Cover Page: Color Spread: The Straw Hats on skyscrapers with flying penguins.

56 years ago, after clashing with King Harald at the Levely, Rocks became notorious across the world for his attacks against the World Government, and began recruiting powerful pirates. Eight years later at Elbaph, Rocks attacked Loki to force a meeting with Harald, and then spoke of his plans against the government. After Harald refused to join him, Rocks officially formed his crew and began his ambition to take over the world.

Loki confirms that Rocks and his crew are on Elbaph while he muses that this is the first time he has ever seen humans. Rocks is surprised to learn that Loki is Harald's son and orders him to go home and have someone contact Harald to tell him that his son has been badly hurt, and he needs to return home at once. Loki refuses as he thinks Rocks is weaker than him, and also because he feels Harald would not do something like that for him. Loki tries to attack Rocks but is easily blown away, as Rocks has a reputation for blowing everything away with his sword like it was a hammer or a cannonball. Rocks laughs at the injury he gave Loki, saying he now has a legitimate reason to call him.

At the Levely that Harald snuck into, Rocks, who was there, caused a commotion not only by attacking and abducting five kings in attendance, but actually managed to reach the Room of Flowers and meet Imu (though this part was never mentioned). Rocks' attempt to use the kings as bargaining chips failed as Imu expressed no care for them, and ultimately Rocks left, but not before promising Imu that he would one day return to this very room. At the same time, Harald was blamed for Rocks' actions and being pursued through the Holy Land. As Rocks was fleeing, the both of them saw another and attacked, Harald doing so out of anger that Rocks was making him take the fall for his actions, and Rocks needing him out of his way. The clash of the two's Haki ended up being so strong that it blew away anyone that was within five kilometers of them. After introducing each other, Rocks advised Harald aim his next blow at the town, for if he is captured, he will be enslaved. Though confused, Harald did so and the two continued running away with Rocks telling him which way to go. Rocks told Harald that if he survives they should meet again as he literally jumps off the Red Line, but Harald refuses to associate with him as he is a criminal. It was following that day that Rocks became a notoriously wanted man due to his crimes, particularly fatally wounding a Marine Admiral. Some time later, he attacked a World Government ship carrying the Heavenly Tribute of the World Nobles and destroyed the Gates of Justice. With the ship and money, Rocks began his pirating career, participating in Davy Back Fights to win crew members, and by the time he had reached Elbaph, he had six powerful people under his banner, though at the time they were not an official crew.

Loki contacted Harald and was surprised (if not somewhat in disbelief) that he did indeed come home to see him, but Harald had no idea that Loki tried to kill himself and instead assumed he fell off a cliff and he should stay away from the Underworld. Harald asks Rocks why he is in Elbaph and Rocks tells him that he wants him to join his crew. Harald refuses as he knows it will destroy the relations that he has built thus far, even though Rocks tells him that as giants they can do whatever they pleased to avoid becoming a government dog, rather than try to say everyone is equal. Harald states that Elbaph is changing for the better now but Rocks refutes this, claiming that people's true nature never changes and that his bloodlust from his youth is still there.

Harald tells Rocks' crew that if they follow him, only disaster will wait for them. Shiki, back when he was a mobster, states that he has no loyalty to Rocks and would not care if he died. Miss Buckin, also known as the "Science Robber", shares the sentiment, but also reveals that Rocks has a plan to make everyone present rich. A West Blue gangster named Don Marlon asks Harald if he has heard of Hachinosu, more commonly known as "Pirate Island"; in the past it was previously used to punish criminals that individual countries could not handle in their own prisons, and according to a young Edward Newgate, the island has no food and everyone sent there would eventually die. Ochoku, known as the "Pirate Guru", reveals that in recent years, the criminals sent there were able to build a settlement, which a smuggler named Ganzui explains is because they found a huge supply of gold on the island, and when various underground organizations found out, they helped mine the gold, allowing the criminals to turn a huge profit, which the World Government is not happy about.

Rocks tells Harald that it is too difficult to get close to Hachinosu, so he made a deal with the World Government to claim the island for them in exchange for a fair payment, however, Rocks has no intention to do that and only wants to take the island for himself so he can transform it into a pirate paradise. Rocks declares that once Hachinosu is under his command, he will destroy the Marines and the Holy Land, and then he will fulfill his dream of becoming "King of the World". Harald warns Rocks that this plan will make him an enemy of said world and it will be impossible, but Rocks has faith he can do it, as he also believes no organization ever lasts forever, and he wants him to join his crew believing his incredible strength will help him reach his goal. Harald still refused, but Loki, who overheard the conversation, became amazed by Rocks' plan, coming to see him as his salvation.

Four years later, Rocks' attempts to recruit Harald continuously failed, but despite that he was still able to amass a force powerful enough to take Hachinosu, thus the Rocks Pirates were officially born.

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