The warship slowly docked at the port of God Valley.
Vikengam followed Saint Saturn down the gangway and set foot on the island of God Valley.
Long before their arrival, the Marines had already made their arrangements. All the island's residents had been captured with tranquilizer rounds and sent to the central area, where the competition stage had been set up.
Meanwhile, numerous warships had sealed off the entire island to prevent anyone from escaping.
Saint Saturn was speaking with Admiral Kong nearby, while Vikengam did not go over. He casually injected a thread of frosty energy into a reef in the distance, forming an icicle as a contingency he did not know whether he would need.
"Viking, it has been a long time." At that moment, members of God's Knights came down as well. Garling smiled and greeted Vikengam.
"Oh, Senior Garling. It has indeed been a long time." Vikengam responded with a smile.
"How enviable. I heard Lord Saturn bestowed the power of a Mythical Zoan upon you?" Garling said, pretending to be somewhat envious.
Vikengam flattered him in return. "You're too modest, Senior. If nothing unexpected happens, once this competition is over, you should become the user of the Azure Dragon Fruit, shouldn't you?"
"Hahaha, you have quite a bit of faith in me. Though, to be honest, I am rather confident myself." Garling spoke cheerfully.
After a brief pause, his tone suddenly changed. "I imagine you also know there may be an accident during this competition..."
"Yes, I heard quite a few pirates are coming?" Vikengam nodded.
"That's right. I received word that yesterday, King of the Giants Harald was ordered to intercept the Rocks Pirates in the New World and failed. Then, at dawn, Cipher Pol spotted the Rocks Pirates' ship in the waters of the West Blue..." Garling's expression grew somewhat grave.
He then patted Vikengam's shoulder. "If chaos truly breaks out later, stay close to me as much as possible. I will protect you."
Vikengam found it rather absurd. Their fleet had sailed directly from Mary Geoise to the West Blue, taking nearly a week to reach God Valley.
The news had only leaked two days ago. According to Marine Headquarters intelligence, the Roger Pirates had already been in the West Blue, so it made sense for them to arrive. But the Rocks Pirates had come all the way from Hachinosu in the New World to the West Blue by today?
They had even fought Harald along the way and lost some time. Was that remotely reasonable?
What kind of ship were the Rocks Pirates sailing? How could it be that fast? A nuclear-powered wooden three-masted sailing ship?
But then he remembered Shiki was aboard. He was also one of Shakky's admirers. Well... with the Float-Float Fruit, it was still absurd, but not entirely impossible to accept.
"I understand. Then I will thank you in advance, Senior." Vikengam put on a very earnest expression.
There was no way I was sticking with you. I won't call you out for acting like an expert in front of me, but once those monsters show up, you'll become a God Valley speed bump. You have an immortal body, so it doesn't matter if you're chopped up like vegetables. I haven't signed any damned contract.
Not that I planned to sign one anyway.
In any case, according to the original course of events, if he followed Garling and the others, Vikengam would likely die horribly.
"All right, I won't say any more. I have some personal matters to handle, so I'll be leaving first." Garling smiled, then quickly departed.
Vikengam watched his retreating back without saying anything.
However, his gaze darkened somewhat, because he could probably guess what Garling was going to do... kill the red-haired woman who had borne him twin sons.
"Let's go, Viking." Somaz came over and casually called out, "What a hassle. I still need to check whether the competition prizes have been properly placed..."
"Aren't you competing?" Vikengam asked curiously as they headed deeper into the island together.
"I can have some fun before the pirates arrive. But if they do come, I'll be responsible for guarding the prizes." Somaz did not hide anything. It was not some great secret, so he answered casually.
That reminded Vikengam. It did seem to be the case. Once the pirates arrived, Somaz immediately rushed back, and he had intended to execute Shakky.
Fortunately, Rayleigh arrived in time and directly "sent him into the Underworld," cutting him down in one stroke and temporarily robbing him of his ability to fight, thus rescuing Shakky from him.
It was also because of Rayleigh's interference that chaos broke out in the prize storage area, allowing Bartholomew Kuma and Ivankov to seize the two Devil Fruits amid the confusion. Charlotte Linlin then snatched the Azure Dragon Fruit from Ivankov's hands.
Before long, Vikengam and the others reached the stage in the center of the island. A great number of Celestial Dragons were already rubbing their hands together, looking eager to begin the slaughter.
Then the host introduced the competition rules and mentioned the island's Davy Clan.
In the original story, Kuma of the Buccaneer Tribe had also been on the hunting list. But now Bartholomew Kuma was standing behind Vikengam, so naturally he would not be treated as a target.
At the same time, a broadcast Den Den Mushi had been activated in God's Residence at Mary Geoise, transmitting the competition live. The many Celestial Dragons who had not come to participate were throwing around enormous sums there, gambling heavily on the outcome.
"You don't seem very interested?" Saint Saturn suddenly asked Vikengam beside him.
Vikengam nodded. "Senior Garling told me earlier that the Rocks Pirates have already reached the West Blue. At their speed, they may arrive before long. Those people below don't know about it and are acting without restraint, but I can't help feeling worried..."
Originally, if no pirates had come to cause trouble, Saint Saturn had wanted Vikengam to perform well in this competition and bring honor to him.
But the situation was completely different now. Vikengam was not one of those foolish Celestial Dragons in his eyes, whose deaths did not matter and who did not need to know the pirates were about to arrive. Nor was he one of God's Knights with an immortal body, who had no need to worry even if they lacked sufficient strength.
Under such circumstances, letting Vikengam go out would indeed be extremely dangerous. Leaving aside the bond they had formed over the years, Saint Saturn had only recently invested the power of a Mythical Zoan in Vikengam. He could not simply stand by and watch him sink into the mire.
With that in mind, Saint Saturn said, "Your safety comes first. This time is different. Don't run around later. Stay here with me."
That was exactly what Vikengam wanted, so he immediately replied, "I understand, Grandfather."
Just then, the host finished the introduction, while Garling casually killed the king of God Valley and took an "early lead" with negative ten thousand points.
Then the hunt began. The Celestial Dragons cheered as though they had been drugged and began their slaughter, while every member of God's Knights charged out to kill.
Before long, the central stage area had become empty.
Vikengam glanced at Saint Saturn beside him, who seemed to be resting with his eyes closed, then looked at the warehouse holding the prizes in the distance, quietly weighing his options.
He definitely could not go take the fruits now. Though Old Man Saturn no longer had any expectations for the competition, he was still standing right here. Pulling tricks under his nose was not a good idea.
He still had to wait until things became chaotic.
With that thought, Vikengam had someone bring him a chair. He sat down by himself and closed his eyes to rest, while extending his Observation Haki to monitor everything within the range he could sense. It also counted as a form of training and cultivation.
Two hours quickly passed. Then violent explosions suddenly erupted around the island's coastline!
Vikengam and Saint Saturn opened their eyes at the same time.
"They're here!" Saint Saturn's gaze darkened.
The Rocks Pirates had been the first to break through the Marine blockade and reach God Valley!
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