The sky had turned completely dark. The Celestial Dragons had all returned to their palaces to rest. Hunting slaves at night would violate their own rules — and cost them precious "points."
After days of relentless pursuit, most of the one hundred thousand slaves brought to God Valley had perished — their lives reduced to mere scores for the nobles to claim.
Lloyd and Kuma lay on the ground, their heads resting close together, eyes turned up to the bright moon. Lloyd thought to himself: if he had never met Kuma and the others, he would likely already be dead at the hands of the Celestial Dragons.
Though he didn't fully understand why — his shirt lacked the target pattern most slaves wore — he was no fool. He knew that by itself, that difference did nothing to guarantee his safety. Those nobles would not hesitate to fire if the whim struck them; even if killing Lloyd yielded no points, the thrill of the hunt was punishment enough.
In the rare silence, Ivan and Ginny spoke softly. Ginny looked at Kuma and asked, "Kuma-chan, if we ever escape… what do you want to do?"
Kuma didn't hesitate. "Live happily with all of us, of course."
Ginny giggled, but pressed further, "No, I mean … what's your dream?"
Kuma's eyes lit up. "A dream … I want to be like the Sun God, Nika — to bring freedom to everyone."
At the mention of Nika, Kuma's face shone with longing.
Suddenly, Ivan sprang to his feet, giving Kuma a thumbs-up. "That's an amazing dream! Kuma, I truly believe you can make it!"
Kuma scratched his head sheepishly, then looked over at Lloyd, who had been silent. He sensed something different about Lloyd: while the others were innocent children, Lloyd carried a maturity beyond his years.
Lloyd had spent more than twenty years alone on Earth before being transmigrated. He had survived hardships that few could imagine. His resolve, shaped in loneliness, made him stand out in their little group. Kuma, deeply perceptive, had already come to view Lloyd as the backbone of their quartet.
Noticing Kuma's gaze, Lloyd smiled gently. "Go for it, Kuma. Your dream will come true. I believe you can be even stronger than Nika."
Kuma's face flushed with joy at Lloyd's praise. Ivan and Ginny stared at Lloyd in surprise — Ivan's voice trembled a little as he asked, "What about you, Lloyd? What's your dream?"
Lloyd turned, meeting their eyes with calm honesty. "I don't have some big dream like you. All I want is to become stronger. Power… that's everything to me."
Ivan pushed again, "Once you have power, then what?"
Lloyd paused, thinking. "There are many things I want to do. I want to help you, help Kuma, help Ginny. But if your dream is to make the whole world as perverted as you are, then … forget it."
Ginny gasped in mock offense: "Lloyd-san, you're too heartless, I'm hurt!"
Even so, Ivan and Kuma looked touched.
"We know, Lloyd!" they said together.
Lloyd's lips curved into a small but genuine smile. He hadn't said it to earn favor; he meant every word. After so much loneliness, these bonds meant more to him than anything. He didn't want to let them down.
Exhausted, the four of them curled up on the ground: Ivan and Ginny beside Lloyd, and Lloyd leaning against Kuma's broad chest.
As they drifted toward sleep, Lloyd spoke softly, "If any of us finds a Devil Fruit … don't hesitate. Eat it. Even just a small bite will do, okay?"
They all nodded solemnly. "We know, Lloyd!" Ginny said, her voice steady but tender.
"Rest well," Lloyd added, "We still have to escape tomorrow."
"Okay," they murmured, and the soft sound of breathing soon filled the quiet night under the moon.
---
Far out at sea, not far from God Valley, dark shapes cut through the moonlit water: massive pirate ships. Their black flags, emblazoned with ominous skulls, marked the arrival of a fearsome force.
These were the Rocks Pirates — a name that sent shivers through every corner of the pirate world.
On the largest of the ships, the core members of the Rocks Pirates had gathered. Among them were future Emperor-level figures: Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Beast Kaido. Though Kaido had not yet reached the legend he would become, his power was already undeniable.
Still, none of them commanded the room. The true presence in the cabin was a man seated on a makeshift throne, exuding absolute dominance. He was rugged-faced, with wild black hair flowing around his shoulders, his burly frame clad in a dark cloak. Even seated, his presence felt like a mountain — unmovable and oppressive with raw strength.
He raised a barrel of sake in one hand, drank it in a furious gulp, and slammed it down hard. "Damn the World Government! This time, I'll settle every old grudge!"
At his words, a terrifying aura erupted from him — the unmistakable pressure of Conqueror's Haki, thick and crackling. The air seemed to quake in response.
This man was Rocks D. Xebec, captain of the Rocks Pirates — a force so menacing that his ambition alone could shake the very foundations of the world.
---