Chapter 316: Moria
With the battle in this part of the sea concluded, the surveillance ships of the Five Major Mafia Families in the West Blue immediately reported the events.
"What?! Charlotte Rockefeller didn't even make a move? His kids fought the entire battle? That pirate crew is monstrous. Most of them aren't even ten years old!"
The heads of the five families were all visibly stunned.
"Yes! The eldest son of the Rockefeller family is incredible—he transformed into a dragon, and just one blast of flame destroyed an entire ship. And the eldest daughter froze the entire sea! Their strength is absolutely terrifying!"
The mafia intelligence agent reported with trembling excitement.
The head of the Feldor Family waved his hand.
"From now on, never offend anyone from the Rockefeller Family. We must stay on good terms with them. If he ever needs help in the West Blue, inform all local authorities to assist him. Let's build a solid alliance."
With that order, Charlotte's reputation in the West Blue soared. As long as he set foot on any populated island, his dealings would be smooth and hassle-free.
—
After the battle, the Rockefeller Pirates left the area, heading toward their next destination.
Meanwhile, on the lone ship that escaped Charlotte's wrath—
Moria slumped on the deck, tossing aside his massive sword. He gazed out at the endless sea.
"What do we do now?"
he asked, his voice hollow.
His eyes were full of confusion as he looked out at the wide-open ocean.
He'd barely joined that pirate crew—and within a month, nearly everyone had been killed. Only those on this ship had survived.
The captain had been killed by the dragon man, the officers poisoned by the gas-wielding brat.
All that was left of the original pirate crew was this ship.
"Moria, why don't you become the captain? You're the strongest among us. We believe you can lead us forward."
One of the crew members looked at the dejected Moria and suggested.
"What? No way!"
Moria instinctively refused.
"But who else can lead us through these deadly seas? Captain Moria—please, take the helm!"
The man pleaded, and others chimed in.
"Yeah! If not for you, Moria, we'd all be dead. We're all orphans of the sea. Only you can give us a future."
Their words struck a chord.
Moria's bravery and wits during their escape had already earned him respect.
Seeing their hopeful eyes, Moria was deeply moved.
"…If you're all choosing me, then I won't refuse. As long as I have food, you'll never go hungry."
He stood up and addressed the crew.
Around 30 to 40 pirates cheered and smiled at their new captain.
Another dozen or so pirates dropped to their knees in loyalty.
With everyone behind him, Moria's gloom lifted. Confidence returned.
"Long live Captain Moria!"
On the deck, more than sixty survivors raised their voices in celebration.
Moria grinned, his towering four-meter-tall figure towering over them like a giant.
At just twelve years old, he had taken his first step toward destiny.
With the new captain named, the atmosphere brightened. The crew began preparing a banquet to celebrate.
"Captain Moria! Look what I found!"
Suddenly, a crewman ran up from the hold, holding a chest with excitement.
"Captain! You've got to see this!"
His shout caught everyone's attention, including Moria's.
The giant stepped forward.
"What is it?"
"When I was cleaning out the captain's quarters, I found a Devil Fruit. It must've been left by the former captain!"
At those words, everyone's breath quickened.
A Devil Fruit.
They hadn't forgotten how they'd lost—completely overwhelmed by kids with various powers.
They may have scorned those powers in the moment, but now that a fruit was before them—no one could stay calm.
Greedy eyes locked onto the crewman holding the chest.
The crewman's smile faltered. His gaze turned cautious as he looked around.
"Hey, hand over that fruit!"
someone shouted, drawing a blade.
Slash!
The boy screamed as a sword slashed his back. He collapsed into a pool of blood, still clutching the chest.
"Captain…!"
The sudden betrayal shocked Moria—but only for a moment.
"Bastard!"
A terrifying aura erupted from him.
Conqueror's Haki burst outward, dropping the traitors to the ground, groaning in agony.
Moria drew his massive sword and swung it at the attacker—
Slash!
The pirate was cut in half.
Without hesitation, Moria turned and slashed down others who'd been eyeing the chest.
Blood painted the deck red.
When it was over, a dozen lay dead or dying.
Moria discarded his sword and knelt beside the fallen crewmate.
The boy still clutched the chest tightly.
"Brother…"
Moria looked at the crewmate who had protected the fruit for him—he didn't even know the boy's name.
Opening the chest, Moria pulled out a black Devil Fruit with small wings.
Staring at the gift his comrade died to protect, Moria bit down.
"Brother… I'll live on with your will."
He looked down at the boy with sorrow.
The rest of the crew, stunned by what just happened, stood in silence.
In just seconds, the festive mood had turned to horror.
Moria stood tall and gazed at the vast ocean.
A spark of ambition ignited in his eyes.
"From today forward, we're the Moria Pirates."
He addressed the remaining 40+ crewmates.
Though still reeling, a few quick-witted ones began cheering.
"Long live Captain Moria! Long live the Moria Pirates!"
Cheers erupted, and Moria clenched his fists.
He would lead his brothers to conquer the West Blue.
They gave their dead comrades a proper sendoff.
Then—
"Hehehehehe! Men, let's have a feast!"
Moria suddenly laughed and called out to them.
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