The Grand Line and the Red Line intersected at right angles, dividing the world’s oceans into four regions.
The two Blues bordering the New World were the North Blue and the West Blue.
A ordinary travelers, sailing directly from the New World to the West Blue was extremely difficult.
The Calm Belt separating the two regions was filled with enormous Sea Kings, while its complete lack of wind left most ships unable to move.
For the Rocks Pirates, however, neither problem mattered.
Using the power of the Float-Float Fruit, Shiki lifted Rocks’ Fury out of the ocean and flew directly across the Calm Belt.
To reach God Valley before the hunting competition ended, he pushed his Devil Fruit power to its limit.
After only two days, they entered the waters surrounding their destination.
…
West Blue, God Valley.
Two enormous mountains towered above the island.
Their slopes were so steep and smooth that they appeared to have been carved apart by a gigantic blade.
Both peaks pierced through the clouds.
Dozens—perhaps even hundreds—of Marine warships surrounded the island.
Their mission was to maintain a complete blockade and prevent any of the so-called “rabbits” from escaping the Celestial Dragons’ hunting competition.
The competition would continue for three weeks.
By the time it ended, not a single original inhabitant of God Valley was expected to remain alive.
…
On the eastern coast of the island, a Marine captain stood aboard one of the blockading warships and observed the land through a pair of binoculars.
Screams occasionally echoed from the distant forests.
“It seems the Celestial Dragons have already begun their game.” The captain lowered his binoculars.
“Honestly, do we really need this many warships?
No one could possibly escape from such a blockade.” Vice Admiral Harvey snorted coldly.
“The previous hunting competition was held in the Tidal Echoes Kingdom three years ago.
Several people managed to escape during that event.” “What?” The captain looked astonished.
“How could anyone escape while surrounded by so many Marine ships?” “A Rear Admiral helped them.” Harvey’s eyes became cold.
He clearly had no desire to discuss the incident.
“Because of his foolish sympathy, several ‘rabbits’ escaped, including the princess of the Tidesong Kingdom.” He folded his arms.
“Fortunately, the situation was resolved before it caused a major scandal.
Otherwise, the Marines would have paid dearly for his actions.” The captain swallowed.
“What happened to that Rear Admiral?” “What do you think happened?” Harvey slapped the back of his subordinate’s head.
“I ordered you to monitor the coastline and surrounding sea, not stare at the island!
Do your job properly!” “Yes, Vice Admiral!” The captain immediately turned around and raised his binoculars.
After confirming that nothing unusual was happening along the coast, he shifted his attention toward the sea.
A ship suddenly entered his field of vision.
The pirate flag and enormous lettering on its sails caused his face to turn pale.
“V-V-Vice Admiral!” The captain began trembling violently.
“It’s a pirate ship!
The Rocks Pirates are here!” “What?!” Harvey’s expression changed drastically.
He snatched the binoculars from the captain and looked toward the horizon.
The Rocks’ Fury was speeding directly toward God Valley.
“The Rocks Pirates?!” Harvey’s pupils contracted in horror.
“What are they doing in the West Blue!?” There was no time to consider the answer.
He immediately pulled out a Den Den Mushi and transmitted an emergency warning to every Marine warship surrounding the island.
…
Meanwhile, aboard Rocks’ Fury, Rocks stood atop the figurehead and stared toward God Valley’s eastern coast.
The Marine warships had already begun turning their cannons toward them.
“They’ve noticed us.” Rocks threw back his head and laughed.
“Vohahahahaha!
Men, prepare for battle!” Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The thunderous roar of cannons echoed across the ocean.
Dozens of warships fired simultaneously.
Each vessel possessed enormous triple-barreled naval guns, and their combined barrage sent hundreds of shells raining toward Rocks’ Fury.
“Gurararara!
What an unfriendly greeting!” Whitebeard stepped forward.
He stood at the front of the deck and clenched his right fist.
The muscles in his arm swelled dramatically.
Then he punched the empty air.
“Air Quake!” Thump!
A deep, muffled sound echoed outward.
The atmosphere cracked like glass, and countless fractures spread across the sky like a gigantic spiderweb.
The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit struck every approaching cannonball at once.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Hundreds of shells exploded in midair, transforming into a magnificent display of flames and smoke.
“Jihahaha!
Leave the warships to me!” Shiki laughed wildly.
He floated away from the deck and flew toward the eastern coastline.
Charlotte Linlin narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“That bastard Lion is obviously trying to reach the prizes before us!” She raised one hand.
“Zeus!” A living thundercloud appeared beneath her feet.
Linlin leaped onto it and raced after Shiki.
Gloriosa watched the two flying pirates with obvious envy.
“It must be wonderful to fly.” Dæmon stood near the bow with both hands tucked into the pockets of his long coat.
“I can carry you over there.” “Oh?
Thank you, but we should let them clear away the small fry first~” Gloriosa chuckled.
She flicked one finger.
The snake coiled around her arm immediately stiffened and transformed into a serpentine bow.
Gloriosa drew the bowstring as far as it would go.
The arrow between her fingers turned pitch-black as Armament Haki coated its surface.
“There’s no reason for me to fly over there just to deal with weaklings.” She calmly aimed toward one of the distant warships.
“Long-range attacks are my specialty.” Whoosh!
The arrow tore through the air in a straight line.
It crossed the sea and struck the center of a Marine warship with astonishing precision.
Boom!
The moment it pierced the hull, an enormous explosion consumed the vessel.
Flames surged into the sky as terrified Marines screamed and scrambled across the collapsing deck.
Dæmon stared at the burning warship.
Was that really an arrow?
It struck like a cannon shell.
And she claims she has no combat ability…
Within a short time, the defenses along God Valley’s eastern coast had completely collapsed.
….
Meanwhile, deeper within the island, a group of shackled prisoners desperately fled through a forest.
These people were the “rabbits” being hunted by the Celestial Dragons.
Even when they stumbled and fell, they did not dare stop.
They clawed at the ground and crawled forward, desperate to gain even the smallest amount of distance.
It was as though some unimaginable monster were pursuing them.
Swish!
Suddenly, a flash of sword light swept through the forest.
A figure passed between the fleeing prisoners.
A moment later, every one of them froze.
Blood erupted from their bodies, and they collapsed almost simultaneously.
They had all been killed in a single attack.
A nearby surveillance Den Den Mushi recorded the entire scene.
The excited voice of the competition’s announcer erupted from loudspeakers positioned throughout the island.
“Incredible!
Absolutely incredible!” “Saint Figarland has already accumulated one hundred thousand points!” “Can anyone stop him from claiming this year’s grand prize?
Let’s check the current rankings and see who holds second place!” Saint Figarland Garling showed no interest in the broadcast.
He calmly flicked the blood from his saber.
Then an enormous explosion sounded from the direction of the eastern coast.
Boom!
Garling raised his head.
His Observation Haki spread outward like a vast net, covering the surrounding region.
“The Rocks Pirates?” The moment he spoke, a white cloud raced overhead.
A towering woman stood on top of it.
“Hurry, Zeus!” Linlin ordered.
“We’ll steal the prizes before anyone notices and leave without a trace!” “Yes, Mama!” The cloud accelerated and disappeared toward the central area of God Valley.
“Charlotte Linlin.” Garling narrowed his eyes.
“Her target must be the competition prizes.” He prepared to intercept her.
However, the instant he moved, his body suddenly stiffened.
Thump!
A figure descended from the sky and landed heavily behind him.
An overwhelming presence locked onto Garling.
Black-and-red lightning crackled through the air as two powerful wills collided.
Garling slowly turned around, his eyes cold.
“Rocks.” Rocks stretched his neck and calmly drew his weapon.
His expression contained none of its usual amusement.
“Where did you hide what you stole?” …
Back on the eastern coast, dozens of Marine warships had already sunk beneath the waves.
Burning wreckage covered the ocean, and the surrounding sea had transformed into a field of flames.
Dæmon stepped off the Rocks’ Fury and leisurely walked inland.
Most of the Rocks Pirates had already charged deeper into God Valley.
Only Stussy remained beside him.
Dæmon glanced at her.
“Why aren’t you joining the others?” “I’m merely a scientist.
I possess no combat ability.” Stussy smiled innocently.
“Dæmon, remember to protect me~” “Then you’d better stay close.” Dæmon gave her a casual glance.
“You’re immortal, just like the rest of us.
What exactly am I supposed to protect you from?” The two walked at a relaxed pace toward the center of God Valley.
After leaving the coast, they entered a dense woodland.
A tall slope rose beside the forest.
At its summit stood an elderly man leaning on a cane.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn—one of the Five Elders—stared directly at Dæmon.
His cold voice drifted down from above.
“So, you’re Dæmon—the Rocks Pirates’ mysterious brewer?”