Chapter 9: News from God Valley
The person flying over was Shiki, pushed forward by the other members of the Rocks Pirates to deliver the message.
The future "Golden Lion", captain of the Golden Lion Pirates, and one of the legendary pirates whose name would echo across the seas after the end of the Rocks era.
The reason Shiki was the one to come was that delivering a message to Rocks and Nereus while they were fighting was no easy task.
In this situation, neither of them could receive calls from a Den Den Mushi, and the shockwaves generated by their battle were impossible for an ordinary person to break through.
Plus, with the location being a reef shoal in the open sea, only someone capable of flight could approach quickly.
As for how they knew Rocks and Nereus were both here...
That wasn't complicated. They were the only two capable of causing such a massive commotion.
"Not interested."
"Don't get in the way, Shiki! Get lost!"
The "Treasure of Hachinosu" Shiki mentioned wasn't an object, but a person: Shakky of the Kuja Pirates.
a few years ago, Shakky had opened a tavern on the island, driving many men crazy with desire. Nereus, however, was not included; she simply wasn't his type.
During the period Shakky stayed on the island, a "love-struck brain virus" called the "Shakky Virus" began to spread.
Nereus often felt that these people looked like they were suffering from collective sexual repression that had suddenly flared up.
A year ago, Shakky suddenly disappeared, taken from the island by unknown parties.
The perpetrators completed the job in just a few hours, even killing Marlon, who was on guard duty that night. It was only today that news finally surfaced.
Rocks had once been infatuated with Shakky too, but he dismissed the thought after starting a family.
For Rocks, having Shakky abducted from his own island was a loss of face. However, his battle with Nereus had just entered its climax, and he had no intention of stopping immediately.
Besides, Rocks couldn't teleport there instantly anyway. It wouldn't hurt to finish the fight first. He just felt Shiki's timing was annoying.
"It's not just Shakky. There are massive amounts of treasure and Devil Fruits. For some reason, the Celestial Dragons have gathered at God Valley in the West Blue. It seems..."
"Where did you say?! God Valley?!"
The words "God Valley" instantly grabbed Rocks's attention. All thoughts of continuing the fight vanished immediately.
While signaling Nereus to pause, he appeared in front of the Golden Lion with speed Shiki could barely react to.
"What exactly is going on? explain it clearly!"
God Valley was Rocks's hometown. His wife, children, and family were all there. Hearing that the Celestial Dragons were gathering at God Valley, he became agitated instantly.
"Uh... It's complicated. Why don't we go back first and talk?"
Shiki pointed toward Hachinosu behind them. After receiving the news, many had already gathered to discuss how to act; the only ones missing were Rocks and Nereus.
Even without the ability to fly, Rocks moved faster than both Shiki and Nereus. With a few flashes of movement, he had already charged a considerable distance away.
"He's certainly impatient... Nereus, let's head over too."
Shiki didn't chase after him immediately. He had a hunch that Rocks was currently like a powder keg waiting to explode, so it was better to keep some distance.
"Is there specific information on the Devil Fruits?"
Although he didn't know the exact details, Nereus roughly knew the cause and result based on his previous memories.
The Celestial Dragons' "Hunting Game." Rare and powerful Devil Fruits were being used as prizes for the Celestial Dragon elites. The Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon and the Paw-Paw Fruit were both on that island.
"I don't know. The message only said there were very rare Devil Fruits, not what kind they were."
Devil Fruits, the treasures of the sea. Each one could grant the eater very special abilities, and many could unleash power capable of destroying the world.
There were also special Devil Fruits that, while not strong in direct combat, possessed extremely unique utility.
Nereus was naturally interested in these Devil Fruits; they were one of his goals to begin with.
Eating a Devil Fruit turned one into a hammer (landlubber), unable to swim ever again. Even for a Fish-man, eating a Devil Fruit would render them powerless underwater due to this side effect.
Although they could still breathe, they couldn't move freely. The reason Nereus ate a Devil Fruit was that he was unique and had a method to circumvent this weakness.
For others, it depended on the situation. Some abilities were powerful enough to be worth the trade-off. Besides, his subordinates weren't exclusively Fish-men and merfolk.
Even if they didn't eat them, selling them on the black market could fetch enormous sums of money.
Therefore, compared to the priceless treasures, Nereus was more interested in the Devil Fruits.
He held no prejudice against Devil Fruits. Like Haki, they were a power unique to this sea—just like a person having two legs.
If capable, there was no need to exercise only one leg. Cultivating both Devil Fruit powers and Haki, bringing both to their peak, was his goal.
"Let's go."
Nereus didn't ask for too many details. Flapping his wings, he followed. After all, everything would be repeated in the impromptu meeting shortly.
Shiki said nothing more, activating his Float-Float Fruit ability to follow.
...
When Nereus arrived at the center of Hachinosu, most of the core members of the Rocks Pirates were already gathered there.
Edward Newgate, Kaido, the "Pirate Patriarch" Wang Zhi (Ochoku), the "Smuggling Pirate" Gansui.
Silver Axe (Whose name was Xiong), Captain John, the "Scientific Robber" Miss Buckingham Stussy, Grill Master, Gloriosa. Apart from the deceased Marlon, it could be said that everyone was present.
At this moment, these people were bickering with each other, occasionally even getting physical. Only Rocks sat in the main seat with a dark expression, saying nothing.
"Oh~ Nereus, even you are here. Looks like this is truly a big event~"
Stussy, sitting next to Whitebeard, greeted Nereus rather warmly.
Fundamentally, these people were just temporary partners, but surface relationships still had to be maintained. Moreover, Nereus was actually quite popular among the female pirates on the island.
His powerful strength went without saying, and his appearance was considered handsome by outside standards—appearing even more exceptional when contrasted with some of the "unique specimens" in the Rocks Pirates.
Especially when the group was collectively suffering from sexual repression over Shakky, Nereus's normalcy seemed even more precious.
"Mamamama~ You came as expected, Nereus. It seems there's something there that interests you too."
Charlotte Linlin arrived late, holding a Den Den Mushi and several document-like papers in her hand.
Because she possessed a special intelligence network in the Underworld, Charlotte Linlin essentially served as the intelligence officer here. She had just gone to organize those materials.
The two had a romantic history, and their relationship after the breakup wasn't too hostile. Although they wouldn't exchange sweet words upon meeting, they wouldn't start arguing immediately either. Small talk was no problem.
However, Rocks appeared extremely impatient now and had absolutely no desire to listen to this.
"There's always time to catch up later. Linlin, cut the crap! What exactly is happening at God Valley?! What news did you receive?!"