Seven days later.
"Still no contact with Vice Admiral Miru or Vice Admiral Miel?"
The man in the gray military uniform—broad coat draped over his shoulders, the word Justice emblazoned across the back—spoke calmly.
"No, sir!"
"Admiral Gray Rat!"
"We still cannot reach Vice Admirals Miru and Miel."
"I see."
Gray Rat waved a hand, dismissing the soldier. The man saluted and retreated.
"Hmm?"
Standing beside him was his recovered adjutant, Jeremy. After thinking for a moment, he said,
"Sir, it seems something has definitely gone wrong. After the Rocks Pirates fought at God Valley, they must have come back again."
Gray Rat nodded.
"That isn't surprising. God Valley's terrain is extremely special. If one can control that region, it becomes almost impregnable. With proper preparation, even three vice admirals stationed there could resist the assault of a full admiral."
Jeremy nodded.
"Indeed. In such terrain, invading the valley is as absurd as trying to scale Wano from the outside. It's nearly impossible."
He wasn't exaggerating. God Valley's geographical barrier was nearly identical to Wano's—steep cliffs, narrow entry points, and a natural fortress no ordinary army could break through.
Jeremy continued cautiously:
"Sir, if the enemy really has taken God Valley, with our current numbers... defeating them outright will be very difficult."
Gray Rat, despite his rank, did not act arrogant. He was thoughtful—calm and analytical.
"I understand that," Gray Rat said. "But since we've already come this far, retreating is no longer an option. Before we left, the Five Elders gave me a special device. They already foresaw the possibility that God Valley might be lost."
"I understand."
Jeremy said no more.
The Army, stationed permanently at the Red Line, was far more loyal to the Five Elders than the Navy. In the simplest terms—while the Navy questioned orders, the Army served like the Five Elders' personal royal guard. Their loyalty was absolute.
Gray Rat narrowed his eyes.
"Who could it be? Edward? Shiki? Linlin? Or perhaps..."
He mentally reviewed every high-ranking Rocks Pirate. Their dossiers were detailed, and each one possessed monstrous strength and fearlessness. Any of them had the guts to target God Valley.
"But perhaps..."
He paused.
"Arthur Pendragon."
At that moment, Gray Rat remembered the young man who invaded the Ferguson Empire a year ago—forcing Gray Rat to temporarily leave the Red Line—and later stormed Mary Geoise. A year after that, he destroyed God Valley and, together with Kaido, killed one of the Navy's Three Admirals: Vixon.
Yes.
Arthur Pendragon.
This boy's daring and power were unforgettable.
"Could it really be him?"
Gray Rat muttered quietly. If this was Arthur's doing... then this eighteen-year-old was far more dangerous than anyone realized.
After thinking for a moment, Gray Rat stopped dwelling on it. He would confirm everything with his own eyes.
Using the Eternal Pose—
Soon, the Army flotilla sailed into the thick mist that surrounded God Valley. As they advanced, the fog parted, revealing massive waterfalls and unfamiliar landscapes.
"As expected...!"
Gray Rat's eyes sharpened.
"Everything has changed. This ability... Shiki? No... no. If it were Shiki, the reaction would not be this. Then could it be—"
Arthur Pendragon.
Gray Rat immediately thought of the boy again. He had no evidence, but his instincts screamed the truth.
"Sir... what in the world is this...?"
Jeremy was slack-jawed. The volcanic island on the left, the glacier island on the right… God Valley had changed beyond recognition. He had visited here before—none of this existed.
Near the top of the waterfall was another island, suspended in place despite the rushing water. A towering highland island.
It was as if the entire God Valley region had been reshaped into a fortress of natural wonders.
Then—
A young, steady voice echoed across the waters:
"Good day, Admiral. We meet again."
Gray Rat immediately recognized the speaker.
Arthur walked down from the mountain island, hands behind his back, smiling lightly as he looked down at the three Army battleships.
"Army Admiral Gray Rat."
"Honestly," Arthur said, "I suspected the World Government had three separate militaries—Navy, Army, and Air Force."
"But hearing it confirmed is still quite unbelievable."
"Three major armies. With each having three admirals… that's already nine admiral-level forces. Excluding the leaders, aren't you guys loaded with too much monsters?"
"With such overwhelming might, the World Government could theoretically crush every power in the sea."
"Yet for centuries, they only revealed the Navy. The Army hides in the Red Line. The Air Force? Almost no one has even heard of it."
Arthur grinned.
"And that is what makes all of this fascinating. With such ridiculous strength, why hasn't the World Government unified the world? Or perhaps…"
"Even with such power, forcing total rule would spark rebellions from every great power."
Gray Rat listened quietly.
Arthur shook his head.
"What I see is only a fraction. The true heart of the World Government must be far more terrifying."
Gray Rat finally stepped forward.
"Arthur Pendragon."
"You are perceptive. You've noticed things that most people never will. But tell me—"
"Do you really think you deserve to stand before me?"
"I won't deny it—you are strong."
"But you… are not my opponent. Not yet."
"With your talent, give it ten years and you could reach admiral level. Twenty years? Thirty? You could surpass admiral level entirely."
"Yes… you could become a second Rocks D. Xebec."
"If I hadn't witnessed that monster myself, I never would've believed such a man could exist."
Arthur's eyes widened slightly. An admiral was praising him—honestly.
He chuckled softly.
"Admiral Gray Rat, I'm surprised. I didn't expect someone of your rank to evaluate me so highly."
Gray Rat nodded.
"I've studied your records for a year. Against Vixon, you were the weaker side yet displayed frightening power. A year later, with Kaido, you killed him. Yes, you relied on Mythical Zoan regeneration… but your rise in strength is undeniable."
Jeremy stared wide-eyed. Even he was shocked by how highly Gray Rat regarded Arthur.
Arthur slowly clapped his hands.
"Impressive, Admiral. You know more about me than most. But... do you really think such words will weaken my resolve?"
Gray Rat chuckled.
"Of course not. I know your temperament. If you're standing here alone, you must have prepared something. You must have a method to counter me."
"But what exactly… allows you to cross the gap between us?"
Gray Rat scrutinized Arthur.
He was not arrogant—he analyzed calmly. If Arthur dared to stand before an admiral, he must have something decisive prepared.
"Interesting."
Gray Rat suddenly asked:
"Arthur, tell me honestly—was it you who changed God Valley?"
Arthur shook his head slightly, then nodded.
"Yes. This is my doing. But this place is no longer called God Valley."
"It is now the Britannia Sea."
"Britannia Sea, is it?"
Gray Rat nodded thoughtfully.
"Judging by the situation… if I were rational, I should turn around and leave. At this point, attacking is meaningless. God Valley can no longer be reclaimed."
"But... this is my duty."
"I came here under orders. If I turn back without fighting, I cannot face the Five Elders."
"So…"
"I will simply observe, Arthur. I want to see what gives you the confidence to stand against me."
Arthur blinked—then laughed aloud.
"Amazing. Truly amazing. An admiral who can think so clearly… Admiral Gray Rat, you are nothing like the others."
"Yes."
"Completely different."
If it were Akainu standing here, he would've thrown a magma punch already.
Gray Rat was the opposite—calm, rational, terrifyingly perceptive.
---------------------------///
Advance Chapters on Patreon!
p(a)treon(.)com/HudaLin
-Remove the parenthesis to access patreon normally
Thanks for the Support!