"Could the Rocks Pirates' target again be the World Government member nations in the Four Blues? It's been over half a year since the last Heavenly Tribute payment, and it's almost time for the next one."
Environment God Mars Saint speculated.
"Immediately notify the Navy to be on standby, along with CP0 and the army."
"We can't let Rocks plunder the member nations of the other three seas again!"
"If such a thing happens again, the member nations of the Four Blues might completely lose trust in the World Government."
Finance God Nasujuro Saint stated.
"This time, Rocks' target might be the North Blue or South Blue, as these are closest to Hachinosu Island."
Agriculture God Peter Saint suggested.
"Let's be cautious; we still don't have the means to accurately locate the Rocks Pirates or their fleet high above."
Finance God Nasujuro Saint added.
Navy Headquarters:
After receiving orders from the World Government, Kong quickly gathered the Navy's top forces.
"Sengoku, where's that fool Garp? Why isn't he here?"
Kong asked, noticing Garp's absence.
"Admiral, we received reports of the Roger Pirates appearing in the West Blue, so Garp went to pursue them."
Sengoku replied helplessly.
"The Roger Pirates aren't they in the New World? How did they end up in the West Blue?"
Kong wondered.
"It's unclear, but they might be avoiding the Rocks Pirates."
Sengoku said.
"Tell Garp to forget about the Roger Pirates for now and return. The Rocks Pirates might attack the Four Blues member nations again."
Kong ordered.
"Admiral, I've tried contacting him, but there's no response from Garp's Den Den Mushi."
Sengoku reported.
"Damn Garp, when he gets back, I'll make sure he learns his lesson!"
Angrily, Kong smashed the table, frustrated by Garp's absence at such a critical time.
Valley of the Gods:
The entire Valley of the Gods was encircled by Navy warships, with numerous officer-ranked personnel guarding it.
The blockade prevented any escape from the Valley or unauthorized entry, ensuring no interference with the Celestial Dragons' hunting competition.
"The island is surrounded by so many warships, cutting off any hope of escape!"
On the Valley of the Gods, many indigenous residents lived, targeted by the Celestial Dragons for slaughter.
"We must save ourselves. I heard there's a Devil Fruit among the rewards that turns you into an Azure Dragon, allowing you to fly off the island."
"Another one supposedly grants the ability to bounce off the island with teleportation."
Ivankov said.
"What should we do?"
Kuma asked, puzzled.
"We need to rally more residents to resist the Celestial Dragons and seize those Devil Fruits from them; it's our only hope for survival!"
Ivankov said resolutely.
"We'll follow your lead, whatever you decide."
Kuma agreed.
"We need a skilled thief to steal the rewards."
Ivankov began planning to snatch the Celestial Dragons' prizes.
Offshore the Valley of the Gods:
Warships surrounded the Valley, ensuring not even a fly could escape.
"Vice Admiral Kos, why are we surrounding this island?"
Rear Admiral Alex asked in confusion.
"Orders from above. We're to surround the island, allowing no one to escape or enter."
Vice Admiral Kos replied, smoking a cigarette.
"But many say they've heard cries for help from civilians on the island."
"And we're killing those who plead for our help!"
Rear Admiral Alex said through gritted teeth.
As someone who rose through the ranks from the Four Blues, he found this difficult to accept.
In the Four Blues, his mission was to protect civilians and ensure their safety.
But what were they doing now?
Ignoring pleas for help was one thing, but acting as executioners against civilians was another!
This made him question his faith in justice and the Navy's righteousness.
"Rear Admiral Alex, these are orders from above."
"As soldiers, obeying orders is our duty!"
Vice Admiral Kos didn't look at Alex, continuing to smoke.
As a Vice Admiral, he knew what was happening in the Valley of the Gods.
But with orders from the Fleet Admiral and the Five Elders to keep silent, even he had to comply.
That's reality!
"But..."
Rear Admiral Alex was reluctant to accept this.
"No buts, Rear Admiral Alex. Remember, you're a Navy officer; you must obey orders!"
"Otherwise, it could endanger not only you but your family."
Vice Admiral Kos interrupted Alex.
"Yes..."
Thinking of his family waiting for him at home, Alex chose to obey orders, despite his reservations.
Ultimately, all Alex could do was avoid approaching the island and ignore the cries for help.
Offshore the Valley of the Gods, the Golden Lion maneuvered a large fleet of pirate ships to descend onto the sea.
"Hey, hey, hey, those are pirate ships! How are so many pirate ships here?!"
"No, it's the Rocks Pirates! They've come here!"
"Quick, report it! The Rocks Pirates are targeting the Valley of the Gods!!"
The Navy guarding the Valley panicked upon spotting the Rocks Pirates and began reporting to their superiors.
"Wa hahaha, everyone, get out there and seize all the Celestial Dragons' treasures!"
Seeing the Valley of the Gods so close, Rocks shouted excitedly.
"Charge!!!"
"Grab the treasures!!"
"Mine, all mine!!"
With Rocks' words, the pirates on the ships became excited, bombarding the Navy warships defending the Valley.
The Navy's strongest forces were at the Vice Admiral level, unable to stop the Rocks Pirates. The defending warships were easily sunk.
Rocks led the charge into the Valley, aiming for the treasures he coveted.
Holy Land Mariejois:
"What? The Rocks Pirates are at the Valley of the Gods? How did they learn about the Celestial Dragons' ceremony?"
Agriculture God Peter Saint was shocked by the report from the Navy outside the Valley.
"Never mind how; we need to send the Navy to the Valley to support them and protect our people from the pirates."
Finance God Nasujuro Saint said.
"And inform Saturn Saint to evacuate our people; it's no longer safe there."
Legal God Vauquere Saint added.
"We should also send other forces to the Valley; I'm worried the Navy won't make it in time."
Environment God Mars Saint suggested.
Navy Headquarters:
"The Rocks Pirates are at the Valley of the Gods? Let's move out immediately!"
Kong ordered upon receiving the Five Elders' directive, leading the Navy to the Valley.
"I remember Garp was chasing Roger in the West Blue, not far from the Valley. See if you can reach him and send him to support the Valley."
Kong suggested to Sengoku.
"Moshi Moshi, Garp, we finally reached you. The Fleet Admiral wants you to go to the Valley of the Gods to support the Celestial Dragons. The Rocks Pirates are there!"
Sengoku finally got through to Garp's Den Den Mushi.
"Wasn't it already well-guarded?"
Garp asked.
"Idiot, the Roger Pirates are involved too."
To get Garp to the Valley, Sengoku lied about the Roger Pirates being there.
"Why didn't you say so? I'll go catch Roger!"
Hearing Roger was at the Valley, Garp hurried off.
"Sengoku, is the Roger Pirates really at the Valley?"
Kong believed Sengoku's words.
"Admiral, I just lied to Garp. Otherwise, he wouldn't go to protect the Celestial Dragons."
Sengoku shook his head, knowing Garp too well. Without the lie, Garp would have hung up.
"Phew, that's a relief!"
Kong sighed.
If the Roger Pirates were at the Valley, it would be too dangerous.
However, Sengoku unknowingly spoke the truth, as the Roger Pirates really were heading to the Valley.
But they weren't going for the Celestial Dragons; they were targeting Rocks.
Valley of the Gods Center:
"What? The Rocks Pirates are at the Valley of the Gods?"
Science Defense God Saturn Saint was shocked by the Five Elders' report.
"End the ceremony immediately!"
"Deploy CP0 and the Knights of God to protect the Celestial Dragons from a sneak attack."
"Evacuate our people from the Valley."
After hanging up, Saturn Saint issued the orders.
The Rocks Pirates weren't ordinary pirates; if the Celestial Dragons stayed, they might be killed by Rocks.
"The Rocks Pirates? Mere pirates dare challenge the Celestial Dragons; they must die!"
Galin Saint received the report from Saturn Saint and led the Knights of God to safely evacuate the Celestial Dragons.
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