A bright, spacious chamber.
Five men sat gathered within.
One wore a black suit, with curled white hair, a puffy beard, and a flat hat — a scar ran down his left cheek.
Another, in a deep blue suit, had long straight white hair and a matching beard.
The third, in a crimson suit, bore golden hair and beard, and a scar across his chest.
The fourth, dressed in dark green, was bald with a curled mustache and a birthmark on his forehead.
And the last, robed in white, bald, wearing glasses — calmly polishing the blade of a sheathed katana.
They were the Five Elders — the supreme authority of the World Government, the shadow rulers of the world.
"The Celestial Dragons' banquet at God Valley begins soon," said the curly-haired Elder.
"Rocks has already made his move."
He spoke as though he had foreseen everything. Indeed, when the Rocks Pirates stole the eternal log pose to God Valley a year ago, the Five Elders had already understood their intention.
"That arrogant fool truly believes his crew can lay a hand on God Valley?" scoffed the bald Elder.
The golden-haired Elder, lounging with one leg crossed, replied calmly, "Let him try. It'll thin the herd of Celestial Dragons... and weaken the Navy at the same time. Balance is what truly matters."
"Agreed," said the long-haired Elder. "The Dragons' numbers have swelled far too much. It's time for a purge. As for the Navy—Sengoku shows promise. He has the disposition of a king and embodies the World Government's 'justice.'"
The curly-haired Elder nodded. "A fine choice. After Rocks falls, we'll need a new balance of power anyway. The New World's factions won't miss a chance to strike at the remnants of his empire. So tell me—who among the pirates is best suited to rise next?"
The gold-haired Elder lifted a finger.
"Edward Newgate — 'Whitebeard.' Wielder of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit and one of the 12 Supreme Grade Blades, Murakumogiri."
"Shiki the Golden Lion — user of the Float-Float Fruit, swordsman of the 21 Great Grade Blades, Sakura Ten and Oto."
"These two can be pushed to the forefront," he continued. "Their strength will maintain equilibrium."
The long-haired Elder added, "Don't forget the Roger Pirates. Gol D. Roger, a man of the 'D' lineage... Send Roger and Garp to confront Rocks directly."
"Approved."
They discussed calmly — as if the impending God Valley War, destined to shake the world, was nothing but a prearranged game.
In truth, that was exactly what it was.
Everything lay within their design, every move accounted for.
Those who believed they acted freely were merely dancing to the Elders' tune.
From the beginning, the Five Elders controlled everything.
Whitebeard, Shiki, and Roger — only these three were considered worthy of their attention.
As for others—Arthur, Kaido, Ochoku, John, Silver Axe, Linlin—
They were irrelevant.
According to the Navy's intelligence, Arthur possessed the Mythical Zoan: Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Fire Dragon Model.
But to the Five Elders, that meant nothing.
A mere Mythical Zoan?
It doesn't matter.
The Elder with the katana spoke at last, polishing his blade with a steady hand.
"Prepare for the God Valley War one month from now. Mobilize the Army, the Air Force, and the CP organizations.
Send an envoy to negotiate with the Roger Pirates, and have the Navy guard the banquet. That will suffice."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
The vote was unanimous. The matter was settled.
---
Outside, the sea boiled with motion.
Countless pirate ships sailed under different flags — yet they all bore allegiance to one man:
Rocks D. Xebec, Captain of the Rocks Pirates.
In total, 98 subordinate crews, over 150,000 pirates, and nearly a hundred captains had gathered — plus the main force, led by six senior officers and dozens of division commanders.
Together, they formed a fleet so vast that the world itself trembled.
This was the full might of the Rocks Pirates — a monstrous power capable of making even the World Government bow.
—
On the flagship, Rocks stood tall upon a platform, his voice thunderous and crazed.
"Listen well, brats!" he roared.
"Everything you've ever desired waits for you at God Valley — the Celestial Dragons! Their treasures! Their women!"
"Kill those vermin, and the world will be yours!"
His grin widened, teeth bared.
"You can have it all... or better yet—"
"Become the Kings of the World!"
"ROAR!!!"
The response was a tidal wave of insanity.
The Rocks Pirates were no longer men — they were beasts, intoxicated by their captain's madness.
Whatever sanity they once had had long since rotted away.
This was what they lived for — chaos, greed, blood, and glory.
Arthur exhaled softly.
"They really are insane."
Leaning against the ship's railing, he watched the screaming horde with quiet disdain.
"Jihahahaha!" Shiki laughed, his grin sharp as a knife. "The world drove them mad, boy! Arthur, once this war's over, why not join my crew?"
Arthur shook his head. "No thanks. Once God Valley ends, I'm done being a pirate."
To him, piracy had only been a means to collect Devil Fruits — nothing more.
"Huh?" Shiki blinked, surprised. "You're quitting piracy? Don't make me laugh. The Marines won't just erase a 550 million bounty!"
Arthur shrugged. "Let them keep it. As long as I'm strong enough that no one dares touch me... that's all I need."
Shiki smirked. "Tch. What a waste. If you'd follow me, we could conquer the world together."
Arthur smiled faintly. "I have no interest in that."
"Your loss," Shiki muttered, waving him off.
—
"Set sail!!!"
Rocks raised both arms and roared.
"ROAR!!!"
The fleet answered in kind.
A hundred ships surged forward — 150,000 pirates, driven by greed and madness, storming toward God Valley.
They feared nothing — not the Marines, not the World Government, not even death itself.
For them, only blood, chaos, and gold mattered.
"It's begun," Arthur whispered.
"The Rocks Pirates' final madness."
Kaido laughed behind him, hefting his iron club.
"Worororo! Finally! I've gotten everything I wanted from the Rocks Pirates. Next, I'll make my own mark on this world!"
Arthur smiled faintly. He knew Kaido's future — the era of the Three Great Pirates was coming, and Kaido would one day be beaten by Oden Kozuki himself.
Though, at this time, Kaido still hadn't eaten the Azure Dragon Fruit.
Arthur couldn't help wondering — why had Linlin given it to him later?
Perhaps there had been... a private deal between them.
Kaido frowned suddenly, glancing over his shoulder.
"Arthur... are you thinking something weird again?"
Arthur grinned innocently. "Of course not. You're imagining things."
"Hah." Kaido scowled but let it go.
Arthur shook his head, amused. "Strong men really do have frightening intuition."
He turned his gaze back to the sea.
The voyage to God Valley had begun — and that was where everything would truly start.
...
Before departing, Arthur had already sent Bullet, Katakuri, and Marco away.
They were too young for a battlefield like this.
One wrong move, and they'd die.
Arthur would not allow that.
Behind him, a silent figure stood at attention — a man whose calm eyes held quiet respect as he watched Arthur's back.
The winds of destiny were shifting.
---
Meanwhile, on God Valley...
"Move it! Hurry up! Prepare everything!"
"Sir!"
Vice Admiral Sengoku barked orders as Marines assembled in formation.
The Navy had begun cultivating him as a future leader — among the trio of Zephyr, Garp, and Sengoku, his composure and strategy stood above the rest.
Training him was the right decision.
"Damn it!"
Garp grumbled, scratching his nose. "Why the hell are we protecting those Celestial bastards?"
Even now, his disgust for the Celestial Dragons burned as fiercely as ever.
"Hahaha!" Zephyr laughed. "Careful, Garp! You'll get yourself executed if anyone hears that."
"Tsk!" Garp snorted. "I'm supposed to guard those parasites, and I can't even complain?!"
Tap. Tap.
Heavy footsteps approached.
"Garp!" barked a booming voice. "You'd better shut that mouth of yours! Keep shouting like that, and I'll toss you in the brig myself!"
Garp and Zephyr straightened instantly.
"Admiral Vixon the Lion!" they said in unison.
Vixon — known as the Lion Admiral, one of the Navy's three great pillars.
Despite his boisterous demeanor, his sense of justice ran deep, and even Garp respected him.
"Listen up," Vixon said gruffly. "You two are the Navy's future Admirals. No matter how you feel, your duty comes first. The world's watching. Uphold justice."
"Yes, sir!" they replied.
Zephyr spoke seriously. "Admiral Vixon, the Navy has gathered 150,000 elite troops from across the world. With every officer of rank assembled, we should be able to crush the Rocks Pirates in one blow."
Vixon shook his head. "Don't be so sure, Zephyr. You've seen their strength. All we can do now is pray for the World Government's support."
He paused, gazing out toward the horizon.
There were truths he couldn't say aloud.
He knew this mission's real purpose — not victory, but punishment.
The World Government was using the Navy as the blade to clean up its own mistake.
And if the Navy failed... they'd take the blame.
Still, Vixon steeled himself. Whatever the reason, he would fight. Even if it cost him his life.
---------------------------///
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