"Captain, looks like there's a big fight going on over there?"
Not far from God Valley, in a certain sea area, another pirate crew was sailing slowly across the ocean.
Unlike other pirate crews that usually travel with a huge fleet and multiple ships, this crew had only a single ship sailing alone. The people on board still looked a bit young for this era, but every one of them wore a confident smile.
Anyone could tell at a glance that these were strong people.
If they weren't strong, they wouldn't look this calm, and they wouldn't dare to set sail with so few people.
This was the rising star of the New World, the crew of the man who would later become the Pirate King—Roger!
At this moment, Roger and his first mate, Rayleigh, stood at the very front of the ship. Even though they couldn't see what was happening in the distance, they could hear the sound of cannons booming from up ahead. For Roger, it was even clearer—his Observation Haki had already reached an incredible level.
Unlike Armament Haki, which focuses on attack and defense, Observation Haki is a power that boosts one's senses. Roger had an extraordinary talent for this, and his Observation Haki was especially strong.
Although...
His Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki were also very powerful!
Hearing Rayleigh's words, Roger smiled, stood straight, and said casually, "It's Garp and Sengoku."
"Those two?" Rayleigh was shocked. "Just one of them is already a huge problem. Who could make both of them stuck in a deadlock?"
Judging from the sound, the cannon fire was coming from two sides exchanging blows. But normally, any pirate who saw Garp and Sengoku would never think about firing cannons back at them. So Rayleigh was very curious about who was fighting those two up ahead.
"It's Rocks," Roger turned and said. "Interesting... the Marines are actually fighting Rocks head-on. We can't just let this chance slip by."
"Everyone, get ready for battle! Up ahead is God Valley—the battlefield of Garp, Sengoku, and Rocks. We've got to hurry over there!"
He shouted to the entire crew, saying something that most people would think was insane.
Anyone else who saw that kind of fight ahead would run as far as possible, the faster the better. No one would even think about interfering in a war between the Marines and Rocks. Anyone who did must be crazy. These two forces were the strongest giants in the world right now—just one move from them could crush countless pirates.
Everyone else was scared to even get close, but Roger was charging straight toward it?
Who knew how many would die from such a move, but on this ship, not one person was afraid. No one showed any fear at all—they all answered their captain with excitement, their faces full of passion.
"Which side are we helping?" Rayleigh walked up to Roger and asked quietly. "Surely not the Marines, right?"
"Of course we're helping the Marines!" Roger patted Rayleigh on the shoulder. "I get along pretty well with Sengoku and Garp. And after the fight, I want to ask them what's going on with that Nine-Tailed Fox."
It was certain that Rocks' side had the upper hand. Garp and Sengoku were strong, but if it was just the two of them against the Rocks Pirates, that was nothing but a pipe dream.
Since Roger wanted to join the fight, there was no way he would help the winning side. That would be too boring.
"There's no way I can tell you that." Rayleigh let out a sigh. He had expected this answer, but since it was the captain's order, he had no choice but to obey, no matter how unreasonable it seemed.
He calmed his mind, fully prepared for the coming fight. Next, he would be facing Rocks in battle, and that was sure to be a bloody fight, not something that could be settled easily.
"Hey, Rayleigh!"
He looked toward the God Valley that was getting closer and closer. He could even feel the Conqueror's Haki that Rocks had unleashed earlier. At that moment, Roger walked over with his sword in hand. Rayleigh glanced at him and saw a serious look on his face.
"What is it?"
"You take the crew forward. I'll go ahead first." There was something in Roger's eyes, something he seemed to have noticed, enough to make him pull away from the crew and head for God Valley ahead of them.
"What's wrong?" Rayleigh didn't stop Roger, just asked the reason.
Seeing Roger's expression, he already knew. This man had made up his mind, and in this world, no one could shake Roger's resolve once he decided something. If it were any other time, Rayleigh might argue with him, but now was clearly not the moment.
"I heard strange sounds—both from something and someone." Roger took off his cloak and jumped from the ship in one motion. Rayleigh watched his back disappear, deep in thought.
Roger's Observation Haki had reached the level where he could hear the voice of all things. For him to say he heard strange sounds from something and someone… that was something he had never said before.
Inside God Valley…
What on earth is happening?
But thinking about it, it made sense. For the Rocks Pirates and the Marines to clash so directly, there must be something unusual there.
"Looks like helping the Marines this time won't just be free support. Besides the treasure, we also have to grab whatever it is they're both fighting over."
Rayleigh's lips curled into a grin as he shouted to the crew, "Move it! We need to get to God Valley as fast as possible!"
Meanwhile, Roger, who had leapt from the ship, kept running across the sea. In his mind, the voice he had just heard kept echoing.
"Come save me. I can grant all your wishes!"
It was an eerie voice, eerie because it sounded like thousands of people speaking at once, with an echoing tone.
And yet…
It was very tempting!
"According to Zero, the Shikon Jewel can turn me into a complete demon. That way, I'd have eternal life and a body that never gets sick."
This second voice sounded normal, just a deep, strong voice like a well-built man. But what he said about the Shikon Jewel made Roger realize it was no ordinary thing.
"This is getting more interesting."
Roger jumped high, and the next second, his feet landed on God Valley. Of course, he could already feel the other battle taking place there.
"Then I'll have to trouble you two to stall for a bit longer!"
Roger smirked with a mischievous look, then stomped hard on the ground. The force was like a jet taking off, leaving a loud boom and a burst of air behind, as he swung his blade at the same time.
"Divine Departure!"