Facing a storm of bullets, Lloyd and the four of them charged into the city. Kuma, because of his large frame, took a hit, but he pressed on — the injury slowed him, but did not stop him.
Once inside, the group wasted no time. They searched everywhere, hoping to find a Devil Fruit.
Kuma was about to step into an impressive mansion when a man in a black suit and dark sunglasses suddenly appeared, and with brutal force, kicked him in the stomach.
Though much larger and more imposing, Kuma was sent flying like a rubber ball. He smashed into the wall behind him, collapsing it.
Hearing the crash, Lloyd and the others rushed over. They found Kuma trembling among the ruins. Ginny burst into tears, crying out, "Kuma-chan!" Ivan called out anxiously.
Lloyd knelt by Kuma's side. Thankfully, Kuma was still conscious. He coughed violently, then struggled to sit up, clutching his middle.
"That man … he's very strong, Lloyd," Kuma gasped, pain etched on his face. "You … you must take Ginny and Ivan and escape. I'll … I'll hold him off."
Lloyd's expression hardened. Clearly, things were more difficult than he'd hoped.
The man in the suit gave a cold smirk. "So you're that buccaneer kid, huh? You've got good constitution for a slave."
He put his hands in his pockets and strode toward them, voice low but mocking: "What were you four brats prowling around this city for, if not for trouble? It's suspicious."
Ivan stepped in front of Lloyd and Kuma, arms spread wide. "You're not touching them!" he shouted.
The suited man didn't take him seriously. He raised one hand — Ivan instinctively closed his eyes.
Then Lloyd spoke up, voice firm: "You don't have the right to kill us. Only the Celestial Dragons do. Are you trying to break their rules?"
The man hesitated. He was annoyed — a slave daring to speak back — but Lloyd was right. These four were valuable slave "points." Killing them randomly would be foolish.
He spat on the ground. "Whatever. You're just four brats. But you won't live long. Get out of here, before you get into real trouble."
Without hesitation, Lloyd helped Ivan and Ginny support Kuma. They backed away, then turned and fled.
As they ran, Ivan whispered, "Lloyd … that mansion …"
Lloyd's eyes lit up. "There has to be a Devil Fruit in there." He forced a calm tone, though his heart pounded with excitement and fear.
The man's aggression had clearly been a warning — or a diversion. Even a fool could guess something valuable lay inside that house.
Ginny frowned. "But how do we get in? And Kuma … he's badly hurt now."
Kuma tried to speak, but coughed hard again. Ivan braced him, anger in his voice: "That bastard! How could he do this to you?"
Lloyd clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes. "I will make him pay. I promise."
Then suddenly there was a series of explosions. Smoke billowed over the rooftops of the town.
A tremendous roar echoed across the sky:
"Celestial Dragon scum! Prepare to face this Dage's wrath!"
Lloyd did not flinch. This voice — this challenge — could only belong to Rocks D. Xebec.
Meanwhile, inside the Royal Palace at the center of the town, Saint Saturn, one of the Five Elders, frowned. He reached for a Den Den Mushi and spoke urgently: "Saint Garin, immediately lead the Divine Knights to defend the palace. The Rocks Pirates are here!"
On the other end, a voice crackled back: "Understood. We are on our way."
Soon, several Navy warships appeared in the sea off God Valley. Commander-in-Chief Kong disembarked first, accompanied by officers such as Garp, to pursue the Rocks Pirates.
But the Navy was too late. The Rocks Pirates had already touched down inside the town where Lloyd and the others were.
Rocks led the way. As he stepped onto the street, he glared up at the Royal Palace.
Saint Saturn noticed him too, and their gazes locked. Without a word, Rocks wound up and punched the palace from a distance.
A huge shockwave, red-black and crackling with electricity, blasted outward. Anyone or anything in its path shattered into debris.
Saint Saturn's face grew grim. He was powerful, but compared to Rocks, he was outmatched. He tried to dodge, but protecting the weaker Celestial Dragons in the palace meant standing his ground.
In that instant, his form shifted: his clothes tore, revealing eight spider-like legs, black horns sprouted, and his body ballooned violently. He raised his cane and met Rocks' fist head-on. The ground beneath them cracked and collapsed from the impact.
Just when his strength started to falter,Saint Garin Finger land, the Commander of the Divine Knights, arrived. With a mighty slash, he helped Satan Saint block the attack.
Rocks only sneered at their resistance — clearly ready to take his time.
In a narrow alley not far away, Lloyd, Kuma, Ginny, and Ivan watched in awe. Rocks' power in person was terrifying.
Ginny and Kuma were silent, stunned. Ivan's voice trembled as he spoke: "Is that … really Rocks? With just one punch … the destruction … he's a monster!"
Lloyd felt his blood boil. The heat in his veins was not fear — it was something else.
He had worked so hard to control his emotions, but now … what was this?
He swallowed, trying to steady himself. An attack again? he wondered. But this time, the surge felt different. More … alive.
________
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