After leaving his orders behind, Garp didn't bother checking whether the others were following. Alone, he charged forward without hesitation.
As for the Marines behind him, they immediately began assigning duties, deciding who would stay behind to guard the ships. The moment the warships neared the harbor, they swarmed ashore.
Buru Buru...
Buru Buru...
Just as they departed, the sound of a Den Den Mushi echoed from one of the Marine battleships.
One Marine soldier didn't think much of it and quickly picked up the Den Den Mushi.
"This is Vice Admiral Garp's warship. Go ahead."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a brief silence before a deep, commanding voice sounded from the other side.
"This is Kong. Get that bastard Garp over here immediately."
Kong didn't waste time with unnecessary words. Under the current circumstances, he had no patience for idle conversation.
"Apologies, Fleet Admiral Kong. Vice Admiral Garp has already landed on God Valley and headed to the front lines," the Marine explained.
"You've already reached God Valley?!"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Kong!"
"How's the situation there right now?" Kong asked urgently.
"It doesn't look good. Everything visible from our position has already been reduced to ruins. Black smoke is rising everywhere, and the ground is shaking constantly. I'd guess fierce battles are happening in the center of God Valley against the Rocks Pirates."
The Marine truthfully reported everything he knew.
"Understood."
Kong nodded and hung up the Den Den Mushi.
"Garp hasn't even arrived yet, and someone's already fighting the Rocks Pirates... If my guess is right, it should be Is and the others."
Sengoku had been listening the whole time. The moment the Marine described the situation, he had already pieced things together.
"Is, huh? If that's the case, then perhaps things aren't as terrible as we imagined."
Kong held Is in extremely high regard.
After all, during their previous encounter, Is had played a crucial role in pushing Rocks into such a desperate position.
"True... but battles at their level might destroy God Valley itself. The Celestial Dragons are definitely going to suffer heavy losses. In the end, we probably still won't escape accountability from the World Government."
Sengoku let out a deep sigh.
"No matter what, if we can completely destroy Rocks this time, I believe the World Government won't pursue the matter too harshly," Kong replied calmly.
"That's assuming things go smoothly. If Rocks escapes again, the Marines will become the laughingstock of the world."
"Don't think so negatively. Even if Is and the others can't defeat Rocks, as long as they hold him off until we arrive, he won't escape even if he grows wings."
Time passed second by second.
The battle on God Valley became increasingly intense.
Even the outer edges of the island were beginning to sink into the sea, piece by piece.
—
Slash!
Rocks seized a once-in-a-lifetime opening and slashed across Is's abdomen.
He intended to follow up with another strike, but Is blocked it instantly.
Clang!
The force of their collision sent both men retreating dozens of steps.
"Looks like in terms of combat experience and physical techniques... I'm still superior to you, Aurelius D. Virel Is."
After fighting for so long, Rocks finally revealed a smile.
"So what?" Is replied indifferently.
"So what?" Rocks sneered.
"Haven't you realized the severity of your situation? I've already cut your abdomen, and I won't give you any chance to bandage or stop the bleeding."
"My next attacks will only become more ferocious."
"Slowly... little by little... you'll lose too much blood and collapse."
"Though I admit, you're incredibly troublesome. But now... the turning point has arrived."
Seeing Rocks so excited, Is merely laughed coldly.
He ripped off his tattered upper clothing, exposing his well-built body.
The spot where Rocks had cut him—
Forget blood.
There wasn't even a scar left.
Only lingering heat and faint steam remained.
Clearly, it wasn't that Rocks had missed.
Rather, Is possessed terrifying regenerative abilities. The moment he was injured, his body had already begun healing at a visible speed.
Is said disdainfully:
"I'm afraid your plan of overwhelming me and making me bleed to death is destined to fail."
Rocks' expression changed drastically.
The smug smile on his face vanished instantly.
"What's going on?! I clearly cut you! I even saw blood spill out! Why... why is there nothing now?!"
"I couldn't have seen wrong!"
"I definitely hit you!"
Panic appeared in Rocks' voice.
"I never said you missed."
As Is spoke, he brought his palms together.
"Rocks... I won't die."
"In this battle, your death is only a matter of time."
A terrifying aura erupted from his body.
Red markings appeared around his eyes.
That's right—
This was one of the abilities inherited from Hashirama Senju.
Sage Mode.
In the original Naruto, Sage Mode involved absorbing natural energy to create Senjutsu Chakra, drastically enhancing one's ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.
The body would undergo changes, and only Sage Mode with eye markings represented a complete transformation.
But for Is, it wasn't described as chakra.
Instead, another kind of energy replaced it—similar in nature, yet fundamentally different.
—
Elsewhere on God Valley.
Tatsumaki had already killed one official crew member amidst the chaos before facing a Rocks Pirate executive.
"Little girl," the executive sneered, "when Uncle kills you later, don't cry."
He knew Tatsumaki followed Aurelius D. Virel Is.
But what threat could a little brat possibly pose?
"You called me little?"
Anger instantly filled Tatsumaki's face.
Aside from Is—
Anyone who called her small would make her furious.
"You think you're big?" the executive mocked.
"Die!"
Tatsumaki shouted angrily.
"You?"
The executive gripped his sword with contempt.
Green light erupted around Tatsumaki's body.
Suddenly—
The sunlight overhead vanished beneath an enormous shadow.
The executive, about to attack, immediately sensed danger.
He looked up—
And saw an enormous meteor engulfed in flames hurtling toward him.
"A... a meteor?!"
Shock filled his eyes.
When he saw Tatsumaki floating, he knew she was some kind of ability user.
But summoning meteors?
He had never imagined such a thing.
The gigantic meteor tore through the atmosphere, descending with enough force to destroy everything in its path.
Rumble—!
Even before arriving, its roar alone inspired terror.
"Damn it!"
The executive coated himself in Armament Haki and slashed upward.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Three razor-sharp sword slashes struck the meteor—
But failed to destroy it completely.
BOOM!
The massive meteor crashed down and buried him instantly.
Terrifying shockwaves swept outward like a storm, demolishing buildings and kicking up clouds of dust.
Tatsumaki floated proudly in the sky, arms crossed.
"Damn it...!"
The meteor began cracking apart.
The executive staggered out, coughing blood, covered in injuries and burning with scattered flames.
He had never imagined—
A tiny girl could wield such horrifying power.
Still—
He wasn't weak.
After all, he was an executive of the Rocks Pirates.
He wouldn't be defeated so easily.
"As expected... there isn't a single simple monster beside that bastard Aurelius D. Virel Is."
His eyes turned cold, murderous intent overflowing.
Aside from Captain Rocks—
He had looked down on nearly everyone aboard the ship.
Yet today—
He'd been severely injured by a little girl.
Naturally, his pride couldn't accept it.
"You insulted Is?"
The green glow around Tatsumaki intensified.
Her expression turned furious.
The executive froze momentarily.
He couldn't understand why one sentence had enraged her so much.
"Die, you ugly bastard."
Murderous intent filled Tatsumaki's eyes.
Insulting Is—
Was worse than calling her small.
"So what if I insult him?" the executive said coldly.
"Why are all of you so willing to follow Aurelius D. Virel Is?"
He joined the Rocks Pirates for benefits—
And because of Rocks' terrifying dominance.
Rocks had promised to rule the world.
That was why he followed him.
If Rocks ever fell and stopped providing value—
He'd abandon the crew without hesitation.
But Is?
What was so special about him?
Why would powerful people like Tatsumaki willingly follow him?
His Celestial Dragon status?
If they wanted status or benefits—
Then their relationship should also be based on interests.
So why was Tatsumaki this angry?
Tatsumaki ignored him.
She simply raised a hand.
An overwhelming gravitational force descended.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The ground beneath the executive caved inward.
Countless fractures spread out.
His body froze in place.
Unable to move.
This was Tatsumaki's psychic power—
Complete control over gravity.
Similar to the powers of the Gravity-Gravity Fruit.
Nearby ruins glowed green and floated upward before gathering together.
Rumble—!!!
Countless shattered buildings crashed down onto the executive.
He was buried instantly.
Arms crossed, Tatsumaki puffed her cheeks unconsciously at the thought of Is.
"Right... today's Is's birthday."
"The cake can't get destroyed because of the fighting."
Her expression became thoughtful.
She needed to finish quickly—
Then go check whether the cake in the castle was safe.
BOOM!
Suddenly—
An overwhelming sword intent burst from beneath the ruins.
The executive climbed out again.
Even after enduring such attacks—
He still stood.
As expected of a Rocks Pirate executive.
"Can't you just stay down already?"
Tatsumaki frowned.
"How could I die to a little girl like you?!"
The executive roared.
If word spread that a Rocks executive lost to a child—
How would he ever keep his dignity?
"Ugly man."
"You're really annoying."
Tatsumaki spoke with disgust.
All she wanted now—
Was to kill him quickly and go check on the cake.
"Heh..."
"If I don't kill you today... I won't fall."
Blood dripped from the executive's mouth as he laughed coldly.
None of the Rocks Pirates' executives were ordinary.
Including the one before her.
"Let's finish this already."
Tatsumaki sounded impatient.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Three sword slashes shot toward her—
Only to freeze in midair.
Even sword energy could be stopped by her powers.
"What?!"
The executive's pupils shrank violently.
He had never imagined—
Even sword slashes could be controlled.
How was he supposed to fight this?
Without speaking, more green light gathered around Tatsumaki.
Rumble—!!!
This time—
Three meteors descended from the sky simultaneously.
BOOM!
The executive was buried once again.
The entire area had already become a wasteland.
No intact ground remained.
Only ruins.
"What a pain."
Tatsumaki spoke coldly.
After watching for a while and seeing no movement, she assumed he had died.
She turned, preparing to leave and check the cake—
Then heard his voice behind her.
"Who said you could leave?"
—
Elsewhere on God Valley.
The battle between Is and Rocks continued.
Is had completely entered Sage Mode.
An extraordinary power radiated from every inch of his body.
If his aura before resembled a ferocious beast—
Then now—
It was the aura of a primordial monster.
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