Grand Line, Sabaody Archipelago.
A pirate ship burst from the depths of the sea, its coating shattered instantly, and it crashed back onto the surface with a heavy splash. Soaked pirates scrambled to their oars, paddling frantically toward the mangrove shores.
"Boss Ibadombo, are we really going to stir up trouble here in the Sabaody Archipelago?" one minion asked, voice trembling.
This crew had been sent by Rocks himself, tasked with creating chaos by targeting the Celestial Dragons.
"Not only will we cause a commotion," growled their captain, "we'll draw the Navy Admirals themselves. And the only way to do that is to strike the Celestial Dragons!"
At the bow stood a bald man, his body covered in tattoos that stretched from his head across his face, down his neck, and across his chest and right arm. His appearance was nothing short of terrifying.
This was Ibadombo—bare-handed skull-splitter, a former Rookie Overlord, now captain of a Rocks-affiliated crew. His bounty: 480 million berries.
Since falling under Rocks' command, he had trained with the warrior monk Scorpion Dragon, learning both forms of Haki. With his talent, he had carved a name for himself in the New World by the age of twenty. But in the ranks of Rocks' fearsome cadres, he was still among the weakest. Considered half a disposable pawn, Rocks had sent him back to lure out Admiral Kong. Whether he survived and returned to the New World would depend on his own strength.
"Make landfall," Ibadombo ordered. "Find out when the Celestial Dragons plan to visit Sabaody. Then we'll move."
The crew obeyed, steering toward the notorious "island of beginnings and ends." For Ibadombo, the mission was as dangerous as it was tempting. Attacking a Celestial Dragon would unleash the Admirals upon him in an instant. But if he succeeded, he would earn the same kind of infamy that had elevated Brook and Redfield to legends.
If he could kill a Celestial Dragon, pirates everywhere might flock to his banner. With enough momentum, he could break free from Rocks' leash and carve his own path.
Ibadombo wasn't alone in his doubts. Many captains in the Rocks Pirates had been subdued by force—Captain John, "King" Eric Dane, and others. Fear alone kept them loyal. Should Rocks fall one day, the fleet would likely shatter apart.
For now, Ibadombo led his men into the lawless district of Sabaody. Their first stop was the slave auction house, favorite hunting ground of the Celestial Dragons. If he confirmed their travel schedule, he could inform Rocks and prepare his assassination—and his escape.
---
New World, Hachinosu
"Pure Gold… is it real, or just a tale?" Rocks muttered to himself. If it truly existed, he wanted it. After all, who would refuse immortality?
"Captain, Ibadombo just reported in," Miss Bakkin announced, lowering her Den Den Mushi. "He's set his ambush. Now we wait for the Celestial Dragons to appear on Sabaody."
Rocks' eyes gleamed. "Then send word to Brook. Tell him to prepare for war—and ask about the Pure Gold while you're at it."
He hadn't shared his true plans with the other cadres. His coming strike on God Valley remained a secret. He feared spies, but also the cowardice of his own lieutenants. Would they dare to storm the Celestial Dragons' fortress if they knew? Unlikely.
Brook, however, had slain Celestial Dragons before. Rocks suspected the captain was gathering intelligence on God Valley as well. If so, he would use him. Brook could tie down the Navy's reinforcements while Rocks himself stormed the Valley and plundered its hoard of Devil Fruits and treasures.
With that power, Rocks believed, not even the Hell Pirates could stop his rise. In his mind, Brook was just another chess piece.
"If Pure Gold exists, let Brook hold it for now," Rocks sneered, fists clenching. "In the end, it will all be mine."
Dark matter swirled around his frame, blood-red lightning cracking through the air as he laughed wildly.
---
As both the Rocks Pirates and Hell Pirates moved their forces, the world began to tremble.
"Are they preparing for war again?" whispered voices in taverns and palaces alike.
Was a clash between the two strongest pirate crews inevitable? Would they strike at each other—or join forces against the Navy? Or did Rocks himself intend to seize the rumored Pure Gold?
The Marines moved swiftly, reinforcing their lines. Two Admirals led elite forces to the New World, ready to counter whichever overlord made the first move.
At Marineford Kong guarded headquarters. In Mariejois, even the Admirals' candidates were mobilized to earn glory. Bloody Braver was eager to prove himself, and with Admiral Kukulkan nearing retirement, the race for succession had begun. Sengoku, too, had been named as a rising candidate. All knew this was their chance to shine.
The New World's balance grew more fragile by the day. Every move from Rocks or Brook sent shockwaves of fear through the seas.
For Brook, that was exactly the outcome he wanted. The storm of Pure Gold was fading. In its place, the world's eyes now turned to the looming clash of titans.
Onboard his ship, Brook studied the reports, his tone calm but cold. "So, Rocks… you want the war early. Very well. Then we profit from it—and survive it. In the end, let's see whose game is sharper."
His laugh was low, chilling. "Yohohoho… and don't forget, Rocks—the Celestial Dragons still hold their 'National Treasure.'"
-------------
Sky Island, Ballon Island.
"This is your chance. If you move boldly, you can plunder the whole of Sabaody Archipelago. That would bring you great fame."
Brook spoke into the receiver of a Den Den Mushi. The voice on the other end had been absent far too long. It was time to return.
"I understand. Soon I'll have my own captaincy. Have Shiki come fetch us."
The reply was lazy yet graceful, tinged with a longing that drifted even through the line. Brook closed the call and wasted no time. He summoned his core officers, issuing them the new combat suits Vegapunk had designed. Lightweight but durable, they could mean the difference between life and death—especially if one were cast into the sea.
---
Inside the Golden Palace
"Our mission is simple," Brook declared, his tone sharp. "We are thieves this time. Prioritize Devil Fruits and rare materials. Do not linger in combat with the Navy or the Celestial Dragons' guard. But… if there is no other choice—kill them all."
He paused, his voice turning colder. "I would gladly cut down the Celestial Dragons myself. But we must be wary of this so-called 'National Treasure.' Carelessness could bring disaster."
Efficiency was everything. Seize the best spoils, inflict the least losses, and escape intact. That was the true path to victory.
"Finally! I'll get to face those Celestial Dragons!" Kaido roared. His homeland had been bled dry by the Celestial Dragons' heavenly tribute for years. Hatred burned deep.
Whispers from Tiger and Shakky had fueled his fire even more. They claimed slaying a Celestial Dragon might awaken the rarest power—the Conqueror's Haki. Kaido craved it, obsessed with the overwhelming presence that could flatten armies in an instant. He longed to wield that kingly aura, just like Redfield and Shiki.
Fisher Tiger clenched his fists. "I will awaken it too. For Fish-Man Island… I must become its shield and hero."
Shakky, standing beside him, shared the same dream. She too was ready to spill Celestial Dragon blood for the chance to awaken.
"Hah? That's nonsense!" Kozuki Oden barked. Dressed in his bright orange kimono, he waved a dismissive hand. "I've killed plenty of men, and no strange aura ever appeared! What's so different about killing some pampered noble?"
For Oden, the Celestial Dragons inspired no fear. To him, they were simply another opponent to cut down. Still, he too envied the mysterious force of Conqueror's Haki. The aura of a true king, able to clash with Haki itself, marked those destined to reign on the seas. Without it, a man's legend would always fall short.
"Yohohoho! Brats," Shiki bellowed with laughter, "survive the coming war, and that will already be a grand success!"
The Golden Lion was amused by their hunger. But deep down, even he anticipated their growth. Especially Kaido, who already surpassed what Shiki himself had been at that age.
"Brother Shiki, I'll be as strong as you one day!" Kaido shouted, eyes alight with ambition. Following the Golden Lion's fleet, he dreamed of one day building his own crew and claiming his own corner of the sea.
If he proved himself, he might even seize the title of squad captain. Redfield and Linlin had no interest in forming their own squads yet, leaving space in the upper ranks. Kaido's eyes gleamed at the chance.
But Brook's approval was required. He had denied others before—like Hammerhead Shark Scaredo—whose strength still fell short. Until then, Kaido would bide his time.
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard's booming laugh filled the palace. "Arrogant little brats. The Celestial Dragons' territory is no playground. If you're not careful, you'll be corpses before the next meeting."
"Newgate speaks truth," Brook said firmly. "The Valley of the Gods is no ordinary island. We know nothing of their defenses. It could be crawling with admirals, CP0, even the Knights of God. Underestimate them, and you'll drown in blood."
The World Government had ruled unbroken for eight centuries. That foundation would not crumble easily.
In history, when the Rocks Pirates stormed God Valley, the casualties had been great—but not as high as the world might think. Whitebeard, Linlin, Shiki, even a trainee like Kaido had lived. Only Rocks had fallen, slain by Roger and Garp.
Yet the truth was muddied. The Government had erased much of the battle's story. Shanks' parents—Celestial Dragons themselves—had likely died there. Shanks' fate afterward proved it.
Zephyr's rise to Admiral just two years later hinted at the Navy's terrible losses. Perhaps admirals had fallen at God Valley, leaving vacancies to be filled.
Without such losses, how else could a Vice Admiral like Garp and a pirate like Roger have slain Rocks together? Justice would never allow such a partnership—unless every Admiral had already been cut down.
The World Government had rewritten it all. They painted Garp as a hero, gave him false glory, and erased Roger's presence from the records.
Maybe that was why Garp refused promotion to Admiral again and again. Perhaps he knew he didn't deserve it. Or perhaps… he simply refused to wear the chains of a dog serving the Celestial Dragons.
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