Before the End

The blazing wreckage of warships cast a red glow across the sea.

On the other side of the island, Bogard suppressed the roar of explosions by his ear and urgently reported through the Den Den Mushi, "Vice Admiral Garp! The front lines have completely spiraled out of control. Should we continue deploying forces?!"

There was a brief silence on the other end before Garp's deep, resolute voice came through. "No need."

"Bogard, take the Marines and civilians and retreat immediately."

Bogard froze. "But, Vice Admiral, the Celestial Dragons—"

"I'm telling you to retreat!"

Garp's tone allowed no argument. "If you stay now, you'll only be throwing your lives away."

Bogard gritted his teeth and answered, "...Understood!"

On the other side, Roger was just as decisive.

"Rayleigh!"

He shouted into the Den Den Mushi, "Take everyone and set sail. Wait for me at the agreed safe point!"

Rayleigh paused, immediately realizing something. In a low voice, he asked, "You're not leaving?"

Roger grinned, but his eyes were unusually sharp. "Someone has to stay behind and clean up this mess."

Rayleigh did not try to persuade him further. He merely nodded heavily. "Come back alive."

—The next instant.

The earth trembled, and darkness churned.

Rocks slowly turned around from the direction of the shore.

The demonic wings on his back spread out, blotting out the setting sun as his twisted, massive body strode step by step toward the depths of God Valley.

With every step he took, the ground cracked apart, and killing intent spread like a rising tide.

The members of the Rocks Pirates finally realized something was wrong.

"Rocks?!"

"Th-that appearance—?!"

Cries of terror, rage, and incomprehension rose one after another, but they could not make that figure stop for even a single step.

At that moment, two figures stood