On the ships behind him, countless underlings cheered.
These were the grunts assigned to Orin's division by Rocks.
At first, they had grumbled about following some no-name Captain with no future.
But time and time again, after witnessing Orin's overwhelming monstrous power, they were conquered.
Now, what did the seas call their Captain?
[Black Reaper][Rocks's Bastard Son][The Next King of the Seas]
This wasn't just a Captain—he was clearly the next Rocks-sama!!!
In just one year, Orin had amassed massive fame and a weighty place in the seas.
They shouted with excitement, led by a dual-sword wielder—Orin's deputy in name, Keek.
Keek waved a Den Den Mushi, calling out urgently:
"Hey!! Captain Orin!!! Rocks-sama sent a message!!!"
Orin picked up the black blade from the fallen swordsman, tossed it to Keek, and then answered the Den Den Mushi.
"A Celestial Dragon's field trip..."
"Wipe them all out?"
Hearing the summons, Orin fell silent, then understood—it was time for the decisive battle.
This was the battle where Rocks would fall, and the old man would return home broken, his dreams lost.
"So the time has come..."
Orin knew he wouldn't stay here long. Once God Valley ended, so would his journey.
Watching Keek excitedly brandish the sword he had given him, Orin shook his head, eyes unreadable.
"If Rocks's defeat leaves you so hopeless, then..."
Crimson-black lightning sparked in Orin's hand.
"Then let me replace Rocks, and become your spiritual pillar, old man!"
He understood—this battle was crucial. Fighting the strongest, advancing further, ensuring the old man would not fall into despair—this was Orin's purpose in coming back.
"Set sail!!! A great war is coming!!!"
"Ohhhhhh!!!!"
...
God Valley.
Chained slaves gathered in droves.
They were terrified—men, women, young, old—all with target-like marks on their backs, crying and running in panic.
"Run!!!"
"Don't kill me!!!"
"If... if I can just last three weeks, maybe I'll survive!!!"
In God Valley, countless slaves clung to such fantasies, fleeing from the Celestial Dragon hunters.
"What a boring chicken-in-a-cage game..."
"Don't you agree, Saint Saturn?"
Above the fiery battlefield, an old man with a staff sat calmly. Two Marine guards flanked him, coldly watching the slaughter below.
The sudden voice made the Marines jump, glancing around nervously.
When they saw the tall stranger, they moved to attack, but Saint Saturn raised a hand.
"You two, stand down."
"This..."
Though suspicious, the Marines dared not disobey. They froze, then withdrew respectfully.
Now only two remained, silently watching the carnage. After a moment, Saturn spoke first.
"A Celestial Dragon like you... why join the Rocks Pirates?"
His arrogant gaze wavered slightly as he looked at the figure beside him.
"Celestial Dragon?"
"No need for these tests. Even without your chip, I can sense it—that symbol of Celestial Dragon identity..."
He narrowed his eyes coldly at the tall, composed figure.
"You... must be from the future, Orin."
From the start, the rumors—Rocks's bastard son, Roger's brother—had been nothing but World Government smokescreens.
They had long suspected parts of Orin's origin.
Now, face-to-face, Saturn finally confirmed it.
Indeed—the one strolling boldly up to him was Orin, who had arrived early to scout God Valley, easily leaving Rocks's fleet behind.
He came just to say hello to his old acquaintance Saturn—yet hadn't expected to be recognized.
"No surprise from a Elder who's lived for centuries. Truly well-informed..."
Orin didn't deny it. He clamped a cigar between his teeth and exhaled smoke.
"I may be a Celestial Dragon, but not entirely. It's just an identity. My true purpose... is to make this battlefield yield only one victor—me."
"Only one victor?"
Saturn didn't mock the arrogance. He could feel the terrifying strength in this young Celestial Dragon. But he did have one question:
"If there can only be one victor... in what identity will you claim it?"
...
"Pirate? Or Celestial Dragon?"
But Orin only shook his head, confidence radiating from his face.
"No… I'll win, but only for myself!"
The exchange was brief, so brief that Saturn didn't even discover which Celestial Dragon family Orin descended from before the young man vanished from sight.
"Boom—"
A Marine warship by the shore was struck by cannon fire, and the tide of battle shifted.
From the eastern side of the island, a fleet suddenly appeared, storming into the slaughter.
The Marine lookouts, spotting the symbol on the sails, trembled as their pupils shrank. They shouted in panic:
"It's the Rocks Pirates!!!"
"The Rocks Pirates? Why!!!"
"One pirate crew after another—what are they after!!!?"
"Fire the cannons!!!"
"It's useless! With the Rocks Pirates—charge with me!!!"
But the cannon fire did nothing. Once the fleet landed, the strongest fighters disembarked first, plunging into the fray.
Newgate leapt down, a woman slung over his shoulder.
"Oi, Rocks, since when did I become your subordinate, huh?! Bastard!!!"
"Newgate, so you've come too!!!"
"Whoever grabs the treasure first wins!"
"That treasure is mine!!!"
The captains roared, their domineering voices dripping with arrogance.
Then, amidst it all, a shadow dropped from the ship.
Before countless awestruck and reverent gazes, Orin stood at the forefront, draped in a black coat.
A smile tugged at his lips, his eyes gleaming with betrayal toward all.
"God Valley War…"
"The victor will only be me!!!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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