Rocks now spoke: "In this operation to seize the Celestial Tribute, the three of you contributed the most, with Raiver Sky being the most outstanding."
"Shiki seized the Celestial Tribute, Newgate held off Sengoku, and Raiver Sky... severely injured Tsuru, suppressed Zephyr, and fought Garp to a standstill, causing the fame of our Rocks Pirates to shake the world."
"Such achievements deserve rewards."
"Therefore, Shiki and Newgate, you may each choose one Devil Fruit and one weapon."
"As for Raiver Sky... with the highest combat merits, you may take two Devil Fruits."
"Choose whatever catches your eye."
The Rocks Pirates were never a warm, affectionate family, but a pack of wolves where the strong ruled.
Combat achievements were the measure of authority.
"Jihahaha! With the captain's arrangement like this, I have no objections!" Shiki laughed heartily in agreement.
"Gurarara! Raiver, these items will be quite helpful for recruiting followers in the future."
Raiver Sky nodded slightly, having no objections to Rocks' arrangement.
"Good."
Rocks stepped aside and made a "please" gesture.
Raiver Sky, Shiki, and Whitebeard walked over to the seven Brocade Boxes.
Opening the boxes revealed seven Devil Fruits of various shapes.
The box lids had Fruit Encyclopedia descriptions attached.
Raiver Sky glanced at the encyclopedia and felt slightly disappointed:
"Not a single Logia Type among them?"
Among the seven fruits, three were Paramecia Type and four were Zoan Type, all of which were Ancient Zoan.
Indeed, the Devil Fruits offered as tribute to the Celestial Dragons by various countries were all premium goods.
"You brat!"
Shiki beside him twitched his mouth and glared at Raiver Sky with annoyance:
"Are Logia Type fruits like wild berries by the roadside, easily found everywhere?"
"Gurarara! This Paramecia Type fruit is quite good though."
Whitebeard laughed as he picked up one fruit with a surface that sparkled like diamonds:
"Glint Fruit... can make the body as hard as diamond, with astonishing defensive power."
He weighed the fruit in his hand and nodded with satisfaction:
"I'll take this one."
Seeing that Whitebeard had already chosen, Shiki immediately reached out and grabbed the "Shark-Shark Fruit, Ancient Species, Megalodon Form":
"I'm taking this one!"
Compared to Paramecia Type, Shiki preferred the direct enhancements of Zoan Type - simple, brutal, and effective.
Raiver Sky also selected two Devil Fruits.
Ape-Ape Fruit, Ancient Species, King Kong Ape Form.
Tiger-Tiger Fruit, Ancient Species, Saber-Toothed Tiger Form.
Although Ancient Zoan types weren't particularly useful to him personally, they were excellent choices for training subordinates.
Especially since Ancient Zoan were stronger than ordinary Zoan types, though slightly inferior to Mythical Zoan.
"All chosen?"
Rocks' voice came from behind them.
The three turned around, each displaying the fruits in their hands.
"Good."
Rocks nodded, then turned toward the two weapon racks:
"The famous swords are here. Shiki, Newgate, you may each choose one.
Since Raiver Sky has already taken two fruits, no additional weapons will be allocated to him."
On the weapon racks were displayed nine swords.
Supreme Grade Sword - 21 Craftsmen: three.
High Grade Sword - 50 Craftsmen: six.
Shiki's eyes gleamed as he eagerly approached the weapon rack.
He was himself a master swordsman, with an almost obsessive love for famous blades.
Although he already possessed "Cherry Ten" and "Withered Tree," who would complain about having too many fine blades?
In the end, Shiki selected a Great Grade Sword.
Whitebeard simply waved his hand, indicating he had no need for one.
Thus, the remaining famous swords and Devil Fruits naturally fell to Rocks. As for how he would distribute them later? That was his business.
A few days later, at the port of Hachinosu Island.
The shoreline was already packed with a dense crowd.
Nearly all the Officers of the Rocks Pirates were present, along with countless crew members.
They had gathered here to wait, for today was the day the spoils would return.
John, who was always greedy for wealth, had an almost insane glint in his eyes.
Even though his group had returned empty-handed after failing to seize another batch of Celestial Tribute,
the captain's side was different—they had captured an entire large ship fully loaded with Celestial Tribute.
Although he hadn't contributed in the slightest, according to the rules of the Rocks Pirates, as an Officer, he was entitled to a share.
Even if his portion would certainly be smaller than those who participated in the battle, this was Celestial Tribute meant for the Celestial Dragons—how could its value compare to ordinary treasure?
Just thinking about the gold coins, jewels, Devil Fruits, and famous blades made John's throat dry and his heart race.
In truth, the naval higher-ups had transferred the other batch of Celestial Tribute into the one escorted by Sengoku and Zephyr.
That was why Charlotte Linlin and John's group had come up empty-handed.
But no one could have anticipated that the Rocks Pirates' strength was overwhelmingly powerful. Not only did they lose all the Celestial Tribute, but they also suffered heavy casualties—truly a case of throwing good money after bad.
However, in stark contrast to John's excitement were the grim expressions on Wang Zhi and Kaido's faces.
The two stood at the front of the crowd, their faces dark.
The Navy had already released news and Bounty Orders about Rocks plundering the Celestial Tribute, and the information had spread across the seas like a hurricane. They had read the reports.
Especially Raiver Sky's combat achievements and 2.5 billion berry bounty felt like a heavy hammer striking deep into their hearts.
Kaido clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
As he stared at the overly young face on the Bounty Order with a 2.5 billion berry bounty, jealousy and resentment churned in his chest.
Why?
He, Kaido, had joined the Rocks Pirates earlier than Raiver Sky, and his strength was not weak. Why did Raiver Sky become famous overnight with a 2.5 billion berry bounty, while he was still just a "rookie"?
It wasn't fair!
If not for Raiver Sky, he would undoubtedly be the best newcomer in the Rocks Pirates.
But no matter how much resentment filled his heart, Kaido had to face reality.
The World Government and the Navy would never joke about their own prestige and dignity.
A 2.5 billion berry bounty meant that Raiver Sky truly possessed strength worthy of it.
Fighting Garp to a standstill...
Just the thought sent a chill down Kaido's spine.
Wang Zhi's feelings were even more complicated because he had previously clashed with Raiver Sky.
Just then, over a dozen pirate ships appeared on the distant sea.
Above them, a massive transport ship floated in the air.
"Is that the legendary Celestial Tribute transport ship?!"
"As expected of tribute for the Celestial Dragons—just its hull is twice the size of our ships!"
"Such a huge transport ship... how much treasure must be inside? Are we really going to get rich?!"
The pirates gathered on the shore exclaimed in awe, their eyes filled with undisguised greed and fervor.
Before long, the returning fleet docked steadily at the port.
Captain Rocks stepped down from the bow of the ship, his black cloak billowing behind him.
Raiver Sky, Shiki, and Newgate followed closely behind.
The four stood shoulder to shoulder at the front of the dock.
Rocks scanned the dense, ant-like crowd of his subordinates before him and announced loudly:
"Listen up, crew—"
The port instantly fell silent, all eyes fixed on him.
"Move all the treasures from the ship into the castle!"
"All treasures will be uniformly counted and stored! Everyone will get their share!"
"Tonight, we hold a victory banquet!"
"Oh—!!"
"Long live the Captain!"
"Hail the Captain!"
Cheers erupted like a collapsing mountain and roaring tidal wave.