God Valley was in utter chaos. The indigenous inhabitants, along with the slaves brought in by the Celestial Dragons because the local population wasn't "exciting" enough, had all become rabbits pursued by hunters.
"Help! Someone save me!"
"Oh my god, are we really still on Earth?"
"Why are they doing this? How much more will human dignity be trampled upon?!"
Frightened pleas, desperate wails, angry accusations—all these sounds merged into a joyful symphony that made the Celestial Dragons' hairs stand on end with excitement.
Gunshots rang out, "Ha! First point!"
Blades sliced through the air, "Whoa! Get out of the way, brat! Don't bring your cheap stuff near my sword!"
Cannons roared, "Hahahaha! This guy's still got the kick!"
This island had become a living hell.
But just then, on the eastern side of the island, boom! With a violent roar, several Marine ships instantly exploded. In the terrified gaze of the Marines, a vast fleet, like a black cloud pressing down on the city, rolled overwhelmingly from the distant sea. And on those ships' sails was written: "Rocks!"
"It's the Rocks Pirates!! The Rocks Pirate Grand Fleet is attacking from the east!"
"Estimated forces: over a hundred thousand!!"
"So that's God Valley?" Roa stood on the mast of a pirate ship, looking at the distant island through a telescope. He unconsciously swallowed. "It looks so delicious!"
His ability to transform into a Qiongqi wasn't a Devil Fruit, so even without transforming, Roa could use a small part of its power. Seeing and devouring delicious dark aura was naturally no problem. He saw clearly that the distant island was almost completely filled with a black mist.
The greatest feast of his life was right before him. He wanted to go! He wanted to go! He wanted to go and eat to his heart's content right now!
Lightly jumping down from the mast onto the deck, he called, "Dylan."
"I'm here, Master Roa." His loyal subordinate, Dylan, replied calmly.
"When everyone rushes forward later, you take this ship and move away from God Valley," Roa instructed. "I'll find you after everything's over."
"Understood." Dylan didn't ask anything, even though he was incredibly curious. He just needed to execute the order.
He had Dylan prepare in advance. All his possessions were on this ship, including the treasures he had accumulated over the years, his crew, and the Tchang-Gui Army. After all, when the executives returned to Hachinosu Island after the battle, there would surely be another round of plundering the Rocks Pirates' legacy. Roa had no interest in participating. He would just wait for this battle to end and then abscond with his loot.
After instructing Dylan, Roa flapped his wings and flew to the fleet's main ship, where the executives had gathered. Golden Lion and Charlotte Linlin floated in the sky, Whitebeard leaned on his bisento, with the clingy Stussy by his side, Kaido carried his spiked club, Gloriosa held her bow, Silver Axe gripped his axe, Wang Zhi(Ochoku) pressed his hat down, and Captain John drank his sake. Everyone was waiting for the final command.
"Alright, Rocks Pirates, follow me!" Rocks pointed his long blade directly at the distant island. "Newgate, Shiki, clear the way!"
"Don't order me around!" Whitebeard scoffed, but dutifully raised his bisento high, and white shockwaves instantly gathered on it.
"Hah!" The large blade swept down, instantly turning the world upside down. Roaring shockwaves ripped through the sea, destroying all Marine ships in their path with unstoppable force, opening up a wide channel.
At the same time, Golden Lion flew to the surface of the sea, his hand submerged in the water. "Gyahahaha! Have you heard the sound of the ocean?"
Rumble! Tremendous waves suddenly surged, carrying all the Rocks Pirates' ships on their crests. The gigantic waves propelled the grand fleet forward with overwhelming momentum.
And so, the despairing cries of the Marines immediately reached the interior of the island. "Unstoppable! The Rocks Pirates are landing!"
In a certain part of the island, Figarland Garlinc looked back towards the east, frowning slightly. "The Rocks Pirates? How troublesome. Looks like the competition will have to be temporarily suspended." He pulled out a Den Den Mushi. "Inform everyone to gather in the center of the island for shelter. Marines, land and engage the pirates. Also, Holy Knights, prepare to sortie!"
Crashing waves battered the hard coastal rocks, shattering into countless scattered droplets. Roa took a deep breath, and a large amount of dark aura was drawn in, surging into his nostrils like a tide.
"Whoa!" A blush of intoxication instantly appeared on the boy's face. He couldn't help but lean against Brother Kaido's calf beside him. "Damn, I'm getting drunk..." The concentration of dark aura was too high; his body's digestion speed simply couldn't keep up.
"Gyahahaha! Is it that delicious?" Golden Lion laughed heartily. "Roa, for you, this place is heaven, isn't it?"
"Haha." Roa tactically laughed foolishly while taking deep breaths. Although his body's speed at digesting dark aura was limited, it was delicious!
Whitebeard frowned, looking at the always-silent captain. "Hey, Rocks, what should we do next—"
Whoosh! Rocks turned into an afterimage, swiftly darting forward.
"Hey!" Whitebeard was caught off guard, then gritted his teeth and cursed angrily, "That bastard!"
"Mama-mama-ma! Treasure, whoever gets it first, it's theirs! That's our rule!" Auntie Linlin laughed, urging Zeus, the thundercloud, to fly forward rapidly as well.
"The treasure is in the center of the island, right?" Golden Lion also sped forward.
"Uncle Shiki, wait for me!" Roa hurriedly flapped his wings to catch up. A major battle was about to erupt, and there were many monsters on the island. Roa didn't think his small body could safely retreat by himself. But the Celestial Dragons' treasure was also very tempting. The Captain was destined to exit, so it was better to stick close to Uncle Shiki.
"You bastards!" Whitebeard was quite enraged, but still took large strides and charged out.
Flying behind Golden Lion, Roa could finally clearly see the current state of the island. There were bodies everywhere, and screams and wails were almost incessant.
"Oh, truly a living hell." Roa couldn't help but sigh.
"Wipe that smile off your face," Golden Lion said casually.
"Haha." Roa's smile was awkward but polite. When people taste something delicious, dopamine is secreted, making them feel happy. This is a physiological reason and unbeatable.
"Hmm?" Golden Lion suddenly paused, instantly looking up. "This presence!" It wasn't just him; Whitebeard, who was running below and casually slicing down an unlucky Celestial Dragon, also raised an eyebrow. "Roger!"
The terrified cries of the Marines once again reached the Celestial Dragons on the island. "Roger Pirates attacking from the east! Unstoppable! Prepare yourselves!"
In the center of the island, the treasure storage area. Jaygarcia Saturn, one of the Five Elders, the Celestial Dragons among Celestial Dragons, with a thick beard, a small black hat, and leaning on a cane, frowned. "After the Rocks Pirates, it's the Roger Pirates? The Holy Knights alone might not be enough." He seemed to be talking to someone. "Alright, if the situation becomes urgent, I'll summon you immediately."
On the east side of the island.
"Hahahaha! Don't block my way! Divine Departure! Where is that bastard Rocks!" Roger wielded his beloved sword, his formidable Conqueror's Haki slashing horizontally through everything in front of him.
However, almost simultaneously: "Roger!!" A massive Marine battleship crashed into the island's coast like a runaway train, and the reinforcing Marines soared into the sky. "Reinforcements have arrived! It's Vice Admiral Garp!"
The monsters had all arrived.
At the same time.
"Roger!!" Uncle Golden Lion shrieked, instantly accelerating and disappearing from Roa's sight in the blink of an eye.
"Hey! Uncle Shiki! You left me behind!" Roa was dumbfounded. Uncle Shiki, do you still remember our goal was the Celestial Dragons' treasure? Roger, you're the one who ruined him!
So what now?
"Roger!!" A roar came from below. Roa paused.
"Brother Kaido! Let's move together!" Roa quickly descended, landing directly on Kaido's shoulder, who was charging forward.
"I'm here! Roger!!" Kaido ignored him, only shouting Roger's name.
Roger, you truly are a deeply sinful man. How many people have you harmed? I command you to quickly start the Great Pirate Era to atone for your sins!