The Pirate's Nest, Hachinosu Island.
"Shakky!!! She... she's still alive—!!!" a pirate shouted excitedly.
"Is this for real?! You're not lying to us?!"
"That's great! I knew Shakky wouldn't go down that easily!"
"God Valley? That God Valley in the West Blue? What kind of hellhole is that?"
"She's being treated as... a prize for the Celestial Dragons' 'Human Hunting Game'?! Those damn World Nobles!!!"
Ecstasy, shock, anger... Various emotions exploded in every corner of Hachinosu Island.
Shakky's "Rip-off Bar" was once a place of solace for countless pirates. Her disappearance had cast a shadow over the entire Hachinosu Island, but now, that shadow was replaced by an even more intense fury.
Inside a bar, the executives of the Rocks Pirates reacted just as vehemently.
"It sounds suspicious..." Shikaku's expression was panicked, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
"The timing of this news is too convenient, like someone intentionally delivered it to us... Is it reliable?"
Having just finished the communication, Stussy elegantly set down the transponder snail and said calmly, "The source is indeed questionable, but correspondingly, the recent abnormal movements and sudden increase in encrypted communication levels within Marineford and the CP system are beyond doubt."
"Shakky is a prize in the Celestial Dragons' game?!!"
John, whose left hand was composed of a pile of metal, repeated those words, pink hearts leaping wildly in his eyes.
"Bastards!" Byrnndi World smashed a fist onto the table, sending wood splinters flying.
"So, the ones who kidnapped Shakky a year ago were those government bastards?!!"
"Sha—kky—!!!" Shiki let out a sorrowful and angry roar, his flowing golden hair moving without wind as his Haki leaked out.
Whitebeard Newgate crossed his arms, his thick brows furrowed. "The Celestial Dragons' 'Human Hunting'... I always thought it was just nonsense. I didn't expect it to be real."
Kaido licked his lips, a wild glint in his eyes. "Not just Shakky, but a large number of Devil Fruits as prizes... What are the powers of these fruits?"
The sniper Kiel Bastar threw cold water on the situation at the right time: "Could this be a trap?!"
However, in stark contrast to the impassioned executives, Rocks, sitting to the side, unusually did not participate in the discussion.
Ever since he heard the name "God Valley," Rocks' expression had turned extremely grim. He lowered his head, shadows obscuring his eyes, only his clenched knuckles turning white from excessive force.
God Valley... How could it be there?! Teach... they're still there! Is the World Government's target me, or them? Go now, or... Damn it, is fate playing a joke on me?
Amidst this frantic mental struggle, Rocks suddenly looked up, all the hesitation and conflict in his eyes replaced by a resolute madness.
He stood up abruptly, raising his hands, his hideous and arrogant voice drowning out everyone's chatter:
"Shut up...!!!"
The sound wave hit the entire hall, instantly making all noise vanish.
"Cowards can stay on this island and tremble!" He surveyed the room, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"Everyone else... set out!! Target—God Valley!!!"
"Yes! Captain!!!" A deafening response rang out, the pirates' blood thoroughly ignited.
"Rocks! Who are you calling a coward?!" Shiki immediately roared in dissatisfaction, floating into the air.
Nearby, Xiong tilted his head and muttered, seemingly quietly but actually clearly, "Whoever responds is the one~"
"You bastard! You want to fight?!" Shiki was instantly enraged and rushed in front of Xiong. Relying on the power of his Float-Float Fruit, he levitated, his forehead pressing hard against Xiong's.
"Bring it on! Who's afraid of who!" Xiong didn't back down, pushing back hard. Veins popped on both their foreheads like two bulls locking horns.
Ignoring the farce that played out almost daily, Rocks left an instruction and strode outside:
"Remember to notify Charlotte Linlin. Also, spread this news for me; let the whole sea know! After all, our opponent this time... is the 'Descendants of the Creator'!"
"Understood! Captain!"
Walking out of the noisy tavern, Rocks stood alone on the skull of Hachinosu Island, gazing at the sky where dark clouds were gathering. A trace of complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
Fate doesn't seem to be on my side. After so many years of preparation, it had to be at this time... But this trace of weakness existed only for a moment. In the next, unparalleled Haki and ambition filled his body once more, and his mouth curled into a wild arc:
"However, I, Davi D. Xebec, will never yield to fate! Shakky... you've done me a huge favor!"
...Meanwhile, on a certain stretch of sea.
The oro jackson was sailing smoothly. The ship seemed to have received some shocking news, as the large vessel leaped high above the sea surface.
"Shakky!!! She's actually at God Valley!" the members of the Roger Pirates said excitedly.
Since returning from Narcissus Island a year ago and learning of Shakky's disappearance, they had searched for her throughout the world but found nothing. This torment finally saw its end at this moment!
"Gaban! Where the hell is God Valley?!" Roger grabbed the Navigator's shoulders and shook him anxiously, the gaze under his straw hat full of urgency.
The Navigator Gaban, wearing sunglasses, had his eyes turn into heart shapes:
"In the West Blue! Although it's a long journey, for Shakky-san—we will move forward at full speed like a current chasing its first love!"
Roger took a deep breath, pressed down on the brim of his hat, and strode to the bow. Facing all his companions, his voice was firm and loud: "Brothers! We're going, right?!"
"Do you even have to ask!!!" Led by Rayleigh, all the Crew members roared in unison.
Rayleigh, who was usually calm, was also full of drive now.
This year of "waiting in bitterness" had caused the Roger Pirates much suffering.
Roger looked toward the West Blue, his gaze sharp. "Even Rocks has moved! We must get there first!"
...Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Aether's hand tightly gripped a transponder snail's receiver, a drop of cold sweat uncontrollably sliding down his forehead.
From the other end of the transponder snail came Garp's lazy voice:
"God Valley? Why did the Celestial Dragons' 'field trip' have to be on such a remote island? It's a corner that even pirates hardly visit."
Aether said awkwardly, "The specific reason... I can't say! But the situation has changed now. I'm counting on you, Garp!"
On the other side of the transponder snail—
On the charming beach of a certain Spring Island, Garp was lying on a wide beach chair, wearing flashy swim trunks, with his hands behind his head.
In the nearby azure pool, over a dozen beauties in skimpy swimsuits were frolicking and playing.
Garp looked at the blue sky and white clouds and said slowly:
"Wasn't it mentioned in the high-level meeting before? Don't poke that hornet's nest called Rocks. You guys underestimate those monsters' intelligence-gathering abilities.
Shakky is the 'treasure' of Hachinosu Island; how could they not take her back?"
"You... where on earth did you get so much information?" Aether's voice came through the transponder snail, sounding confused and somewhat helpless.
Garp grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth. "Weren't enough guards sent for the Celestial Dragons? CP0 was also deployed, wasn't it? What's there to be afraid of?"
Aether said heavily, "...It's just that I didn't expect even Roger to take action..."
"What?! Say that earlier! Tell me the important part first!!"
Garp instantly sprang up from the beach chair, his previous laziness swept away. Holding the receiver, he shouted, "I'm going right now!!!"
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