"What's wrong, kid? Why didn't you go train today?"
Golden Lion Shiki glanced at Kaoru Tsubasa, who sat motionless on the deck, staring blankly at the sea. Normally, Tsubasa would have been practicing swordsmanship at this hour. Today, though, he hadn't even moved from that spot.
"Huh? It's you, Shiki."
Kaoru blinked, looking up at the man who had approached, but didn't bother answering his question.
"What's up with you today?" Shiki said casually, settling down beside him with a bottle of rum in hand. "You seem… unsettled these days."
"You noticed too, huh?" Kaoru replied with a faint smile. Earlier that morning, Newgate had informed him of their next destination—the Valley of the Gods, the sacred territory of the Celestial Dragons.
Having watched the events of the "original story," Kaoru knew exactly what fate awaited the Rocks Pirates there. That battle would spell their end—Rocks D. Xebec would fall, and the entire crew would collapse under the combined might of Garp and Roger.
From everything Kaoru had observed since joining the crew, the Rocks Pirates were never truly united. They stayed aboard only because they feared Rocks' overwhelming strength.
When he had watched the anime in his past life, Kaoru had wondered—how could a crew boasting three future Emperors and the legendary Golden Lion be defeated by two men?
Now he understood. The Rocks Pirates had no loyalty, no cohesion. The moment Rocks showed weakness, they'd all abandon him.
"Yeah," Shiki muttered, taking a deep drink of rum. "Even worse, we're running low on booze—and our current course means no restocks anytime soon."
"...Right," Kaoru murmured awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Ignoring Shiki's grumbling, he stood and walked toward the officers' quarters.
In the original story, Kaido had escaped the Valley of the Gods thanks to Charlotte Linlin. But since Kaoru's arrival had altered fate, Kaido had never met Linlin in this timeline. That meant she wouldn't be there to save him this time.
Kaoru had to plan how to ensure Kaido's survival—and his own. With his current strength, escaping God Valley would already be difficult enough.
The last time he had clashed with Garp and Sengoku, Kaoru had managed to resist only because they hadn't yet figured out his abilities—and because Newgate and the others were nearby, preventing them from going all out. If those two had fought seriously, Kaoru wouldn't have lasted even a minute.
Lost in thought, he reached a door marked by a crescent-shaped emblem—a symbol he knew well.
Newgate's quarters.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in," came the deep voice from within.
Kaoru pushed the door open.
"Gurarara… if it isn't Kaoru Tsubasa," Newgate chuckled, sipping from his bottle. "What brings you here, kid?"
"Newgate, I need a favor," Kaoru said directly.
"Gurararara! Just say the word, kid. If it's within my power, I'll help," Newgate replied with a booming laugh.
"Then tell me," Kaoru began, "why do you think the captain wants to go to the Valley of the Gods this time?"
"Didn't he say it was for a powerful Devil Fruit?" Newgate asked, raising a brow.
"Do you really believe that?" Kaoru said as he sat down beside him. "Would Rocks risk invading the Celestial Dragons' sacred land for just a fruit? Think about it—what happens if he harms the Celestial Dragons, their navy, or the World Government itself?"
Newgate went silent, staring into his bottle.
"If he kills even one Celestial Dragon," Kaoru continued, "the World Government won't stop until they've erased him—and every single one of us aboard this ship."
Newgate sighed. "Heh… so you've realized it too."
Kaoru frowned. "What do you mean?"
"As you guessed, the captain's true goal is the Celestial Dragons," Newgate said grimly. "He plans to slaughter them—to throw the entire world into chaos. That's why I told you our destination this morning. I have a feeling the Navy and the World Government are already mobilizing near the Valley."
Though Newgate believed that, in reality, only a few CP agents and Garp and Roger were heading there. The Celestial Dragons were too arrogant to believe Rocks would dare attack them. Even after being warned, they refused the Government's reinforcements—after all, in their eyes, the Navy was nothing but their obedient lapdog.
"So, what are you planning, Newgate?" Kaoru asked.
"I'll see how things unfold," Newgate replied after a pause. "If Rocks can't handle them, we retreat immediately. If he somehow can… then we'll stay and see it through."
Kaoru knew Newgate was being cautious, but he also knew that Rocks stood no chance against the World Government. Unless every member of the crew stood behind him—which would never happen—defeat was inevitable.
"Then if the captain is defeated," Kaoru said slowly, "can I ask you to take Kaido with you?"
"Kaido? That kid you've been training?" Newgate asked, remembering the brash young man Kaoru had taken under his wing.
"That's right."
"What about you?" Newgate asked curiously.
"I'll find my own way out," Kaoru replied calmly. "If I try to protect Kaido myself, I'll just slow him down. I don't have your kind of power, Newgate."
"Gurararara… fine then, kid. I'll do as you ask," Newgate agreed, taking another deep swig of rum.
Satisfied, Kaoru discussed a few more escape plans with him before leaving.
He hadn't asked Newgate to save him as well—for one simple reason: the system's missions.
[Ding! New mission issued — The Fall of a Hero: Follow the Rocks Pirates to the Valley of the Gods and witness the downfall of Rocks.][Ding! New mission issued — Heavenly Rebellion: Escape from the Valley of the Gods through your own strength.]
With those two missions hanging over him, Kaoru had no choice but to see this through. If not for them, he would've abandoned the ship already.
Later that day, once Kaido woke, Kaoru explained everything—the destination, the danger, and Newgate's promise to help him escape.
He had spent the past few days teaching Kaido Haki.
Whether it was his monstrous talent or the pressure of battle, Kaido's progress was absurd—he'd mastered Armament Haki in two days, Observation Haki the next, and even awakened Conqueror's Haki shortly after.
Kaoru could only sigh. "As expected of the future 'Teacher Kai.'"
Five days later, the Rocks Pirates reached the waters near the Valley of the Gods.
"Kaido, take this."
Early that morning, Kaoru handed Kaido a peculiar-looking fruit—the Mythical Zoan: Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon Form—the same one he'd drawn from the system's lottery.
"This… this is a Devil Fruit!" Kaido's eyes widened. "It's too valuable! You should eat it, big brother!"
"Kaido," Kaoru said sternly, "did you forget what I told you? You'll only survive what's coming if you have power strong enough to protect yourself."
Kaido hesitated.
"If you still consider me your brother," Kaoru said, pressing the fruit into his hand, "then eat it."
"...Alright." Kaido nodded, finally biting into it.
As he swallowed, his body began to expand, scales faintly glimmering across his skin.
"Good. Get used to its power quickly," Kaoru said, stepping outside. In the distance, a shadowed island loomed—the Valley of the Gods.
In the days leading up to their arrival, Kaoru's training with Kaido had earned him 600 Sword Skill Points and 600 Spirit Points. He had used them to enhance his abilities—raising One-Sword Style to Level 5, Armament, Observation, and Conqueror's Haki to Level 3, and Spiritual Techniques to Level 4.
The maximum level for swordsmanship and spiritual arts was Level 10, and for Haki, Level 5. That meant his current power rivaled that of a Vice Admiral—though of course, not the likes of Garp. Garp's strength was closer to that of the Admirals, perhaps just below the Five Elders.
As for Im, the mysterious ruler above them all… even Rocks himself might pale before him.
Not that Kaoru knew for sure.
It was only a hunch—one born from instinct and dread.