God Valley was already in complete chaos.
The native inhabitants, along with the slaves the Celestial Dragons had brought in because they felt there were too few people to make the hunt enjoyable, had all become rabbits chased by hunters.
"Help! Somebody save me!"
"Good heavens, are we really still in the human world?"
"Why are you doing this? Just how far will human dignity be trampled!"
Fearful cries for help, despairing wails, and furious questions all blended together into a joyful symphony that made the Celestial Dragons' hairs stand on end with excitement.
Gunshots rang out. "Ha! That's one point for me!"
Blades sliced through the air. "Whoa! Kid, get lost! Don't throw worthless trash at my sword!"
Cannons thundered. "Hahahaha! Now this is more like it!"
The island had already become hell.
But at that very moment, on the eastern side of the island.
Boom!
Amid a violent roar, several warships exploded in an instant.
Under the horrified gazes of the Marines, a massive fleet came surging across the distant sea like dark clouds pressing down on a city.
The word Rocks was written across the sails of those ships.
"It's the Rocks Pirates!! The Rocks Pirates' main fleet is attacking from the east!"
"Estimated forces: over one hundred thousand!!"
"So that's God Valley?"
Roa stood atop the mast of a pirate ship, gazing at the distant island through a telescope. He unconsciously swallowed. "It looks truly delicious!"
Qiongqi's power wasn't a Devil Fruit, so even without transforming, Roa could still use a small portion of his strength.
Naturally, he could see and devour the delicious black aura.
He could see it clearly. The distant island was almost completely filled with black mist.
The greatest feast of his life was right before his eyes.
I want to go!
I want to go!
I have to go eat my fill right now!
He lightly leaped down from the mast and landed on the deck. "Dylan."
"I'm here, Lord Roa."
His loyal follower Dylan spoke calmly.
"When everyone charges forward later, take this ship away from God Valley."
Roa said, "I'll come find you after everything is over."
"Yes."
Dylan asked nothing, even though he was incredibly curious.
He only needed to carry out his orders.
Roa had made Dylan prepare in advance. All their belongings were on this ship, including the treasures they had accumulated over the past few years, their personnel, and the zombie army.
After all, once the various officers returned to Beehive Island after the battle, another great battle to seize the Rocks Pirates' remaining wealth was certain to break out. Roa had no intention of taking part.
He was only waiting for the battle to end before fleeing with the money.
After giving Dylan his orders, Roa spread his wings and flew to the fleet's flagship, where the officers had gathered.
Golden Lion and Charlotte Linlin floated in the sky. Whitebeard leaned on his bisento, with the shameless Stussy beside him. Kaido carried his spiked club, Gloriosa held a bow, Silver Axe gripped an axe, Ochoku held down his hat, and Captain John drank wine.
Everyone was waiting for the final order.
"Then, Rocks Pirates, let's move!"
He pointed his long blade at the distant island. "Newgate, Shiki, clear the way!"
"Don't order me around!"
Whitebeard snorted, but obediently raised his bisento high. A white shock wave suddenly gathered upon it.
"Hah!"
The great blade came crashing down, and the world was overturned in an instant.
The roaring shock wave tore through the sea and destroyed every warship in its path with unstoppable force, carving out a broad passage.
At the same time, Golden Lion flew over the sea and lowered his hand into the water.
"Shahahaha! Have you ever heard the sea's voice?"
Rumble!
Surging waves suddenly rose, carrying every ship of the Rocks Pirates up onto their crests.
The enormous fleet rode the waves forward in a mighty, unstoppable advance.
The Marines' desperate cries immediately reached the island.
"We can't stop them! The Rocks Pirates are going to land!"
Somewhere on the island, Figarland Garling looked back toward the east, his brows furrowing slightly. "The Rocks Pirates? What a nuisance. Looks like the competition will have to be suspended for now."
He took out a Den Den Mushi. "Tell everyone to gather at the center of the island and take shelter. Have the Marines engage the pirates when they land. Also, Knights of God, prepare to deploy!"
Towering waves crashed against the solid rocks along the shore, breaking into countless droplets that scattered through the air.
Roa took a deep breath. A vast amount of black aura was drawn toward him and surged into his nostrils like a tide.
"Wah!"
The boy's face immediately flushed like he was drunk. He involuntarily grabbed Big Brother Kaido's calf. "Oh no, I'm getting drunk..."
The black aura was simply too concentrated. His body's digestion speed could no longer keep up.
"Shahahaha! Is it really that delicious?"
Golden Lion burst into laughter. "Roa, for you, isn't this basically heaven?"
"Haha."
Roa took deep breaths while putting on a tactical idiot's smile.
Although the speed at which his body digested the black aura was limited, it was still delicious!
Whitebeard frowned and looked toward the silent captain. "Hey, Rocks, what should we—"
Whoosh!
Rocks transformed into a blur and shot forward.
"Hey!"
Caught off guard, Whitebeard gnashed his teeth and cursed angrily. "That bastard!"
"Mamamama! Whoever gets the treasure owns it! That's our rule!"
Aunt Linlin laughed loudly and urged the thundercloud Zeus to fly forward as well.
"The treasure is in the center of the island, right?"
Golden Lion also sped ahead.
"Wait for me, Uncle Shiki!"
Roa hurriedly flapped his wings and chased after him.
The great battle was about to erupt. With so many monsters on the island, Roa didn't believe his tiny body could retreat safely by relying on himself alone.
But the Celestial Dragons' treasures were incredibly tempting.
The captain was destined to leave the stage, so he might as well stick close to Uncle Shiki.
"You bunch of bastards!"
Whitebeard was furious, but he still strode forward and charged.
Flying behind Golden Lion, Roa was finally able to see the island's current state clearly.
Corpses were everywhere, and screams and wails rang out almost without pause.
"Oh, this really is hell on earth."
Roa couldn't help sighing.
"Tone down that smile of yours."
Golden Lion tossed out the remark casually.
"Haha."
Roa smiled awkwardly but politely.
When people tasted something delicious, their bodies secreted dopamine, making them feel happy. That was a physiological reaction and could not be overcome.
"Hm?"
Golden Lion suddenly stopped and looked up. "This presence!"
It wasn't only him. Whitebeard, who was running below and had casually cleaved an unfortunate Celestial Dragon in half, raised his brows as well. "Roger!"
The Marines' terrified cries once again reached the Celestial Dragons on the island.
"The Roger Pirates are attacking from the east! We can't stop them! Prepare yourselves!"
At the center of the island, where the treasures were stored.
A Celestial Dragon with a thick beard, a small black hat, and a cane—or rather, a Celestial Dragon among Celestial Dragons, one of the Five Elders, Jaygarcia Saturn Saint—furrowed his brows.
"After the Rocks Pirates, it's the Roger Pirates? The Knights of God may not be enough on their own."
"Fine. If the situation becomes urgent, I'll summon you at once."
He seemed to be speaking with someone over the phone.
On the eastern side of the island.
"Hahahaha! Out of my way! Divine Departure! Where is that bastard Rocks?"
Roger swung his beloved sword, and a mighty Conqueror's Haki slash swept away everything in its path.
However, almost at the same time—
"Where is Roger!"
A massive warship slammed into the island's shore like a battering ram, and the Marines sent to reinforce the island shot into the sky.
"Reinforcements are here! It's Vice Admiral Garp!"
The monsters had all taken the field.
At the same time—
"Roger!!"
Uncle Golden Lion let out a strange cry and accelerated, disappearing from Roa's sight in the blink of an eye.
"Hey! Uncle Shiki! You left me behind!"
Roa stared in astonishment.
Uncle Shiki, do you still remember that our goal is the Celestial Dragons' treasure?
It was all Roger's fault!
What should he do now?
"Roger!!"
A roar came from below.
Roa paused.
"Big Brother Kaido! Let's act together!"
Roa quickly descended and landed directly on the shoulder of Kaido, who was sprinting below.
"I'm coming, Roger!!"
Kaido ignored him and simply continued shouting Roger's name.
Roger, you really were a sinful man.
How many people had you dragged into this?
You'd better start the Great Pirate Era at once to atone for your sins!
Before you continue