herself on her natural gifts and near-indestructible physique, admitted begrudgingly that Kaito's talent eclipsed her own.

"It's a shame," she added, her tone tinged with regret. "If I could make him one of my subordinates, he'd be an incredible asset."

Shiki chuckled, taking a long drag on his cigar. "Don't even try, Linlin. If anyone's going to recruit him, it'll be me."

Despite his bravado, Shiki knew the futility of his ambition. Kaito was not the type to follow anyone blindly, no matter the offer.

"You'd just get rejected," Linlin shot back, smirking. "The real question is, how long before Kaito surpasses all of us?"

Her words hung in the air, the weight of her implication settling over the group.

Shiki didn't respond immediately. His usual grin faded as he considered Linlin's words. "If his growth continues at this pace…" he muttered, his voice uncharacteristically subdued.

Silver Axe entered the scene, glancing at the bounty poster with indifference. "What's the big deal? It's just 450 million berries."

His dismissive tone earned him several incredulous stares.

"Idiot," Shiki said, not bothering to hide his disdain. "This isn't about the number. It's about what it represents."

Whitebeard crossed his arms, his massive frame casting a shadow over the group. "Kaito's bounty isn't just a number. It's a message. The Marines see him as a future threat—maybe even a threat greater than any of us."

The crew murmured in agreement. Kaito's rise was unprecedented.

From the upper deck, Rocks D. Xebec observed the scene quietly. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he listened to the discussion below.

"450 million berries…" Rocks muttered to himself. "Not bad for a start."

Rocks had seen Kaito's potential from the moment he joined. His rapid growth only confirmed what Rocks already knew: Kaito wasn't just a valuable asset—he was a game-changer.

"Let the Marines come," Rocks said, his voice low but resolute. "We'll show them what monsters really look like."

Within the infamous Rocks Pirates, bounties symbolized power and influence. For a rookie like Kaito, his 450 million berries bounty was impressive—but it paled in comparison to the veterans of the crew:

Rocks D. Xebec: 3.2 billion berries

Whitebeard (Edward Newgate): 1.7 billion berries

Golden Lion (Shiki): 1.6 billion berries

Charlotte Linlin: 1.45 billion berries

Ochoku: 1.03 billion berries

John: 950 million berries

Silver Axe: 900 million berries

Even Silver Axe, often underestimated among the cadre, boasted a significantly higher bounty than Kaito.

Kaito's bounty, while remarkable for someone so new, placed him far below the seasoned leaders of the Rocks Pirates. Yet it was his rate of growth—not his current position—that had begun to unsettle both allies and enemies alike.

---

Several Months Later

Months passed in relative quiet. During this time, the Rocks Pirates focused on consolidating their power, recruiting new members, and reorganizing their forces.

But the calm was deceptive.

One day, Rocks D. Xebec summoned the entire crew for a meeting. The deck of the Rocks Pirates' flagship was packed with pirates of all ranks. Rocks stood at the bow, towering over the crew, his presence commanding absolute attention.

"You all know why you joined this crew," Rocks began, his voice resonating across the deck. "It's simple. Profit."

The pirates listened intently as Rocks continued, his tone growing sharper.

"And now, I have a plan that will bring us more profit than anything we've done before: we're going to attack the allied countries!"

The allied countries were nations that paid Heavenly Tribute to the World Government in exchange for protection. Attacking them wasn't just a declaration of piracy—it was a direct challenge to the World Government itself.

For most pirates, such a move was unthinkable. The consequences were too severe: relentless pursuit by the World Government, the full might of Naval Headquarters, and the risk of annihilation.

But Rocks was no ordinary pirate, and the Rocks Pirates were no ordinary crew.

"Attacking the allied countries? Are we really doing this?"

"If we do this, the World Government will unleash everything they have on us!"

"This plan is madness!"

Murmurs of dissent rippled through the lower ranks of the crew. For many, the idea of provoking the World Government to such an extent was terrifying.

While the lower-ranking crew members voiced their concerns, the cadre stood unmoved. Golden Lion Shiki, casually lighting a cigar, sneered at the hesitation.

"Offend the World Government? You idiots are acting like this is new. Do you really think they weren't already watching us?"

Charlotte Linlin, perched confidently on a barrel, let out a derisive laugh. "Profit always comes with risk. If you wanted safety, you joined the wrong crew."

Ochoku crossed his arms, his tone laced with scorn. "You call yourselves pirates? If you're not willing to risk your life, you've got no business on this ship."

The cadre's words silenced many of the dissenters. Unlike the rest of the New World, the Rocks Pirates didn't shy away from challenging the World Government—they thrived on it.

Rocks raised his hand, and the murmurs stopped immediately. His gaze swept across the deck, piercing through each member of the crew.

"You're worried about the World Government?" Rocks said, his voice cold and commanding. "Good. You should be. Because the only way to rule this world is to crush them. If you don't have the stomach for it, leave now."

Silence fell over the deck. No one moved. Rocks smirked.

"That's what I thought. Now prepare yourselves. We'll show the world what it means to challenge the throne."

As the crew dispersed to prepare, the cadres remained gathered near the helm.

"Attacking the allied countries… this will definitely escalate things," Shiki said, exhaling a puff of smoke. "The Marines will be forced to react. It'll be chaos."

"Chaos breeds opportunity," Linlin replied, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "And in chaos, the strong thrive. Let's see if Kaito can keep up."

Whitebeard chuckled, his massive arms crossed. "The kid's potential is undeniable. If he survives this, he might even reach our level someday."

Shiki smirked, but there was a hint of seriousness in his tone. "Someday? With the way he's growing, it might not take long."

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