News of the "Treasure"

A few years ago, after Shakuyaku retired from piracy, she settled on Hachinosu and opened a bar called "Shakuyaku's Rip-off."

For a time, this turned Hachinosu into a holy land for many people who admired Shakuyaku. Quite a few gambled everything they had and set out across the Grand Line just to catch a glimpse of her beauty.

Anyone who had truly seen Shakuyaku would marvel at and become intoxicated by her "sparkling" beauty. Only a very small number of people were immune to it.

Then, one stormy night a year ago, someone kidnapped Shakuyaku and killed Marlon, the "leader" on watch that night.

The case later became an unsolved mystery, and the culprit had yet to be found.

But Annus could vaguely guess who had done it. There were not many people capable of killing Marlon, the "leader." Before joining the Rocks Pirates, Marlon had been a major West Blue gang boss. To reach that position, he needed both ruthlessness and strength.

Either it was the work of an acquaintance, or it was done by someone far stronger than Marlon.

Unfortunately, Annus had not been on the island at the time. Otherwise, with his Observation Haki spreading over Hachinosu like a vast net, the culprit would never have escaped.

Just after returning to the Heaven-Piercing Tower, Annus was met by Diumil, who told him that Rocks was gathering the officers at the Skull Building for a meeting.

But Annus did not hurry over. Instead, he summoned the three officers under his command first.

Before long, Diumil, Lilith, and Yale had gathered at the top of the tower.

"Lord Annus, what happened?"

Yale sat bare-chested on the floor and had already begun trying to take off his pants.

"Stop messing around, Yale! This is an important meeting!" Diumil said irritably.

"Uh... all right." Yale stopped, then pulled back on the pants he had taken halfway off.

Actually, he had come completely naked. If Lilith and Diumil had not strongly insisted that he put on pants before seeing Lord Annus, he would never have worn something that restrained his body like this.

Sure enough, he had only worn them for a short while before he could no longer stand it.

Annus accepted the coffee Lilith handed him, took a sip, and slowly said, "Pack your things. Before long, the Rocks Pirates probably won't exist anymore."

"What does that mean? Are we leaving Hachinosu?" Yale asked.

"Lord Annus, do you mean the Rocks Pirates are going to disband?" Diumil asked curiously as well.

Lilith did not ask anything. Wearing a lovestruck smile, she silently stared at Annus's profile. To her, where they went did not matter. What mattered was being able to stay by Lord Annus's side forever.

Facing the questions from his two subordinates, Annus said softly, "That's right. We probably won't return to this island after this."

"Don't ask unnecessary questions. I'll explain it to you later. For now, prepare supplies for going to sea, and bring all the treasure and Dials with us."

After giving several necessary instructions, Annus left. Diumil stroked his chin and fell into deep thought.

Still somewhat dazed, Yale asked Diumil, "What is Lord Annus planning? We worked so hard to settle down on Hachinosu, and the Angel Legion has only just begun to take shape. This is exactly when we should be expanding and growing stronger..."

"Wouldn't leaving Hachinosu at a time like this mean all our previous efforts were wasted?"

"Shut up, Uncle Yale! Don't question Lord Annus's decision!" Lilith said coldly.

"I wasn't questioning Lord Annus, I was just..." Yale tried to explain.

At that moment, Diumil, who had been deep in thought, suddenly slapped his forehead hard. "I understand!"

Lilith and Yale both turned to look at Diumil and asked in unison, "What do you understand?"

"Lord Annus is truly farsighted! He predicted long ago that this day would come!"

Diumil said excitedly.

"The year Lord Annus lost to Rocks in the Davy Game, he had already foreseen today! A pirate crew built on common interests could never last for long!"

"The reason Lord Annus wants us to withdraw from this island is because it no longer has any value to us!"

Yale and Lilith looked at each other, unable to follow Diumil's train of thought for the moment.

Skull Building.

By the time Annus arrived, all of Rocks's officers were already there, endlessly arguing over the news that Shakuyaku had been found.

"Is that intelligence really reliable? No matter how you look at it, it's far too suspicious, isn't it?"

The one speaking was Ochoku, the "Pirate Patriarch." He looked terrible at the moment, with beads of sweat the size of beans constantly forming on his forehead as he weakly questioned the accuracy of the information.

But no one paid him any attention. Everyone's mind was on Shakuyaku... even if it was only a piece of news.

"Shakuyaku~~~♡♡♡, so you really are alive!!"

Shiki was undoubtedly the most excited-looking among them, though his actions and expressions had always been exaggerated.

John clenched the intelligence report in his hand, furious. "She became the Celestial Dragons' 'game prize'? Does that mean those World Government beasts kidnapped Shakuyaku?!"

The other officers each held their own reports. When Whitebeard saw Annus enter, he handed one to him.

Annus merely glanced at it before setting it aside.

The intelligence was simple. The Celestial Dragons intended to hold a "Hunting Game" at God Valley in the West Blue, and Shakuyaku was one of the "game prizes."

And besides Shakuyaku, the game offered even more lavish prizes, including Devil Fruits, "treasure," and more... all stored in specific treasure chests.

"I thought that was just a rumor. I didn't expect it to be real." Whitebeard moved closer to Annus and sighed.

For a long time, a rumor had circulated across the seas that every few years, the Celestial Dragons would choose a non-member nation and hold a killing game there.

But because there had never been any evidence, and because the World Government had always harshly suppressed related news and intelligence while repeatedly issuing denials, people across the seas had always thought it was merely a rumor.

But now, it seemed that terrifying game truly existed!

"Each treasure chest is worth a billion Berry! That sounds pretty good!" The still young and beautiful Charlotte Linlin stroked her chin, clearly interested.

After noticing that Annus was also present, Linlin's eyes shifted. With a wicked grin, she walked over holding two glasses of wine.

"Hey, Annus, interested?"

Linlin offered Annus one of the glasses, but Annus gave her no face. Linlin was not angered. Still smiling, she set the glass aside. Whitebeard reached for it, only for Linlin to glare at him.

"Newgate! That isn't for you!"

"Then don't give it to me! I don't want it anyway!" Whitebeard snorted and turned away.

Annus glanced at Linlin. "What do you want?"

"Let's cooperate, Annus! As long as you have children with me, I'll help you get the Devil Fruit you want! Lilith, Diumil, and Yale aren't Devil Fruit users yet, are they?"