Chapter 5: Rocks Is Coming!
Facing a hail of bullets, Ji Ge and his group successfully rushed into the city. During the escape, Xiong was injured due to his large size, but the wound wasn't serious enough to hinder his movement.
Once inside, they didn't waste a second, searching desperately for any sign of a Devil Fruit. Xiong was about to enter a lavishly decorated house when, out of nowhere, a man in a black suit and sunglasses appeared in front of him. The man raised his leg and kicked him hard in the stomach.
Despite being much larger than the lean man, Xiong flew back like a ragdoll, crashing through a wall and collapsing in the rubble.
Hearing the commotion, Ji Ge and the others rushed over. Ginny burst into tears when she saw Xiong trembling on the ground, while Ivan called out his name in panic.
Ji Ge knelt beside him. Thankfully, Xiong was conscious, though coughing violently and struggling to straighten up.
"This man is... very strong," Xiong groaned through clenched teeth. "Brother Ji Ge, take Ginny and Ivan and run... I'll hold him off!"
Ji Ge's expression hardened. Things had just gotten far more dangerous.
The man in the suit raised an eyebrow at Xiong."So, you're that brat from the Bakania tribe? You're tougher than I thought."
He walked toward them leisurely, hands in his pockets."What are you kids sneaking around for instead of running for your lives? You're acting awfully suspicious."
Ivan stepped in front of Ji Ge and Xiong, arms spread wide."Don't you dare touch them!"
The man smirked, lifting his hand. Ivan froze, eyes squeezed shut, but Ji Ge shouted:
"You're not even allowed to attack us, are you? The only ones allowed to kill us are the Celestial Dragons themselves. Do you want to break their rules?"
The man paused mid-motion. Though furious at being yelled at by a mere slave, Ji Ge's words struck home. He wasn't authorized to harm them—these were valuable "points" for his masters.
Still, the kids were suspicious, especially since Xiong had nearly entered this particular house. If anything inside went missing, it would cost him his life.
After a tense pause, he spat on the ground and growled,"Forget it. You brats won't live long anyway. Get lost, and don't hang around here again."
Ji Ge didn't hesitate. He and Ivan helped Xiong to his feet, and the four retreated quickly without looking back.
As they moved, Ivan whispered, "Ji Ge... that house..."
"There must be a Devil Fruit inside," Ji Ge said firmly. His voice trembled slightly, betraying his excitement.
The suited man's reaction confirmed it. That house held something precious, and Ji Ge was certain it was a Devil Fruit.
Ginny, however, wasn't reassured. "But with that man guarding it, how can we even get in? And Xiong's hurt so badly..."
Xiong tried to speak, but coughed violently again. Ivan supported him, his face dark with anger."That bastard... He did this to Xiong!"
Ji Ge's fists tightened. "He'll pay for it. I swear."
Suddenly, explosions thundered through the city, and black smoke filled the sky.
Then came a deafening roar:"Celestial Dragons! Are you ready to face my wrath!?"
Ji Ge's eyes lit up. There was only one person bold enough to insult the Celestial Dragons so openly: Rocks D. Xebec himself!
In the palace at the city's heart, Saint Satan—one of the Five Elders—disappeared in an instant, reappearing outside. Feeling several powerful auras approaching, he called into a Den Den Mushi,"Saint Jialin, bring the God's Knights back immediately! The Rocks Pirates are here!"
A voice quickly replied, "Understood. Leave it to us."
Moments later, Marine warships docked at the Valley of the Gods. The Fleet Admiral himself, accompanied by Garp and several high-ranking Marines, rushed ashore—but they were too late. The Rocks Pirates had already stormed the city.
Rocks himself landed on a street, gazing at the royal palace. His eyes locked with Saint Satan's. Without a word, Rocks threw a punch through the air.
A wave of red-and-black energy crackled from his fist, obliterating everything in its path.
Saint Satan grimaced. Though strong, he was nowhere near Rocks' level. Dodging wasn't an option; the palace behind him was filled with defenseless Celestial Dragons. He had to stand his ground.
With a ripping sound, his clothes tore apart as eight black spider legs sprouted from his back, horns emerged from his head, and his body swelled in size. Raising his staff, he blocked the attack head-on.
The impact shattered the ground beneath him. Just as he was about to be overwhelmed, Saint Jialin and the God's Knights appeared, slicing through Rocks' attack with a single sword strike.
Rocks only smirked in amusement. He had plenty of time to destroy them all.
Nearby, Ji Ge and his friends watched in awe.
"Is... is that Captain Rocks?" Ivan whispered, trembling. "One punch did all that... He's a monster."
Xiong and Ginny were too stunned to speak. Ji Ge, however, felt something else stirring—his blood was boiling.
This wasn't fear. It was excitement.
But why? Was his illness acting up again?