As for Is' side, life had once again returned to its usual peaceful rhythm.
Every day consisted of training, eating, sleeping, and occasionally engaging in some intense multi-person "battles" at night.
As for the so-called secret of the Celestial Dragons in God Valley that Imu and the Five Elders had mentioned—
He still hadn't discovered a damn thing.
During these past few days, some Celestial Dragons would occasionally come by to visit.
When he was bored, Is would casually chat nonsense with them for a while.
Other times, he simply refused to let them in altogether.
And before he realized it, his excavation attempts were about to refresh again.
Host: Aurelius D. Virel Is
Excavation Level: 2 (100/500)
Excavation Attempts: 0 (12/15)
Attempts increase as excavation level rises.
Physique:
Advanced Taijutsu (100%)
Creation Rebirth (15%)
Increasing progress grants stronger recovery abilities, cell activation, and enhanced vitality.
Upon reaching 100%, regeneration ability will be obtained.
Characters:
Uchiha Madara (60%)
Tatsumaki (30%)
Acnologia (35%)
Unohana Retsu (25%)
Yoriichi Tsugikuni (25%)
Senju Hashirama (30%)
Old Heavenly Master (25%)
Abilities:
Paper-Paper Fruit · Awakening (Burn Attribute) (2604/5000)
Flame-Flame Fruit (1900/2000)
Conqueror's Haki (606/2000)
Armament Haki (950/2000)
Observation Haki (640/2000)
Inherited:
Susanoo
Sage Mode
Wood Release
Excavation Location:
[Insufficient excavation attempts. Unable to locate.]
Storage:
None.
During these days, Is had specifically focused on improving his Flame-Flame Fruit progress.
At this rate, he would advance to the next stage within just a few more days.
Today, unlike usual, Is had no plans to go outside and instead intended to train his taijutsu in the backyard.
"Is, are you planning to train in the backyard today?"
Just after changing into fresh clothes and stepping out, Tatsumaki suddenly appeared in the hallway leading toward the backyard.
"Mhm."
Is nodded casually, not paying it much attention.
But just as he was about to head toward the backyard, Tatsumaki spoke again.
"How about going out with me today, Is?"
Hearing that, Is looked at her suspiciously.
For some reason, he felt like this woman was plotting something.
"What's wrong? Is Sister Retsu busy? Or Minian?" Is asked curiously while looking directly at her.
"They're both busy, so I came to find you."
"You guys didn't have an argument, did you?"
"No."
"Then that makes no sense. What are they busy with?"
Is turned around, intending to go check on what Unohana and Minian were doing.
But Tatsumaki instantly flew over and grabbed his arm.
"Come on, let's go already."
"…Fine. Then I won't train today. I'll accompany you for a walk."
Come to think of it, ever since Tatsumaki arrived in this world, he had never really gone out to have fun with her.
Besides, training couldn't be rushed anyway.
So he decided to spend the morning with her.
The moment Is and Tatsumaki left, Unohana Retsu, Minian, and a large group of people poked their heads out from a doorway.
"Looks like… Master really forgot."
Roz Minian was the first to speak.
"Yeah. His life is too full now. He's busy every single day, so forgetting is normal," another maid added.
"Then today, let's give him a huge surprise."
Unohana smiled gently.
"Both hands in agreement!!!"
That's right.
Today was Is' birthday.
Ever since arriving in the One Piece world, Is had only celebrated it once.
During the second year, because of certain events, he had only stayed a single day in the Sabaody Archipelago, so he missed it entirely.
By the time he remembered later, the date had already passed.
This year, however, the maids who had stayed with him the longest all remembered.
So after bringing it up to Unohana and the others, everyone decided to prepare an enormous surprise for him.
Honestly, if they hadn't remembered this year—
Is definitely would've forgotten again.
"Then gathering supplies will be left to the men," Unohana said gently.
"Leave it to us!"
Hashirama grinned happily.
"This lineup is a little too exaggerated, don't you think?"
The Old Heavenly Master glanced at the list in Hashirama's hand with surprise.
"If it's not exaggerated, how can it count as a surprise?"
…
Several hours later.
New World, somewhere at sea.
A massive ship was rapidly sailing across the ocean.
Purururu…
Purururu…
The sound of a Den Den Mushi echoed across the deck.
Without hesitation, Rocks picked it up and answered the call.
Before he could even speak, a voice came from the other side.
"Captain Rocks, we've already approached God Valley. However, there's something we must report to you."
"Speak."
"God Valley… also has Celestial Dragons living there, just like Mary Geoise."
The moment those words were spoken, not only did Rocks freeze—
Even everyone around him was stunned as their eyes landed on the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
Before heading to Fish-Man Island, Rocks had already dispatched a small scouting group to investigate God Valley.
Now, shortly after leaving Fish-Man Island and re-entering the New World, they had finally sent back information.
"Celestial Dragons? You're certain?"
Rocks' tone instantly became far more serious.
"Yes, Captain Rocks. We didn't dare land. We were afraid of causing even the slightest disturbance."
"Good. Return according to the planned route. Don't alert them," Rocks instructed.
"Yes, Captain Rocks."
After ending the call, Rocks' anger visibly rose the moment the topic of Celestial Dragons came up.
Originally, they had been an unstoppable pirate crew.
Ever since setting sail, they had barely ever suffered a true defeat.
But after clashing with Roger, they had been utterly crushed by Is and his people, forced into a miserable retreat.
"Celestial Dragons…"
Rocks slowly spat out the words.
A black substance suddenly appeared in his hand and instantly devoured the Den Den Mushi entirely.
"Looks like there's no mistake now. If I'm not wrong, God Valley definitely contains the Poneglyph related to Uranus," Streusen said from the side.
"That's probably true. But dealing with those Celestial Dragons won't be easy. The moment we invade, the Navy's main forces will arrive almost immediately. We might end up fighting the Marines before we even locate the Poneglyph," another officer said gravely.
"Honestly, I don't think the Marines are the troublesome part," Golden Lion remarked while sitting on the ship's railing.
"If Is and his group happen to be in God Valley, that would be the real nightmare. Trying to see the Poneglyph would become nearly impossible."
"Is and his people are in Mary Geoise, not God Valley. Did you forget what happened the last time we invaded Mary Geoise, Shiki?" Charlotte Linlin countered.
"That's true, but I was just speaking hypothetically."
Golden Lion shrugged with a grin.
"Besides, there's no way we're that unlucky. It's impossible for him to be everywhere."
If Is were here right now, he'd probably laugh and say:
"Sorry, but I actually am in God Valley right now, waiting for you with the red carpet laid out."
"We will see the Poneglyph in God Valley."
"And every single Celestial Dragon there must die."
Rocks' voice was filled with fury.
If everything went smoothly, not only would they slaughter every Celestial Dragon in God Valley—
He even intended to have Whitebeard completely destroy the island itself.
That was how deep Rocks' hatred toward the Celestial Dragons ran.
"That's right! Last time, those Celestial Dragons caught us completely off guard. This time, we'll show them that the Rocks Pirates aren't pushovers either!!!"
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