# Chapter 111: Influence
Rocks D.Xebec paid no mind to the currents stirring within the Rocks Pirates.
In his eyes, the battles fought by Hades and the others were nothing more than minor skirmishes.
After half a year spent expanding his Faction, Hades spent the following month consolidating the forces in his hands.
The rapid expansion of his Faction required time to digest, and the Pirates under his subordinates also needed to get acquainted with each other.
After all, they had grown from less than ten people to a vast Legion of 1,800.
Jaeger's Old Faction, Kosa's Old Faction, and some Cadres who joined his ranks also brought many Subordinates.
Besides the Pirates Hades actively recruited, there were quite a few Pirates with Bounties exceeding 100 million.
During this time, Shiki became active.
He was a man of action, and after making a decision, he also began expanding his own Faction.
It must be said, the results were quite good; many Pirates with Bounties exceeding 100 million joined his ranks without hesitation.
There were also several powerful Pirates among them.
Compared to Hades, Shiki had a deeper Foundation within the Rocks Pirates and knew more Pirates.
Hades and Shiki both showcased their prowess, instantly becoming the most dazzling presences within the Rocks Pirates, their brilliance overshadowing the other Core Cadres.
Facing such a situation, how could the other Cadres show weakness? They were already feeling the pressure.
Hades had a large number of high-quality Powerhouses among his Subordinates, and his Pirate count reached two thousand.
Shiki's Pirate count, however, reached four thousand, including members of the Rocks Pirates, numerous other Pirates, and Affiliated Pirate Groups.
"Golden King" Donovan still commanded the largest Faction within the Rocks Pirates, with a Pirate count as high as twenty thousand.
This included many Affiliated Pirate Groups and Pirates who were not part of the Rocks Pirates.
The Werewolf Pirates made no significant moves.
As a "Lone Wolf," Death Gun Lyon paid even less attention.
John, Silver Axe, and Wang Zhi were also expanding their own Factions.
The changes in the situation within the Rocks Pirates had a profound impact.
It could be said that influenced by Hades, coupled with the actions of "Golden Lion" Shiki.
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the Lone Wolves and powerful Pirates within the Rocks Pirates all became targets for recruitment.
A unique "Arms Race" was underway within the Rocks Pirates.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, one fact remained in their hearts: the Rocks Pirates would disband one day; it couldn't last forever.
Perhaps in twenty years, perhaps in thirty.
They needed to prepare in advance, prepare for the Future, prepare to become Sea Overlords in the Future.
To become a Sea Overlord, one must at least rule a Sea Area and possess a vast Faction.
Moreover, they had so many competitors.
Sea Calendar year 1474.
Hades had been with the Rocks Pirates for roughly three years.
Since deciding to leave Hachinosu and establish his own Faction.
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Hades had stayed in Hachinosu for another half a year.
Leaving Hachinosu wasn't that simple.
Many things needed to be prepared.
Besides waiting for the Pirate Ship being built, the Exchange located in Hachinosu needed to be closed.
After Hades left Hachinosu, the Exchange's operations could no longer be maintained.
The Exchange required Powerhouses to guard it.
Normally, Karsus would oversee the Exchange.
Jiu, Hidden in the Shadows, needed to protect Hades and would occasionally check on it.
Since Hades had decided to leave, he would take all his Subordinates with him.
There was no need to leave anyone behind in Hachinosu.
Without personnel, the Exchange in Hachinosu would have no reason to exist.
Since he had Targeted Iskandar Island, he had to turn this Island into his Base.
The Exchange's operations would also be transferred to Iskandar Island.
In fact, Hades had already started doing this, though it hadn't been noticed.
He was secretly mobilizing personnel and sending those who ran the Exchange to Iskandar Island.
Perhaps Hades would return, but by then, Iskandar Island would have long since become his domain.
Even a short departure wouldn't affect his Interests there.
When Hades returned, it would surely be a different scene.
He would return eventually.
Regardless, Hachinosu was the center of the Rocks Pirates.
Uniting his subordinates into a cohesive unit wasn't simple; some sections of the Pirates also had Conflict.
However, Hades believed that time would mend everything.
During the period of consolidating his Faction, many more Pirates joined, and the number of Pirates under Hades had already exceeded two thousand.
Closing the Den Den Mushi, Hades felt a little excited.
He had received news that the long-awaited Pirate Ship had finally arrived.
Slowly standing up, he looked towards the Cadres he had summoned.
These were his current team, and also the important core foundation for the Future.
"Let's go." Hades slightly beckoned and strode away.
The others were somewhat curious and followed him, also summoning their Subordinates.
They had long known what Hades was waiting for and what he intended to do.
They were waiting for a Pirate Ship of their own.
Hades was preparing to form a Pirate Crew, leave Hachinosu, and occupy a Base that belonged to them.
After a short time together, they had already begun to feel admiration and respect for Hades.
It wasn't just Hades' Strength and Potential.
It wasn't just Hades' generosity, his lack of stinginess with rewards for his Subordinates.
Hades had already made thorough plans for the overall direction.
He wasn't just acting on impulse; he had prepared a complete Action Plan beforehand.
This gave them ample psychological preparation.
It also made them feel at ease.
Now, it was time for them to leave.
At the Port of Hachinosu, a Super Battleship, 157 meters long, slowly docked.
This was an unfamiliar Pirate Ship.
An unfamiliar Pirate Flag fluttered on board.
Just the Skull painted on the Pirate Flag was very eye-catching.
It was a fearsome-looking Dragon Skull, not commonly seen on The Great Sea, with a pair of Bone Horns.
Behind the Dragon Skull, a terrifying Dark Vortex was depicted.
Many Pirates who had lived on the sea for years could tell at a glance that this top-tier Pirate Ship was brand new.
At the Ship's Bow, a fearsome Three-Headed Dragon Head gleamed with a metallic sheen.
Its imposing appearance attracted a large crowd of Pirates as soon as it appeared.
If it weren't for the Rocks Mark also flying on the ship, some Pirates would have already rushed aboard without hesitation.
Whose ship was this? Within the Rocks Pirates, there were only a handful of people qualified and capable of building such a massive Pirate Crew.
Some people had already guessed it was Hades' ship, connecting it with the big moves Hades had made recently.
They speculated that Hades was planning to leave Hachinosu and find a Base.
The others weren't fools; such actions were relatively common within the Rocks Pirates.
Although Hachinosu was a good place, there were too many Powerhouses.
No one wanted to be stepped on.
Wasn't it better to go out and become a Ruler of an area?
Doing whatever one wanted, that was the norm.
Like John, Silver Axe, and Wang Zhi, they had long since occupied several resource-rich Islands as their territories.
A vast Faction of Subordinates required Funds to maintain.
Besides plunder, some additional income was also necessary.
Shiki had it easy; he simply used his Ability to move an Island, placing it in a nearby Sea Area or even letting it float in the sky.
Hades' choice was actually within their expectations, but they hadn't anticipated such a grand scale or that it would happen so soon.
(end of chapter)