Chapter 10: The Conference of the Sexually Repressed
"Listen to this first."
Anyone could sense something was wrong with Rocks. This kind of agitation didn't fit his usual demeanor.
So, Charlotte Linlin pulled out a Den Den Mushi directly. It was a specially modified recording snail capable of playing back audio.
This snail was quite large, much bigger than a standard one, typically used in surveillance rooms alongside visual snails. However, in Charlotte Linlin's hands, the size seemed just right.
After some simple adjustments by Linlin, a voice began to play in the room, and everyone present received a printed intelligence report.
"Ahem. No matter who receives this message, I guarantee what follows is absolutely true! This is a Celestial Dragon slave transport ship. The Celestial Dragons are about to hold a game of their own.
Treasures, Devil Fruits, and special slaves are all prizes. Each of those treasure chests is worth one billion Berries!
The destination is God Valley in the West Blue. The specific coordinates are..."
A low female voice spoke rapidly, detailing the situation.
She didn't play the victim or beg for rescue; she simply explained how rich the prizes on the island were.
With the World Government leading and the Marines escorting, those who preached "Justice" were the ones overseeing this death sport. Thus, she knew very well that the only people she could rely on were those attracted by immense profit.
Wealth moves the heart. If the profit is high enough, someone will always be willing to take the risk. Only by causing chaos would there be a chance to escape.
"Isn't that too suspicious? What's the source?"
Wang Zhi (Ochoku) didn't seem to believe the news. Beside him, Stussy speculated that some within the Marines were wavering, allowing this information to leak out.
But more people... were focused on Shakky.
"Shakky is still alive!"
"Where is she?!"
"Idiot, didn't you hear? God Valley!"
"I'm asking where God Valley is! I'm not a navigator; who understands those coordinates?!"
Amidst the chaotic arguing, some were analyzing the situation.
"So it was the bastards from the World Government who stole our Shakky?! No, I should say of course it was those bastards... No wonder my channels couldn't find her..."
Gansui muttered to himself. Most members of the Rocks Pirates had extensive side businesses. Before joining, many were gangsters from various regions, and Gansui was deeply entrenched in smuggling.
Smuggling required many key elements, but on this sea, the most important thing was having stable routes. Thus, Gansui controlled many secret shipping lanes.
After Shakky disappeared, his contacts along those routes reported finding nothing, which had frustrated Gansui for a long time.
"So we're going to snatch Shakky back?"
"Silver Axe, what kind of stupid question is that? Isn't it obvious? Maybe Shakky will fall in love with the man who rescues her."
Shiki criticized Silver Axe's words, but soon he became the target of rebuttal himself.
"No! Besides Shakky, there are those treasures! Shakky should fall in love with the man who grabs the most treasure!"
The speaker was Captain John, famous for his greed. Shakky was certainly important in his eyes, but compared to those priceless treasures, he had to think it over carefully.
The group launched into a fierce debate centered on Shakky. The meeting seemed to be drifting off-topic, gradually turning into a support group for the sexually repressed.
"After I rescue Shakky, Roger will thank me too..."
This was Gloriosa's thought. She was infatuated with Roger. Moreover, Shakky also hailed from Amazon Lily, having once been her vice-captain and the heir to the Kuja Empress title. Naturally, she had to go save her.
Stussy had no interest in Shakky but loved the treasures just as much. Just as she was about to discuss snatching the loot with Whitebeard, she heard him speak.
"Out of friendship, I think we should go save her. If she falls in love with me because of it, I wouldn't mind."
"Newgate, what are you saying?!"
Rocks remained silent. Those coordinates convinced him: that was God Valley, his hometown.
Unlike the chaotic magnetic fields of the Grand Line, compasses still worked normally in the Four Blues, so the coordinates were familiar to him.
Charlotte Linlin didn't participate in this topic. Instead, she approached Nereus.
"Nereus, let's team up for now. I should be the first one who received that message, but the method of transmission was crude. Others have likely found out too.
Marines, Celestial Dragons, plus other pirates—the trouble on that island won't be small. Let's join forces to grab the fruits and treasure first, then split them evenly."
Charlotte Linlin, who also had no interest in Shakky, had more practical thoughts. She was certain the situation on the island would be total chaos, so securing an ally first was better.
Although conflicting worldviews made their relationship somewhat unpleasant, among the members of the Rocks Pirates, Nereus was someone she could trust relatively more.
People here always had to watch their backs against each other—even against Rocks.
Charlotte Linlin had once warned Kaido not to trust anyone too much.
"I have no objections. Teaming up for the time being works."
Nereus knew the final outcome of God Valley and some of the events that transpired, but he lacked detailed knowledge of the specifics. Thus, he accepted Charlotte Linlin's invitation.
"Wait, Nereus, Linlin. You two are both Devil Fruit users, right? Those abilities are useless to you!"
"Kaido, what nonsense are you spouting? Even if we don't eat them ourselves, we can give them to others. Or even sell them on the black market—rare fruits like that won't be cheap."
Nereus glanced at Kaido. Aside from Rocks and himself, Kaido was the only male present unaffected by Shakky.
He had no women in his heart; he only wanted a powerful Devil Fruit. However, his logic sounded flawed to Nereus.
"In that case, count me in. I only need one."
Kaido submitted his application to join the team. According to the original timeline, without Nereus, Charlotte Linlin would likely have teamed up temporarily with Kaido.
However, their agreement and the final result differed significantly—Kaido ended up stealing the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon that Charlotte Linlin had obtained.
Now, Charlotte Linlin had a better option and didn't actively seek out Kaido, but that didn't stop Kaido from coming over to join the team himself.
THUD!
"Stop arguing!"
Before Nereus and Charlotte Linlin could answer Kaido, Rocks suddenly slammed his fist onto the table in front of him.
The hard stone table instantly cracked, looking like it would crumble at any moment.
"It's too early to split the loot! Listen up! Shakky, the treasure, the Devil Fruits—none of these are in our hands yet.
Team up temporarily, snatch the goods back first, then figure out how to distribute them. Any objections?
Cowards can stay on the island. Those going to God Valley, get ready to set sail!"