Legends Assemble

The Celestial Dragons had no idea that their strongest shield had already fallen in a remote forest.

And deep within the shadows, a terrifying man was already close at hand.

All the Celestial Dragons knew was that the sound of cannon fire kept coming from coastlines all over the island.

Flames and smoke rose into the sky, interrupting their enjoyment of Human Hunting.

"What are the Marines doing?! If anything happens to us, every last one of you will be hanged!!"

At the center of the island, the Celestial Dragons berated the Marines mercilessly.

They had originally been immersed in the fun of the game, only to be disturbed by pirates who had suddenly appeared. Naturally, they were furious.

"Please evacuate immediately! Famous pirate crews are landing on every coast!"

Even the high-ranking officers wearing coats of justice, those with ranks of rear admiral and above, did not dare utter a single word of rebuttal under the scolding of the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons. All they could do was humbly soothe them and urge them to leave as soon as possible.

"How was this leaked? It was supposed to be top secret!!"

Those foolish Celestial Dragons would never have imagined that the ones who leaked the news were the slaves they considered lowly and insignificant. A single butterfly beating its wings was enough to bring about a storm that would sweep across the world.

"The pirates' objective is unknown! Pay close attention to the western coast! The Roger Pirates are landing!"

Reports rapidly traveled from the outer coastline into the interior of God Valley. The Marines assembled and prepared for battle, while the Celestial Dragons who had been hunting across the island were escorted toward its center.

No matter how the situation changed, one thing had to be ensured: the Celestial Dragons absolutely could not be harmed. That was a death order from their superiors.

After all, in the eyes of the World Government, the Marines were paid precisely so that, at times like this, they could sacrifice themselves for the Celestial Dragons.

It did not matter how many Marines died, as long as the Celestial Dragons were safe.

What is going to happen?! This world!! Is the end coming?!

That was the true thought in the hearts of most Marines. Every pirate crew name spoken by the communications officers was renowned throughout the world.

Under normal circumstances, they were enemies that required the assembly of massive forces just to pursue and encircle.

Yet now, these low-ranking Marines were being asked to stop those infamous pirate crews with limited manpower.

How could that possibly be done?

It was already far too late to call headquarters for reinforcements. Just who had leaked the information?

Marine morale instantly fell to rock bottom. Meanwhile, on the western coast, the Roger Pirates had already smashed through the defensive line formed by the Marines with unstoppable force.

"Ooh-ho-ho-ho! I'm going to save Shakuyaku! Since you lot have no hope anyway, go grab the treasure!"

Roger declared his battle plan, but Rayleigh, Gaban, and the other crew members clearly did not agree with it.

"Get Shakuyaku back!!"

A huge crowd stormed over Roger, stepping on him like he was a speed bump as they charged into God Valley.

Roger, bruised and battered from being trampled, stretched out an arm. "You... bastards..."

As numerous famous pirate crews landed on God Valley one after another, the members of God's Knights realized it was no longer time for games and immediately joined the battlefield.

"Have the Marines fall back! Go protect the Celestial Dragons! God's Knights are deploying!"

God's Knights joining the battle greatly eased the pressure on the Marine side, but the situation remained overwhelmingly one-sided. Against the advance of the Rocks Pirates officers, the Roger Pirates, and those high-bounty pirates, ordinary Marines had no way to stop them.

That was until a cannonball thrown barehanded from the sea outside God Valley crossed an immense distance and struck a group of pirates attempting to breach the defensive line.

Boom!!

Amid the massive explosion, the pirates were blasted off their feet and lost their ability to fight.

"Don't cut down our soldiers like they're cabbages!!"

A thunderous voice rang out from a dog-headed warship on the sea. At the same time, many of God Valley's powerhouses sensed the intense Haki it carried—

"It's Vice Admiral Garp!!"

The report was broadcast again through the communications network, this time reaching every corner of God Valley.

"Reinforcements have arrived! It's Vice Admiral Garp!!"

The morale that had sunk to the depths instantly soared back to its peak at the mention of that name!

We're saved!

Many Marines who had believed the end of the world had arrived suddenly found a glimmer of hope in their despairing hearts. The name Monkey D. Garp gave them confidence to fight back.

Because he was the man who chased Roger all around the world!

However, although Garp's arrival boosted morale, evacuating the Celestial Dragons remained the top priority.

"Please flee the island through the evacuation passage!"

Whenever the Celestial Dragons held group activities, escape routes were prepared in advance for emergencies. The evacuation route at God Valley was a tunnel dug through the enormous mountain wall, leading to the coastline.

Under Marine protection, the Celestial Dragons hurried into the tunnels and evacuated.

Yet quite a few Celestial Dragons angrily blamed the Marines.

"I still want my prize!!"

"We'll be responsible for recovering it! Please evacuate first!"

"Responsible? You will absolutely bear responsibility for making us suffer through this memory! Useless Marines!"

Though these Celestial Dragons did not dare turn back to face the pirates, they were very skilled at taking out their anger on the Marines. The Marines did not dare argue, nor did they dare show the Celestial Dragons the slightest displeasure.

The World Government, their superiors, justice... these lofty words were like shackles, binding them and turning Marines who had once possessed brave and upright hearts into what they were now.

If they did not adapt to the rules, they would be eliminated. Or perhaps there was simply no helping it.

As the Celestial Dragons retreated, even more pirate crews landed on God Valley.

The Rocks Pirates had drawn attention because of their enormous fame. Those pirates did not merely want treasure; they wanted renown as well.

As long as they killed an officer of the Rocks Pirates, they would undoubtedly become famous throughout the world.

Just how many of these annoying bastards are there?

In a forest southeast of God Valley, Lilith frowned slightly as she swung the Cloud Whip formed from Iron Cloud, lashing at the pirates attempting to surround and capture her.

This type of Processed Clouds from Sky Island could be equipped to weapons, making them as light as clouds while retaining the hardness of iron. They could also extend and retract freely, changing shape at will.

"Ah!"

Amid cries that were impossible to tell whether they were moans of pleasure or agonized screams, the surrounding pirates fell one after another.

After dealing with those worthless fools who had tried to capture her, Lilith did not waste any time and swiftly left the area.

Two red-haired babies, carried by a young Marine... Annus's mission must be completed!

In Lilith's heart, nothing was more important than Annus's mission. Otherwise, she would definitely have stayed behind and properly tortured those idiots who had tried to capture her, teaching them what true pain was.